Children come into general practice every day with crowding, constricted arches, posterior crossbites and compromised airways. Intervening during active growth lets the clinician guide craniofacial development instead of correcting its consequences later. This introductory webinar is the first phase of the Unlocking Potential program. It is designed for general dentists who want to add evidence-informed, growth-focused orthodontic care for their pediatric and adolescent patients.
We begin with the clinical rationale. Participants will review why early intervention matters and how maxillary arch development affects facial growth, airway function and long-term stability. We will also look at how treating at the right developmental stage can reduce the complexity and duration of later treatment, and sometimes remove the need for it.
For clinicians already treating adults with Invisalign, adding Invisalign First is a natural next step that builds on aligner workflows they already know. The session will present treatment protocols and best practices for mixed-dentition patients. It will also explain how to integrate aligner therapy with skeletal maxillary expansion using the Invisalign Palatal Expander (IPE) or a Hyrax appliance. Combining these approaches supports the best functional and aesthetic outcomes for young patients and helps them unlock their true potential!
Course Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
Explain the clinical rationale for early orthodontic and expansion treatment
Spot children and teens who are good candidates for aligners and skeletal expansion
Understand the core protocols for Invisalign First, IPE and Hyrax
See how these treatments can grow your practice and serve your families better
Dr. Vitaly Gantman
Dr. Vitaly Gantman graduated from the University of Montreal in 2012. Initially using brackets and wires, he switched to Invisalign in 2017 after Dr. Galler’s REINGAGE course and acquiring his first iTero. A Diamond Plus Provider since 2020, he is now a Faculty member for Invisalign, offering comprehensive orthodontics to adults and children. Dr. Gantman actively teaches Invisalign integration and combination treatments, having treated over 2000 patients. He developed a predictable protocol using Hyrax, IPE, Invisalign First, Carriere Motion Appliance, and Invisalign Comprehensive Plans. Since 2022, he has led the Montreal Chapter of the AACA and offers 1-on-1 mentoring for Carriere Motion cases. He is the co-founder of Unlocking Potential an educational platform for Phase 1 orthodontics.
Dr. Andrea Ho-Fatt
Dr. Andrea Ho-Fatt is a Diamond Plus provider with a general dentistry practice in Toronto, Canada. She actively contributes to the dental community as an Align GP Advisory Board member, a founding mentor for the Women in Digital Dentistry and KOL for the AACA. Dr. Andrea is an Align speaker who is also instrumental in testing new products including the Invisalign Palatal Expander in 2024. Dr. Andrea is a cofounder of Unlocking Potential, a course that teaches general dentists how to master clear aligner techniques for younger patients.