Orthodontics

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Research Structures

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New technologies and patents in orthodontics

The Research Group in Orthodontics led by Professor Luciane Macedo de Menezes performs activities in the fields of teaching, research, outreach, and service provision, with students ranging from undergraduates to doctoral candidates. The request and submission of patents and the development of technological innovations, both for clinical and didactic use, are also important activities.

In 2009, there was a patent request forwarded to the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), titled “A traction device for orthodontic appliances and the traction method involving the device.” The request describes a cap that facilitates the use of external orthodontic appliances. In addition, three more patent requests were recently made with the INPI, but these are in a period of nondisclosure.

In 2010, a project for a scanner and dental software for threedimensional digitalization of plaster impressions and models was developed in the Institute for Research and Development (Ideia) at PUCRS. The apparatus, designed at the University with the School of Engineering and School of Computer Science, is in the finalization phase for the image manipulation software and is projected to be operational by 2013.

In 2012, the group developed a project for Smartphone or tablet applications (apps), geared toward teaching in dentistry. The researchers, in partnership with informatics, intend to develop apps targeting students to facilitate the teachinglearning process. The proposal is to insert, step-by-step, specific images of clinical procedures, bibliographic references, and space to resolve questions.

In the field of training, the first International Meeting of Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery took place in 2011 with the Japanese orthodontist Dr. Junji Sugawara. For the 2012 edition, Professor Patrick Turley from the University of California, Los Angeles (USA) was invited.

The scientific production of the group has been published in high impact journals, such as the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and The Angle Orthodontist.