Course Description
Orthodontics continues to grow in clinical demand, particularly among adult patients and individuals who benefit from interdisciplinary dental care. Many general practitioners are interested in broadening their orthodontic knowledge but may not have access to structured, evidence-informed training to support their learning. Strengthening this knowledge can help clinicians liaise more effectively with orthodontic specialists and, where appropriate, integrate limited orthodontic procedures within their individual competence. The course also supports new specialists by reinforcing core principles and building confidence in foundational orthodontic decision-making.
Fundamentals of Orthodontics is a comprehensive continuing education course developed by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry to address this need. The program offers a solid, evidence-based introduction to orthodontics through lectures, demonstrations, and simulation-based exercises. Participants will build a strong foundation in diagnosis, treatment planning, and the management of feasible and predictable orthodontic mechanics.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed the foundational knowledge and simulation-based skills required to assess, diagnose, treatment plan, and perform appropriately selected orthodontic procedures within the limits of their individual competence. The course emphasizes appropriate case selection, recognition of treatment limitations, risk management, and timely referral or co-management with orthodontic specialists when indicated. General practitioners will also develop the insight necessary to thoughtfully assess more complex situations, appreciate when specialist collaboration is warranted, and recognize cases that may require additional training or referral.
This course does not confer advanced specialty training in orthodontics. Participants are responsible for independently assessing their competence before undertaking any clinical procedure and for practicing in accordance with applicable professional standards, regulations, and the requirements of their licensing authority.
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- Conduct complete orthodontic assessments and diagnostic workups, including cephalometric tracing and model analysis
- Differentiate among sagittal, vertical, and transverse malocclusions and formulate appropriate treatment plans
- Understand and apply biomechanical principles of tooth movement
- Design and implement interceptive and comprehensive orthodontic treatment plans for Class I, II, and III cases
- Gain proficiency in bracket placement, wire sequencing, and finishing techniques
- Compare fixed appliance and clear aligner mechanics for various case types
- Manage retention strategies and perform retainer fabrication and adjustment
- Collaborate in interdisciplinary treatment planning
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- A basic examination kit will be provided. You will be required to bring specific orthodontic instruments including Wire Bending Pliers. A tentative list of required instruments is listed below (TBC when registrations opens):
- Universal Cut and Hold Distal End Cutter
- Micro Mini Ligature cutter 15 degrees
- Slim Weingart Pliers
- Mathieau plier
- Bird Beak Pliers for .030″ Wire
- Old style loop plier
- Lingual Arch forming plier
- Hollow chop contouring plier
- Hammerhead NiTI pluer
- Torquing Plier with Key for .019″ & .022″ Archwire
- Torquing Plier Key for .016″ & .018″ Archwire
- You must bring a laptop with required software installed. Instructions for downloading and installing the software will be provided prior to the start of the course.
- You must bring a digital camera for intraoral and extraoral photos (NOT a phone camera). Camera requirements:
- High-quality clinical photography requires appropriate camera equipment and correct setup with specialized dental settings. Even with ideal equipment, improper calibration will result in poor and clinically unacceptable images.
- The preferred setup is a DSLR or mirrorless camera with an 80–100 mm macro lens and a ring flash to allow close intra-oral focusing and eliminate shadows. Some point-and-shoot cameras can be used, but they must support telephoto zoom while in macro mode; otherwise, they will not produce clinically acceptable images.
- Alternatively, commercially available camera systems are sold pre-configured for dental and orthodontic photography, with suitable optics, lighting, and preset settings.
- Examples include the OM System Clini-Cam (TG-7) and imaging systems from DINE Corp.
- A basic examination kit will be provided. You will be required to bring specific orthodontic instruments including Wire Bending Pliers. A tentative list of required instruments is listed below (TBC when registrations opens):
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Meeting 1: Foundations of Diagnosis and Records
January 2027- The Six Keys to Normal Occlusion
- Fundamentals of Craniofacial Growth and Development
- Orthodontic Clinical Assessment and Record Collection
- Analysis of Orthodontic Records:
- Extraoral and Intraoral Photography
- Digital Scans and Model Evaluation
- Radiographic Interpretation
- Cephalometric Tracing and Digital Analysis
- Diagnosis of Sagittal, Transverse, and Vertical Disharmonies
- Soft and Hard Tissue Analysis: Identifying Biological Boundaries
- Smile Aesthetics
- Keys to Effective Communication
Hands-on Session: Extraoral/intraoral photography, cephalometric tracing and analysis
Meeting 2: Appliances and Orthodontic Mechanics
February 2027- Edgewise Orthodontic Appliance Systems
- Bracket Types and MBT Prescription (McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi)
- Direct Bonding Techniques for Bracket Placement
- Molar Bands: Indications and Placement
- Archwires and Orthodontic Auxiliaries
- Fundamentals of Orthodontic Mechanics
- Orthodontic Forces and Moments
- Types of Tooth Movement: Tipping, Torquing, Translation
- Treatment Staging:
- Aligning and Leveling
- Space Closure
- Archwire Sequencing
- Finishing Protocols
Hands-on Session: Bracket placement, archwire insertion, lacebacks, tiebacks, bendbacks
Meeting 3: Class I Malocclusions and Interceptive Treatment
March 2027- Establishing the Orthodontic Timeline: When to Start and Finish
- Diagnosing and Managing Class I Malocclusions
- Deviations in Normal Dental and Craniofacial Development
