Department of Orthodontics

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ABOUT US

The Department of Orthodontics was founded in 1996, following the restructuring of the Clinical Department of Prosthetic Dentistry. In Lithuania, orthodontics is the most rapidly evolving area within the dental profession. The pressing matter of the moment is the education of highly qualified orthodontists equipped with research competencies. At the Faculty of Odontology, orthodontics is taught to the 4th and 5th year Odontology students and 4th year Oral Hygiene students, in both Lithuanian and English. The course aims to familiarise students with the unique aspects of maxillofacial growth and development, etiology, pathogenesis of orthodontic anomalies, and contemporary treatment and preventive methods. Topics covered include the development of primary, mixed, and permanent dentition, principles for diagnosing orthodontic anomalies, and specific oral hygiene practices for orthodontic patients. The department employs state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment methodologies.

Clinical activities

The Department of Orthodontics is the sole specialist clinic in Lithuania for addressing the most complex orthodontic anomalies, drawing patients from across the country. Significant focus is put on early intervention, its optimisation, and the prevention of anomalies. Utilising cutting-edge orthodontic techniques, the department helps craft impeccable smiles and harmonious soft tissue alignment for children, adolescents, and adults alike. Our doctors collaborate closely with professionals from other disciplines, including maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, prosthetic dentists, and paediatric dentists. The methodology of using orthodontic mini-implants has been introduced into clinical practice, and treatment is carried out with modern non-removable and removable orthodontic appliances.

Studies
Research

The Department of Orthodontics provides a three-year orthodontic residency programme that concentrates on clinical practice and research, the professional qualification of a doctor orthodontist, and a doctoral programme.

The research focus of the Department of Orthodontics involves exploring the origins (etiology), development (pathogenesis), improvement of treatment approaches, and the impact of orthodontic anomalies on quality of life, under the leadership of Prof. Antanas Šidlauskas.

The Department of Orthodontics conducts the following ongoing research projects:

A collaborative project with Kaunas University of Technology and UAB Elinta involves the individual dental arch shape analysis methods and dental brace system design and selection, targeting the application of digital dental arch 3D models and lateral cephalogram for personalising orthodontic treatment.
Project “The Influence of Genetic and Environmental Factors on the Development of Malocclusion and Orthodontic Anomalies” is conducted in collaboration with the University of Oulu in Finland.

Doctors at the clinical department regularly deliver presentations at conferences both domestically and internationally, and their articles have been published in international journals. In addition, continued professional development courses are available for medical doctors. Collaboration with universities in Finland, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom is also developed.

Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology / LSMU MA

								
								 +370 37 387560							
								
								ortodontai@lsmu.lt							
								
								J. Lukšos-Daumanto g. 6, LT-50106 Kaunas

Prof. dr. Kristina Lopatienė

Head of the Department of Orthodontics

+370 37 387560 kristina.lopatiene@lsmu.lt

All contacts