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This is why Disposable Retainers + Vibration = Straight Teeth FOREVER

January 27, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Using high-frequency vibration in orthodontic retention

Retention can be a frustrating process for orthodontists and patients alike. Relapse occurs for many reasons, ranging from patients who don’t replace their broken retainers to those who are simply noncompliant. Studies have shown that 40 percent to 90 percent of orthodontic patients have unacceptable dental alignment 10 years after treatment.1 Based on these statistics, there’s certainly room for improvement in this important aspect of orthodontic treatment. Therefore, when choosing our retention strategy and appliance, basing it on the individual and retention science can contribute to preserving a lasting and stable occlusion.

One of the reasons retention is difficult to maintain is because of the length of time it takes for the teeth to be adequately “settled” in their new positions. Pratt et al. noted that while retention varies based on tissue types, generally reorganization of the periodontal ligament occurs over three to four months, the gingival collagen–fiber network takes approximately four to six months to remodel, and the elastic supracrestal fibers remain deviated for more than seven months. The article notes that this reorganization phase is completed usually within a year of debonding.1

Bone-density changes occur during and after orthodontic treatment, as well. Yu et al. noted a 23 percent reduction in bone-mineral density around treated teeth after a seven-month period of active orthodontic treatment. After a two-year retention period, most patients’ alveolar bone density recovered; however, bone density around approximately 10 percent of teeth failed to recover to even 80 percent of its pretreatment state.2 This stresses the importance of the second phase: post-retention, lasting for the rest of the patient’s life.

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Filed Under: aligners, Braces

Clear aligners: How has the technology evolved?

January 26, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

clear alignersThough still a relatively new orthodontic treatment modality, clear aligners have quickly become an increasingly popular alternative to fixed appliances for tooth straightening, since they provide an aesthetically appealing and comfortable choice. However, the recent rapid advancements in aligner technology are yet to be recognised by many dentists, leading to a low adoption rate. This article will provide an introductory overview of aligner treatment and its development.
Traditionally, malalignment has been corrected using fixed orthodontic appliances. However, in 1999, Align Technology made its Invisalign system available for commercial purchase, altering the future path of orthodontics. A clear aligner, Invisalign offered an effective alternative in orthodontic treatment, as its correct use can minimise the plaque build-up, gingival recession and inflammation of soft tissue sometimes associated with fixed appliances. Additionally, its complete lack of metal parts presented an aesthetic advantage, and the ability to remove it at any time (especially relevant during eating) allowed Invisalign patients a level of comfort and hygiene care previously unmatched in orthodontic treatment.
Through its recently introduced Invisalign Go system—a treatment programme aimed at guiding general dental practitioners through the process of identifying, planning and treating suitable cases using the aesthetic tooth straightening solution—Align Technology has become entrenched as the global market leader in clear aligners. Other companies have since recognised the value of this therapy, though, and this increased focus has led to a rapid progression in the sophistication of aligner modelling and manufacturing. Dr Les Joffe, Secretary of the European Aligner Society (EAS), the only international organisation in Europe devoted to the promotion of education and research in aligner therapy, believes that these advancements have not yet been fully recognised by all dental practitioners. In an interview with Dental Tribune Online, Joffe said that dental professionals often pass judgment on the suitability of aligners based on outdated information and technology. “There is a misunderstanding by many clinicians that aligner treatments are limited,” said Joffe. “Many clinicians base their view on the early stages of aligner development, from around 2001 to 2003. More than 15 years later, the huge strides that have been made in aligner performance are not fully understood and therefore the modality is either not adopted or provided.”
These major advancements in clear aligner technology include the integration of much more sophisticated 3-D modelling software, able to customise each aligner to an individual patient’s needs. “Clear aligners have deeply changed orthodontics,” Agnieszka Dziedziul, Clear Aligners Department Manager for NimroDENTAL Orthodontic Solutions, told Dental Tribune Online. Established in 1991, NimroDENTAL is one of the largest orthodontic laboratories in the UK, using four different alignment systems in its work with dental practices. “When we started making clear aligners 15 years ago, we were limited to creating movements by hand on a plaster model,” said Dziedziul. “Today, though, we use sophisticated software and the latest 3-D printers to create clear aligners that can correct the majority of malocclusions.”