- Interceptive Treatment Strategies:
- Open Bite, Crossbite, and Space Management
- Serial Extractions
- Auxiliary Appliances:
- Transpalatal Arch (TPA)
- 2×4 Appliance
- Lip Bumper
- Palatal Expanders
- Palatal Crib / Tongue Spurs
- Diagnosing and Managing Vertical and Transverse Disharmonies
- Extraction vs. Non-Extraction Approaches
- Comprehensive Treatment Planning: Goals, Mechanics, and Procedures
Hands-on Session: Fabrication and adjustment of TPAs, expanders, lip bumpers
Meeting 4: Class II Malocclusions and Functional Appliances
April 2027- Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Class II Malocclusions
- Orthodontic Timing: Intervention and Completion
- Extraction vs. Non-Extraction Protocols: Mechanics and Archwire Selection
- Class II Elastics
- Distalization Appliances: Headgear, Pendulum
- Functional Appliances: Twin Block, Sander’s Appliance
- Use of Anchorage Devices: Nance Button, Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)
- Comprehensive Treatment for Class II Cases: Clinical Goals and Mechanics
Hands-on Session: Functional appliance workflow, from digital impressions to appliance delivery and monitoring; loop mechanics
Meeting 5: Class III Malocclusions
May 2027- Diagnosis and Management of Class III Malocclusions
- Orthodontic Timing: When to Start and Finish
- Reverse Pull Headgear: Petit and Delaire Facemasks
- Extraction vs. Non-Extraction Protocols
- Class III Elastics
- Comprehensive Treatment Strategies for Class III Malocclusions
Hands-on Session: Delivery and management of reverse pull headgear
Meeting 6: Orthodontic Finishing and Retention
September 2027- Finishing Procedures
- Bracket Repositioning
- Finishing Bends: Tip, Torque, Rotation
- Arch Coordination
- Finishing Checklists
- Settling Techniques
- Appliance Removal: Clinical Procedures and Best Practices
- Retention Protocols
- Fixed Retainers
- Removable Retainers
- Long-term Retention and Management
Hands-on Session: Placement of bonded lingual retainers
Meeting 7: Clear Aligner Therapy and Interdisciplinary Treatment
October 2027- Comparing Fixed and Aligner Mechanics
- Case Selection for Clear Aligner Therapy
- Introduction to ClinCheck and Digital Planning
- Aligner Mechanics for Class I, II, and III Cases
- Managing Interdisciplinary Orthodontic Cases
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Please arrive within 30 minutes before the course start time to sign in.
Staff will be available at the Faculty of Dentistry’s Edward Street entrance to admit participants into the building as this building is not open to the public. If you arrive too early, you may need to wait until staff arrive.
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This course consists of 14 sessions split into 7 weekends (TBC when registration opens).
Fridays are located at 89 Chestnut St.
Saturdays are located at 124 Edward St.Each session will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday, January 15, 2027
Saturday, January 16, 2027
Meeting 1: Foundations of Diagnosis and Records
Friday, February 5, 2027
Saturday, February 6, 2027
Meeting 2: Appliances and Orthodontic Mechanics
Friday, March 5, 2027
Saturday, March 6, 2027
Meeting 3: Class I Malocclusions and Interceptive Treatment
Friday, April 16, 2027
Saturday, April 17, 2027
Meeting 4: Class II Malocclusions and Functional Appliances
Friday, May 28, 2027
Saturday, May 29, 2027
Meeting 5: Class III Malocclusions
Friday, September 17, 2027
Saturday, September 18, 2027
Meeting 6: Orthodontic Finishing and Retention
Friday, October 15, 2027
Saturday, October 16, 2027
Meeting 7: Clear Aligner Therapy and Interdisciplinary Treatment
Note: schedule of course topics may be subject to change
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Complimentary lunch is provided for course participants. Please indicate any dietary restrictions upon registration.
Aside from required equipment that participants must bring, additional hands-on materials and equipment are provided by us for the course.
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There is a $1,000 non-refundable fee. Cancellations made more than 10 calendar days before the course start date will receive a full refund minus the non-refundable fee.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 10 calendar days of the course start date.
Refunds will not be issued for registrants who do not attend, regardless of reason for absence.
Registrations cannot be transferred to another individual.
To cancel your registration, please follow the link and instructions provided in the registration confirmation email. If you are eligible for a refund, the refund will be processed automatically upon cancellation. Please allow 3-5 business days for the transaction to be completed.
Continuing Dental Education (University of Toronto) reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient registrations, instructor cancellation, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. In the event of course cancellation, a full refund will be issued, and registrants will be notified promptly. We are not liable for any associated losses, damages, or expenses, including travel and accommodations.
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After completing this course, a certificate of completion that indicates the number of Continuing Education (CE) points earned will be sent to you within 7-10 days by email.
Instructor
Dr. Cioffi is a full-time tenured Associate Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry. As a clinician-scientist, he specializes in temporomandibular disorders (TMD), the functional anatomy of the masticatory system, and orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Dr. Cioffi received his training in dentistry, orthodontics, and TMD at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. He completed a PhD program in oral sciences and a clinical specialty program in orthodontics at the same institution. During his training, he also gained experience at the Clinic of Masticatory Disorders, Centre for Dental Medicine, University of Zurich (Switzerland), and the Department of Functional Anatomy at ACTA (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). Additionally, he completed the dental specialty training and assessment training program (DSATP, orthodontics) at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Cioffi is a board-certified orthodontist and a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.