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Everything ortho / Has the ‘golden-age’ of orthodontics left the building? / Video puts focus on pediatric dental disease / Miniscrews — a focal point in practice (Part 2 of 6) / The new patient experience / AAO Review / Let Carriere change your practice / Ortho Classic takes on the world - one smile at a time / Relapse: the elephant in the room / Industry / Events

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ORTHO TRIBUNE
The World’s Orthodontic Newspaper · U.S. Edition

May 2010

www.ortho-tribune.com

Vol. 5, No. 5

AAO in photos

An ortho star

Let’s go to Vegas!

The people & products
that stole the show

Why the Carriere System
is like nothing else

OrthoVOICE gears up
for September meeting

uPages

10 & 11

uPage

Everything ortho

uPage

AAO annual session
offers products, prizes,
presentations & more
By Kristine Colker, Managing Editor

f you came to Washington, D.C.,
for the 110th annual session of the
American Association of Orthodontists with a “things to buy” list or
a “topics to learn more about” list,
chances are you were in luck.
With more than 300 companies
showing off their products and services in the exhibit hall and four
days filled with courses, hands-on
workshops and even a couple live
procedures, there was more than
enough to keep any orthodontist or
staff member busy from morning to
evening.
Take the exhibit hall and the
array of merchandise on display.
There were all the basics — brackets, wires, retainers, digital imaging

The exhibit hall floor, as seen from above, during the AAO. (Photos/Kristine Colker, Managing Editor)

g OT page 12

Miniscrews — a focal point in practice
By Dr. Björn Ludwig, Dr. Bettina Glasl,
Dr. Thomas Lietz and Prof. Jörg A. Lisson

Dental Tribune America
213 West 35th Street
Suite #801
New York, NY 10001

Part 2 of 6: Basic
information on the
insertion of miniscrews

he insertion of a miniscrew is
a very simple and rapid therapeutic measure. Although
there are several methods that
will yield good results, successful
insertion requires adherence to
a few important principles. The following text details those insertion
steps that offer a high degree of
safety for both patient and clini-

cian (see checklist for insertion on
page 5). It should be noted that this
information is generalised and must
be adapted to individual circumstances.

General notes on insertion

Accurate
pre-operative
planning is a basic requirement for
g OT page 4
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PAID
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Mechanicsburg, PA

[2] =>

2

From the Editor

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Has the ‘golden-age’ O
of orthodontics
left the building?

RTHO TRIBUNE

The World’s Orthodontic Newspaper · U.S. Edition

Publisher & Chairman
Torsten Oemus, t.oemus@dental-tribune.com
Vice President Global Sales
Peter Witteczek
p.witteczek@dental-tribune.com
Chief Operating Officer
Eric Seid, e.seid@dental-tribune.com
Group Editor & Designer
Robin Goodman
r.goodman@dental-tribune.com
Editor in Chief Ortho Tribune
Prof. Dennis Tartakow
d.tartakow@dental-tribune.com

By Dennis J. Tartakow, DMD, MEd, PhD,
Editor in Chief

T

here once was a time when
an orthodontist was required
to learn how pinch-lapping
bands, spot-welding brackets, bend
loops, hooks and first-, second- and
third-order bends in wires as well
as various auxiliary appliances
work. Diagnosis included drawing
our own cephalometric X-rays and
trimming our own diagnostic casts
— putting the “plaster-on-the-table”
as the saying goes.
What has happened to change
history? Are we better educated
with greater expertise to serve the
public, or are we restrained by the
many technological advancements?
For those who were privileged
to have known or were taught by
some of the great orthodontists of
the past, you know how truly special
it was. We were trained to provide
services to the patient without any
help from specialty companies.
Today, clinicians have the luxury
of sending out X-rays and casts —
we don’t even have to bend wires
any more with the current trends of
out-of-the-box treatment.
At some point, we must ask ourselves whether or not (a) technology is inhibiting or enhancing progress, (b) patients are better served
or merely recipients of technology,
and (c) our brains are still allowing us to function as diagnosticians
or are we simply office traffic-cops

Tell us
what
you
think!

directing the flow of services provided in and out of the office from
outside help?
The underpinnings of patient care
and dignity are emphasized by the
importance of delivering quality services. It may be easy imagining how
failure to achieve standards of excellence might be a reflection of a culture derived from poor training and
fast-lane skills; they are often traced
to economics and well-embedded in
personal gains rather than providing
the best services for patients.
Although patients are unaware of
these issues and typically impressed
with having the latest or best-ofthe-best, technologically advanced
care, are they really better served or
are we delusional? Difficulties are
sometimes encountered in finding
high-dependency treatment results
from the so-called “advanced technological improvements.”
High-dependency
treatment
relates to the close proximity of
observed results; low-dependency
treatment occurs when accompanied by ignorance and is unrecognizable when we have no means of
comparison or assessment. Issues
of dignity and privacy may be compromised in order to give priority to
the seriousness of the patient’s care,
especially in today’s modern society.
Our decisions about patient care
are often influenced by media and
sales representatives rather than
by our own sophisticated intelligence. It is sometimes difficult to
find the accommodation appropriate to a specific patient’s needs,
health and safety. The question is,
“Will delusion become implanted in
the legacy of orthodontics?”
Decisions to maximize efficiency can be a double-edged sword,
and we must be careful about what
we wish for, as modernization may
become our Achilles heel.
Although the process of patient
care being delivered with dignity
and privacy is in a sensitive environment, these are issues not confined to the delivery of care, particu-

Do you have general comments or criticism you
would like to share? Is there a particular topic you
would like to see more articles about? Let us know
by e-mailing us at feedback@dental-tribune.com.
If you would like to make any change to your
subscription (name, address or to opt out) please
send us an e-mail at database@dental-tribune.
com and be sure to include which publication you
are referring to. Also, please note that subscription
changes can take up to 6 weeks to process.

larly when the decision is to provide
the “best” care; it also relates to
management decisions for personal
gains or advantage.
There is no question that technology cannot be ignored, but neither can it stand in the way of care
or progress. However, appropriate
application of standards for dignity, privacy and excellence to our
patients should be aimed at avoiding gimmicks or attention-grabbers
and confined to what we know in
our hearts is righteous.
Suggesting that it is exceptional
for an orthodontist to have an attitude problem or lack the necessary
training regarding issues of patient
dignity and privacy is not intended, and neither is it implied that
the problem lies with teachers who
have failed to acknowledge deficiencies in the fabric of the environment in which care is being offered.
However, it is incumbent upon
educators not to be in denial of the
structural inadequacies of technology, but rather to encourage individual thinking that is appropriate
to achieve patient care with the
supreme quality.
Hopefully the present “goldenage” of orthodontics does not have a
tarnished halo, and care for our
patients is held first and foremost in
our minds as well as our hearts. OT

OT

Corrections

Ortho Tribune strives to maintain
the utmost accuracy in its news and
clinical reports. If you find a factual error or content that requires
clarification, please report the details
to Managing Editor Kristine Colker at
k.colker@dental-tribune.com.

Image courtesy of Dr. Earl Broker.

