Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Summer 2022 - 64

Faculty Files
During residency, I had the honor of working on the
National Dental PBRN Adult Anterior Open Bite Study.
With the mentorship and support of Dr. Huang, my
research colleagues, and the National Dental PBRN,
we looked at treatment success and outcomes of
adult anterior open bite orthodontic treatment. I was
truly honored to have the opportunity to work on
such an influential and impactful research project. This
experience really shaped my appreciation for research
in orthodontics and allowed me to understand its
importance in our specialty.
PT: I understand you were lead author on one of the
papers published from the study. What were the basic
results and conclusions from that paper?
Patient of Dr. Albin Oppenheim,
early 1900s. Open bite treatment.
LT: My research reported on the overall success rate of
adult anterior open bite treatment and demonstrated
how treatment success varies with treatment modality,
pretreatment dentofacial characteristics, and
patient and practitioner demographic and practice
characteristics. The overall success of orthodontic
treatment in adult patients with anterior open bite
who participated in this study was very high (93%
success rate cephalometrically). Orthognathic surgery
was the only treatment modality that exhibited statistically
significant higher odds of treatment success.
Pretreatment mandibular plane angles and amount of
crowding, academic practice setting, and treatment
duration were also significant predictors of treatment
success.
PT: What are the major reasons you decided to teach
part-time after finishing your ortho training?
LT: I am very grateful for the education and mentorship
I received throughout my academic journey and I
would not be where I am today without the help and
support of my teachers and mentors. After completing
my orthodontic residency, it was one of my
career goals to pay it forward by returning to teach
in the graduate orthodontic program. Having the
opportunity to teach and contribute to the education
of others has been an extremely rewarding experience
and one of the highlights of my early career in
orthodontics.
PT: What are your responsibilities at the university?
LT: As a part-time affiliate faculty member, I dedicate
every Friday morning to working with the orthodontic
residents at the University of Washington. I help teach
the seminar course before every clinic session and
work with the residents to treat patients in the clinic.
PT: What are the benefits you receive from teaching?
LT: Teaching and working with residents has been an
extremely rewarding experience. One of the greatest
benefits I receive from teaching is having the
opportunity to interact with residents and faculty
members from all different backgrounds and professional
experience. Through these interactions and
meaningful discussions, I am continuously learning
and advancing my understanding and practice of
orthodontics.
PT: What are your thoughts on academic careers in
the future?
LT: Education is the foundation of orthodontics, and
our profession relies on educators who dedicate their
time and careers to academics. I believe we each
have a responsibility to contribute to the education of
the current and future generations of orthodontists.
Teaching at the University of Washington graduate
orthodontic program has been a wonderful first
step into academia, and I look forward to being
more involved in the academic world as my career
progresses.
64
PCSO Bulletin Summer 2022
Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Summer 2022

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