Lorenzo Franchi

Biography

Dr. Lorenzo Franchi completed his dental education and his PhD curriculum in Preventive Orthodontics at the University of Florence in 1989 and 1997, respectively. In 2008 he specialized in Orthodontics at the University of Rome Sapienza. Dr. Franchi is presently Full Professor of Orthodontics, Dean of the School of Dentistry, and Director of the Postgraduate Orthodontic Program at the University of Florence, Italy. He is also “Thomas M. Graber Visiting Scholar” at the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, U.S where he collaborates with Dr. James A. McNamara since 1995.

He has lectured at many international congresses and symposia on orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and he has published extensively (more than 300 articles) in international orthodontic journals. Dr. Franchi has been Editor of Progress in Orthodontics from 2011 through 2102 and he is currently Associate Editor of the European Journal of Orthodontics and of Progress in Orthodontics. He is President elect 2025 of the Italian Society of Orthodontics. His research interest and areas of expertise are early treatment, treatment timing, and dentofacial orthopedics.

Title

5D treatment of Class II malocclusion

Abstract

Aim: to evaluate patient-related factors that potentially can improve the efficacy and efficiency of Class II treatment in the growing patient. Two such factors that possibly can improve the efficacy of treatment will be analyzed: 1) timing of treatment, the fourth dimension in diagnosis and 2) individual patient responsiveness, the fifth dimension in diagnosis.

Objectives: To show that functional jaw orthopedics for the treatment of Class II malocclusion is effective in altering short-and long-term mandibular growth and mandibular sagittal position if active treatment includes the pubertal growth spurt. To predict individual patient responsiveness, mandibular morphology should be evaluated at puberty. Ideal candidates to functional jaw orthopedics (FJO) for the treatment of Class II malocclusion associated with mandibular retrusion are characterized by a small mandibular angle (Co-Go-Me). These patients present with a favorable mandibular growth potential.

Learning objectives

understand the role of those factors that can help the clinician to improve the efficacy and efficiency of Class II treatment in the growing patient, evaluate the role of treatment timing on the short- and long-term outcomes of Class II treatment, recognize the pre-treatment craniofacial features for the prediction of successful outcomes of Class II treatment.