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May 2026
Volume 60, Issue 5

THE EDITOR'S CORNER

The Rules of Improv

NEAL D. KRAVITZ DMD, MS

Orthodontic practice is rarely as predictable as the treatment plans we craft. A broken appliance, an unexpected staff absence, an upset patient—each day demands more than clinical expertise. It requi...

304

Clinical Outcomes of Extraction-Guided Driftodontics

DALIA EL-BOKLE BDS, MSc, PhD, NEAL D. KRAVITZ DMD, MS

The authors showcase three adolescent cases in which strategic premolar extractions and "driftodontics" enabled spontaneous canine descent, incisor retroclination, and substantial space closure without the need for immediate fixed appliances, demonstrating that carefully timed extractions can harness natural dental drift to simplify and shorten overall treatment.

305

CASE REPORT

Controlled Eruption of a Palatally Impacted Central Incisor with TAD-Supported T-Bar Mechanics

JONJEI KU DDS, MS, SUMIT YADAV BDS, MDS, MBA, PhD, PO-JUNG CHEN DDS, MDS, MDentSc, ROBERT SCHOETTGER DDS, MS, VAIBHAV GANDHI BDS, MDS, MSD

The 2026 JCO Student of the Year and colleagues illustrate a skeletally anchored T-bar appliance for the controlled eruption of a severely impacted central incisor complicated by two supernumerary mesiodens in a 10-year-old patient, offering an efficient alternative to conventional traction approaches in challenging mixed-dentition cases.

318

2026 Eugene L. Gottlieb JCO Student of the Year: Dr. Jonjei Ku

PHILIP B. VOGELS, JONJEI KU DDS, MS

A graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center is named the 11th recipient of this annual award, which recognizes outstanding clinical research and academic achievement.

327

PEARLS

Modified Lingual Arch for Simultaneous Uprighting of Bilaterally Impacted Mandibular Second Molars

ARUN KUMAR DASARI BDS MDS, MADHUKAR REDDY RACHALA BDS, MDS, DIBO, ELLURI SNEHA BDS, MDS, KATRAGADDA SAVERI BDS, MDS

A chairside-fabricated lingual arch with strategically placed helices delivers simultaneous distalizing and uprighting forces to bilaterally impacted mandibular second molars, providing clinicians with a simple, cost-effective, and customizable solution that avoids more invasive surgical or multi-appliance approaches.

331

Robotic Aligner-Trimming Machines

CHRISTIAN GROTH DDS, MS, BOB KUMRA DDS, NEAL D. KRAVITZ DMD, MS

Two in-office robotic aligner-trimming machines, one drill-based and one laser-based, are reviewed for their technical features, workflow integration, and practical considerations in high-volume in-house aligner practices, helping clinicians evaluate which system best suits their production demands, space constraints, and long-term return on investment.

334

BOOK REVIEWS

Contemporary Orthodontics

MATTHEW NG DMD, MSD

Henry W. Fields Jr., DDS, MS, MSDBrent E. Larson, DDS, MSDavid M. Sarver, DMD, MSWilliam R. Proffit, DDS, PhD 7th edition. 768 pages, approximately 2,000 illustrations. $189.99. 2025. Mosby/Elsevier, ...

338

Protocol for the Isoglide Eruption Spring

GRANT G. COLEMAN DMD, MS

The author describes a superelastic nickel-titanium coil spring that delivers a continuous eruptive force, making it a reliable and efficient alternative to traditional traction methods for impacted maxillary canines, with a step-by-step clinical protocol to guide placement, activation, and monitoring throughout treatment.

339

DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGE

Case #15, Part 1: Presentation

SHAWN MILLER DMD, MMSc

In this monthly column, Contributing Editors Gayle Glenn, DDS, MSD, and Shawn L. Miller, DMD, MMSc, present a case to challenge your diagnostic and treatment-planning skills. Review the initial record...

349

Continuing Education from May 2026 Issue (questions only)

Click here to download a PDF of the printed questions from the journal for reference. CE tests must be taken online. When you are ready, go here to take the quiz.

352

Product News in May 2026 Issue

PRODUCT NEWS is presented as a service to the reader and in no way implies endorsement by JCO.

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