The 2024 UNC Orthodontic Alumni Meeting was held again the week before Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday, November 21st and 22nd at the Embassy Suites at Brier Creek/RDU airport (please note this change of venue). We had 3 exciting speakers: Brad Kucharo, CPA, CFP – Achieving Financial Freedom Dr. John Christensen – Orthodontic Management of Dental Trauma and Missing Teeth Dr. Trevor Nichols – Mastering Smile Aesthetics: Essential Elements, Gummy Smile Solutions and Finishing Touches. 

BRAD KUCHARO, CPA, CFP –  ACHIEVING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Be among the elite 5% of doctors who can comfortably retire before 65. Learn innovative financial strategies to grow your wealth, achieve financial freedom, and alleviate financial stress. This unique course offers unparalleled insights, drawing from over a decade of experience working with orthodontists. Upon completion, you will gain the expertise to:

• Learn creative ways to minimize tax liabilities.
• Apply strategies to maximize practice profits.
• Master the art of generating income exempt from taxes.
• Adopt strategies to maximize tax-deductible retirement savings.
• Determine how much is needed to become financially free.
• Uncover effective methods for saving more for retirement and reducing debt.
• Learn how to plan for your children’s education in the most tax efficient manner.

---

JOHN R. CHRISTENSEN DDS, MS, PA – ORTHODONTIC MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL TRAUMA AND MISSING TEETH

Dental trauma is difficult for patients, parents, and the dental professional.  Many orthodontists do not participate in the care of these patients yet orthodontic management can provide patients who have suffered traumatic injuries with more options and fewer complications.  The lecture will review dental traumatic injuries from the point of view of the orthodontist and discuss the dos and don’ts of treatment during and after traumatic injuries. 

The lecture will also discuss the role of autotransplantation in the treatment of growing patients with missing teeth.  A review of autotransplantation from success rates to procedures will be reviewed.  The lecture will share cases and discuss why autotransplantation should be considered in your orthodontic practice and how to begin implementation.  It will illustrate how to treat your patients with success rates that are equal to or greater than bonded prosthetics or implants and with teeth that will continue to erupt and change in the growing patient. 

Course Objectives: 

• Management techniques to enhance outcomes for patients who have suffered traumatic dental injury and are anticipating orthodontic treatment or are in active orthodontic treatment   
• Current treatment alternatives for growing patients with missing permanent teeth 
• How to implement tooth autotransplantation into practice and what protocols to use to enhance success 
• How to answer parent and patient questions about tooth autotransplantation 
• What to discuss with surgeons and restorative dentists before beginning an autotransplantation case 

---

TREVOR NICHOLS DMD, MS – MASTERING SMILE AESTHTICS: ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS, GUMMY SMILE SOLUTIONS AND FINISHING TOUCHES

In this comprehensive lecture, we will delve into the essential components that define a perfect smile, providing a detailed exploration of the key characteristics that contribute to an aesthetically pleasing and harmonious smile.

Participants will gain valuable insights into the diagnosis and treatment of gummy smiles, a common concern among patients seeking orthodontic care. We will discuss various treatment modalities and the criteria for selecting the appropriate technique for optimal results.

Additionally, this course will cover esthetic finishing techniques, emphasizing the importance of meticulous attention to detail in achieving superior outcomes. We will explore the role of tooth shaping and contouring during orthodontic treatment, as well as the application of laser gingivectomies, providing practical tips and strategies to enhance the overall esthetic appeal of the final result.

Course Objectives:

• Identify the key characteristics of a perfect smile.
• Diagnose and develop treatment plans for gummy smiles.
• Understand the various treatment modalities for correcting gummy smiles.
• Apply esthetic finishing techniques, including tooth shaping and contouring.
• Utilize laser gingivectomies to enhance esthetic outcomes.
• Enhance patient satisfaction by achieving optimal esthetic results.
• Join us for this informative session and elevate your practice by mastering the art
• and science of creating beautiful, confident smiles.

More info…