Orthodontics Educator Graber Dies

World-renowned orthodontist, researcher, and dental educator Tom Graber, DMD, MSD, PhD, died on June 26. He was 90 years old.

Graber was a faculty member at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry and editor-in-chief of the World Journal of Orthodontics at the time of his death. He researched craniofacial anomalies, cleft palate, cleft lip, temporomandibular joint anatomy and disturbances, orthopedic growth guidance of the dentofacial complex, and the use of magnetic forces in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

“He was the rock star of orthodontics,” Carla Evans, DDS, DMS, professor and head of the Department of Orthodontics at UIC’s College of Dentistry, told the American Dental Association. “No other name is more recognizable in this field than his.”

Graber also taught at Northwestern for 12 years and at the University of Chicago for 13 years. He presented more than 475 continuing education courses around the world and more lectures for the AAO’s annual programs than anyone else has in its history.

“He typified the true professional—a lifelong student and a lifelong teacher,” Albert H Guay, DDS, chief policy adviser at the American Dental Association, said. “He lived his personal philosophy throughout his life, acquiring knowledge and enthusiastically sharing it with others as the highest calling.”

Graber is survived by his wife, Doris Graber, five children, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Extraction Versus Nonextraction: A Continuing Debate

Orthodontists Receive 2005 Research Awards