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DAN GRAUER
Dan Grauer, DDS, PhD maintains two practices limited to orthodontics in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, CA. He specializes in facially – driven, computer-guided biomimetic orthodontics. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a former member of the American Association of Orthodontists Committee on Technology, and an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Dr. Grauer was trained in dentistry and orthodontics both in Europe and in the US, and he holds a PhD in Oral Biology by the University of North Carolina. His research interests are applications of CBCT in dentistry and orthodontics, fully customized appliances, and interdisciplinary treatment planning.
N E X T
THE REVENGE OF ENTROPY:
RELAPSE STRIKES BACK!
LECTURE
Long-term orthodontic stability is influenced by far more than retention appliances alone. Teeth exist within a dynamic equilibrium governed by periodontal tissues, soft tissues, occlusion, growth, maturation, and functional adaptation. This lecture explores the biological principles of orthodontic tooth movement and retention through the lenses of thermodynamics, entropy, geometry, and occlusion, providing a framework for understanding why postorthodontic changes occur. Special emphasis will be placed on how diagnosis, treatment planning, customized appliances, tooth positioning, arch form design, and finishing protocols influence long-term stability. Through clinical examples of both successful and unsuccessful retention strategies, participants will learn practical, evidence-based approaches to designing orthodontic treatments with stability in mind from the very beginning, transforming retention from a post-treatment phase into an integral component of treatment planning.
OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this lecture, participants will be able to:
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Describe the biological and mechanical factors affecting orthodontic stability.
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Assess how occlusion and customized appliances influence retention.
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Apply effective retention protocols to improve long-term treatment stability.
