Mastering Orthognathic Surgery

The landscape of orthognathic surgery is shifting rapidly. What was considered cutting-edge just a few years ago is now standard practice, and new technologies are emerging that offer unprecedented precision. For surgeons and orthodontists dedicated to excellence, staying ahead of these trends isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity for patient care.

If you are looking to refine your skills and integrate the latest digital workflows into your practice, the upcoming AO CMF NA course, Orthognathic Surgery: Current Trends and Clinical Perspectives, is the professional development opportunity of the year.

Taking place on March 21-22, 2026, in the vibrant city of Austin, Texas, this two-day intensive course offers a deep dive into the evolution of orthognathic principles. Whether you are an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, otolaryngologist, plastic surgeon, or orthodontist, this course is designed to equip you with the tools to treat complex clinical problems more effectively.

Why Attend? Moving Beyond the Textbook

Orthognathic osteotomy requires a delicate balance of art and engineering. This course moves beyond theoretical lectures to provide a tangible, hands-on learning experience. It acknowledges that the best way to learn complex surgical techniques is to perform them under the guidance of masters.

Here is what sets this educational experience apart:

1. Hands-On Virtual Planning

One of the most critical advancements in our field is the shift toward digital planning. In this course, you won’t just watch a demonstration. You will participate in a virtual planning session, working directly with an onsite engineer to plan orthognathic cases. This practical exposure helps demystify the software and shows you exactly how to translate digital plans into surgical reality.

2. Practical Lab Experience

Theory is essential, but muscle memory is critical. The course features a laboratory session where you will perform orthognathic surgical osteotomies on bone models. You will work with the latest cutting guides and patient-specific implants (PSIs), allowing you to feel the difference that precision technology makes in the operating room.

3. Integrated Digital Workflow

The course highlights the complete workflow—beginning with the initial clinical exam, moving through sophisticated virtual planning, and culminating in the surgical procedure itself. Understanding this entire lifecycle is key to improving efficiency and predictability in your own practice.

Expert Faculty and Collaborative Learning

The quality of an educational course is defined by its instructors. This event brings together a powerhouse faculty roster from both AO CMF International and North America.

These experts are not just lecturers; they are pioneers in the field who are actively using computer-aided surgery and patient-specific implants to treat orthognathic patients. The format is designed to foster interaction. You can expect short, high-impact presentations combined with small group discussions. This intimate setting encourages you to ask tough questions, share your own challenging cases, and get personalized feedback from leaders in the field.

Who Should Register?

This course is specifically targeted toward professionals who handle dentofacial deformities and complex reconstructive cases. It is an ideal fit for:

• Attending Surgeons & Residents in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgeons
• Plastic Surgeons
• Orthodontists interested in surgical collaboration

Coordinated comprehensive treatment planning—primarily between the orthodontist and the orthognathic surgeon—is a major focus. By attending, you will learn how to strengthen these interdisciplinary relationships to decrease complications and improve overall patient satisfaction.

Invest in Your Professional Growth

Beyond the skills you will acquire, this orthognathic surgery course is an investment in your professional standing.

• Earn CME Credit: The course offers 13.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, helping you meet your continuing education requirements while advancing your career.
• Network with Peers: Connect with colleagues facing similar challenges and build a network of support that extends far beyond the weekend in Austin.

Secure Your Spot in Austin

Don’t let the rapid pace of technological change leave your practice behind. Join us in Austin to master the current trends and clinical perspectives that are defining the future of orthognathic osteotomy surgery.

Course Details:

• Title: Orthognathic Surgery: Current Trends and Clinical Perspectives
• Dates: March 21-22, 2026
• Location: Austin, Texas, USA
• CME: 13.5 Credits

Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality, hands-on experience for all participants. Register today to guarantee your place at the forefront of surgical innovation.

Course Leadership

Alan Herford, DDS, MD, FACS — Chairperson
Professor and Chair, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Loma Linda University School of Dentistry

Srinivas Susarla, DMD, MD, FACS, FAAP — Co-Chairperson
Division Chief, Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery
Division Chief, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgical Director, Craniofacial Center
Marlys C. Larson Endowed Chair in Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery
Seattle Children’s Hospital / University of Washington

Sherard Tatum, MD, FAAP, FACS — Co-Chairperson
Professor, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
Professor, Pediatrics
Medical Director, Cleft and Craniofacial Center
Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
SUNY Upstate Medical University

Larry Cunningham, MD, DDS, FACS, FICD — Course Director
Professor
Waco Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Course Faculty

Jonathas Claus, DDS, PhD
Chairman, Instituto Bucomaxilofacial
Hospital Baía Sul
Brazil

Edward Ellis, DDS, MS
Professor and Chair, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
University of Texas Health Science Center

Elda Fisher, MD, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial, and Oral Surgery
Duke University

Mauricio Gonzalez Balut, DDS, MS (Ortho)
Assistant Professor, Orthodontic Program and Professor of the Predoctoral Program at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry

Richard Hopper, MD, MS
Medical Director, Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery
Samuel Stal Endowed Chair in Plastic Surgery
Professor with Tenure, Baylor College of Medicine
Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin

Hitesh Kapadia, DDS, PhD
Associate Professor, Plastic Surgery
Baylor College of Medicine
Texas Children’s Hospital

Janice Lee, DDS, MD, FACS
Clinical Director
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH

Waldemar Polido, DDS, MS, PhD
Clinical Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Indiana University School of Dentistry

Jeffrey C. Posnick, DMD, MD, FRCSC, FACS
Professor Emeritus, Plastic Surgery and Pediatrics, Georgetown University
Professor of Orthodontics, University of Maryland
Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Howard University
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

David Powers, MD, DMD, FACS, FRCS(Ed)
Professor of Surgery
Director, Duke Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Program
Fellowship Director, Craniomaxillofacial Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery
Vice Chair and Chief, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Duke University Medical Center

Salam Salman, DDS, MD, FACS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery
Clinical Faculty, Emory University School of Medicine

Timothy Tremont, DMD, MS
Professor and Chair, Orthodontics
Department of Advanced Specialty Sciences
College of Dental Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina

Joseph Van Sickels, DDS, FACS
Professor
University of Kentucky