Senior physician at University Hospital Freiburg, Germany
Dr. Silvia Müller-Hagedorn is an accomplished physician and dentist with dual doctorates in medicine and dental surgery, as well as specialized recognition as a consultant orthodontist. Her distinguished career integrates clinical excellence, academic research, and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in the treatment of craniofacial anomalies and syndromic conditions in infants. With leadership roles in leading German university hospitals, significant international collaborations, and groundbreaking publications, she has established herself as an innovator in orthodontics, neonatology, and interdisciplinary craniofacial care.
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile
Education
Dr. Müller-Hagedorn pursued her initial medical studies in Luxembourg, Göttingen, Saarbrücken, and Nancy, complemented by a practical year in renowned clinical departments, including neurosurgery, cardiology, and orthopedics. Following completion of her medical degree, she advanced her academic training with a doctoral thesis in medicine, earning the distinction of magna cum laude. She further extended her expertise by completing a specialized diploma in cranio-cervico-facial morphogenesis at the Université Nancy I. Subsequently, she studied dentistry at the University of Tübingen, achieving her degree with the highest honors and completing a second doctoral thesis in dental medicine with summa cum laude. Her academic path also included doctoral research funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), followed by structured programs in orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, geriatrics, and functional diagnostics. Complementing her medical and dental qualifications, she broadened her scope with studies in economics at the FernUniversität Hagen, gaining insights into organizational management, accounting, and finance—skills that later supported her leadership in clinical settings.
Experience
Dr. Müller-Hagedorn’s professional trajectory demonstrates a unique blend of clinical practice and research. Early in her career, she contributed to biochemistry, molecular biology, and hematology projects in Nancy and Luxembourg. At the University of Tübingen, she participated in a graduate research program on quantitative analysis and characterization of biochemical substances, supported by the DFG. Transitioning into dentistry and orthodontics, she worked extensively in private practices while maintaining academic affiliations. Her career advanced significantly at the University Hospital Tübingen, where she became senior consultant and later coordinated the Center for Craniofacial Malformations, overseeing treatment planning and interdisciplinary collaboration. She specialized in the application of modified palatal plates for infants with obstructive airway disorders, contributing to minimally invasive treatment methods. As Senior Consultant and later Deputy Director at the University Hospital Rostock, she assumed significant leadership responsibilities, before moving on to the University Hospital Freiburg, where she continues to serve as senior consultant and director of the Freiburg Interdisciplinary Center for Craniofacial Anomalies. In parallel, she has maintained her long-standing service as a physician with the German Red Cross and expanded her academic collaborations as a guest researcher at the Université de Paris Cité, Hôpital Necker.
Research Focus
Her research has consistently bridged orthodontics, neonatology, and craniofacial developmental medicine. Central to her work is the treatment of infants with syndromic Robin Sequence and other craniofacial anomalies. She has pioneered approaches integrating orthodontic devices such as modified palatal plates into neonatal care, reducing invasive interventions and improving survival and quality of life. Her interdisciplinary role has linked orthodontics with pediatrics, neonatology, and craniofacial surgery, fostering collaborative research and clinical pathways. She has also contributed to studies examining longitudinal dental arch development, soft tissue changes in untreated normal occlusion, and the broader implications of orthodontic interventions in pediatric patients.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Müller-Hagedorn’s innovative contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards. Early in her career, she received the Heraeus Foundation Award from the Gesellschaft Deutscher Naturforscher und Ärzte, acknowledging her promising research. One of her most influential publications, presenting a minimally invasive treatment for infants with syndromic Robin Sequence, was selected by Springer Nature editors as a potentially world-changing scientific contribution. Furthermore, her collaborative research on longitudinal changes in dental arches and soft tissue profiles earned the Annual Best Paper Award from the German Society of Orthodontics (DGKFO). These accolades highlight the lasting impact of her work on both clinical practice and academic orthodontics.
Publication Top Note
Title: Erratum to: Current developments in sleep research and sleep medicine: an assessment of the “Paediatrics” taskforce
Authors: Ekkehart Paditz, Alfred Wiater, Osman Ipsiroglu, Mirja Quante, Silvia Müller-Hagedorn, Bernhard Hoch, Thomas Erler, Julian Mollin, Barbara Schneider, Christian F. Poets
Summary: Clarifies corrections to the Paediatrics Taskforce’s assessment on recent progress in pediatric sleep research and clinical sleep medicine practices.
Conclusion
Dr. Silvia Müller-Hagedorn stands as a leading figure in orthodontics and craniofacial medicine, uniting clinical practice, research, and academic leadership. With dual doctorates, cross-disciplinary expertise, and international collaborations, she has contributed transformative approaches to the treatment of infants with craniofacial anomalies, while also strengthening academic orthodontics with rigorous research. Her combination of clinical innovation, scholarly excellence, and dedication to patient-centered care makes her a highly deserving candidate for recognition in the field of academic medicine and orthodontics.