Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
Orthodontics Case File System
How to use the collection
The physical collection, i.e., the treatment records, X-rays, oral photographs, dental casts, and associated data are stored in a climate-controlled vault at the University of New Mexico’s Maxwell Museum of Anthropology. This is a highly secured area only accessible to authorized personnel from the Maxwell Museum.
Qualified investigators seeking permission to use the physical collection for legitimate research purposes are required to first obtain approval from the UNM Human Research Review Committee and the Maxwell Museum. Interested investigators are encouraged to contact the curator for more detailed information. No investigator is granted access to the collection without first having approval from both the Human Research Review Committee and the Maxwell Museum.
A de-identified portion of the collection is available for review on the web. This electronic, de-identified portion of the collection is searchable using a search engine. Cases can be located by searching by orthodontic diagnoses, patient demographics, and patient cephalometric parameters. (cephalometrics are standardized measurements taken from head X-rays that help orthodontists determine what treatment strategies to offer individual patients.) Searching this case file system using cephalometric parameters is an unique and powerful way for orthodontists and students to located cases of interest to help guide research and treatment decisions.
Those who wish to create more complex queries of the case file system than are possible with this public search engine are encouraged to contact the Maxwell Museum. Again, no one will be given access to any identifying information unless they have approval from the UNM Human Research Review Committee.
To search the de-identified portion of the collection, click here.