Paul C. Armbruster, MS, DDS Head, Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics Director, Advanced Education in Orthodontics Professor Director, Advanced Education LSU School of Dentistry LSUHSC School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics Box 230 1100 Florida Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana 70119 Phone: 504-941-8245 Email:  parmbr@lsuhsc.edu

Full- and Part-time Faculty Members, click here to complete semi-annual resident evaluations.

For clinic patient appointments, call 504-619-8572.

The field of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics is responsible for the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and treatment of all forms of malocclusion of the teeth. Treatment of malocclusion involves the application of force to the teeth through orthodontic appliances, or braces, that are attached to the teeth. The force moves the teeth to the desired new position within the mouth.

The Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at the LSUHSC School of Dentistry treats both children and adults with a wide range of malocclusions ranging from fairly simple problems requiring only minor tooth movement procedures to complex problems requiring comprehensive orthodontics to correct the malocclusion. Two full-time faculty members, 16 part-time faculty members, and one gratis faculty member are actively involved at all levels of teaching and research within the Department.

The postgraduate students in the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics spend two years after completing dental school in additional training to earn their Specialty Certificate in Orthodontics. Four residents are accepted each year into the program. The residents' training includes advanced courses, case-based treatment planning seminars, reviews of current and pertinent historical orthodontic literature, a research thesis, and active treatment of patients with comprehensive orthodontic problems. Treatment modalities for the orthodontic patients in the postgraduate clinic include extraction, non-extraction, growth modification, and surgery. Each orthodontic patient is presented in a daily seminar where open discussion of the problems, treatment objectives, and treatment plan occurs between the faculty, residents, and any undergraduate dental students present.

The undergraduate dental students are taught two preclinical courses and one clinic course within the department that introduce them to the basic concepts of tooth movement and the various appliances used in treating patients. The clinic course during the third year is a rotation-based course where the students spend time in the orthodontic clinic shadowing the orthodontic residents. Additionally, those students on rotation attend case seminars presented by the postgraduate residents to the departmental faculty. Attendance at these seminars reinforces the diagnostic and treatment planning skills required for orthodontic cases. A rotation is available to the lab tech students allowing them to spend time in the orthodontic lab fabricating appliances to be used in the clinic.

Become a Patient
The department screens patients year round by appointment only for acceptance into the teaching clinic. A resident and faculty member evaluate the orthodontic problems of potential patients. The patient's responsibilities and dental school fees are explained at this screening visit to those with cases of good teaching value. Patients who accept the responsibilities are registered in the clinic and typically begin treatment in the fall of the same year they were screened.

Individuals interested in becoming an orthodontic patient at the LSUHSC School of Dentistry should call to make a screening appointment as a new patient. Please call 504-619-8572.

Treatment Fees
Payment for orthodontic treatment in the advanced education clinic is required in full prior to initiation of treatment. One-third of the treatment fee is required to reserve the patient's acceptance into the clinic. The remaining amount is due in two equal payments within 90 days.

Treatment in another department at LSUHSC School of Dentistry requires additional fees.

Location
The Orthodontic clinic is located on the 4th floor of the LSUHSC School of Dentistry Clinic Building.

Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:30 -11:00 a.m. and 1:00-4:30 p.m.

View rosters of full-time, part-time, and gratis faculty members in the Department of Orthodontics.

Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics