Dr. Ricardo Horliana

Academic Credentials and Research Background

Dr. Horliana's academic formation is one of the most rigorous in the orthodontic specialty. He completed his dental degree at Universidade Santa Cecilia dos Bandeirantes (1994), his postgraduate specialization in Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics at Universidade Metropolitana de Santos (2000), his Master's degree in Orthodontics at the University of Sao Paulo (USP, 2005), and his Doctorate in Orthodontics, also at USP (2010).

He currently serves as Professor of Orthodontics at UNISANTA (Universidade Santa Cecilia), where he teaches across undergraduate, continuing education, and specialist postgraduate programs. He is also a Collaborating Professor in the Continuing Education in Orthodontics for Adult Patients program at the Faculty of Dentistry of USP (FOUSP) in Sao Paulo. Beyond teaching, he is a member of the Advisory Board of the Brazilian Society for Dental Research (SBPqO) and sits on the Advisory Committee of the Presidency of CROSP, the regional dental council of Sao Paulo state.

Dr. Horliana is a co-author of the textbook Ortodontia Preventiva: Diagnostico e Tratamento (published with Jorge Abrao, Alexandre Moro, and Roberto Hideo Shimizu), and maintains an active research profile on ResearchGate and Google Scholar in the area of orthodontics and craniofacial growth.

Clinical Specialties

The practice centers on three interconnected pillars: face, breathing, and sleep — reflecting Dr. Horliana's integrated approach to orofacial health that goes beyond tooth alignment to address systemic and functional consequences of malocclusion and craniofacial dysfunction.

Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics form the core of the clinic. Dr. Horliana treats patients of all ages, with a stated emphasis on adult orthodontics and preventive/interceptive orthodontics for younger patients. Treatments include fixed metal and aesthetic appliances, removable functional appliances, and advanced corrective orthodontic mechanics for complex cases including vertical dysplasias and severe malocclusions requiring coordinated surgical planning.

Sleep Dentistry is a specialist focus area aligned with Dr. Horliana's research background. The clinic provides diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic snoring using dental appliances (mandibular advancement devices) as an alternative or adjunct to CPAP therapy. This specialty is directly connected to the airway and breathing pillar of his clinical brand.

Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) diagnosis and treatment addresses jaw joint pain, clicking, locking, headaches of dental origin, and bruxism. Dr. Horliana's training at USP and his research in functional occlusion inform a structured approach to TMD management that integrates orthodontic, orthopaedic, and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Preventive Orthodontics — a field for which Dr. Horliana co-authored a reference textbook — focuses on early identification and management of developing malocclusions, with the goal of intercepting problems before they require more complex adult treatment.

Patient Profile and Practice Model

The clinic serves patients at both the Santos and Sao Paulo locations, accommodating those who prefer to remain close to home in either city. The practice caters particularly well to adult patients seeking specialist-grade orthodontic care combined with TMD and sleep medicine support — a combination of needs that few practices in the region can address within a single clinical team at this level of academic qualification.

Appointments can be scheduled by phone or WhatsApp at +55 13 98102-1513 (Santos). Dr. Horliana's professional content and patient education material can be followed on Instagram at @ricardo_horliana.