Dr. Christodoulos Laspos

New Technologies and their Challenges in Orthodontics – Round Table

The demand for more esthetic and minimally visible orthodontic treatment gave rise to the development of new orthodontic appliances. 3D technology, material evolution and artificial intelligence were used to create and further develop the various types of clear aligner appliances. Throughout the years and with the evolution of this clinical method, this technique has been expanded in treating not only adults but also children and teenagers. Important component of the clear aligner treatment is the placement of a sufficient number of resin attachments on the teeth, few or many depending on the case. This procedure, by removing and bonding again the resin attachments, should be repeated in case of refinement. Documented clinical cases will be presented to exhibit the increased capabilities of clear aligner orthodontic treatment.

Furthermore, the concept of customization and in-house manufacturing has been introduced with the aim to gradually overtake the traditional orthodontic treatment procedures in which appliances are manufactured by external companies. New CAD software enables the 3D designing and printing of customized orthodontic brackets using resin or zirconia in the orthodontic office. Printed aligners seem to have a promising future of aligner treatment printed by the orthodontist in the office following a specific protocol. However, the absence of protocols which will define the way to use these new technologies and the materials have to alert the orthodontic community.

This round table will attempt to address and discuss possible hazards for the patient, the clinician, the orthodontic staff and the environment related to plastic-based materials of clear aligners, the use of the resin attachments, and the need for material and manufacturing workflow testing protocols before using them in the orthodontic offices.

Smile esthetics. We have to change the way we see things!!!

Details of smile esthetics has been discussed by all specialties of dentistry. Whatever change is decided for the patient’s smile, the clinician must have a sensible approach that yields the appropriate treatment plan. In some patients, the general dentist cannot achieve the correction alone but needs the help of other dental specialties. This presentation describes an approach from various specialties in the diagnosis and treatment of our patients. The restorative dentist (implantologist-prosthodontist), the periodontologist and the orthodontist will have to work together towards a common goal. The emphasis of the talk will be on the esthetic restoration of the anterior region without overlooking the structure, the function and the biology. With the above parameters in mind we can achieve the desired results.

Short Curriculum Vitae

Dr Chris Laspos is an orthodontist specialist in individuals with craniofacial malformations. 

He received his DDS (1995) from the Dental School of the University of Athens. He was a research fellow in the TMJ and Orthodontic Department at the University of Rochester, Eastman Dental Center of Rochester, New York. His research focused on facial asymmetries of individuals born with unilateral cleft lip and palate. He specialised in orthodontics (Master of Dental Science)(1996-1999) in the College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee, Memphis. He specialised in individuals with craniofacial malformations (Craniofacial Fellowship)(1999-2000), in the University of Texas, South-Western Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. 

Since the year 2000, he practices in his private orthodontic Center in Limassol, Cyprus. He is the founder and director of the Cyprus Center for Clefts and Facial Deformities, “Medicleft” and of the “Chrysallida Foundation”, the Cyprus association of individuals with clefts and other craniofacial anomalies. He is the director of the Synergy Foundation that provides continuing education courses for dental professionals.

He is an active member of the Angle Society of Europe and Certified of the European Board of Orthodontists. He served as an examiner of the European Board from 2018- 2022. He is a Scientific Collaborator at the Dental School of the European University Cyprus. He is a Doctorate candidate at the Dental Scholl Department of Orthodontics, University of Bern, Switzerland

He published in European and American scientific journals and he lectures internationally on craniofacial malformations, orthognathic surgery, multidisciplinary approach, and new technologies in orthodontics.

He served as a president of the Cyprus Orthodontic Society (2010-2012) and he is the President of the European Orthodontic Society 2022.