Skeletal Expander Pathway

Course Overview:

Join us for an incredible learning experience. Discover the keys to achieving predictable and successful outcomes with MSE/MARPE skeletal expansion and TADs. 

This updated format reorganizes the course for better predictability and implementation. Since the inception of our ASAP Pathway’s Skeletal Expander Pathway 5 years ago, we have learned from the combined feedback of ASAP Pathway members’ experiences, past course attendees, and  Dr Ilya Lipkin’s clinical experiences in providing close to 1000 cases of MSE/MARPE in his practice.  The result is one streamlined protocol that provides the MOST PREDICTABLE and successful implementation in practice. 

We have also expanded coverage of the case management surrounding the skeletal expander  - covering tips and tricks to use while utilizing clear aligner and restorative options to finish a case after skeletal expansion.  We are now spending a dedicated course on this instead of incorporating it with the skeletal expansion protocol, as per the suggestion and request of past attendees.

The new format for the Skeletal Expansion Pathway is now 2 SEPARATE courses:

• Course 1 - focuses on the skeletal expansion with TADs and MARPE 

           (aka everything you need to know from diagnosis to before the split)

• Course 2 - Orthodontic Management and Case Finishing

           (aka case planning, and everything you need to know after the split)

Course 1: Fundamentals of TAD based Expansion.

Orthodontics plays a central role in managing the form that allows for proper function in children. With the advent of skeletal expansion tools, we are now able to expand this treatment to children with severe skeletal discrepancies, and non-growing older teenagers and even adults! 

TAD-based skeletal expansion is a technique that is used in combination with orthodontic movements done with braces or clear aligners.  They have the capability of assisting to change and improve the form of the nasomaxillary complex while still falling within the realm of being minimally-invasive, especially in comparison to the alternative which is maxillomandibular advancement surgery. 

This course is appropriate for dentists who have a solid background in orthodontics or for those who would like to understand it so as to be able to work better with their specialists in planning these cases.

By the end of this course, attendees will be able to:

• Discuss the theory, indications and contraindications for skeletal expanders
• Be aware of complications of treatment and how to avoid them
• Select ideal patient candidates for this procedure and plan the preoperative work up including records, consents, lab process
• Provide post-operative instructions and treatment.
• Understand the indications, contraindications and placement of TADs.
• Address both transverse and sagittal skeletal deficiencies.

Hands-on Activity and Observation of Real Life Patient Care:  Participate in hands-on exercises, including placement of TADs and TAD-based expanders on models.  Participants will also be able to observe a live procedure where Dr. Ilya Lipkin will place a TAD-based expander on a live patient.  . Participants will be able to see everything up close and understand the flow of the procedure, in addition to learning patient management. 

Course 2:  Everything you need to know after the Split! Full Case Management after Skeletal Expansion

Course 2 builds on the knowledge gained in Course 1, offering advanced training for practitioners ready to enhance their expertise in MSE and TADs. Whether you’ve already placed MSE/TADs and are seeking more in-depth knowledge or you’re preparing to take on your first case, this day will equip you with advanced diagnosis and planning skills to manage the orthodontic treatment and finishing surrounding TAD-based expanders. 

With the foundation from Course 1 (or previous MARPE experience), participants will feel confident diving into these advanced techniques, ensuring they can apply what they’ve learned effectively in their practice.

Topics covered include:

• Everything you need to know about making aligner treatment predictable.
• Change your thinking and stop relying on Invisalign technicians to deliver the best outcomes for your patients.
• Learn how to coordinate aligner treatment with MARPE, TADS and other orthodontic techniques
• Learn how to place and use TADs in your orthodontic Tx.
• Treatment planning considerations when incorporating restorative treatment after ortho.

Meet the Instructor:

Dr. Ilya Lipkin is a board-certified orthodontist and is a member of ASAP Pathway. He owns a private practice in New Jersey, and he completed his residency in Orthodontics at the NYU College of Dentistry.

He also worked as a sleep technician while going to school and has a deep understanding of airways and sleeps from that perspective. Ilya practices comprehensive dentistry from an orthodontic standpoint, balancing aesthetics, function, and anatomy.