“Aligner Orthodontics and Orofacial Orthopedics” is the revised and significantly expanded 2nd edition of the textbook “Aligner Orthodontics” (Quintessence, 2015). Written by Dr. Werner Schupp and Dr. Julia Haubrich, it was published in 2023 by Quintessence Publishing, in English and with over 600 pages.
Dr. Julia Steinmaier (née Funke) contributed to the book, specifically to Chapter 5, Section 1.1 “In-office aligner treatment” (pp. 96–110), together with Dr. Fayez Elkholy. The section provides an overview of various in-office systems, 3D printing, and aligner materials — in other words, the process of planning and fabricating aligners entirely within one’s own practice. This is exactly the approach we have followed since 2019 in our in-house master dental laboratory.
What the book is about
The book is aimed at orthodontists. What is new compared to the first edition is primarily the significantly expanded orthopedic section; that is why the title now includes the addition “Orofacial Orthopedics.” The book begins with the craniomandibular system and its connection to the musculoskeletal system. The main topics:
- Physiology and functional neuroanatomy of the temporomandibular system and the musculoskeletal system (Chapter 1)
- Biomechanical aspects of tooth movement with aligners (Chapter 2)
- Diagnostics — including virtual articulator (Chapter 3) — and treatment planning (Chapter 4)
- Treatment of different malocclusions with various aligner systems (Chapter 5) — from in-office treatment to crowding, extraction, open bite and deep bite, to children, impacted canines, temporomandibular joint treatment with splints, and retention
What the book has to do with our practice
Many of the procedures described in the book have been demonstrated by us in published articles based on cases from our practice. For patients, here are some accessible summaries:
- Early aligner treatment for a child with crossbite — planned and fabricated in our own laboratory
- Examination of the temporomandibular joint, muscles, and posture and aligners after TMD splint therapy
- The digital workflow in in-office aligner therapy
- Aligners and skeletal anchorage in complex cases
What does this mean for patients?
The process described in the book section is one you experience directly as a patient with us: An intraoral scanner captures your teeth; impression material is the exception here. Our orthodontists plan each individual tooth movement on the computer themselves (using OnyxCeph and Exocad); the aligners are printed, finished, and fitted in our laboratory in the same building. If an aligner does not fit, it goes back to the lab without any shipping delay. Aligners are a private service; whether they are suitable for your dental situation is something we clarify during the consultation appointment. More information on our page about clear aligners.
Read more about the treatment itself on our pages about aligner treatment, orthodontics for children and adolescents , and Airway Orthodontics.
The book is available from Quintessenz Verlag (ISBN 978-1-78698-106-6).
Learn more & order: Visit the publisher
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Schedule your no-obligation consultation at JUST KFO – Dr. Steinmaier & Kollegen in Cologne.
