American Board of Orthodontics – Certified Case Presentations
What Is ABO Board Certification?
The American Board of Orthodontics is the only certifying body recognized by the ADA for the specialty of orthodontics. Board certification is entirely voluntary. It is not required to practice orthodontics. The process has two stages: a written examination (taken during residency) and a clinical examination (taken after graduation). Certification must be renewed every 10 years.
Traditional Case Presentation (Pre-2020)
The orthodontist presented their own completed cases. With full records, cephalometric tracings, superimpositions, and outcome measurements. To a live panel of ABO examiners who questioned the candidate on diagnosis, treatment planning, mechanics, and results.
Scenario-Based Exam (2020–Present)
In 2020, the ABO transitioned to a scenario-based clinical examination. Candidates answer written questions about ABO-provided patient cases at a Pearson VUE testing center. The exam tests clinical knowledge and critical thinking but does not require the orthodontist to present their own treated cases.
The ABO cited the case presentation requirement as a barrier to certification for many orthodontists. The scenario-based format increased accessibility. But it no longer requires proof that the candidate achieved excellent outcomes on their own patients.
2 Stages
100%
10 yr
6
What This Means for You
Not all board-certified orthodontists went through the same process. Some were examined on their own cases by a live panel. Others passed a written scenario test on ABO-provided cases. Both earn the same “Diplomate” credential.
Ask your orthodontist during your consultation: “Can you show me a board case similar to mine?” An orthodontist who presented their own cases can walk you through the diagnosis, mechanics, and measured outcome of a case like yours. Dr. Viecilli does this routinely. The cases below are available for review at your consultation.
How to Read These Case Presentations
Each case below includes the same documentation Dr. Viecilli presented to ABO examiners. Here is what each section shows:
Cephalometric Measurements
Treatment Objectives vs Outcomes
Superimposition Analysis
ABO CRE Scoring
Case Presentations
Class II Division 1 — Deep Overbite with Crowding
Patient Summary
Cephalometric Analysis
| Measurement | Norm | Pre-Tx |
Post-Tx | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNA (°) | 82 ± 2 | {{SNA_PRE}} | {{SNA_POST}} | {{SNA_CHANGE}} |
| SNB (°) | 82 ± 2 | {{SNB_PRE}} | {{SNB_POST}} | {{SNB_CHANGE}} |
| ANB (°) | 2 ± 2 | {{ANB_PRE}} | {{ANB_POST}} | {{ANB_CHANGE}} |
| FMA / MP-SN (°) | 25 ± 5 | {{FMA_PRE}} | {{FMA_POST}} | {{FMA_CHANGE}} |
| U1 to SN (°) | 104 ± 2 | {{U1SN_PRE}} | {{U1SN_POST}} | {{U1SN_CHANGE}} |
| IMPA / L1 to MP (°) | 90 ± 5 | {{IMPA_PRE}} | {{IMPA_POST}} | {{IMPA_CHANGE}} |
| Overjet (mm) | 2–3 | {{OJ_PRE}} | {{OJ_POST}} | {{OJ_CHANGE}} |
| Overbite (mm / %) | 2–3 mm | {{OB_PRE}} | {{OB_POST}} |
{{OB_CHANGE}} |
| Lower Face Height (%) | 55 ± 2 | {{LFH_PRE}} | {{LFH_POST}} | {{LFH_CHANGE}} |
| Wits Appraisal (mm) | 0 ± 2 | {{WITS_PRE}} | {{WITS_POST}} | {{WITS_CHANGE}} |
Treatment Objectives vs Outcomes
| Objective | Method | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| {{OBJECTIVE_1}} | {{METHOD_1}} | {{OUTCOME_1}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_2}} | {{METHOD_2}} | {{OUTCOME_2}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_3}} | {{METHOD_3}} | {{OUTCOME_3}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_4}} | {{METHOD_4}} | {{OUTCOME_4}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_5}} | {{METHOD_5}} | {{OUTCOME_5}} |
Superimposition Analysis
{{SUPERIMPOSITION_DESCRIPTION}}
ABO Cast-Radiograph Evaluation (CRE)
Clinical Photographs
{{CASE_2_TITLE}}
Patient Summary
Cephalometric Analysis
| Measurement | Norm | Pre-Tx |
Post-Tx | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNA (°) | 82 ± 2 | {{SNA_PRE}} | {{SNA_POST}} | {{SNA_CHANGE}} |
| SNB (°) | 82 ± 2 | {{SNB_PRE}} | {{SNB_POST}} | {{SNB_CHANGE}} |
| ANB (°) | 2 ± 2 | {{ANB_PRE}} | {{ANB_POST}} | {{ANB_CHANGE}} |
| FMA / MP-SN (°) | 25 ± 5 | {{FMA_PRE}} | {{FMA_POST}} | {{FMA_CHANGE}} |
| U1 to SN (°) | 104 ± 2 | {{U1SN_PRE}} | {{U1SN_POST}} | {{U1SN_CHANGE}} |
| IMPA / L1 to MP (°) | 90 ± 5 | {{IMPA_PRE}} | {{IMPA_POST}} | {{IMPA_CHANGE}} |
| Overjet (mm) | 2–3 | {{OJ_PRE}} | {{OJ_POST}} | {{OJ_CHANGE}} |
| Overbite (mm / %) | 2–3 mm | {{OB_PRE}} | {{OB_POST}} |
{{OB_CHANGE}} |
| Lower Face Height (%) | 55 ± 2 | {{LFH_PRE}} | {{LFH_POST}} | {{LFH_CHANGE}} |
| Wits Appraisal (mm) | 0 ± 2 | {{WITS_PRE}} | {{WITS_POST}} | {{WITS_CHANGE}} |
Treatment Objectives vs Outcomes
| Objective | Method | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| {{OBJECTIVE_1}} | {{METHOD_1}} | {{OUTCOME_1}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_2}} | {{METHOD_2}} | {{OUTCOME_2}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_3}} | {{METHOD_3}} | {{OUTCOME_3}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_4}} | {{METHOD_4}} | {{OUTCOME_4}} |
| {{OBJECTIVE_5}} | {{METHOD_5}} | {{OUTCOME_5}} |
Superimposition Analysis
{{SUPERIMPOSITION_DESCRIPTION}}
ABO Cast-Radiograph Evaluation (CRE)
Clinical Photographs
Cases 3–6: Template Ready
Additional case templates follow the same structure above. When clinical data and photos are available, duplicate the Case 2 block and replace all placeholders with actual measurements.