Dr. Carl F. Gugino, a retired orthodontist, international lecturer, and original member of the Great Lakes Dental Technologies Board of Directors, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025. He was 96.
According to Great Lakes Dental Technologies, Gugino played a foundational role in the company’s formation and ongoing evolution. He co-founded Great Lakes Orthodontics in 1965 with lab technician Peter R. Breads and later became one of the original members of the company’s board of directors when it was formally established as a corporation in 1967.
“Dr. Gugino was a true visionary,” said John Ende, president and CEO. “His genius was the ability to see and forecast the future of dentistry, while nurturing a worldwide network to help achieve that future. His relentless passion for driving our profession forward never waned. He continually worried that the profession of orthodontics wasn’t progressing fast enough. He was singularly focused on improving outcomes for patients. In every conversation he demanded that we always put patients first, while using his wry sense of humor to soften the message. Great Lakes will miss his mentorship and guidance.”
Gugino graduated from the University of Buffalo in New York in 1953 with a dental degree. He went on to serve as a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy from 1953 to 1957 before returning to Buffalo to complete his orthodontic training in 1961. He maintained a large dental practice before transitioning to focus on teaching and consulting internationally.
Over the course of his career, Gugino became a recognized leader in orthodontic innovation and education. He collaborated with Dr. Robert Ricketts and Dr. Ruel W. Bench to develop the first computerized cephalometric and visual treatment objective (VTO) program in orthodontics — an important milestone in digital treatment planning.
His research and experience also led to the development of The Zerobase Orthodontic Philosophy, a methodology that influenced clinical treatment approaches and planning. In 1969, Gugino partnered with Dr. Hito Suyehiro and Dr. Frank Edwards to form The Millennium Society, a practice management group that introduced a comprehensive management concept for orthodontic offices. According to Great Lakes Dental Technologies, many of these original principles remain in use today.
Gugino conducted Contemporary Zerobase Bioprogressive Philosophy courses across the United States and internationally, including in Japan, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. He also helped establish Bioprogressive Study Clubs in Japan, Italy, and France and served as honorary president of each.
Throughout his career, Gugino remained active as a mentor and educator. In his later years, his primary focus shifted toward coaching and integrating advanced orthodontic concepts into practice settings around the world.
Great Lakes Dental Technologies, the company he helped found, is an employee-owned business based in Tonawanda near Buffalo, New York. It employs more than 200 individuals and designs, manufactures, and markets products for orthodontic, dental, sleep, and airway treatment globally.
Gugino was a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.
He is remembered by colleagues and industry peers for his forward-thinking leadership, commitment to clinical excellence, and enduring contributions to orthodontics.
