AAO honors for 2015 orthodontic graduates

A trip to the American Association of Orthodontists 2016 annual session in Orlando is in order for two recent graduates of the orthodontic program at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Britney Bare and Dr. Kelly Martinez Owen of the Class of 2015 learned they are the recipients of American Association of Orthodontists awards as a result of research conducted during their residencies. Both have been invited to present their findings during the organization’s annual meeting this spring.

Milo Hellman Research Award

Bare’s research, “Analysis of Bone Augmentation With Corticotomy-Facilitated Dental Expansion: A Histologic & Micro-CT Study,” delved into the effect of bone grafting when performed in association with a corticotomy, a procedure often used to initiate faster tooth movement in adult patients. Her efforts earned her the highest research award given by the AAO. Bare’s research was selected from among entries submitted by clinicians, teachers, researchers, graduate students and residents throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Thomas M. Graber Award of Special Merit

For her thesis, Martinez Owen, who received her dental degree from TAMBCD in 2012, evaluated whether flap surgery accelerates tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. Her findings earned her the Thomas M. Graber Award of Special Merit, which marks the second year in a row a TAMBCD orthodontic graduate has gleaned this honor.