NESO 2026 Annual Meeting Speakers
We value openness and transparency. Each of our speakers submits a disclosure statement to share any relevant affiliations or relationships. They will be posted below as they are received.
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Speakers are listed in chronological order.
William Giannobile
DDS, MS, DMedSc
Precision Dental Medicine and AI
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in precision dental medicine is rapidly transforming the field of dentistry, including orthodontics by shifting the focus from standardized treatment protocols to biologically tailored solutions. Through AI, advances in precision medicine-offers personalized patient diagnosis through genetic profiling, digital diagnostics, and patient-specific risk assessments-offers the ability to customize implant therapies, improving both long-term outcomes and patient satisfaction. Together, these approaches represent a paradigm shift toward more personalized, biologically integrated dental and orthodontic care.
Objectives
- Explain the foundational principles of artificial intelligence and precision dental medicine and describe how these technologies are transforming diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment planning in dentistry with implications to orthodontics.
- Evaluate current and emerging AI-driven tools in clinical practice, including their applications in imaging analysis, treatment simulation, and patient-specific care, with attention to clinical accuracy, efficiency, and limitations.
- Apply precision dental medicine concepts to clinical decision-making by integrating patient-specific data (genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors) with AI-supported insights to optimize individualized orthodontic treatment outcomes.
Renato Cocconi
MD, DDS, MS
Finishing, Detailing, and Occlusion
This workshop explores advanced concepts in digital planning and interdisciplinary coordination for achieving optimal esthetic and functional outcomes. Participants will learn how to design treatment plans guided by coherent diagnostic vectors that integrate orthodontic and prosthetic considerations. Through interactive digital case demonstrations, the session will highlight how to apply both orthodontic-driven and prosthetic-driven set-ups to streamline diagnosis, communication, and execution across specialties.
Building on comprehensive digital workflows, attendees will also refine their approach to orthodontic finishing using both fixed appliances and clear aligners, ensuring precision in smile design, occlusal stability, and restorative harmony. This hands-on learning experience bridges the gap between planning and execution, empowering clinicians to deliver predictable, esthetically balanced, and functionally sound results.
Objectives
- Digital planning according to coherent vectors of treatments for esthetics and function
- Apply orthodontic-driven and prosthetic-driven set-ups to interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Orthodontic finishing with fixed appliances and aligners.
Silvia Rapa
DDS, MS
Finishing, Detailing, and Occlusion
This workshop explores advanced concepts in digital planning and interdisciplinary coordination for achieving optimal esthetic and functional outcomes. Participants will learn how to design treatment plans guided by coherent diagnostic vectors that integrate orthodontic and prosthetic considerations. Through interactive digital case demonstrations, the session will highlight how to apply both orthodontic-driven and prosthetic-driven set-ups to streamline diagnosis, communication, and execution across specialties.
Building on comprehensive digital workflows, attendees will also refine their approach to orthodontic finishing using both fixed appliances and clear aligners, ensuring precision in smile design, occlusal stability, and restorative harmony. This hands-on learning experience bridges the gap between planning and execution, empowering clinicians to deliver predictable, esthetically balanced, and functionally sound results.
Objectives
- Digital planning according to coherent vectors of treatments for esthetics and function
- Apply orthodontic-driven and prosthetic-driven set-ups to interdisciplinary diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Orthodontic finishing with fixed appliances and aligners.
Mike DePascale
DMD
Mastering the Art of the Same Day Start: Why it Matters, Navigating the Nuance of Communication, and How to Train Your Team
In this session, I will discuss what a same day start actually means in an orthodontic practice. I will also cover why it's important for your patients and the health of your practice. In reviewing those details, there will be in depth information how to implement it if you so choose, which steps are important, who is responsible for what aspects of the system, and how we implement it into a busy practice.
Objectives
- Identify the importance of a same day start in all aspects of practice
- Explain how to set the patient AND your practice up for sucess
- Review how to actually implement it without derailing your day and make it a positive experience for all
E.M. Ute Schneider
DDS, MS
Management of Missing Teeth in Orthodontics: Space Closure Versus Space Opening
Missing teeth in the esthetically sensitive so-called esthetic zone due to agenesis or dental trauma with avulsion can be either addressed by substitution with prosthodontic devices or by orthodontic space closure. Scientific evidence has proven that space closure leads to excellent long-term periodontal health is is therefore the preferred treatment option. Substitution of the missing teeth with resin-bonded fixed partial dentures is the next preferable solution and is nowadays considered not only a provisional, but a definitive solution. Implant-borne crowns , especially in young patients, should be avoided as infraocclusion is an undeniable looming problem which may jeopardize both the patient's dental and smile esthetics and periodontal health.