International Editor Ortho Tribune
Dr. Reiner Oemus
r.oemus@dental-tribune.com
Managing Editor/Designer
Ortho Tribune & Show Dailies
Kristine Colker, k.colker@dental-tribune.com
Managing Editor/Designer
Implant & Endo Tribunes
Sierra Rendon, s.rendon@dental-tribune.com
Online Editor
Fred Michmershuizen
f.michmershuizen@dental-tribune.com
Product & Account Manager
Humberto Estrada
h.estrada@dental-tribune.com
Product & Account Manager
Mark Eisen, m.eisen@dental-tribune.com
Product & Account Manager
Gregg Willinger
g.willinger@dental-tribune.com
Marketing Manager
Anna Wlodarczyk
a.wlodarczyk@dental-tribune.com
Marketing & Sales Assistant
Lorrie Young, l.young@dental-tribune.com
C.E. Manager
Julia Wehkamp
j.wehkamp@dental-tribune.com
Dental Tribune America, LLC
213 West 35th Street, Suite 801
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 244-7181, Fax: (212) 244-7185

Published by Dental Tribune America
© 2010, Dental Tribune International GmbH
All rights reserved.
Dental Tribune makes every effort to report
clinical information and manufacturer’s
product news accurately, but cannot assume
responsibility for the validity of product claims,
or for typographical errors. The publishers
also do not assume responsibility for product names or claims, or statements made by
advertisers. Opinions expressed by authors are
their own and may not reflect those of Dental
Tribune International.

OT Editorial Advisory Board
Jay Bowman, DMD, MSD
(Journalism & Education)
Robert Boyd, DDS, MEd
(Periodontics & Education)
Earl Broker, DDS
(T.M.D. & Orofacial Pain)
Tarek El-Baily, BDS, MS, MS, PhD
(Research, Bioengineering & Education)
Donald Giddon, DMD, PhD
(Psychology & Education)
Donald Machen, DMD, MSD, MD, JD, MBA
(Medicine, Law & Business)
James Mah, DDS, MSc, MRCD, DMSc
(Craniofacial Imaging & Education)
Richard Masella, DMD (Education)
Malcolm Meister, DDS, MSM, JD
(Law & Education)
Harold Middleberg, DDS
(Practice Management)
Elliott Moskowitz, DDS, MSd
(Journalism & Education)
James Mulick, DDS, MSD
(Craniofacial Research & Education)
Ravindra Nanda, BDS, MDS, PhD
(Biomechanics & Education)
Edward O’Neil, MD (Internal Medicine)
Donald Picard, DDS, MS (Accounting)
Howard Sacks, DMD (Orthodontics)
Glenn Sameshima, DDS, PhD
(Research & Education)
Daniel Sarya, DDS, MPH (Public Health)
Keith Sherwood, DDS (Oral Surgery)
James Souers, DDS (Orthodontics)
Gregg Tartakow, DMD (Orthodontics)
& Ortho Tribune Associate Editor

[3] =>

News

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Video puts focus
on pediatric
dental disease
By Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor

o help raise awareness of the
fight against pediatric dental
disease, National Children’s
Oral Health Foundation: America’s
Toothfairy (NCOHF) has released a
public service announcement video
as part of a continued effort against
the No. 1 chronic childhood illness
in the United States.
The video — “America’s Toothfairy: Transforming Children’s
Lives” — was produced to educate
the general public about the prevalence of pediatric dental disease
and highlight the measures that
NCOHF nonprofit affiliate healthcare facilities are taking to provide
underserved children nationwide
with compassionate, comprehensive oral health care.
“Millions of children are suffering in silence from oral pain so
severe that it impacts their ability
to eat, sleep and learn on a daily
basis,” said Fern Ingber, NCOHF
president and CEO.
“With access to basic preventive care and simple educational
tools, pediatric dental disease is
completely preventable. We hope
this film will create a robust public
dialogue surrounding our country’s
oral health epidemic and encourage increased support for nonprofit
health-care centers that work tirelessly on limited resources to eliminate this disease from future generations.”
Two dental health-care professionals offer their comments in the
video.
“Dental caries is still very much
a disease; in fact, it is the most common chronic disease in childhood,”
says Dr. J. Timothy Wright, professor and chair of pediatric dentistry
at the University of North Carolina
School of Medicine.
“Oral health is one of the leading causes of children not being in
school.”
Dr. Rocio Quinonez, clinical
associate professor at the University of North Carolina School of
Dentistry, says, “We as a profession
certainly share the same mission as
the NCOHF, and that is to get to kids
early enough so that we can not
only prevent disease but change the
trajectory of oral health and general
health outcome.”
“America’s Toothfairy: Transforming Children’s Lives” was
produced by Emulsion Arts Film
Production Co. with funding from
DENTSPLY International, a dedicated NCOHF underwriter.
The video may be viewed on the
Ortho Tribune website’s media

center, located at
ortho-tribune.com. OT

mediacenter.

Children who have received
care thanks to the efforts of the
National Children’s Oral Health
Foundation: America’s Toothfairy are featured in a new video.
(Photo/Provided by NCOHF)
AD

[4] =>

Trends

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Fig. 2a

Fig. 1: X-ray positioning aid (X-ray
pin, FORESTADENT) shown in situ
in relation to the adjoining tooth
axes.

Fig. 2b

Fig. 2c

Figs. 2a–c: The top image shows the initial situation. An X-ray pin was inserted into the first and second quadrants
of the upper jaw (in the 6–5 region) to check the bone site, followed by the miniscrew. Both screws were inserted in a
manner that is clinically safe, but the X-ray images show damage to the adjoining root in the right-hand quadrant,
indicating a false-positive initial interpretation of the situation.

f OT page 1

successful treatment with mini
screws. Such planning includes
a comprehensive anamnesis and an
accurate assessment of the findings.
It is essential that the treatment be
thoroughly explained to the patient.
Proper hygiene must be ensured
throughout the entire operation.
Both the chair and the treatment
process must be prepared with this
in mind.
During the insertion of a miniscrew, adherence to all hygiene
measures required for an invasive
procedure, such as a sterile work
environment and gloves, must be
ensured. All instruments required
for insertion must be checked for
completeness, functionality and sterility.
The patient may rinse with a disinfectant solution, or a suitable disinfectant can be locally applied. The
patient should then be positioned to
ensure a clear view of the operational area and ergonomically facilitate
insertion for the treating clincian.

Fig. 3a

Fig. 3b

Fig. 3c

Figs. 3a–c: The clinical image shows two miniscrews inserted into the palate in the safe zone to the distal side of the
transversal line linking the two canines. The FRS and the PA image confirm the bone support in the insertion region.

Pre-operative planning
To function correctly, a miniscrew
requires firm anchorage in the bone
(primary stability) and the positioning of its head in the denser
gingival tissue (gingiva alveolaris).
The selection of the insertion site
must take clinical and para-clinical
findings into account (X-ray image,
model), as well as the goal of the
treatment and the resulting orthodontic appliance.
For
interradicular
insertion, a bone thickness of at least
0.5 mm around the miniscrew
is required. This means that for
a miniscrew with an — for many
reasons — optimal diameter of
1.6 mm, the roots must be at least
2.6 mm from each other. Thus, the
bone status and the longitudinal
axis of the insertion site must be
carefully evaluated.
Basic information regarding this
is obtained by carrying out measurements on the model. It often
helps to mark the vertical axis of
the teeth and the progression of the
muco-gingival line on the model,
based on the clinical and radiological findings. This will allow for an
improved assessment of the spatial
circumstances in combination with
the X-ray image.
To assist the accurate determination of the insertion site, X-ray aids
(Fig. 1) are available. Although their

Fig. 4a

Fig. 4b

Figs. 4a, 4b: Injection pen with needle and anesthetic cartridge and injection of anesthetic.

