CTOR Academy

🟣 Last week marked the conclusion of our Airway in Orthodontics Course with Dr. Barry Raphael.

Throughout the course, participants explored the critical relationship between airway health, sleep-disordered breathing, craniofacial growth, and orthodontic treatment planning. Through clinical discussions and case-based learning, attendees gained valuable insight into the role of airway considerations in modern orthodontic care.

Thank you, Dr. Raphael, for sharing your expertise with our residents, faculty, and colleagues. We are already looking forward to your next course at CTOR Academy in Fall 2026.

🟣 Congratulations and farewell to the CTOR Academy Class of 2026 💜

As they complete their residency training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, we celebrate the hard work, growth, and dedication of this year’s graduating class:

• Bassam Butto, DDS
• Jenna Heitzler, DDS
• Rajesh K. Agarwal, DMD
• Vincent DeMaio, DDS
• Alain Hu, DMD
• Maxwell Herszage, DDS
• Marci Pinheiro, DMD
• Leelah Weitz, DDS

Thank you for being part of the CTOR Academy community over the past three years. We are proud of all you have accomplished and wish you continued success in the next chapter of your careers.

🟣 Celebrating the mentors behind the Class of 2026 💜

Graduation is not only a milestone for our residents, but also a reflection of the dedication, guidance, and support of the CTOR Academy faculty.

Thank you to our faculty members for the countless hours spent teaching, mentoring, challenging, and inspiring the next generation of orthodontists and dentofacial orthopedic specialists.

🟣 Congratulations to the CTOR Academy Class of 2026!

Last week, on May 28, we proudly celebrated the graduation of our residents following three years of advanced training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

Congratulations to:

• Rajesh K. Agarwal, DMD
• Bassam Butto, DDS
• Vincent DeMaio, DDS
• Alain Hu, DMD
• Maxwell Herszage, DDS
• Jenna Heitzler, DDS
• Marci Pinheiro, DMD
• Leelah Weitz, DDS

Throughout their residency, this class demonstrated dedication to clinical excellence, research, and interdisciplinary education. We are proud to see them complete this important milestone and look forward to following their future accomplishments in orthodontics.

We also thank for supporting our graduates with their clinical gifts, including CTOR-patented tools such as MOPs devices and external plates to help them continue advancing patient care in their future practices.

🟣 Research Presentations at CTOR Academy

Congratulations to Dr. Marci Pinheiro and Dr. Rajesh K. Agarwal on presenting their final research project:

“Skeletal and Dental Changes during Lip Bumper Therapy”

Mentored by Dr. Cristina Teixeira and Dr. Chinapa Sangsuwon, their work contributes to the ongoing study of growth modification and treatment effects in early orthodontics.

🟣 Last week at CTOR Academy, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Srirengalakshmi Muthuswamy Pandian for a guest lecture on “Digital Functional Appliances: Redefining Growth Modification in the Digital Era.”

Dr. Srirengalakshmi is Associate Professor and Academic Head in the Department of Orthodontics at Saveetha Dental College, SIMATS, Chennai. She shared valuable insight into the evolving role of digital technologies in functional appliance therapy and growth modification.

The session explored contemporary approaches to digital orthodontics, biomechanics, and interdisciplinary care, offering an engaging academic discussion for our residents and faculty.

🟣 Research Presentations at CTOR Academy

Congratulations to the following residents from the Class of 2026 on presenting their final research projects this week:
• Dr. Leelah Weitz, mentored by Dr. Fanar Abdullah
• Dr. Max Herszage, mentored by Dr. Fanar Abdullah, Dr. Mani Alikhani, and Dr. Mona Alikhani
• Dr. Alain Hu, mentored by Dr. Fanar Abdullah, Dr. Mani Alikhani, and Dr. Mona Alikhani

Their work reflects a strong commitment to advancing orthodontic research and clinical understanding.

🟣 CTOR Academy 4th Alumni Reunion .info

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the AAO 2026 Annual Session in Orlando for our 4th Alumni Reunion.

It was a great opportunity to reconnect with alumni, residents, faculty, and collaborators, and to celebrate the continued growth of the CTOR community.

Always a pleasure to see familiar faces and welcome new ones. 💜

🟣 Dr. Vincent DeMaio presenting his e-poster at this year’s AAO Annual Session .info in Orlando, sharing his research with the broader orthodontic community.

Great to see our residents contributing to ongoing research and academic dialogue at a national level.

🟣 CTOR at AAO 2026 .info

This weekend, CTOR residents, faculty, and team members joined colleagues from around the world at the AAO Annual Session in Orlando — one of the leading meetings in orthodontics, bringing together clinicians, educators, and researchers to share advancements in the field.

From scientific sessions to connecting with peers, it was a valuable opportunity for learning and collaboration.

CTOR residents also had the pleasure of attending a brunch hosted by Dr. Edmund Khoo, bringing together trainees in a more informal setting to exchange ideas and experiences.