Craig A. Andreiko, DDS, MS, died on August 25, 2013. He was 63 years old.
Andreiko spent 43 years with Ormco Corp, Orange, Calif, lastly as technical director for new product development. A gifted innovator, he is credited with many of the mainstays in today’s orthodontic practices, including anatomically based archforms, early light-force wires, braided archwires, and brazed mesh for weld-free pads on direct-bonded brackets, which greatly improved bond strength and made clinicians comfortable with switching from banded to direct-bonded brackets.
“Eliminating bands meant we could treat crowding without having to account for the 7 mm or so of space that bands created, expanding exponentially the option for treating cases in a nonextraction manner. Mesh was a game changer, and it was Craig’s vision that made it happen,” said David Sarver, DMD.
Andreiko also invented Orthos®/Titanium Orthos® and Insignia™ Advanced Smile Design™. He was intimately involved in early lingual appliances, the T.A.R.G. setup method, and the development of the rhomboid shape for brackets. He also revolutionized heart therapy by writing the code for and developing a catheter for Edwards Lifesciences.
“I feel honored to have worked alongside such an amazing person,” said Vicente Reynal, president of Ormco. “I will never forget brainstorming new technological advances. More importantly, I will never forget how incredibly humble he was. I know that Craig’s spirit and determination will always be with us.”
After receiving his dental and orthodontic education at Loma Linda University, Andreiko served as assistant clinical professor there from 1994. He was the author of numerous research studies and papers, was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon in 2010, and was a PADI Master Scuba Diver who produced underwater adventure videos. Andreiko is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jean; son, David; daughter, Sarah; father, Andy, former president of Ormco; brother, Scott; and sister, Jody. A celebration of Craig’s life will be held in late September.
Charitable gifts can be made to the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Development, 1441 Eastlake Ave, Room 8302, Los Angeles, Calif 90033.