Fig. 5a

Fig. 5b

Figs. 5a, 5b: Superficial anesthetic device in pen form with cartridge, and application of superficial anesthetic.
use facilitates the selection of
the insertion site, they cannot
replace other diagnostic measures.
This is because, depending on
the positioning of the X-ray tube,
object, film, and/or sensor, all
types of X-ray devices and images
may yield some optical distortion.
Interpretation of images can thus

Fig. 6: Measuring
of the thickness
of the mucous
membrane in the
direction of
insertion.
(Photo/Dr. Pohl)

[5] =>

Trends

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Fig. 7a

Fig. 7b

Figs. 7a, 7b: Diagrams showing the thread mechanisms: self-cutting and
self-tapping.
lead to false-negative or falsepositive results (Figs. 2a–c).
Therefore, the placement of
a miniscrew should always be

Checklist
for insertion
Pre-operative planning and
preparation:

• p lanning
documentation
(X-ray, situational models);
• marking of the muco-gingival
line and tooth axes on the
model, determining the site of
insertion; and
• sterilization of the instruments
and preparation of the workstation.

Anesthetic and assessment
of the insertion site:
• anesthetic;
• use of X-ray aids; and
• control image.

Selection of the screw:
• measuring of the thickness
of the mucous membrane
(optional);
• determination of the length;
and
• determination of the type of
screw.

Transgingival penetration:
• excision of the mucous membrane or perforation with the
screw.

Preparation of the bone site:
• optional marking of the bone;
and
• perforation of the cortical bone
or deep pilot drilling, depending on the type of screw.

Insertion of the miniscrew:
• manually or by machine.

Start of orthodontic
measures:

• attaching and fixing of the linking elements.

Post-operative care:
• notes on care and behaviour;
and
• check-up dates.

Removal of the miniscrew:
• removal of the linking elements; and
• removal of the miniscrew.

based on the clinical findings. If
a miniscrew is to be inserted into
an area in which there is no risk of
damage to roots, nerves or blood
vessels (e.g. into the palate just
behind the transverse line linking
the two canines), the position of the
screw may be freely chosen (Figs.
3a–c).

Fig. 8a

5

Fig. 8b

Figs. 8a, 8b: Pre-drill with a 4 mm long blade and limit stop: Drill
(FORESTADENT) and tomas-drill SD (DENTAURUM).

Anesthetic
During the interradicular insertion
of a miniscrew, the sensitivity of the
periodontal tissue of the adjoining
teeth should be retained. For this
reason, the following two procedures are recommended:
a) a low-dose injection of about 0.5
ml anesthetic (Figs. 4a, b); and

b) the induction of superficial anesthesia of the mucous membrane
at the insertion site, for which a
topical anesthetic gel is suitable
(Figs. 5a, b). No general anesthetic is ever required for this
procedure.
g OT page 6
AD

[6] =>

Trends

Ortho Tribune | May 2010
Fig. 10a

Fig. 10b

Fig. 10c

Fig. 10d

Fig. 9: Sterile miniscrew supplied in pin-holder (tomas-pin, DENTAURUM).
f OT page 5

Measuring of the thickness
of the mucous membrane
A pointed sensor with an attached
rubber ring is used to measure
the thickness of the gingival tissue
in the direction of insertion (Fig.
6). This information may be useful
when determining the final length
of the screw and possibly when
inserting the miniscrew.
When choosing the length, the
bone repository and the thickness
of the mucous membrane in the
direction of insertion play a role; in
the retromolar section of the lower
jaw and in the palate, the thickness
of the mucous membrane is often
more than 2 mm.
The part of the miniscrew inside
the bone must be at least as long as
the part outside the bone. The various dimensions must be taken into
account.
The thickness of the bone in the
direction of insertion determines
the required length of the miniscrew:
• bone thickness greater than 10 mm:
miniscrews with a length of up to
10 mm are to be used;
• bone thickness less than 10 mm and
greater than 7 mm: miniscrews
with a length of 8 mm or 6 mm are to
be used; and
• bone thickness less than 6 mm:
miniscrews cannot be used.
The following guidelines aid in
selecting the length:
• in the buccal region of the upper
jaw: 8 mm or 10 mm;
• in the palatinal region (depending
on the region): 6, 8 or 10 mm; and
• in the lower jaw: usually 6 mm or
8 mm.

Determination of the type
of thread

Self-cutting miniscrews require
pre-drilling (also known as pilot
drilling) appropriate to the length
and diameter of the screw, as well
as to the quality of the bone. A selftapping miniscrew will find its own
way into the bone and requires no
pre-drilling (Figs. 7a, 7b).
Bone is more or less elastic
depending on site, age and structure. However, the screw diameter,
the thickness of the cortical bone
and the hardness of the bone at
the insertion site limit the extent to

which this method can be used.
Without pre-drilling, the bone
will be strongly compressed during
insertion and thus suffer a related
tension stress. This may result in
the cracking of the bone around the
insertion site.
When the screw is screwed into
the bone, it is subjected to high
loads. Depending on the bone quality, the resistance against insertion
and the continuity of the rotational
movement, high torsional forces
can result.
In regions with thick cortical bone
and a much looser bone structure
(e.g. the upper jaw), the use of selftapping screws is recommended.
In regions where the cortical bone
is thick and the bone structure is
dense (e.g. the anterior lower jaw)
both self-cutting and self-tapping
screws may be used, in each case
following perforation of the compact bone.

Figs. 10a–d: Preparation of the work rack and removal of the blades.

Fig. 11a

Fig. 11b

Fig. 11c

Fig. 11d

Fig. 11e

Fig. 11f

Transgingival penetration
The miniscrew must penetrate
through gingival tissue, which must
thus be perforated during insertion.
Two methods are used for the perforation of the gingival tissue:
a) e
xcision of the gingival tissue; or
b) direct insertion of the screw
through the gingival tissue.
There are currently no published
studies that investigate the effect of
these two methods on post-operative problems, histological effects
and/or the loss rate of miniscrew.

Preparation of the bone site
Protection of the bone is an important aspect. Insertion without predrilling results in tensional stress
within the bone, which may lead to
post-operative complications.
Particularly in the case of crestally placed screws, bone displacement
may result in a severe expansion of
the periosteum. The thickness of
the cortical bone, especially in the
lower jaw, can have a significant
effect on the torque of the screw.
To ensure that the screw is
not overloaded during insertion, the compact bone of the
anterior lower jaw should be per
forated by pre-drilling as mentioned
earlier. Pre-drilling should be done
at a maximum of 1.500 rpm–1, using
a short pilot drill and water-cooling
to reduce the risk of damaging the
root (Figs. 8a, 8b).

Figs. 11a–f: Preparation of the instruments and insertion of two miniscrews
into the palate by machine.

Insertion of the miniscrew
The
miniscrew
must
be
removed from its sterile packaging (Fig. 9) or the work rack (Figs.
10a–d) without contamination.
The thread of the screw may not
be touched. The screw should be
inserted at a constant rotational
speed (at approximately 30 rpm–1)
and with as uniform a torque as
possible.