alignerThe lack of awareness of clear aligners’ benefits among dental practitioners has sometimes been attributed to a lack of scientific studies on this treatment modality. As aligner therapy has developed and been more widely adopted, however, increasing research into its effectiveness and patient satisfaction rates has been conducted. For example, a 2015 study published in the BMC Oral Health journal compared oral health status and satisfaction levels among patients who had received fixed appliances and those treated with the Invisalign system. It found that Invisalign patients were more satisfied overall and enjoyed greater periodontal health, with slightly lower levels of dental plaque. According to another study, conducted in 2013 and published in The Angle Orthodontist journal, compared with those treated with conventional edgewise brackets, patients who had received aligner therapy had significantly fewer dental visits, shorter treatment duration, fewer emergency visits and less overall chair time.
Aligner therapy is one of the fastest-growing areas in orthodontics, driven significantly by patients who regard it as a more comfortable, convenient and discreet alternative to fixed appliances. Given that market research firm Technavio has projected this market to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.68 per cent globally from 2016 to 2020, the need for organisational bodies to increase education and awareness of aligner therapy is essential. The German Association for Aligner Orthodontics was founded in 2007 and the Japan Academy of Aligner Orthodontics in 2012, with both organisations aiming to foster a space for increasing awareness of the applications and advantages of aligner therapy.
More recently, the EAS was established in 2013, with Dr Graham Gardner serving as its founding and current president. In order to promote education on the latest technologies used by clear aligners, the EAS will be hosting its first AlignerLab workshop on 18 February 2017 in Vienna in Austria. It follows on from the successful first EAS congress in February 2016 and will provide clinicians with an opportunity to engage in a variety of hands-on sessions covering 3-D intra-oral scanning, 3-D printing, virtual treatment planning techniques and tooth movement acceleration techniques.
Gardner believes the AlignerLab will highlight how far aligner therapy has come in such a short time. “With the explosion in the 3-D treatment planning and manufacturing processes now available, we at the EAS believe that not only do we need to update our knowledge on the various aligner systems available, we also need to understand the associated hardware—scanners, computers, software, 3-D printing—that is necessary to optimise the aligner system and improve treatment results,” he told Dental Tribune Online. Gardner envisions the event ideally becoming a regular occurrence to allow dental professionals to trial and compare new systems and developments in aligner technology.

 

Source
By Brendan Day, DTI
January 27, 2017
https://eu.dental-tribune.com

Filed Under: Braces

365 Braces

November 27, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

365Braces.com is the first of its kind website offering a Doctor controlled orthodontic treatment called “Hybrid Braces.” By utilizing a hybrid mix of high tech braces and/or clear tooth aligners (called 365Aligners™), patients receive treatment in a dramatically short period of time (6-12 months), at a FRACTION of the cost, and always finish their treatment using a set of clear tooth aligners. Because our Providers now have their own onsite 3D aligner labs, we can offer this service minus the lab expense of Invisalign. The Orthodontists who created this as an alternative to full braces or Invisalign are now passing the savings DIRECTLY TO YOU, our patients. We believe “Hybrid Braces” and 365Aligners™ are the perfect balance between cost and effective tooth aligner treatment. It’s an excellent option for both teenagers and adults.

365 Aligners

Perfect for minor or mild tooth movement. No braces involved. Only sold in sets of 5 aligners at a time. $39 per aligner (Minimum of $195 per set).

365 Braces – LITE

Braces for 6 months, then aligners for up to 6 months *
$147 per month for 18 months
+ Any additional aligners needed after 12 months are $39 per aligner (sold ONLY in 5 Packs) until finished/happy

365 Braces Full

*Braces for 12 months, then aligners to finish for up to 6 months *
$179 per month for 24 months
+ Any additional aligners needed after 12 months are $39 per aligner (sold ONLY in 5 Packs) until finished/happy

Schedule Free Consultation

Filed Under: Braces

How to Brush and Floss with Braces

December 18, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

Brushing your teeth while wearing braces isn’t that much different than brushing without them. After all, you’ll still probably use a toothbrush and floss. However, making sure you do a good job is more important than ever. When you’re wearing braces, food particles and plaque have many more places to get trapped. If you don’t brush and floss properly, your enamel may stain and your teeth may decay around the brackets or bands.

flossing with braces

First, you need to carefully brush and rinse after every meal or snack with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Secondly, you definitely need to take the time to floss well between braces and under all of the wires. Finally, you need to visit the dentist regularly between orthodontic appointments to ensure that your gums and teeth remain healthy throughout the process.

If you’d still like more detailed tips, check out the simple and effective braces cleaning tips from Oral-B:

  1. Prepare to brush. Take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.
  2. Clean your braces. Use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. (Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed, and that you work all the way around upper and lower teeth.)
  3. Brush your teeth. Clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.
  4. Floss once a day with super floss, a type of floss for cleaning around appliances such as braces. Have your dental professional show you how to use this floss, or follow the instructions on the product package.
  5. Rinse and check your teeth. Rinse thoroughly with water or mouth rinse, and examine your teeth and braces in the mirror. They should sparkle, shine and feel clean.

Remember, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Carter!

 

Filed Under: Braces, General Dentistry Tagged With: Braces, brushing with braces, cleaning teeth with braces, floss for braces, flossing with braces, toothbrush for braces

Holiday Treats for Kids with Braces

December 10, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

There is no denying that festive treats are part of the fun during the holidays. However, many of them are too sticky, hard, or crunchy for people with braces to enjoy. These types of foods can damage the wires or brackets of your braces as well as make your teeth that much more vulnerable to decay. Having traditional metal braces during the holidays can be tough when it feels like you are constantly surrounded by things you can’t have!

holiday treats for kids with braces

There are many holiday treats you should try to avoid. These include:

Candy canes
Caramels
Toffee
Taffy
Jelly beans
Nuts

Fortunately, there are just as many braces-friendly treats that you can indulge in:

Hershey Kisses
Peanut Butter Cups
Soft Cookies
Pudding
Pumpkin Pie
Fudge

The most important thing to remember, though, is to always brush after enjoying any sweets!

Filed Under: Braces

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