Prof. Dr. Kathrin Becker

Germany

Prof. Dr. Kathrin Becker is Director of the Department of Orthodontics at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin. She studied dentistry and computer science at the Universities of Greifswald and Göttingen and received a Master of Science (Computer Science) with honours. She received her doctorate from Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf in 2014 and completed her specialist dental training in orthodontics at University Hospital Düsseldorf. In 2019, she completed her habilitation in dentistry, oral, and maxillofacial medicine also at University Hospital Düsseldorf. In 2021, she was appointed to the W2 professorship for Translational Orthodontics (University of Erlangen) and in 2023 to the W3 professorship for Orthodontics at Charité.


She is co-editor of the journal “Informationen aus Orthodontie & Kieferorthopädie” (Georg Thieme Verlag KG) and Co-Editor in Chief of the journal “Clinical and Experimental Dental Research” (Wiley & Sons Ltd.). She is also on the editorial board of the journals Clinical Oral Investigations, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, and Clinical Oral Implants Research as well as an elected member of the Osteology Expert Council and the Scientific Review Board of Osteology. She is a member of the Research Submission Committee and the Research Grant Committee of the AO, a member of the Junior Committee of the EAO, and an ad-hoc reviewer for numerous international journals. Her research interests include digital orthodontics, aligner therapy, skeletal anchorage, radiation protection in dental radiology, force-associated bone remodelling and anionesis, and computer-assisted 3D analyses in dental imaging. She has published over 90 articles in these fields in international peer-reviewed journals (h-index: 22).


  • Abstract

    Effectiveness of Tooth Movement with Two Different Aligner Staging Protocols – a Randomised Controlled Multi-Centre Study


    In this randomised controlled, multi-centre study, the effectiveness of two differentiated aligner staging protocols (weekly versus biweekly) was investigated with regard to the effectiveness of the planned tooth movements and the change in the PAR score.

    Eighty-eight subjects were recruited in four centres (two university hospitals: Düsseldorf and Mainz and two specialist orthodontic practices: Cologne and Berlin) and randomly assigned to either Group A (two-week schedule) or group B (one-week schedule) with results stratified by initial status and sex. In total, 83 subjects (exclusion because of a screening error and five drop-outs) were analysed. All subjects received a set of ClearCorrect® aligners according to the assigned treatment plan. The number of aligners and the sequence of tooth movement were therefore individually adjusted and differed between the subjects.

    The data analysis of the six-month follow-up visits is presented here for the first time. The treatment performance of the aligners is analysed with the primary parameter PAR score and the secondary endpoint influence of the staging protocol on the effectiveness of various tooth movements.

    The aim of this study is to provide evidence-based findings on the optimal staging duration of aligner treatment. The results will help to improve the efficacy and safety of treatment with aligners and ultimately patient outcomes and satisfaction.

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