Faculty Profile of Dr. Flavio Uribe, University of Connecticut
This is the first in a series of faculty interviews to recognize their contributions to the specialty of orthodontics. Dr. Chris Lundberg, NESO Communications Director, conducted the interview for the eNews. Watch this newsletter for future feature articles profiling faculty from the accredited graduate orthodontic programs within NESO.
Dr. Flavio Uribe completed his dental school at the Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud in Medellin, Colombia. After working in a community hospital in a rural area of Colombia, he migrated to United States and completed a three-year residency and fellowship program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the University of Connecticut. Thereafter, he obtained his clinical certificate and Master in Dental Science degree in the Division of Orthodontics at the University of Connecticut. Immediately following graduation, he joined the Orthodontic Division in the same institution as a full time faculty member in 2002. Since 2005, Dr. Uribe has been clinic and program director of the Division of Orthodontics.
eNews: Where do you teach? For how long? In what capacity?
Dr. Uribe: I have been teaching at the University of Connecticut since graduation for the past 8 years. My primary responsibilities are those of a program director. These include: clinic precepting in the graduate orthodontic clinic, teaching responsibilities, conducting clinical and basic science research, administrative duties and 1.5 days dedicated to an intramural faculty practice.
eNews: What are your primary areas of interest in teaching and/or research?
Dr. Uribe: The areas of research interest are both in the clinical and basic science arena. In the basic science area I work together with Dr. Sunil Wadhwa trying to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the biology of tooth movement. Additionally, we are looking at methods that could possibly enhance the speed of tooth movement, more specifically studying the effects of vibration. These animal tooth movement experiments are being conducted in rats and transgenic mice available at our institution, in a collaborative work with bone scientists in other departments.
In the area of clinical research we are conducting prospective and retrospective studies on different topics trying to answer some clinically relevant questions such as: how often do black triangles occur after the extraction of lower incisors? Can silver-coated elastomeric ties deliver an antimicrobial effect? Additionally we are conducting studies in areas such as biomechanics, CBCT, and smile esthetics.
In the area of biomechanics, which has been the strength of our Division for many years, we are in the middle of a prospective clinical trial evaluating the difference in anchorage preservation, incisor and lip position of miniscrew anchorage vs. a differential moment strategy in space closure. Additionally, translational research is also being conducted on biomechanics. More specifically, we are looking at different archwire and bracket configurations in vitro to later evaluate them in vivo. One of the projects is looking at standard and self-ligating brackets combined with treated NiTi wires to evaluate the relationship of friction to tooth movement.
In the area of new developments, I am interested in enhancing the speed of tooth movement with surgery. In this aspect we have seen remarkable results expediting the treatment of patients with dentofacial deformities undergoing orthognathic surgery combined with orthodontics. This treatment time reduction has been achieved by eliminating the presurgical orthodontic phase, using skeletal anchorage plates to achieve any significant tooth movements after surgery. The average treatment time in these patients has been approximately 11 months, which can be considered a 50-60% reduction in the average treatment time. We have also started exploring corticotomies and osteotomies as a means to accelerate tooth movement. These procedures may decrease treatment times significantly, especially when these surgical interventions undermine the mechanical resistance of bone and are combined with the delivery of heavy orthodontic forces (orthopedic) are delivered with traditional orthodontic appliances or distraction osteogenesis devices.
Another subarea of interest in biomechanics is its application when using TADs. Understanding biomechnics allows to take full advantage of miniplates or miniscrews. We have published in our Division a book showing the expanded possibilities with skeletal anchorage.
My final interest is the treatment of complex multidisciplinary using endosseous implants placed at the start or initial phases of orthodontic treatment. This offers a twofold advantage especially in those patients missing numerous teeth as the implants can be used as anchorage during orthodontic treatment and then restored once the treatment is finalized.
eNews: We are all aware of the challenges involved in contemporary orthodontic education including a shortage of qualified instructors and discrepancies in compensation for orthodontic educators compared to private practitioners. How have you managed these challenges in your own career?
Dr. Uribe: This has not been a problem in my career. I believe this has been possible by having an extremely supportive chairman, mentor and friend (Dr Ravindra Nanda). He has laid an environment in the Division that fosters academic excellence making sure that all Faculty get a fair compensation.
Although there is a gap in the compensation, I have been able to compliment my salary with an intramural practice. There still is a discrepancy in monetary compensation and increased work hours and work days, including weekends. Although there are multiple responsibilities and work , the variety of tasks makes every day at the job very exciting. In addition, the team of Faculty in our Department has a combination of camaraderie and work ethic that is the perfect to generate important academic productivity and be at the forefront in research and education.
eNews: What are your thoughts regarding the future of orthodontic education?
Dr. Uribe: I believe that the AAO is doing a very good job trying to recruit and maintain young orthodontic graduates and junior faculty. I think that there is a good group of emerging young faculty doing interesting work in the field. I believe that these young faculty are trying to change the profession in a good way from personality/technique/philosophy- driven to a more evidence based approach. Moreover, these young faculty members are conducting more valid research so our evidence to be used in practice can be more robust and reliable. Finally, I also believe that the current situation of the economy and the difficulty in finding jobs in private practice has made the young graduates, at least initially, consider education as one of the options to explore.