AAOSH Core Curriculum

Identification and Management of Craniofacial Anomalies and Disharmonies in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Written by Kevin Coppelson, DDS, MD | Aug 25, 2026, 1:15:00 AM

Presented by: Kevin Coppelson, DDS, MD

Original Lecture/ Publication Date: August 24, 2026 (Webinar Series)

Take the Course - Coming Soon This course is available for CE Credit as a "Members Only" benefit. Not a Member? CLICK HERE to learn more about AAOSH Membership.

 

Course Description:

Dive into the critical realm of craniofacial anomalies and disharmonies in this essential lecture designed for all dental professionals. Our focused session will guide attendees through the identification, understanding, and management strategies necessary to tackle these complex conditions.

Learn about the latest diagnostic tools, surgical techniques, and interdisciplinary approaches to enhance patient care. This lecture aims to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, providing insights into effective treatment planning and execution. No matter your dental expertise, this lecture will empower you with the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently tackle craniofacial challenges, leading to improved patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify common congenital, developmental, acquired, and functional craniofacial anomalies based on facial appearance, skeletal relationships, occlusion, airway symptoms, and clinical history.
  • Evaluate craniofacial form and function using facial proportions, symmetry, incisor display, lip competence, jaw position, transverse dimensions, and the relationship between skeletal anatomy and the upper airway.
  • Compare surgical and interdisciplinary treatment options for craniofacial disharmonies, including maxillary expansion, distraction osteogenesis, SFOT, and corrective jaw surgery.
Practical Applications:
Participants will learn how to:
  • Improve screening and referral decisions by recognizing patients whose malocclusion, facial asymmetry, mouth breathing, sleep symptoms, or functional complaints may reflect an underlying skeletal disorder.
  • Incorporate airway and functional findings into treatment planning rather than evaluating dental alignment or facial appearance in isolation.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary care among oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, dentists, sleep clinicians, speech-language pathologists, and orofacial myofunctional therapists throughout treatment and postoperative rehabilitation.
Method: Lecture
Location: Online (Zoom)
AGD Course Code: 310
AAOSH Core Curriculum:  Periodontal Disease & Biofilm Diseases of the Mouth
Credit Hours for AAOSH Members: 1
Conflicts of Interest:  N/A
 
 

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Kevin Coppelson, DDS, MD, is an airway-focused Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon specializing in advanced surgical treatments for sleep apnea and craniofacial airway disorders. He is the founder of the BreatheMAX department at The Breathe Institute in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Coppelson earned his dental degree from the University of Southern California and completed medical school and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at the University of Maryland and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. He then completed a fellowship in Advanced Maxillofacial Surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Coppelson lectures and conducts active research in airway- focused Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. His academic work includes publications in leading peer-reviewed journals in the field and chapters in cosmetic surgery textbooks. 

 
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