Course Objectives:

• Understand the phenomenon involved in craniofacial growth and development in children from birth to adulthood.
• Integrate the current knowledge on the growth potential and responsiveness of the tissues of the craniofacial complex into the clinical treatments.
• Identify the physiological pathways of growth and development at the craniofacial structures and identify the correct oral functions in children.
• Understand the importance of early interventions, so intercepting any deviation from the normal pathways.
• Identify and intercept developing malocclusions in the primary and early mixed dentition with the Planas´ Direct Tracks.

Educational Method: Lectures and practice under supervision.
CE Points: Dentist 2 days course 11 points.

Day 1

• Insights in craniofacial growth and development: A process driven by several tissues, not just bone. How craniofacial growth is leaded by epigenetics: Genetics and Environment working as a team.
• Mastication and craniofacial growth and development: Sutural growth is affected by the physical consistency of the diet.
• Selective grinding in primary dentition: An interference can deviate the growing pattern.
• Anterior and Posterior crossbites: How to intercept them early with the Planas´ Direct Tracks.

Day 2

• Distocclusion and Deep bite: Managing the vertical dimension and improving the sagittal relationship of the jaws with the Planas´ Direct Tracks.
• Hands-on: Building up the Planas´ Direct Tracks for Unilateral Posterior crossbite and anterior crossbite.
• Hands-on: Building up the Planas´ Direct Tracks for distocclusion.

The Speaker:

Dr. German Ramirez-Yañez is a Pediatric Dentist Certified by the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Between his areas of expertise, he has a special interest in intervening early when a problem in the children’s bite is developing. He is a member of the Canadian Dental Association, Ontario Dental Association, Canadian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Ramirez-Yañez works at Aurora Kids Dentistry in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. He is associated with the College of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Oral Biology. He has over 30 years of experience treating malocclusions at an early age with a functional approach. Dr. Ramirez-Yañez  has a Master and PhD in Oral Biology from the University of Queensland, Australia. He recently completed a Master of Sciences with a major in Craniofacial Pain and Sleep Disorders in Tufts University, Boston, USA.

Dr. Ramirez-Yañez has published more than 20 scientific articles in peer-review journals about functional appliances and the biological rationale for functional treatment of malocclusions and early intervention. He is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Dentistry and Oral Health and the Journal of Orthodontic Science and Practice. He is the author of the book “Early Treatment of Malocclusions: Prevention and Interception in Primary Dentition”, as well as co-author of the book “The Trainer System: A Myofunctional Approach to treat malocclusions”.