TAD Conference 2015 in Florida: Successful tomas® 10-Year Anniversary!

On November 6th and 7th, 2015, Dentaurum USA celebrated the 10th anniversary of the market leading tomas® pin at the luxurious Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, FL. Over 70 participants, ranging from residents to orthodontic prominence, enjoyed a varied program featuring international lecturers.

The conference program covered many subjects from the fundamentals of mini-implant design to studies on proper TAD placement to complicated cases solved in uncomplicated ways, as well as how to design appropriate biomechanics for a variety of situations. Dr. Sebastian Baumgaertel of Case Western Reserve University encouraged orthodontists to think differently about TAD placement by showing that site selection should be based upon where the TAD will be successful rather than on which tooth needs to be moved in which direction. The versatility of the tomas pin allows the practitioner to effect the tooth movement required without compromising pin stability. Dr. Joseph Petrey of Somerset, KY, practically invited participants into his practice and showed how TADs can be an easy and minimally-invasive solution to seemingly difficult cases. Dr. S. Jay Bowman of Kalamazoo, MI, delighted with an eclectic mix of orthodontic wisdom and audiovisual artistry, as he dispelled common apprehensions relating to TAD use.

The second half of day one was filled with a well-attended hands-on session involving almost half the total course participants. There, under the watchful tutelage of Dr. Baumgaertel, doctors placed a series of TADs on their own clear-surface typodonts which allowed top-down assessment of mini-screw placement in relation to root structure. There was plenty of time for questions and answers and a great time was had by all.

Day two lectures ended with enough time for a panel discussion with all three lecturers answering course participants’ questions. In spite of a glorious Florida Friday afternoon waiting outside, doctors remained engaged for the entire 90-minute session in order not to miss one opportunity to learn something more or better understand a point from earlier in the course. The excellent organization by Dentaurum, as well as the exemplary service provided by the Boca Resort & Club put the finishing touches on what was truly a 10-year anniversary event to remember.