Objectives
- Understand the decision making process when to open and when to close the spaces for missing teeth in the esthetic zone which is often an interdisciplinary task.
- Understand the orthodontic biomechanics for both space opening and space closure
- Learn that all treatment options will only lead to a compromise and that careful individual weighing of the pros and cons of the existing treatment options with the patient and the treating interdisciplinary team is crucial.
Lorenz Moser
DDS, DMD
Management of Missing Teeth in Orthodontics: Space Closure Versus Space Opening
Missing teeth in the esthetically sensitive so-called esthetic zone due to agenesis or dental trauma with avulsion can be either addressed by substitution with prosthodontic devices or by orthodontic space closure. Scientific evidence has proven that space closure leads to excellent long-term periodontal health is is therefore the preferred treatment option. Substitution of the missing teeth with resin-bonded fixed partial dentures is the next preferable solution and is nowadays considered not only a provisional, but a definitive solution. Implant-borne crowns , especially in young patients, should be avoided as infraocclusion is an undeniable looming problem which may jeopardize both the patient's dental and smile esthetics and periodontal health.
Objectives
- Understand the decision making process when to open and when to close the spaces for missing teeth in the esthetic zone which is often an interdisciplinary task.
- Understand the orthodontic biomechanics for both space opening and space closure
- Learn that all treatment options will only lead to a compromise and that careful individual weighing of the pros and cons of the existing treatment options with the patient and the treating interdisciplinary team is crucial.
Steve McEvoy
MSc, P.Eng
Putting AI to Work Inside the Practice
Let's talk about putting AI to work constructively inside your Practice. How can it augment your existing Team. Using it for treatment card notes, phone call tree, phone messaging, social media posts, analyzing your schedule templates, financials and more. I'll also talk about the darker side, and the Cybersecurity risks its empowering, and how you can defend the Practice _and_ yourself against these risks. I promise to limit the 'Geek' speak and talk about things in terms we all understand. Bring your own questions and experiences to share!
Objectives
- How to leverage AI within your Practice Management application
- Using AI to assist with your patient communications
- Understanding and defending against emerging Cybersecurity risk
Mark Nevins
DMD, MMSc
Orthodontic Treatment for the Periodontally Compromised Patient
The lecture will focus on Perio-Ortho Considerations Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. We will discuss how we use technology and AI to make strong clinical decisions and deliver detailed information to our patients efficiently.
Pre-Orthodontic periodontal evaluation and treatment is critical to protecting the periodontium throughout orthodontic therapy and for long-term preservation of the dentition. Diagnosis of inflammatory periodontal disease, 3-dimensional bone support, and muco-gingival condition and any associated recession is imperative prior to beginning orthodontic treatment. This presentation will review these critical components with case examples of interdisciplinary therapy. Updated approaches for predictable treatment will include:
- CBCT analysis including Artificial Intelligence assistance and segmentation
- LANAP (Lasser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) for minimally invasive periodontal surgical treatment
- Soft tissue grafting including connective tissue grafting, Alloderm grafting and free gingival grafting
- Sequence of treatment for periodontal/orthodontic considerations
What is the latest in implantology?
Objectives
- Updated periodontal diagnosis with CBCT analysis
- Understand indications for LANAP therapy
- Sequence for managing inflammatory periodontal disease and treatment of recession combined with orthodontic therapy
Ben Smith
Ben Smith, DMD, SCM, MMSC
Orthodontic Treatment for the Periodontally Compromised Patient
The lecture will focus on Perio-Ortho Considerations Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. We will discuss how we use technology and AI to make strong clinical decisions and deliver detailed information to our patients efficiently.
Pre-Orthodontic periodontal evaluation and treatment is critical to protecting the periodontium throughout orthodontic therapy and for long-term preservation of the dentition. Diagnosis of inflammatory periodontal disease, 3-dimensional bone support, and muco-gingival condition and any associated recession is imperative prior to beginning orthodontic treatment. This presentation will review these critical components with case examples of interdisciplinary therapy. Updated approaches for predictable treatment will include:
- CBCT analysis including Artificial Intelligence assistance and segmentation
- LANAP (Lasser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) for minimally invasive periodontal surgical treatment
- Soft tissue grafting including connective tissue grafting, Alloderm grafting and free gingival grafting
- Sequence of treatment for periodontal/orthodontic considerations
What is the latest in implantology?
