Section of Orthodontics

Orthodontic education at the UCLA Section of Orthodontics is comprehensive, with special emphasis placed on developing a thorough understanding of the diversity of orthodontic treatment options available to practitioners. Our students graduate with a full understanding of comprehensive treatment for children and adults, Phase I treatment, craniofacial care, and combined orthodontic/orthognathic surgery procedures. All post-doctoral orthodontic trainees are also concurrently enrolled in an M.S. program in Oral Biology through the UCLA School of Dentistry, allowing them to pursue both basic science and clinical research training.

In addition to our distinguished three-year postdoctoral orthodontic training program, which accepts both domestic and international applicants, the UCLA Section of Orthodontics offers a wide range of training programs for other interested candidates. The Section offers advanced training for those interested in enhancing their clinical and treatment planning skills through the International Advanced Clinical Training (ACT) Program and Preceptorship Program for both internationally trained dentists and orthodontists as well as weekend Continuing Dental Education courses for practicing orthodontists. Lastly, the Section is extensively involved in predoctoral orthodontic training, including the Orthodontic Advanced Track Program for a selected group of dental students who demonstrate early interest in the profession.

Research pursued by members of the UCLA Section of Orthodontics is multi-disciplinary, innovative, and consistently recognized by leading publications in the medical and dental community. Ranging from clinical orthodontic studies to basic science and translational research, the Section emphasizes the relevance of all aspects of scientific investigation on clinical outcomes and best practices.  All faculty members are actively engaged in research, securing major extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, to name a few. Their research interests are diverse, and include craniofacial regenerative therapy, tissue engineering, orthodontic micro-implants, accelerated tooth movement, genome-wide association studies of craniofacial phenotypes, 3-D image analysis of the human skull and soft tissue, and Finite Element Model studies.

The UCLA Section of Orthodontics prides itself in providing treatment to a diverse array of patients in various clinical settings. Section faculty members supervise orthodontic care performed by both predoctoral and postdoctoral students in the UCLA School of Dentistry's Orthodontic Innovation Clinic. Utilizing state of the art treatment planning tools such as CBCT imaging, 3D printers, and 3D soft tissue facial analysis software, students are able to provide effective and accurate treatment planning and care to patients with conditions ranging from simple malocclusions to the most complex craniofacial malformations. Students and faculty regularly utilize both traditional and innovative orthodontic appliances, including traditional edgewise brackets, lingual brackets, self-ligating brackets, clear aligner therapy (such as Invisalign), micro-implants, and a variety of other treatment appliances.

Francesca Moore, Administrative Specialist to the Chair
Phone: (310) 825-4705
fmoore@dentistry.ucla.edu