Thursday, 2 June 2011

Functional Treatment – the “Münster” Concept
The functional treatment concept of Münster was founded in 1967 by Prof. R. Karwetzky who
proposed a new activator type of removable appliance, the so called U-Bügelaktivator (U-bow
Activator). In Karwetzky’s view the u-bow activator is a long-term consequent development of the
original activator of Andresen-Häupl with several treatment options in the early and late
deciduous dentition. During the years the Münster’s functional concept was influenced by several
clinical studies and various researchers like Prof. Ulrike Ehmer the former Head of the
Department of Orthodontics at the University of Münster and Prof. Rolf Fränkel with whom Prof.
Ehmer maintained a deep personal and professional friendship for many years. As a result the
today’s concept consist of different appliances and, to speak with Karwetzky’s words, is a longterm
consequent and research driven development of the original u-bow activator treatment
concept.
OA Dr. Thomas Stamm
1992: German „Staatsexamen and Approbation als Zahnarzt“; 1993-96: Threeyear
period of activity at the Department of Prosthodontics, University of
Münster. The clinical focus was on the treatment of patients with CMD; 1996:
Awarded doctor’s degree. 1996: Appointment to the Department of
Orthodontics, University of Münster. Fachzahnarztprüfung für Kieferorthopädie.
Registration as an orthodontic specialist; Since 2000: Senior faculty member at
the Department of Orthodontics, Universitätsklinikum Münster, University of
Münster. The clinical focus is on the treatment of patients who underwent
orthognathic and craniofacial surgery. 2005: German “Habilitation”. Since 1996
multiple publications in national and international journals. Since 2005 Editorin-Chief
of the international journal Head & Face Medicine.
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