Objectives
- Deciding what comes 1st: Perio vs. Ortho
- Using AI to efficiently and simultaneously diagnose and treatment plan Perio-Ortho cases
- Mutually improving outcomes: proper tooth position leads to better Perio longevity
Assistant Professor of Clinical Endodontics and the Director of Mind-Body Wellness, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Christina Pastan
DMD, FACD, FICD
Connect to the Power of Your Wellbeing
This course explores the power of self-connection and how developing awareness of our inner experience can support personal growth, resilience, balance, and overall wellbeing. Participants will learn about the connection between the mind and body and how our thoughts, emotions, and physical states influence our ability to manage stress. Through experiential mind-body practices, the session offers tools for wellbeing while providing time to step away from daily demands, relax, and be fully present in the moment.
Objectives
- Understand the power of self-connection.
- Explore the mental and physical layers of being and their interconnection.
- Discover mind-body practices as tools for enhanced wellbeing and practice.
Serge DiBart
DMD
Surgically Facilitated Tooth Movement
Piezocision-assisted-orthodontics is used by the orthodontists to revisit old orthodontic concepts and create a paradigm shift through control of a differential anchorage. This minimally invasive surgical procedure helps the orthodontist, by judiciously taking advantage of the regional acceleratory phenomenon and using novel treatment algorithms, to successfully address difficult clinical situations.
Objectives
- Understand Patient centric care.
- Integrate Piezocision assisted orthodontics in daily practice understanding its potential and limitations.
- Communicate effectively with orthodontists to help them successfully treat challenging cases using a patient centered approach.
Don Nelson
DMD
Surgically Facilitated Tooth Movement
Piezocision-assisted-orthodontics is used by the orthodontists to revisit old orthodontic concepts and create a paradigm shift through control of a differential anchorage. This minimally invasive surgical procedure helps the orthodontist, by judiciously taking advantage of the regional acceleratory phenomenon and using novel treatment algorithms, to successfully address difficult clinical situations.
Objectives
- Understand Patient centric care.
- Integrate Piezocision assisted orthodontics in daily practice understanding its potential and limitations.
- Communicate effectively with orthodontists to help them successfully treat challenging cases using a patient centered approach.
Joe DiPenta
Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) + Staff Retention
This session would provide a high level overview of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), briefly introducing and explaining 13 core tools and disciplines, with a deeper focus on how they help with employee retention. I would introduce the 7 critical needs that must be met to retain great people, followed by a short assessment (Bite 7 Survey) to evaluate how well their organizations are meeting these needs for their people. From there, participants would break into table discussions to review their results and identify gaps, with select table leaders sharing key insights with the full group. I would conclude by showing participants which EOS tools and disciplines support each of the 7 critical needs.
Objectives
- Provide a high-level overview of the Entrepreneurial Operating System and introduce 13 core tools and disciplines.
- Highlight the seven critical needs that must be met to retain great people and help participants evaluate how well their organizations are meeting these needs using the Bite 7 Survey.
- Facilitate table discussions for participants to review results, identify gaps, share key insights, and show which EOS tools and disciplines support each of the seven critical needs.
Flavia Artese
DDS, MSc, PhD
When Straight Isn’t Enough: Finishing Strategies for Esthetic Excellence
Finishing in orthodontics requires deliberate control of both dental and soft tissue esthetics to achieve truly exceptional outcomes. This session will focus on key determinants of smile refinement, including upper and lower incisor position and inclination, gingival display and margins, buccal corridors, and dental proportions. Practical strategies—such as bracket repositioning, wire customization, enameloplasty, and coordination with restorative procedures—will be discussed to optimize final results. Clinical cases will demonstrate how small, precise adjustments can significantly elevate esthetic excellence.
Objectives
- Evaluate and optimize incisor position and inclination, gingival display, buccal corridors, and dental proportions during finishing.
- Apply clinical techniques such as bracket repositioning, wire customization, and selective enameloplasty to refine treatment outcomes.
- Integrate orthodontic finishing with restorative procedures to enhance connectors, tooth proportions, and overall smile esthetics.
Andre Weissheimer
DDS, MS, PhD
When Straight Isn’t Enough: Finishing Strategies for Esthetic Excellence
Finishing in orthodontics requires deliberate control of both dental and soft tissue esthetics to achieve truly exceptional outcomes. This session will focus on key determinants of smile refinement, including upper and lower incisor position and inclination, gingival display and margins, buccal corridors, and dental proportions. Practical strategies—such as bracket repositioning, wire customization, enameloplasty, and coordination with restorative procedures—will be discussed to optimize final results. Clinical cases will demonstrate how small, precise adjustments can significantly elevate esthetic excellence.
Objectives
- Evaluate and optimize incisor position and inclination, gingival display, buccal corridors, and dental proportions during finishing.
- Apply clinical techniques such as bracket repositioning, wire customization, and selective enameloplasty to refine treatment outcomes.
