Academic and Clinical Background:
1973 Graduated from Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
1973-1981 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics,
Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
1981-1982 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics
University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
1983-1989 Assistant Professor, Department of Orthodontics,
Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
1991-2006 Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
2004-Present Active member of E.H. Angle Orthodontic Society (North
Atlantic component)
2005-Present Visiting Professor at Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
2006-Present Visiting Clinical Professor at University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
2007-2017 Director of SAS Orthodontic Centre, Ichiban-cho Dental Office, Sendai, Japan
2017- Director of Department of IDT, Sendai Aoba Clinic
Dr. Junji Sugawara is currently a Director at the SAS Orthodontic Centre, Ichiban-cho Dental Office, Sendai, Japan, and a Visiting Clinical Professor at the Division of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, USA. He graduated from Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan in 1973 and worked there over 30 years. He is an active member of the Edward H. Angle Society (North Atlantic Component) since 2004. The Skeletal Anchorage System (SAS) utilizing the titanium miniplates as temporary anchorage devices and Surgery First are recent key interests and he has given many lectures on these subjects in the United States, Europe, South America, Australia, Middle East and Asia.
Think the indications for orthodontic miniplates over again
As temporary skeletal anchorage devices were being developed in the 1990s, 2 types were widely put into use. There were great expectations for those that could ossointegrate with bone. This type included retromolar implants, palatal implants, and mini-implants. The other type, developing in parallel, was the mechanical retention type and included miniplates and miniscrews. Extensive clinical experience for a wide range of orthodontic problems and detailed evaluations of these modalities over the years have brought us to where we are now: the temporary skeletal anchorage devices in use are miniplates and miniscrews, and both offer mechanical retention. These 2 types of devices actually function best when they are working in collaboration with each other. Although miniscrews have a valuable role in modern orthodontics, the focus of this presentation will be on recent indications for miniplates; those are 1) backup system of miniscrews, 2) difficult cases with complex orthodontic problems, 3) surgical orthodontics and 4) orthopedic treatment.