Orthodontics

little boy and dds.

At the University at Buffalo, the Department of Orthodontics not only provides training for orthodontic residents and dental students but also offers a full range of orthodontic services including interceptive, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary orthodontic care that is tailored to patients of all age groups.

Mission:

The mission of the Department of Orthodontics is to deliver high-quality orthodontic care tailored to the needs of the Western New York population, graduate proficient orthodontists dedicated to lifelong learning, and advance the field through cutting-edge research and innovation.

For information about orthodontic treatment and scheduling appointments, please call the orthodontic clinic: 716-829-2845

On this page:

Postdoctoral Program

The department offers a 36-month postgraduate program in orthodontics, culminating in the award of a Certificate of Advanced Education in Orthodontics and a Master of Science degree. 

Predoctoral Program

The predoctoral Orthodontics program is integrated into the third and fourth years of the DDS curriculum. This program comprises preclinical orthodontic courses, clinical rotations, and case-based seminars. Its primary objective is to equip dental students with the proficiency to identify established or evolving malocclusions, differentiate cases manageable by a general practitioner from those necessitating orthodontic expertise, and facilitate coordinated comprehensive care.

Alumni

Connecting with alumni remains pivotal for the vitality of the orthodontic department. By actively engaging with our 450+ graduates, we not only pay tribute to their invaluable contributions but also leverage their diverse experiences to enhance the educational journey of current residents. Our alumni excel across various domains, including private practice, academia, and industry, with many holding board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics. Their accomplishments serve as inspiring benchmarks for our current residents, illustrating the myriad paths to success within the orthodontic field.

Continuing Dental Education

The Orthodontics Department is involved in a variety of continuing education programs available through the School of Dental Medicine.

Information for Patients

If you, your child or someone you know needs braces or other orthodontic care, we encourage you to learn more about our affordable services available through UB Dental.

For information about orthodontic treatment and scheduling appointments, please call the orthodontic clinic: 716-829-2845

Our Faculty and Staff

Full-Time Faculty

Thikriat Al-Jewair

L.B. Badgero Endowed Chair, Assoc. Professor, Director of the Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: 716-829-6190; Fax: 716-829-2572

Email: thikriat@buffalo.edu

Ashish Gurav

Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: 716-829-6174

Email: agurav2@buffalo.edu

Part-Time Faculty

Stephen Aszkler

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140B Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: saszkler@yahoo.com

Robert Aszkler

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140B Squire Hall

Phone: 716-829-2871

Email: raszkler@buffalo.edu

David Covell

Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: 716-829-6192

Email: dacovell@buffalo.edu

Rebecca Falsafi

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140B Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: drfalsafi@gmail.com

Rodney Littlejohn

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140B Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: rlittle5@rochester.rr.com

Stephen Warunek

Clinical Assistant Professor; Orthodontic Research Director

Department of Orthodontics

140B Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-6191

Email: warunek@buffalo.edu

Volunteer Faculty

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Ming-Yu Chen

Visiting Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2871

Email: mingyuch@buffalo.edu

Graham Gardner

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Ney Paredes

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

John Tibbetts

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: drjrtibbetts@gmail.com

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Brian Willison

Lecturer

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: briwillison@greatlakesortho.com

Emeritus

Sawsan Tabbaa

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: 716-829-2845

Email: tabbaa@buffalo.edu

Paul Ziarnowski

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: pz@buffalo.edu

Staff

Lisa Ceglia

Receptionist

Department of Orthodontics

150 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: lceglia@buffalo.edu

Kaitlyn Dudziak.

Kaitlyn Dudziak

Dental Assistant

Department of Orthodontics

150 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: dudziak8@buffalo.edu

Devon Gude

Dental Assistant

Department of Orthodontics

150 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: devongud@buffalo.edu

Mikayla Katz.

Mikayla Katz

Dental Assistant

Department of Orthodontics

150 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: mrkatz@buffalo.edu

Gabrielle Marek.

Gabrielle Marek

Administrative Assistant to Thikriat Al-Jewair, DDS, MBA, MSc, MS, FRCD(C), L.B. Badgero Endowed Chair, Assoc. Professor, Director of the Advanced Education Program in Orthodontics

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2871

Email: gamarek@buffalo.edu

Nancy Merkle

Dental Assistant

Department of Orthodontics

140 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2872

Email: nbmerkle@buffalo.edu

Becky Parton.

Becky Parton

Receptionist

Department of Orthodontics

150 Squire Hall

Phone: (716) 829-2845

Email: beparton@buffalo.edu