- Integrate orthodontic finishing with restorative procedures to enhance connectors, tooth proportions, and overall smile esthetics.
Brian Wright
Transactional vs. Transformational: How Elite Practices Lead, Market, and Grow Beyond the Status Quo
Most practices operate transactionally focused on tasks, production, and short-term results while elite practices operate transformationally, building purpose-driven teams, differentiated patient experiences, and sustainable growth. In this session, Brian Wright explores the critical differences between transactional and transformational leadership and how this mindset directly impacts team engagement, patient trust, and long-term practice success.
In addition to leadership, this session expands into transformational marketing strategies specifically for practices that do not have extensive social media resources or rely too heavily on digital-only approaches. Attendees will learn how high-performing practices rethink marketing beyond traditional digital channels by focusing on relationships, reputation, patient experience, and human connection as growth drivers.
This session challenges conventional thinking around both leadership and marketing, offering practical, real-world strategies practices can implement immediately to attract patients, inspire teams, and thrive in today’s evolving economy without relying solely on social media or complex digital infrastructure.
Objectives
- Understand the key differences between transactional and transformational leadership and how leadership mindset directly impacts marketing effectiveness and patient growth.
- Learn marketing strategies for practices with limited social media resources, including relationship-based, experience-driven, and offline growth approaches.
- Identify immediate leadership and marketing shifts that improve engagement, trust, patient loyalty, and long-term results without increasing operational complexity.
Assistant Professor in Orthodontics, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education, and Associate Director of the Division of Orthodontics, McGill University
Julia Cohen-Lévy,
DDS, MSc, PhD
Complications in Orthodontics: Sleep Disordered Breathing
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disorder with potentially severe systemic consequences if left untreated. Its long-term management frequently relies on CPAP therapy or oral appliances, which, despite their efficacy, might generate orthodontic side effects. This presentation will examine these complications in detail, orthodontic management alongside surgical strategies. Finally, the legal and ethical dimensions of treatment decisions and follow-up will be considered.
This session will shed some light on our current understanding of the role of orthodontics in pediatric OSA. The following clinically relevant scenarios will guide the presentation:
- How and who to target when screening for PedOSA in an orthodontic practice.
- Palatal expansion timing and its effects on PedOSA signs and symptoms
- Maxillary Complex and/or mandibular advancement timing and its effects on PedOSA signs and symptoms
- Orthodontic extractions and their effects on PedOSA signs and symptoms
Objectives
- To analyze the long-term orthodontic complications associated with CPAP therapy and oral appliance use in adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.
- To present strategies for managing and mitigating these complications, including orthodontic and surgical interventions.
- To examine the legal and ethical considerations related to treatment outcomes and patient consent in OSA management.
- Understand that we can play an essential role in screening for high-risk OSA patients and appropriately referring them
- Understand that many unanswered questions remain (orthodontic extractions and the ideal role and timing of palatal expansion, maxillary complex, and mandibular advancement in pediatric OSA)
- Understand that in some cases, OSA signs and symptoms may immediately improve, not change, or worsen after a craniofacial intervention
Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta and private practitioner
Carlos Flores-Mir
DDS, DSc
Complications in Orthodontics: Sleep Disordered Breathing
Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic disorder with potentially severe systemic consequences if left untreated. Its long-term management frequently relies on CPAP therapy or oral appliances, which, despite their efficacy, might generate orthodontic side effects. This presentation will examine these complications in detail, orthodontic management alongside surgical strategies. Finally, the legal and ethical dimensions of treatment decisions and follow-up will be considered.
This session will shed some light on our current understanding of the role of orthodontics in pediatric OSA. The following clinically relevant scenarios will guide the presentation:
- How and who to target when screening for PedOSA in an orthodontic practice.
- Palatal expansion timing and its effects on PedOSA signs and symptoms
- Maxillary Complex and/or mandibular advancement timing and its effects on PedOSA signs and symptoms
- Orthodontic extractions and their effects on PedOSA signs and symptoms
Objectives
- To analyze the long-term orthodontic complications associated with CPAP therapy and oral appliance use in adult obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.
- To present strategies for managing and mitigating these complications, including orthodontic and surgical interventions.
- To examine the legal and ethical considerations related to treatment outcomes and patient consent in OSA management.