Manual insertion
Manufacturers

supply

various

g OT page 8

Fig. 12: Linking of the miniscrew to
the orthodontic appliance.

[7] =>

[8] =>

Trends

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

f OT page 6

screwdrivers and blades in several
lengths for the manual insertion of
the screws.
Because of their dimensions,
long blades pose the risk of attaining a very high torque during insertion. Thus, insertion must be carried out carefully to avoid breaking
the miniscrew.
Torque ratchets are available
for use with some systems (e.g.
tomas, DENTAURUM; and LOMAS,
Mondeal), which provide a certain
amount of control over the insertion
torque.

Machine insertion
Machine
insertion
requires
a surgical treatment unit (the torque
of which can be controlled) or at least
a low-rpm dual-green handpiece.
AD

Fig. 13a

Fig. 13b

Fig. 13c

Figs. 13a–c: Miniscrew in place, after removal, and following a four-week healing period.
Accurate setting of the torque and
the number of rotations is required;
the rotation rate should not exceed
30 rpm–1, and the torque must be

restricted to the maximum load
limit of the screw.
Machine insertion helps to
achieve a consistent torque dur-

ing insertion but means that the
operator loses perception of the
bone. During manual insertion, it is
possible to perceive the interaction
between the screw and the bone by
tactile senses. Insertion by machine
is shown in figures 11a–f.

Attaching the orthodontic
linking elements

As no healing phase is required, load
may be placed on the miniscrew
immediately after insertion. The
selected linking element must be
prepared accordingly and attached
to the head of the screw (Fig. 12).
To avoid damage to the teeth
to be moved, the load on the
linking element should be between
0.5 and 2 N (about 50 and 200 g).

Basic post-operative care
The healing of the gingival tissue and hygiene status after
insertion must be regularly
reviewed during the entire time
the miniscrew remains in place.
The patient must be informed that
any manipulation of the screw head
with the fingers, tongue, lips and/
or cheeks should be avoided; otherwise the screw may be prematurely
lost.

Removal of the miniscrew
A miniscrew can be removed under
local anesthetic. After the linking
elements have been removed, the
miniscrew may be removed with
the same tools used for insertion.
The resulting wound requires no
special care and usually heals within a short time. DT
Editorial note: A complete list of
references is available from the publisher. This article first appeared in
Dental Tribune Asia Pacific, No. 3,
2009. The next edition of Ortho Tribune will feature “Part III — Clinical
examples.” All photos were provided
by the authors.

OT Contact
Dr Björn Ludwig
Am Bahnhof 54
56841 Traben-Trarbach
Germany
Phone: +49 (654) 181-8381
Fax: +49 (654) 181-8394
E-mail: bludwig@kiefer
orthopaedie-mosel.de

[9] =>

Practice Matters

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

The new patient experience
By Roger P. Levin, DDS

ase presentation begins with
the new patient phone call.
Many ortho practices don’t realize that.
When evaluating practice systems for new clients, Levin Group
consultants are shocked at the number of potential patients/parents
who call but never schedule. Every
new patient phone call is another
opportunity to provide exceptional
orthodontic care, increase production and grow the practice.
How would you rate the telephone skills of your front desk
team? Average, good or great? If
you didn’t answer “great,” then you
could be losing tens of thousands in
potential production.
Most ortho practices score two
out of 10 in this area but can raise
their score to a nine in a matter of
weeks with scripting and training.

First impressions matter!
Get the patient-practice relationship off to a great start by giving
your team the verbal skills they
need to impress potential patients/
parents.
In the age of increased ortho
shopping, parents are scrutinizing ortho practices more than ever
before. When your front desk team
can build value for the orthodontist and the practice, patients/parents are more likely to schedule
an appointment and accept recommended treatment.
If front desk staff members sound
bored or rushed on the phone, they
are sending a message that they
have more important things to do.
Remember, every new patient/parent who calls the office must be
seen as a major opportunity.
Levin Group teaches clients that
scripting needs to be in place for

OT About the author

Dr. Roger P. Levin is chairman and
chief executive officer of Levin
Group, the leading orthodontic practice management firm. Levin Group
provides Total Ortho Success™, the
premier comprehensive consulting
solution for lifetime success to orthodontists in the United States and
around the world. Levin Group may
be reached at (888) 973-0000 and
customerservice@levingroup.com.

every routine conversation, including the first phone call.
A successful new patient phone
call requires scripts, power words,
benefits statements and the following steps:
• Answering the phone within two
rings
• Thanking the patient/parent for
calling
• Asking who referred the patient
• Complimenting the referring
individual
• Making the appointment
• Transferring trust by talking
about the orthodontist’s expertise
• Explaining the confirmation process

• Building value for orthodontic
treatment
• Answering questions about aligners and other popular options
• Creating a positive feeling and
relationship with the patient/parent
• Explaining tastefully why this is
the ortho office of choice
• Restating the appointment date
and time
• Asking if there are any other
questions that the patient/parent
may have

Conclusion
The new patient call needs to be
more of an interpersonal and infor-

mative experience than it is in
most offices today. An effective first
phone call sets the stage for a longterm practice-patient relationship
that leads to increased growth, production and profitability.
To jumpstart practice growth,
experience Dr. Roger Levin’s next
Total Ortho Success™ Seminar being
held June 17–18 in Las Vegas. Ortho
Tribune readers are entitled to receive
a 20 percent courtesy. To receive this
courtesy, call (888) 973-0000 and
mention “Ortho Tribune” or e-mail
customerservice@levingroup.com
with “Ortho Tribune Courtesy” in the
subject line. OT
AD

[10] =>

Scrapbook

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Scenes from the AAO
Ortho Tribune grabbed a camera and wandered the exhibit hall to see what we could find
Meeting
attendees listen
to a lecturer at
the American
Orthodontics
booth.
(Photo/Fred
Michmershuizen,
Online Editor)

John Compton,
left, and Jay
Phelps of Cadent
demonstrate the
OrthoCAD
system for taking
digital
orthodontic
impressions.
(Photo/Fred
Michmershuizen,
Online Editor)

Dr. Tom Pitts offers a presentation
on ‘Challenging Cases Made Easy’
at the Ormco booth. Pitts was one
of many opinion leaders sharing
knowledge during the AAO meeting.
(Photo/Fred Michmershuizen, Online
Editor)

Dr. Steven Jay Bowman gives a mini-lecture in Dentaurum’s booth on ‘Multi-Tasking with Miniscrews.’ Dentaurum
offered several mini-lectures each day, with topics ranging from TADs to chairside Class II correctors. Other speakers included Dr. Sebastian Baumgaertel, Dr. Joseph S. Petrey and Dr. Aladin Sabbagh. Many of these same speakers
will also be lecturing at the upcoming TAD User Forum in Las Vegas on Nov. 6–7. For details, see tomasforum.com.
(Photo/Kristine Colker, Managing Editor)

Deborah Lyle, left, and Scott
Headley of Water Pik want to help
you make absolutely certain that all
your patients are properly cleaning
between wires and brackets. (Photo/
Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor)

