Brussels sets the stage for the next chapter of EAS

A standout feature was Thursday’s dedicated pre-congress programme, which created an immersive environment for learning, collaboration and innovation. Through the Aligner Lab 3.0 hands-on workshops and the Innovation Lab TED-style talks, delegates were supported in developing practical skills and given the opportunity to exchange new ideas and perspectives.

The day concluded with guest lectures that set the tone for the congress. Dr Thierry Decoster highlighted both the strengths and the limitations of aligner therapy. He emphasised that aligner therapy must remain grounded in established biomechanical principles, regardless of the growing sophistication of digital tools. He also pointed to the viscoelastic behaviour of thermoplastic materials as a limiting factor and suggested that hybrid therapies may play an increasingly important role in orthodontics.

In her session on early intervention in maxillary transverse deficiency, Dr Sandra Tai outlined clinical protocols for expansion using the 3D-printed Invisalign Palatal Expander system. She explained that the appliance can be used in cases requiring more than 6 mm of expansion, and drawing on advanced cases and ongoing clinical trials, she showed how the system can be combined with a facemask to promote maxillary protraction in Class III cases.

Friday’s agenda featured two full-day parallel strands: the new Practice Excellence Track for practice managers, clinical teams and office staff; as well as the scientific programme, which was organised into four sessions covering the themes of point and counterpoint, surgery and aligners, multidisciplinary treatment, and growing patients. In the later afternoon, short communications sessions and poster presentations were also held.

In the session themed point and counterpoint, keynote speakers Drs Tommaso Castroflorio and Francesco Garino reflected on ten years of EAS and the society’s role in the rapid evolution of digital and aligner orthodontics. Their lecture highlighted advances in diagnostics, treatment planning and biomechanics, as well as underlined the growing importance of research, professional standards in shaping the next phase of data-driven, patient-centred care.

During the same session, Drs Vincenzo D’Antò and Lorenzo Franchi presented the findings of an international consensus on the indications for and limitations of aligner therapy. While the experts involved in the consensus recognised aligners as effective in certain types of cases, they also highlighted their limits in cases requiring complex movements and thus the need for careful case selection and, in some cases, hybrid approaches. The speakers also pointed out where research gaps remain, particularly regarding the still limited clinical evidence base.

Also speaking in the point and counterpoint session, Dr Rooz Khosravi and Prof. Ki Beom Kim compared thermoformed and 3D-printed aligners, discussing differences in material behaviour, thickness control, force delivery and workflow. They pointed out the design precision that 3D-printed systems enable, but also highlighted current limitations, such as staining, patient acceptance and the still limited evidence base. They also raised the matter of sustainability, recommending that aligners be fabricated in stages according to treatment progress, rather than producing the entire sequence from the start.

More broadly, Friday’s programme paired forward-looking clinical science with wider reflections on the direction of the field. Across the scientific sessions, speakers examined the expanding scope and current constraints of aligner therapy, advances in biomechanics and materials, early interceptive treatment, and the emerging role of 3D-printed aligners and adaptive digital workflows. A recurring theme was the need to balance technological innovation with biological realities, sound clinical judgement and sustainability.

While the scientific sessions dealt with clinical and technological topics, the Practice Excellence Track focused on the human and organisational side of orthodontic practice. Jerko Bozikovic, for example, addressed the importance of orthodontic teams developing a growth mindset in a world marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Drawing on personal experience and practical examples, he argued that change becomes manageable when leaders address underlying beliefs, communicate clear expectations and lead by example. He also highlighted the importance of open feedback, active listening, shared values and delegation as key elements in building adaptable, resilient teams.

Saturday’s programme reflected the breadth of contemporary aligner orthodontics, spanning complex case management, growth modification, biomechanics, the use of temporary anchorage devices and advanced digital workflows. Alongside the clinical sessions, presentations also explored patient communication, user experience and business strategy. The workshops in the new Ortho Vision programme highlighted the latest technologies and industry-driven innovation. They provided a platform for emerging companies to present their ideas and solutions, while encouraging exchange with the EAS community of clinicians, researchers and industry partners. The sessions showcased innovative concepts and practical innovations aimed at supporting clinical workflows, enhancing the patient experience and contributing to improved treatment outcomes.

In the months leading up to the congress, EAS introduced the Road to Brussels webinar series, and new webinars are already in development. During the congress, EAS Scientific Chairman Dr Waddah Sabouni also announced the introduction of an EAS podcast as a further platform for knowledge sharing. Prof. Ravindra Nanda, editor-in-chief, announced the launch next month of Digital and Aligner Orthodontics, a new open-access journal dedicated to sharing research in the field. The journal will be available online, and attendees were invited to make submissions.

Sustainability, long a priority for EAS, was given great prominence at the congress through a range of practical measures. These included the selection of eco-certified venues and suppliers, a zero-paper communication strategy, and local catering focused on seasonal and mostly plant-based menus. Surplus food was donated to community charities, and the venue’s central location encouraged travel by public transport and foot in order to reduce carbon emissions.

Sustainability at the congress extended beyond environmental measures to social impact through the EAS Legacy Fund. Since 2024, EAS has supported Operation Smile’s oral care projects in underserved communities, particularly for children and adults with cleft conditions.

Like usual, awards were presented on Saturday. The second Robert Boyd Award, honouring visionary commitment to patient care, was presented to Dr Castroflorio. Board members also presented the European Board of Aligner Orthodontics Certificate of Excellence to the 14 clinicians who passed the board examination.

It was also announced that the eighth EAS congress will take place in Lisbon in Portugal from 8 to 10 April 2027 and the ninth will be in Dublin in Ireland from 30 March to 1 April 2028. For more information, visit the EAS website.