Preface to COAST 2018 Innovators’ Workshop: Bridging the biology and technology gap in orthodontics and craniofacial care

• Published in: Orthodontics & craniofacial research Vol. 22; no. S1; pp. 5 - 7
• Main Authors: Iwasaki, Laura R., Covell, David A., Frazier‐Bowers, Sylvia A., Huja, Sarandeep S., Kapila, Sunil, Nickel, Jeff C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-05-2019
• Subjects: 3D imaging; Bioinformatics; Biology; biology of tooth movement; bone bioengineering; bone modelling; CBCT imaging; Computed tomography; computer technologies; Craniofacial growth; Dentistry; Genotypes; Orthodontics; Pain; personalized and precision orthodontic treatment; Phenotypes; Respiratory tract; Skeletal muscle; Soft tissues; TMJ function; bone modeling; bone bioengineering; 3D imaging; computer technologies; CBCT imaging; TMJ function; biology of tooth movement; Personalized and precision orthodontic treatment
• ISSN: 1601-6335; 1601-6343
• DOI: 10.1111/ocr.12303

Structured
Objective
A third focused workshop explored how to transfer novel findings into clinical orthodontic practice.
Setting and sample population
Participants met at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 12‐16 September 2018 for the Consortium for Orthodontic Advances in Science and Technology 2018 Innovators’ Workshop. Thirty speakers and four lunch‐hour focus group leaders shared and exchanged information with approximately 45 registered attendees.
Material and methods
This Innovators’ Workshop was organized according to five themed sessions which covered: (a) The relevance of genetics, biology and environment to therapeutic outcomes; (b) Application of bioinformatics in craniofacial research; (c) Regeneration with and for orthodontic treatment; (d) Technology in precision orthodontics; and (e) Muscle, joint, and airway: Growth, function and pain.
Results
The papers that comprise this supplemental issue exemplify the important outcomes of the 2018 COAST Workshop. In addition, matters identified as important needs include improved understanding of neural, skeletal and muscle tissue crosstalk in early craniofacial growth; standardized methods for three‐dimensional radiographic and surface landmark and reference plane identification, measurements and serial superimpositioning techniques for use in the clinic; sharing and making available existing data sets (eg, cone beam computed tomography images, genotype‐phenotype data); evidence of the usefulness and effectiveness of new devices; guidelines of what to measure to characterize the airway; more information about the influences of the soft tissues on craniofacial morphology; and information about effective digital work flows applied to clinical and educational settings.
Conclusions
Progress in bridging the biology‐technology gap has identified new needs for improvements in orthodontics and craniofacial care.