Rohit Sachdeva, at right, chief clinical officer at
SureSmile, discusses the SureSmile software with an AAO
attendee. (Photo/Kristine Colker, Managing Editor)

Orthodontic consultant and continuing education
provider Carolyn Friedman talks to Brandon Dresser in
ChaseHealthAdvance’s lounge during the AAO. Visitors
to the booth were able to pick up a pass to the lounge
and get the opportunity to talk to Friedman one-on-one.
(Photo/Kristine Colker, Managing Editor)

[11] =>

Scrapbook 11

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Rick Kelley of
Ortho2 shows
off the features
of the practice
management
system, Edge.
Edge is a highly
flexible
program,
allowing
different users
to personalize
it however they
want. ‘It works
around how the
office works,’
Kelley said.
(Photo/
Kristine Colker,
Managing
Editor)

Davin Bickford, left, and Patti Shadbolt of WildSmiles
Brackets know how to make orthordontic treatment
fun for kids. Their bracket designs include stars, hearts,
flowers and footballs. (Photo/Fred Michmershuizen,
Online Editor)
Marla Merritt,
director of
marketing, at the
OrthoBanc booth.
OrthoBanc, a
payment drafting
and management
company, handed
out hot dogs and
lemonade while
putting on a mock
political rally to
help explain the
benefits of working
with the company.
(Photo/Kristine
Colker, Managing
Editor)

The Forestadent booth. (Photo/Fred
Michmershuizen, Online Editor)

Tom Gwaltney, president and CEO of Oasys,
talks about some of the company’s new products,
including customized game rooms for patients.
(Photo/Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor)

David Boegler, global account manager, at the AMD
LASERS booth. The company was showing off its
Picasso and Picasso Lite lasers. (Photo/Kristine Colker,
Managing Editor)

These ‘Wallbusters’ were on display
at the Imagination Dental Solutions
booth. Pictured alongside the wall
critters is Justin Acciavatti. (Photo/
Fred Michmershuizen, Online
Editor)

Dr. Jack Fisher, inventor of the Fisher TAD System, talks
to attendees about anchorage during a presentation at
Elite Ortho. (Photo/Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor)
Daryl Mathius of
Accutech talks about
the company’s
palatal expanders,
the Freedom-Lock
Appliance System.
(Photo/Fred
Michmershuizen,
Online Editor)

Wes Wilson of Dolphin Imaging & Management
Solutions shows off the mobile software as it runs on an
iPad. (Photo/Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor)

Attendees make use of the C.E.
stations, where they could
record the lectures they went
to and print out their hours
report. (Photo/Kristine Colker,
Managing Editor)

[12] =>

AAO Review

Ortho Tribune | May 2010
Dr. Steve
Appel,
winner of an
i-CAT from
Imaging
Sciences
International.

Suzanne Wilson, brand manager for
Opal Orthodontic, discusses the new
RPM phiposophy.
f OT page 1

devices and practice management
software as well as the hundreds of
other products you commonly think
of in association with orthodontics
and the running of a practice.
But there were also a lot of products you might not necessarily associate with the daily duties of your
job but would still go a long way
to ensuring the success of your
practice.
One of these products was found
at Lips Inc. (www.lipsinc.com). Jodi
and Warren Levine were offering lip
balm in 30 flavors, from the familiarity of peppermint and strawberry
to the more exotic blueberry pomegranate and white cranberry.
But why exactly would you need
lip balm for your practice?
Because these lips balms come
with your own customized label,
essentially making them a unique
business card your patients will not
only carry around with them but
can also use on a daily basis.
Over at PracticeGenius (www.
practicegenious.com), the focus was
on keeping patients happy. The
company has created the industry’s first web-based marketing and
communication application, and it
promises to be fun and rewarding
for you and your patients.
Basically, with a personalized
membership card you give to them,
your patients can earn points for
seeing their dentist regularly, for
being on time and for taking such
good care of their braces they don’t
need to schedule any emergency
visits. Patients can earn prizes,
which they can redeem online, and
you can earn their loyalty.
Another way to earn loyalty, with
patients or staff members or even
referring dentists, could be found at
Whiter Image (www.whiterimage.
com). Keith Rodbell, founding partner, sold out of his Chic-Flic toGO
pen the very first day.
The pen, which is a tooth whitener on one end and a lip plumper on
the other, could make a memorable
referral or thank-you gift, recall gift,
post-treatment whitening package
or a standalone marketing center,
and it costs much less than retail
whiteners and lip plumpers.

Product launches
Because the AAO comes around
only once a year, many companies use it as an opportunity to
debut new products. This year,

Fun and games

Warren and Jodi Levine at the Lips Inc. booth.

Mark Hollis shows off MacPractice’s
different uses, including an iPad
version.
Opal Orthodontics (www.opalortho
dontics.com) presented RPM, a
comprehensive philosophy for orthodontic treatment.
Developed by Dr. Richard P.
McLaughlin, RPM unites advanced
orthodontic education with integrated products designed to support
an advanced orthodontic management philosophy focused on precise, predictable and patient-centered outcomes.
The RPM philosophy is a comprehensive approach to orthodontic
management, ranging from diagnosis and treatment planning to

the finishing and retention stages
of treatment. In development of
RPM, McLaughlin set out to combine orthodontic education with the
most advanced pre-adjusted appliance prescription available today,
the Avex Suite, as well as with Opal
Orthodontics’ VIA Wires and Opal
Seal, all with the goal of long-term
oral health for the patient.
MacPractice (www.macpractice.
com), a developer of practice management and clinical software for Macs,
iPhones and iPads, also debuted a
new product — the MacPractice DDS
MS (multi-specialty), which came
with orthodontist-specific features.
The software features everything
an orthodontist needs to run a practice, including contract billing, electronic insurance submission, charting, digital imaging and interfaces
to orthodontic-specialized imaging
analysis and treatment-planning
software.
An additional benefit for those
who share office space with a dentist of another specialty, such as a
pediatric dentist, is that both clinicians can share a single database
without having to have two separate
programs.

For some AAO attendees, walking the exhibit hall offered more
benefits than just checking out the
newest gadgets out there or getting in some exercise; they walked
away with a variety of prizes.
Ortho Classic (www.orthoclassic.
com) gave away a trip to Cabo San
Lucas, Henry Schein (www.henryschein.com) and Dentaurum (www.
dentaurum.com) gave away iPads
and DENTSPLY GAC (www.gacintl.
com) gave away gelato.
Imaging Sciences (www.imaging
sciences.com), though, gave away
the biggest prize of all: Dr. Steven
Appel won an i-CAT.
As an established orthodontist,
Appel said he is now ready to discover and implement new methods
of treating patients.
“I am 58 years old, but I like to
think that I am the old dog that can
learn new tricks,” he said about the
i-CAT. “This was certainly one of
the tricks on my list to learn.”

Put on your thinking cap
The exhibit hall wasn’t the only
place that saw a lot of action during the AAO. So did the classroom.
There were a variety of new course
topics, including an examination of
how stem cells and tissue engineering may impact the future of orthodontics, a look at current issues surrounding oral bisphosphonates and
a discussion of the issue of access to
orthodontic treatment.
Other topics included the use
of aligners, clinical guidelines for
miniscrews, the past and future of
imaging, esthetics, practice management and orthodontics for
adults.
One highlight was a special risk
management program that focused
on common concerns at the beginning of an orthodontic career. There
were also a variety of educational
presentations found almost hourly
on the exhibit hall floor.
Next year’s AAO will take place
May 13–17 in Chicago. OT

[13] =>

[14] =>

Industry Interview

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Let Carriere change your practice
Minimalism and
elegance are keys to
the efficiency, strength
of the products

OT Contact
For more information on the Carriere
System, contact Ortho Organizers at
(800) 547-2000 or online at www.
orthoorganizers.com or www.carriere
system.com.