- Understand that we can play an essential role in screening for high-risk OSA patients and appropriately referring them
- Understand that many unanswered questions remain (orthodontic extractions and the ideal role and timing of palatal expansion, maxillary complex, and mandibular advancement in pediatric OSA)
- Understand that in some cases, OSA signs and symptoms may immediately improve, not change, or worsen after a craniofacial intervention
Julia Naoumova
DDS
Orthodontic Problems “Erupt” when Teeth “Fail to Erupt"
Eruption failure remains a complex topic in Orthodontics, underscoring the need for orthodontic practitioners to continually update their knowledge of evidence-based protocols. Our session tells the story of how these guidelines evolved in our respective research programs to contribute t the clinical best practices for diagnosing and managing impacted teeth, PFE, ankylosis and delayed eruption. Building on previous talks, we will consider advances in science and technology toward clinical management of the variety of presentations that these clinical scenarios manifest. By establishing and following these best practices, practitioners can maximize patient satisfaction and doctor efficiency, while continuing to advance the profession.
Objectives
- Distinguish key diagnostic features and clinical variations of eruption failure in orthodontic practice.
- Describe evidence-based strategies for managing impacted teeth, PFE, ankylosis and delayed eruption
- Incorporate scientific and technological advances into treatment planning to enhance efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Sylvia Frazier-Bowers
DDS, PhD
Orthodontic Problems “Erupt” when Teeth “Fail to Erupt"
Eruption failure remains a complex topic in Orthodontics, underscoring the need for orthodontic practitioners to continually update their knowledge of evidence-based protocols. Our session tells the story of how these guidelines evolved in our respective research programs to contribute t the clinical best practices for diagnosing and managing impacted teeth, PFE, ankylosis and delayed eruption. Building on previous talks, we will consider advances in science and technology toward clinical management of the variety of presentations that these clinical scenarios manifest. By establishing and following these best practices, practitioners can maximize patient satisfaction and doctor efficiency, while continuing to advance the profession.
Objectives
- Distinguish key diagnostic features and clinical variations of eruption failure in orthodontic practice.
- Describe evidence-based strategies for managing impacted teeth, PFE, ankylosis and delayed eruption
- Incorporate scientific and technological advances into treatment planning to enhance efficiency and patient satisfaction.
Tammie Maddy
From Stranger to Team Member: Powerful Onboarding In Your Practice
Staffing challenges continue to haunt practices everywhere. Long-term forecasts from the ADA are sobering, with no end in sight. In addition, comprehensive HR management training is not widespread.
You have finally found an employee with skills, the right attitude, and they have actually shown up for their first day! Your work is now just beginning. Poor onboarding is a leading cause of turnover in the first year of employment.
Capable and willing new-hires are still scarce. This means our Onboarding Process has to be robust and effective. We need to confidently say: “I did everything I could to set this person up for success.”
Join us as we explore proven strategies for building a successful onboarding process. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to customize onboarding for your practice.
Objectives
- The importance of proper onboarding and what the data shows
- Learn the difference between Orientation and Onboarding
- Discover easy ways to make your next new-hire a rockstar
- Evaluate where your current onboarding can improve, and how to fix it
Chair and Graduate Program Director of Orthodontics, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Thikriat Al-Jewair
DDS, MSc, MS, FRCD(C)
Management of Frenulum and Tongue-Tie: Clinical Insights from Orthodontic and Pediatric Dentistry
This presentation will explore the prevalence, diagnosis, and evidence-based management of soft tissue conditions, specifically aberrant frenum attachments and ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), from both orthodontic and pediatric dentistry perspectives. Key focus areas will include screening protocols, optimal timing for intervention, comparative treatment modalities (surgical and non-surgical), multidisciplinary approach to intervention and re-establishment of function, and evaluation of short- and long-term treatment outcomes.
Objectives
- Evaluate diagnostic tools and timing considerations for managing frenulum and tongue-tie.
- Compare treatment options and techniques, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and supporting evidence.
- Integrate orthodontic and pediatric strategies to improve functional and long-term outcomes.
- Identify common soft tissue anomalies in pediatric patients
Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Brett Chiquet
DDS, PhD
Management of Frenulum and Tongue-Tie: Clinical Insights from Orthodontic and Pediatric Dentistry
This presentation will explore the prevalence, diagnosis, and evidence-based management of soft tissue conditions, specifically aberrant frenum attachments and ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), from both orthodontic and pediatric dentistry perspectives. Key focus areas will include screening protocols, optimal timing for intervention, comparative treatment modalities (surgical and non-surgical), multidisciplinary approach to intervention and re-establishment of function, and evaluation of short- and long-term treatment outcomes.
Objectives
- Evaluate diagnostic tools and timing considerations for managing frenulum and tongue-tie.
- Compare treatment options and techniques, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and supporting evidence.
- Integrate orthodontic and pediatric strategies to improve functional and long-term outcomes.
- Identify common soft tissue anomalies in pediatric patients