Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT): The Direction is "Clear"

Many complex interdisciplinary problems involve deficiencies or discrepancies in the dentoalveolar complex that can prolong treatment time and compromise overall outcomes. Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT), in combination with skeletal anchorage, can shorten treatment times, modify vertical relationships and enhance the development of the arch form, alveolar bone and soft tissue to ideally address these issues involving the dentoalveolar complex. Special focus will be given to utilizing high-tech clear aligners instead of traditional orthodontic appliances to add a new and exciting dimension to SFOT while significantly increasing patient treatment acceptance.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe interdisciplinary diagnostics and treatment planning for the SFOT patient
• Combine hard and soft tissue grafting with selective corticotomies
• Utilize skeletal anchorage with SFOT to modify vertical relationships