By Kristine Colker, Managing Editor

f orthodontics had a version of
a rock star, Dr. Luis Carriere of
Barcelona would be one for sure.
Tucked away at a table in the
back of the Ortho Organizers® booth
during the AAO Annual Session,
discussing his Carriere® Self-Ligat-

ing Bracket System and Distalizer
Appliance, Dr. Carriere was interrupted by a woman practically running over to him.
“Are you Dr. Carriere, the inventor?” she asked. “I love your products! They have changed my practice!”

She wasn’t the only one who
thought so. By the time Dr. Carriere
got up at the end of the discussion, there was a crowd of people
gathered around, waiting to take
pictures with him.
But Dr. Carriere wasn’t fazed by
any of the attention. What he was
focused on was the Carriere System
itself.
“The start of the design of our
products, our system and out treatment approach has been the patient
and the respect of the patient,” Dr.
Carriere said. “We tried to minimize
our designs and keep them simple.
By sticking to the basics, the result
will be more elegant and efficient.”
The Carriere System begins with

Dr. Luis Carriere explains his
two-part system to a meeting
attendee during the AAO. (Photo/
Kristine Colker, Managing Editor)
the Distalizer Appliance, which, if
used at the beginning of treatment
when there are no competing forces
in the mouth from brackets or wires,
can help orthodontists turn complex
Class II cases into Class I in an average of three to four months.
The direct bond appliance attaches to the maxillary canine and first
permanent molar and works by first
rotating and uprighting the maxillary first molars while distalizing
the posterior segment, from canine
or premolar to molars, into a perfect
occlusion. The appliance simultaneously produces a light, uniform
force for distal molar movement
and independently moves each posterior segment as a unit.
All of it comes down to physics,
Dr. Carriere said.
“We are used to approaching
Class II cases with appliances, but
the most important thing, before we
approach a case, is to look at the
physics and not try to be more intelligent than it,” he said, adding that
moving the teeth in blocks instead
of separately allows teeth to move
naturally. “We wanted to get rid of
aspects that were minimizing the
efficiency.”
Once treatment with the Distalizer is completed, the next step in the
process is the passive self-ligating
brackets.
The brackets are simple (consisting of just the body and a archwire
interface) and produce significantly less friction than conventional
brackets or active self-ligating
ones, which allows teeth to move
more quickly and efficiently while
increasing the patient’s comfort.
Another advantage, according to
Dr. Carriere, is the minimalistic
design.
“We have created an extremely
low-profile bracket,” he said. “We
put the wire closer to the surface
of the tooth in order to keep better
control of the torque.”
That’s especially important, Dr.
Carriere said, referencing the entire
Carriere System, because “without
control, there is no power,” and the
Carriere System is as powerful as it
comes. OT

[15] =>

[16] =>

16

Industry Interview

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Ortho Classic takes on the
world, one smile at a time
By Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor

R

olf Hagelganz has plenty to
smile about. As president of
Ortho Classic, a company with
humble beginnings in McMinnville,
Ore., he’s overseeing an expanding team of global distributors
and increased penetration into the
domestic market.
What’s more, he boasts, is an
impressive sales growth despite
these challenging economic times.
One of the company’s most successful products is the TenBrook
Axis passive self-ligating system,
developed by Dr. James TenBrook.
The system uses a special archwire
sequencing technique developed by
TenBrook that employs low friction
and light force to achieve healthy
tooth movement with optimal control.
The system allows even complex
cases to be treated quickly. A Class
III case can be treated with the

AD

OT Contact
To learn more about Ortho Classic,
visit the company online, at www.
orthoclassic.com.

“TenBrook Technique” in just 14
months, Hagelganz says.
Ortho Classic also offers the
TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) device for the treatment
of snoring and obstructive sleep
apnea. The device is designed to
keep a patient’s airway open during sleep.

Company beginnings
The company has roots back in
the 1960s, when founder and CEO
Klaus Hagelganz learned how to
mold very complex metal parts that
were impossible to produce with
conventional methods of press and
sintering.
The company he founded, World

Rolf Hagelganz smiles big at the
Ortho Classic booth during the AAO.
If you look closely, you can see his
fixed appliances — and yes, he is
being treated with the TenBrook Axis
system. ‘I’m not just the president,
I’m also a client,’ Hagelganz says
with a laugh. (Photo/Fred
Michmershuizen, Online Editor)

Class Technology, developed a proprietary process of metal injection
to create brackets, buccal tubes, lingual buttons and self-ligating systems.
In 2004, Ortho Classic was
launched, to make the products
available directly to distributors and
clinicians.
Today, the company employs
72 people at its 60,000-square-foot
facility nestled in the heart of Oregon’s wine country. Products now
include bands and attachments,
wires, anchorage systems, elastomerics, adhesives and bonding,
auxiliary supplies and instruments.
The company also has a full-service
orthodontic lab on the property.
Hagelganz, who is an engineer
and tinkerer by nature, spends most
of his time on the company’s manufacturing floor. That’s because he
enjoys spending as much time as
possible with his employees, whom
he says are the key to the success of
his company. OT

[17] =>

[18] =>

Industry

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Relapse: the elephant in the room
Relapse remains the arch-nemesis of the industry, but is the answer just too hard to swallow?
By Dr. Rohan Wijey, BOralH, Grad Dip Dent
(Griffith)

n a sweeping review on the
subject, incorporating 40 years’
worth of articles, Bondemark et
al. (2007) found the tenor of the
debate on orthodontic relapse rested with which retention regimen is
most effective.
That the hot question in orthodontics today is whether bonded
or removable retainers are more
effective does not bode well for the
future of our science. The focus of
studies must shift toward what is
causing the relapse and its subsequent prevention.
What does the current evidence
tell us about the causes of relapse?
An expansive literature review
(Blake and Bibby 1998) found factors that may affect post-treatment
stability are:
• Alteration of arch form
• Periodontal and gingival tissues
• Mandibular incisor dimensions
• Continuing growth
• Third molars
• Neuromusculature

Despite these factors, there exists
a common misconception that
orthognathic surgery is somehow
the definitive answer to a skeletal
discrepancy. What does the evidence suggest? Proffit et al. (2007)
have amassed an impressive volume of data on the subject, involving more than 100 research articles
and 2,264 patients.
They conclude that only maxillary advancement can be considered
“stable,” although even in this procedure, “moderate relapse” (being
“potentially clinically significant”) is
expected in 20 percent of patients.
The study then labels downward
movement of the maxilla and mandibular setback “problematic;” 66
percent suffered “clinically highly
significant” relapse of downward
maxillary movement within a year.
Those who underwent mandibular
setback registered similar figures,
with up to 50 percent expected to
record relapse.
If even surgery is no match for
relapse, which of the aforementioned factors has the power to
reshape and remodel bone?
“Whenever there is a struggle
between muscle and bone, bone
yields,” writes Graber in his seminal 1963 manifesto on the influence
of muscles on malformation and
malocclusion.
More recently, Chang et al.
(2006) regarded muscular forces
as the principal factor in relapse of
mandibular setback. In his review
of open-bite treatment, Shapiro
(2002) suggests the high rate of
instability, with or without surgery,
is most likely due to “non-adaption
of the tongue.”

