Dr. Won Moon is the Thomas R. Bales Endowed Chair in Orthodontics and serving as the program director for an orthodontic residency program, UCLA School of Dentistry. He has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics since 2002. He completed his dental education at Harvard and orthodontic education at UCLA. He studied mathematics prior to dentistry, and his research topics include 3D image analysis utilizing surface mapping functions and Elliptical Fourier’s Descriptors, Genomewide Association Study of Craniofacial Phenotypes, Finite Element Model Development and Simulation, Applications of 3D Printing in Orthodontics, Orthopedic Correction, Airway Changes with Orthopedic Corrections, Accelerated Tooth Movement, and Micro-implant (MI) Design study. His work has been published in various journals, not necessarily limited to orthodontics because of his background, and he is a co-author of two textbooks. He has presented these findings in 16 countries, totaling over 150 presentations. His current focus has been establishing protocols for orthopedic corrections with MI, improving the airway for patients with nasal obstruction, and creating virtual patients utilizing image analysis.
His interest in mid-facial expansion began in 2003 as micro-implant became available in USA, and he is responsible for developing Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE), a unique micro-implant assisted rapid palatal expander (MARPE). He has been active in advocating non-surgical skeletal expansion in both children and adult patients, especially for those who may suffer from airway restrictions. His presentation in MSE has been widely accepted internationally, and numerous peer-reviewed publications are available.
2 July
Non-surgical Orthopedic Corrections with Micro-Implants: Breaking the Rules and Expanding the Boundaries
The application of Micro-Implants (MI) in orthodontics can be extremely versatile. Creative use of MI can provide many treatment modalities which were not possible with the traditional approach. Novel treatment protocols involving non-surgical orthopedic corrections in both children and adults will be explored.
Clinical and mechanical obstacles associated with orthopedic correction of Class II and III patients will be discussed, and new approaches eliminating these problems will be presented. Several Class II treatments through growth modification by utilizing MI and functional appliance (FA) together will be examined in detail. The Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) can aid in orthopedic correction of Class III cases when combined with a face-mask (FM) in both adolescent and adult patients. Clinical cases combining MSE and FM will be presented, and orthopedic effects will be illustrated. In addition, orthopedic management of high angle cases will be presented, and the long-term stability of Class II and III orthopedic treatments will be discussed.
Furthermore, the adverse clinical consequences of RPE and SARPE will be explored, and a new approach eliminating these problems by the use of Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) will be presented. Clinical cases illustrating the enlargement of upper airways after MSE in both adolescent and adult patients will be closely evaluated, and other previously unknown skeletal impacts with MSE will be explored. Changes in the facial dimension and surrounding structure will be demonstrated through clinical cases and research data.
This presentation will provide thought-provoking possibilities for those who are seeking more advanced applications of MI.
4 July
Orthopedic Correction of Class III Patients
The aims of this presentation are to explore and to expand the application of Micro-Implants in orthopedic correction of maxillofacial complexes rather than limiting its use only as an anchorage device. Clinical and mechanical obstacles associated with orthopedic correction of Class III patients utilizing the conventional orthodontic treatment modalities will be explored, and new approaches eliminating these problems by the use of Micro-Implants will be presented. The Maxillary Skeletal Expander (MSE) can aid in orthopedic correction of Class III cases when combined with a face-mask (FA) in both adolescent and adult patients. Clinical cases combining MSE and FM will be discussed in detail, and orthopedic effects will be illustrated.
The use of growth modification techniques in conjunction with this new device opens the door to many new possibilities. In addition, orthopedic management of Class III high angle cases and will be presented. The Class III high angle cases are considered to be the most difficult problem in modern orthodontics. The orthopedic correction of skeletal Class III patients with all facial patterns is now possible when utilizing Micro-Implants. Furthermore, orthopedic management of mature patient will be presented. Several clinical cases involving significant changes in maxillofacial complexes will be examined in detail.
Micro-implants bring exciting new dimensions to the discipline of orthodontics. Despite the enormous popularity and interests it commands, we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.