2025 Eugene L. Gottlieb JCO Student of the Year: Dr. Korey Searle

As in past years, the judges were highly impressed by the quality of submissions. JCO is publishing Dr. Searle’s case report online to accompany this issue. All finalists will be featured on our Facebook page in the coming months.

Congratulations to Dr. Searle and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry! Current orthodontic students and faculty can expect the start of the 2026 nomination process in August.

PHILIP B. VOGELS
President, JCO, Inc.

What has surprised you the most during your orthodontic education?

I’ve been most surprised by the artistic side of orthodontics and the many effective ways to approach the same case. You can give multiple orthodontists the same patient, and each may develop a different—yet equally successful—treatment plan. Unlike general dentistry, which can often feel more black and white, orthodontics involves nuance, creativity, and complex decision-­making that draws on both skill and experience.

I’ve also been surprised by how much the profession extends beyond tooth movement. We act as the conductors of treatment, balancing biomechanics, staff management, patient guidance, and real-time problem-solving. It’s a complex and dynamic profession that requires an ability to constantly adapt, and I’ve come to appreciate that more deeply over the course of my residency.

What has been the most difficult part of becoming an orthodontist?

Without a doubt, the amount of schooling has been the most difficult part. From grade school to residency, becoming an orthodontist requires nearly two decades of exams, lectures, and clinical training. That said, the challenge has also been rewarding. Each phase of the journey has helped shape me into who I am today. I’ve learned the importance of resilience, discipline, and a commitment to constant improvement. I will carry those lessons with me well beyond residency.

What has been your most rewarding orthodontic experience so far?

One of my most memorable cases involved treating an 80-year-old patient who had wanted braces her entire life but never had the chance due to prioritizing her children’s and grandchildren’s needs. She had a complex medical history that included oral cancer and limited mobility, which made even basic tasks like brushing or wearing elastics challenging.

Despite these obstacles, she showed up to every appointment with enthusiasm. She even color-­coordinated her O-rings to match the theme of her 80th birthday party. On debond day, she was extremely grateful and cried tears of joy. Seeing her emotion and heartfelt gratitude was something I will never forget. It reinforced how meaningful our work can be and the role we play in transforming not just smiles, but also our patients’ lives.

Please briefly describe your most difficult residency case.

One of my toughest cases involved a teenage patient with amelogenesis imperfecta who traveled six hours just to be seen at our clinic. He had minimal enamel, severe crowding, and significant wear. Since his long-term plan included full-mouth crowns, improving alignment and spacing was critical to preserving his dentition. We started with clear aligners, but due to compliance issues and the extent of tooth movement needed, we switched to fixed appliances. Traditional brackets weren’t an option, so I ended up banding every tooth. This case pushed me to problem-solve and adapt at every step. It was time-consuming and technically challenging, but watching his progress was incredibly rewarding.

Any research projects you’d like to briefly share with our readers?

My master’s thesis focused on the impact of remote monitoring in orthodontics. I explored how practices are implementing this technology and how it affects treatment outcomes, including appointment frequency, treatment duration, number of aligners, and number of emergency appointments. The field is moving toward more digital and AI-assisted workflows, and I’m excited to be part of that evolution. I hope to have my findings published soon!

What are your postgraduate plans?

After graduation, I am planning to return to West Michigan. I’m excited to move back home and put down roots in a close-knit rural community. I look forward to building lasting relationships with patients and giving back to the place that played such a big role in shaping who I am today.

What do you think orthodontics will look like in 10 years?

I think orthodontics will be even more personalized and technology driven. In-office three-dimensional printing of aligners and custom brackets will likely become mainstream, and digital workflows like indirect bonding with in-house trays will be widely adopted. AI will play a bigger role too, in everything from remote monitoring to smarter practice management. While I don’t expect the biology of tooth movement to change anytime soon, our tools will keep evolving to improve precision, reduce treatment times, and enhance the overall patient experience.

Rapid-Fire Round

How can orthodontists thrive in today’s competitive marketplace, particularly with the increase in dentists offering various forms of orthodontics?

Our advanced specialty training prepares us to handle any case, no matter how complex. That level of expertise allows us to deliver efficient, high-quality care that’s hard for general dentists to match.

Social media: Should it be a major tool in an orthodontist’s marketing arsenal?

Social media should be a key part of every orthodontist’s marketing strategy, especially as patients become increasingly digitally connected. It’s a powerful way to engage with the community and showcase a practice’s culture.

Clear aligners: What malocclusions should they be considered or not considered for?

Clear aligners are great for mild to moderate crowding, Class I malocclusions, and controlled movements like tipping and mild spacing. I enjoy using them whenever I can, and they continue to improve, but it’s still tough to beat the efficiency and proven success of braces for more complex cases.

TADs: Are we moving toward too much TAD usage, or will applications continue to increase?

TADs offer great skeletal anchorage, but they’re not needed in most cases given their high failure rates and challenges with patient acceptance. Nevertheless, I’m sure orthodontists will keep finding creative ways to use them in their treatment plans.

Extraction: Where do you stand on the debate?

While I try to be conservative whenever possible, extractions are required in many cases to achieve ideal treatment outcomes. When necessary, I don’t hesitate to offer them, especially since I had extractions myself!

Retention: Should patients always be pushed toward permanent retention, and how long should we continue to see them on recall visits?

No, I don’t think permanent retention makes sense for everyone. I reserve bonded retainers for cases with high risk of relapse, such as significant spacing or rotations, especially since I’ve seen the downsides myself, including breakage and hygiene issues. Recall visits are most important in the first year or two, and after that, I tailor them to the patient’s needs.

Phase I treatment: Overused, underused, or properly used?

I think Phase I tends to be overused, and I try to avoid having patients in treatment for many years across multiple phases. That said, I fully support early intervention when it’s truly needed, like for crossbites, psychosocial concerns, ectopic teeth, habit reduction, space maintenance, or growth modification.

3D printing: Are we going to reach a point where orthodontic practices must have this capability in-house?

Yes, given this rapidly evolving technology, I believe in-house 3D printing will become standard practice, especially as printed aligners and brackets continue to improve.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’d like to thank JCO and American Orthodontics for this honor, and my mentors at Michigan, my co-residents, and especially my wife, Anna, and our family for their unwavering support. This award is particularly meaningful to me because my late mother, who passed in 2020, would be incredibly proud of this achievement.