Fig. 1a

Fig. 1b

titioner with all three tools will
fulfill all therapeutic desires. Like
any progressive science, the orthodontic industry must dissolve old
antagonisms, lose its prejudices and
embrace change.
By combining the skeletal effects
of functional appliances, the lapidary movements of fixed appliances
and the treatment of underlying
causes with myofunctional appliances and therapy, we might just
have the ultimate answer. OT

References

Fig. 1c

Fig. 1d

Fig. 1a–d: Before treatment, October 2009. (Photos/Provided by Dr. Wijey)

Fig. 2a

Fig. 2b

Fig. 2c

Fig. 2d

Fig. 2a–d: April 2010
In their review of the orthodontic
influence of mandibular muscles,
Pepicelli et al. (2005) corroborate it
is “well accepted” that the position
and function of the facial and mandibular muscles are “critical influences” on alignment and stability.
These include a dysfunctional swallow and incorrect tongue posture.
Mentioning “muscle function,”
however, does not immediately
champion functional appliances
and preclude fixed. Despite the fact
that most traditional advocates of
braces may completely ignore the
influence of muscles, the functional
appliances school is guilty of doing
the same while still paying muscles
lip service.
A surprisingly common misconception amongst orthodontic practitioners is that functional
appliances are analogous to myofunctional appliances. They are, in
fact, polar opposites, both in terms
of underpinning philosophy as well
as mechanism of action.
Functional appliances simply
expand maxillas and posture mandibles forward without correcting
soft-tissue function at all. Myofunctional appliances, conversely,

directly target these underlying
muscular causes.
A case in point is this 14-year-old
with a large overjet, narrow arches
and subsequent dental crowding.
A muscular assessment shows a
low tongue posture is responsible
for the narrow arches and a severe
reverse swallow with labio-mentalis
action.
After six months of myofunctional appliance use and myofunctional exercises, the overjet has
substantially reduced, the arches
have broadened and the crowding
has been eliminated. Skeletally and
dentally, this is a positive, if unremarkable, result.
What is striking, though, is how
the patient has eliminated her own
reverse swallow habit, with the profile shot indicating the labio-mental
furrow under her lower lip has also
dissipated. With both the muscle
function and posture having been
treated, this case has a much higher
chance of stability (Pepicelli et al.
2005, Rickets et al. 1979, Bench et
al. 1978) (Figs. 1, 2).
Although some may be deterred
by the concept of a nuanced solution to a problem, arming the prac-

1. Bench RW, Gugino CF, Hilgers
JJ (1978). Bioprogressive therapy — Part 12. J Clin Orthod
1978;12:569–86.
2. Blake M, Bibby K (1998). Retention and stability: A review of
the literature. American Journal
of Orthodontics and Dentofacial
Orthopedics Vol. 114, No. 3.
3. Bondemark L, Holm A-K, Hansen
K, Axelsson S, Mohlin B, Brattstrom V, Paulin G, Pietila T (2007).
Long-term stability of orthodontic
treatment and patient satisfaction. A systematic review. Angle
Orthod Vol. 77, Issue 1, pp.181–91.
4. Chang H, Tseng Y, Chang H,
(2006). Treatment of mandibular
prognathism. J Formos Med Assoc
105(10): pp. 781–790.
5. Graber TM (1963). The “three
M’s”: Muscles, malformation, and
malocclusion. American Journal
of Orthodontics Vol. 49, No. 6.
6. Pepicelli A, Woods M, Briggs C
(2005). The mandibular muscles
and their importance in orthodontics: A contemporary review.
American Journal of Orthodontics
and Dentofacial Orthopedics Vol.
128, No. 6.
7. Proffit WR, Turvey A, Phillips C
(2007). The hierarchy of stability
and predictability in orthognathic
surgery with rigid fixation: an
update and extension. Head Face
Med Vol. 3, p. 21.
8. Ricketts RM, Roth RH, Chaconas
SM, Schulhof RJ, Engel GA (1982).
Orthodontic diagnosis and planning. Bioprogressive therapy —
book 1. Denver: Rocky Mountain
Orthodontics.
9. Shapiro AP (2002). Stability of open
bite treatment. American Journal
of Orthodontics and Dentofacial
Orthopedics Vol. 121, No. 6.

OT Contact
Dr. Rohan Wijey works for Myofunctional Research Company (MRC) on
the Gold Coast, Australia. He practices myofunctional orthodontics at
its clinical arm, MRC Clinics, and
teaches dentists and orthodontists
from around the world about early
intervention and the MRC myofunctional orthodontic appliances.

[19] =>

[20] =>

Industry

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Ultradent announces new
partnership with Shofu
U

ltradent Products and its orthodontic division, Opal Orthodontics, unveiled on April 22
its partnership with Shofu, one of
the largest international dental
materials and equipment manufacturers with more than 85 years
of industry experience. Shofu will
be the exclusive distributor of Opal
Orthodontics in Japan.
Founded in 1922 by Kajo Shofu
III, a Japanese entrepreneur and
researcher, Shofu has a solid history with regional key opinion
leaders and orthodontic specialists. Now a publicly traded company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange,
Shofu has remained one of the top
manufacturers of dental products

used by dentists, dental technicians
and dental hygienists with affiliate
companies in the United States,
Germany, Singapore, United Kingdom and China.
Shofu will be the exclusive distributor of Opal Orthodontics products in Japan. Ultradent Japan will
continue with distribution for Ultradent’s dental products through a
network of distributors in Japan.
Dr. Richard P. McLaughlin, a
private consultant to Ultradent’s
orthodontic division, has been an
active proponent of the ShofuUltradent partnership.
“It is a pleasure to renew my
relationship with Shofu in Japan
under a new umbrella with a

quality innovator of orthodontic
products such as Ultradent,” said
McLaughlin. “Dr. Masatada Koga,
a recognized orthodontic expert,
and I share a history of working
in tandem to educate Shofu customers on advanced orthodontic
diagnosis, treatment planning and
patient care. Ultradent will add
more depth with its long history
of continuing education and the
development of quality, innovative
orthodontic products. ”
McLaughlin’s passion for continuous improvement of the preadjusted appliance is what drew
him to Ultradent and to Dr. Dan
Fischer, its president and founder.
Last year, McLaughlin partnered

with Opal Orthodontics as an advocate and consultant, helping to
lead the global orthodontic education program and as a contributor
to new product development and
design.
In the first quarter of 2010,
McLaughlin represented Ultradent
at a continuing education course
in Japan, educating more than 200
orthodontists on case studies related to the Opal Orthodontics system.
For more information on the
partnership between Shofu and
Ultradent Products, contact Hiroshi
Kaji of Ultradent Japan at hiroshi.
kaji@ultradent.com or Masaru
Miyajima of Shofu at m-miyajima@
shofu.co.jp. OT

SureSmile introduces version 5.8
Updates include workflow automation and lingual capabilities

ureSmile 5.8, first introduced
to an international audience
of orthodontists at the annual
SureSmile conference, is now available for commercial use. In keeping
with SureSmile’s comprehensive
service approach, all current customers will automatically receive
the upgrade at no additional cost.
OraMetrix, a leading provider
of technology-based orthodontic
care solutions, announced the latest advancements in its SureSmile®
system, which combines 3-D diagnostic imaging with computerized
treatment plan modeling and robotic archwire customization, at its
annual conference, held March 4–6,
in Dallas.
Among the many new capabilities of SureSmile 5.8 software are
its increased workflow automation,
for even more ease-of-use for clinicians, and its lingual treatment
capability.
“We are continuously evolving SureSmile as orthodontists
gain more experience in applying
digital technology to patient treatment,” said Charles Abraham, CEO
of OraMetrix. “We are committed
to maintaining our position at the
forefront of the digital revolution in
orthodontics.”

