Ortho 1 — Fundamentals of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics

Is Tooth Alignment Enough?

Every restorative dentist has seen it — the patient whose teeth look aligned but whose bite never felt right. The jaw that never fully settled. The TMJ symptoms that appeared after treatment. The orthotic position that was carefully established — then lost.

Tooth alignment is only part of the picture. The missing piece is orthopedics — correcting vertical dimension to a physiologic position that requires actual bone development of the supporting structures. That is something no aligning device can do alone.

At the heart of it is the vertically deficient case — technically over-closed in the posterior regions. This posterior over-closure is the underlying problem that contributes to TMD pain and the many musculoskeletal occlusal problems seen every day in dental practice. Dentists need to learn how to address these cases conservatively — and that is exactly what the GNM orthopedic approach teaches.

Orthopedic Verticalization is non-surgical orthopedics — osseous regeneration and development of the underlying bone, and remodeling of the supporting tissues. We are not just straightening teeth. We are growing bone vertically.

Whether you have dabbled a little in the ortho arena or do it regularly, the combination of GNM orthotics and orthodontic practice is critical to success in the dental practice. If you work with orthodontic specialists, want to enhance your restorative cases, or simply want to understand what ortho can and should accomplish for your patients — this course is exactly where you need to be.

Ask yourself — does any of this describe you?

• You have completed OC Levels 1–4 and are ready to extend your GNM knowledge into orthodontics and orthopedics — with or without a prior ortho background
• You have GNM restorative knowledge but have never confidently applied it to orthodontic treatment planning or case selection
• You have had some ortho training but have not successfully implemented it into your practice
• You work alongside an orthodontic specialist and want to understand, communicate, and oversee those cases at a completely different level

If even one of these resonates — Ortho 1 is exactly where you need to be.

True orthodontic mastery is about developing the knowledge, skills and ability to visualize treatment orthopedically — moving and developing the osseous foundation non-surgically, and bringing the surrounding tissue and bony arches to a physiologic, quantifiable position.

At OC, the physiologic bite record sets the stage first — establishing the corrected orthopedic position before any fixed or removable orthodontic procedures are implemented. Scientific methodology that satisfies bio-physiologic relationships is addressed from point A to point Z — putting the pieces together in an orderly, physiologically sound sequence toward stable occlusion and facial esthetics.

Diagnostic standards of craniomandibular and cervical homeostasis distinguish OC’s orthodontic curriculum from everything else available. Objective documentation, records and scan interpretation validate and support dentofacial alignment protocols — instilling in every student the clinical confidence that comes from knowing the orthopedic foundation is correct before mechanics begin.

This is the foundational course. The comprehensive manual is yours to keep and refer back to every time an orthodontic patient walks through your door — new cases, referrals, or returning hygiene patients.

Converting from a GNM Orthotic (Phase I) to orthodontic–orthopedic verticalization treatment (Phase II) is possible with the right understanding and principles of growth and development — even in the adult dentition. Maintaining the optimized physiologic position relative to the maxilla is the key to stable orthodontic treatment results.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Approach comprehensive, objective orthodontic and orthopedic diagnostics and treatment planning — “seeing the bigger picture”
• Orient to foundational cephalometric landmarks, analysis and measurements
• Understand bracket placement and wire mechanics, with case selection — the when and where of brackets and appliances
• Apply Angle’s Keys to Normal Occlusion — cuspid and molar relationships and their significance to orthopedic diagnosis and treatment planning
• Understand straight-wire bracketing and the various bracket prescriptions
• Work with commonly used appliances, including the “Orthosis Matrix”
• Implement orthodontic cases in practice — practice management

• Theories of growth and development, and growth indexes
• Records for orthopedic and orthodontic diagnosis
• Evaluating diagnostic factors and when to initiate treatment
• Distinguishing simple, moderate and complex cases
• Keys to proper occlusion — and the importance of orthopedic/orthodontic integration to stability
• Overview of current bracket systems and functional appliances
• When and how to use removable and fixed appliances
• How to select your first orthodontic case
• Beginning the integration of an orthosis into orthodontics
• Introduction to GNM Verticalization workflow protocols

This instruction begins your journey to master comprehensive orthodontics, dentofacial and GNM orthopedics.

Occlusion Connections Inc — Nationally Approved PACE Program Provider for FAGD/MAGD credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement. 9/1/2026 to 8/31/2032. Provider ID# 349336.

Clayton A. Chan, D.D.S. — Founder, Director, and Teacher of Occlusion Connections — The Center for Gneuromuscular Dentistry and Orthopedic Advancement.

Dr. Chan’s pioneering role in Gneuromuscular Dentistry extends into orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, where he has developed a comprehensive GNM orthodontic curriculum that integrates physiologic occlusion principles with orthopedic diagnosis and treatment. No other orthodontic curriculum in the world combines GNM occlusal science with orthodontic and orthopedic mechanics at this level of depth and clinical precision. He is the creator of the OC Fellowship, Mastership and Diplomate Award Program, has achieved Mastership standing with the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics, and is the author of numerous published articles on GNM occlusion, orthodontics and neuromuscular dentistry. More about Dr. Chan →