Harold Kesling

{{Infobox medical person

|name = Harold Dean Kesling

|image =

|caption =

|birth_date = {{birth date|1901|4|8}}

|birth_place = Cass County, Indiana

|death_date =

|death_place =

|profession = Dentist

|specialism = orthodontics

|research_field =

|known_for = Developed Positioner Appliance, Founding member of Orthodontic Company TP Orthodontics

|years_active =

|education = Loyola University Dental School

|work_institutions =

|prizes =

|relations =

}}

Harold Dean Kesling (April 8, 1901 – 1979) was an American orthodontist who is known for developing the tooth positioning appliance called "Positioner". This appliance is used in orthodontics at the end of treatment to allow teeth to settle in occlusion.{{Cite journal|last=Wells|first=Neal E.|date=1970-10-01|title=Application of the positioner appliance in orthodontic treatment|journal=American Journal of Orthodontics|volume=58|issue=4|pages=351–366|doi=10.1016/0002-9416(70)90106-5|pmid=5272402}}

In 1945, H.D. Kesling stated that “Major tooth movements could be accomplished with a series of Positioners by changing the teeth on the setup slightly as treatment progresses." The history of clear aligner therapy began when H.D. Kesling pioneered the concept of straightening teeth without braces with the invention of the "Positioner."[https://10-aso.cdn.aspedia.net/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/brighter_futures_-_moving_teeth_sequential_plastic_aligners1.pdf Brighter futures]aspedia.net {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920161016/https://10-aso.cdn.aspedia.net/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/brighter_futures_-_moving_teeth_sequential_plastic_aligners1.pdf |date=September 20, 2018 }}

H.D. Kesling founded orthodontic company TP Orthodontics, Inc. in 1959.

In the late 1970s, Kesling developed the Yare, an egg-shaped electric car at a cost of $40,000 for development.[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-hoosiers-yare-fut/171466853/ "Hoosier's Yare Future's Car?"], The Indianapolis News, January 26, 1977

Life

He was born in Cass County, Indiana in 1901. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1923 with his dental degree. He then opened his private practice in La Porte, Indiana. In 1929, he opened his orthodontic practice in Hammond, Indiana after receiving his orthodontic degree from Loyola University. Kesling's son, Peter Kesling, developed the Tip Edge appliance.

Orthodontics

Kesling is known for developing the Positioner appliance.{{Cite journal|last=Kesling|first=Harold D.|date=1956-10-01|title=The diagnostic setup with consideration of the third dimension|journal=American Journal of Orthodontics|volume=42|issue=10|pages=740–748|doi=10.1016/0002-9416(56)90042-2}} He developed this appliance during his work in the La Porte office in Indiana. His developed technique attracted many other orthodontists to his practice and Kesling gave many seminars in 1950s regarding this appliance.{{Cite journal|date=1980-05-01|title=Harold D. Kesling (1901–1979)|journal=American Journal of Orthodontics|volume=77|issue=5|pages=574–575|doi=10.1016/0002-9416(80)90137-2|pmid=6989259|doi-access=free}}

Kesling was influenced by the work of Raymond Begg and his light wire technique. He switched his treatment to the Begg technique after he traveled to Australia and learned about the technique. For next 40 years, Kesling would go on to use this method in his practice. Kesling eventually gave seminars and lectures on the Begg technique.{{cite web|url=https://bracesfrisco.com/|title=Orthodontist Care|accessdate= 15 September 2015}}

Awards and positions

Honorary President of North American Begg Society of Orthodontists

References

__NOTOC__

Category:American orthodontists

Category:People from Cass County, Indiana

Category:1901 births

Category:1979 deaths

Category:20th-century American dentists

Category:Automobile designers