Illinois orthodontist wins ADA Stanford Award for retainer research

An Illinois orthodontist won the American Dental Association's 2019 John W. Stanford New Investigator Award for her research paper evaluating the effects of eight cleaning methods on copolyester polymer, a material commonly used in clear thermoplastic retainers.

Top notch: Dr. Emily Wible is the winner of the 2019 John W. Stanford New Investigator Award for her research into the effects of different cleaning methods on clear thermoplastic retainers.

Using technical standards from both dental and material science committees, Dr. Emily Wible evaluated the long-term effects on light transmittance, surface roughness and flexural-modulus of clear thermoplastic material in her paper titled "Long-term Effects of Different Cleaning Methods on Copolyester Retainer Properties."

"Given the rise in popularity of esthetic thermoplastic retainers, understanding the effects of different cleaning methods on the properties of retainer thermoplastic material is important for properly maintaining these retainers," Dr. Wible said. "This research provided evidence-based information for long-term maintenance of thermoplastic retainers."

Dr. Wible works as an orthodontist in the Chicago suburbs. She received her dental degree in 2015 from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, as well as a master's degree in oral sciences in 2017 and a certificate in orthodontics in 2018 from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

She conducted her research with her master's degree thesis adviser, Dr. Phimon Atsawasuwan, and in collaboration with the ADA Laboratory of the ADA Science & Research Institute, where she performed her material characterization measurements.

Dr. Wible was selected for the award by an awards committee and the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. She received a $1,000 honorarium and will display a poster on her paper at the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Products and the U.S. Technical Advisory Group for the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 106 on Dentistry meeting March 16-18 in Washington, D.C.

"I am honored to have been chosen for the 2019 Stanford Award that recognizes the importance and significance of standards-based research," Dr. Wible said. "I hope others see the crucial role of standards research and choose to contribute to this area of research in their future projects."

The award is named for Dr. John W. Stanford, who was responsible for the establishment of the ADA's current standards program. It was designed to highlight the role dental standards play in patient health and safety and the efficacy of dental products.

The application period for the 2020 award runs through Oct. 1. ADA dental student members, members who earned their dental degree since 2015 and members pursuing an additional degree or specialty are eligible to apply.

To learn more, visit ADA.org/stanford-award.