2010 SureSmile conference
Seven hundred and fifty attendees
from the United States, as well as
from Japan, Germany, Australia and
Canada, including orthodontists,
their staff members and special

A new image superposition feature
of the SureSmile 5.8 enables the
orthodontist to see the treatment
model in the context of the whole
face. (Photos/Provided by
SureSmile)

SureSmile inventor and orthodontist, Dr. Rohit Sachdeva, presents a
session during the SureSmile user’s
conference.

OT Contact
For more information on SureSmile,
visit www.suresmile.com.

guests, attended and participated
in the SureSmile conference at the
Gaylord Texan Convention Center
and Resort outside Dallas.
The event offered more than
50 educational and clinical sessions and business seminars.
According to Phoenix-based orthodontist Dr. Joe Pearson, “It is the
right mix of study and entertainment, and one of the best conferences I attend all year.”
Said orthodontist Barry Booth
from Chicago, “The atmosphere is

The SureSmile user’s conference
featured a variety of clinical and
software training sessions.
wonderful, full of learning and lots
of sharing of ideas amongst presenters and amongst orthodontists.”

SureSmile 5.8
One of the key new features of
SureSmile 5.8 is its workflow automation system, which leads the

orthodontist step-by-step through
its treatment-planning, decisionmaking and appliance-management
process, making SureSmile easy to
learn while helping the orthodontist become more efficient with the
software.
SureSmile 5.8 extends the core
guide feature with automatically
enabled customized toolbars, and
a new image superposition enables
the orthodontist to see the treatment
model in the context of the whole
face.
Additionally, SureSmile 5.8 has
the capability to create a 3-D digital
model for lingual treatment planning and custom precision archwires. The demand for lingual orthodontic treatment, an option for
patients concerned with esthetics,
where the brackets and wires are
placed on the tongue side of the
teeth and out of view, is growing.
“With SureSmile, the most difficult and time-consuming part of
the lingual treatment — bending
and adjusting the wires on the lingual side of the teeth — is removed,
making it a better solution for both
orthodontist and patient,” said Phil
Getto, chief technology officer of
OraMetrix.
OraMetrix, founded in 1998, is a
leading provider of innovative, technology-based solutions designed to
improve the quality of orthodontic
care. Headquartered in Richardson,
Texas, OraMetrix has development
centers in Berlin, Germany and
Richardson. OT

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[22] =>

Events

Ortho Tribune | May 2010

Get ready for OrthoVOICE
Meeting to offer unique events such as ‘Bracebook’ and ‘Dinner with Strangers’

rthoVOICE 2010 is just around
the corner — Sept. 16–18, to
be exact. There will be many
nationally recognized speakers,
including Dr. Sebastian Baumgaertel, Jeff Behan, Dr. Robert Scholz,
Charlene White, Dr. Clarke Stevens,
Andrea Cook, Dr. Ben Burris, Mary
Kay Miller, Dr. Dan Grauer, Craig
Scholz, Dr. Doug Singleton, Nancy
Hyman, Dr. Scott Law, Chris Bentson and Dr. Jen Garza.
OrthoVOICE will have strong
emphasis on practice development,
new clinical technology, practice
efficiency and staff relations.
At OrthoVOICE you will discuss
forward-thinking topics to motivate and challenge you in an environment that encourages leading
orthodontists to discuss and connect
with peers.
OrthoVOICE also offers a nationally accredited technical team-training program presented by Trapezio.
Trapezio is the sole organizer of the
AAO technical staff training sessions
and holds its own sessions throughout the year. At OrthoVOICE, this
C.E.-eligible training is included in
your team tuition of only $165 each.
OrthoVOICE is designed to
encourage idea sharing across all
topics in the field of orthodontics.
There will be two networking parties at the Planet Hollywood Hotel,
along with many other out-of-thebox idea-sharing events.
One of OrthoVOICE’s unique
optional events for orthodontists
and team members is “Dinner

OT To register
To register for OrthoVOICE, go online
to www.orthovoice.com. Registration
is $185 for orthodontists, $165 each for
staff members and $125 for residents.
Early registration ends June 16.
To make reservations at Planet Hollywood from $129 per night, call (877)
244-9474 and use code: smovo0.

The Las Vegas Strip. (Photo/stock.xchng)
with Strangers.” OrthoVOICE has
secured reservations at some of Las
Vegas’ prime restaurants in groups
of 10 to 20 people. These dinners
will give clinicians and team members the unique opportunity to connect with one another in a fun and

relaxing environment outside of the
normal meeting setting, allowing
you to share ideas that motivate and
challenge one another.
OthoVOICE will also have a
“Bracebook” wall in the exhibit hall
where orthodontists, team mem-

bers and vendors can share ideas on
any topic imaginable; ask questions,
share ideas and get answers! The
mornings of Sept. 17 and 18 each
offer an optional doctor roundtable
breakfast for only $35.
OrthoVOICE, being held at the
famous Planet Hollywood Hotel in
the center of the Las Vegas strip,
provides one of the best values
for C.E.-eligible training. Register
before June 16 for only $185 for
orthodontists, $165 per team member and $125 for residents!
The OrthoVOICE schedule will
consist of an opening night welcome and networking party on Sept.
16, with live Las Vegas entertainment and a cocktail networking
party on Sept. 17. Sept. 17 and 18
each boast two tracks of lectures
starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 5
p.m. Each 90-minute lecture will be
followed by a 55-minute break with
refreshments in the exhibit hall.
Join OrthoVOICE in Las Vegas
and help raise the bar on the profession of orthodontics. OT

Explore cone beam’s past, present and future
International Congress
on 3-D Dental Imaging
returns for fourth year

maging Sciences International
and Gendex Dental Systems are
once again hosting the fourth
International Congress on 3-D Dental Imaging, which will be held in La
Jolla, Calif., on June 25 and 26.
Experienced clinicians and professionals will share their vast
knowledge of where 3-D was in the
past, where it is today and where it’s
going in the future. These leaders in
education will also offer their expertise on the practical applications of
this technology — how it actually
works in the clinical environment.
Three-dimensional technology is
already redefining outcomes across a
broad spectrum of treatment options,
including implants, bone grafting,
oral surgery, orthodontics and endodontics. As it continues to build a

OT To register

For more information or to
register for the fourth International
Congress on 3-D Dental Imaging,
please visit www.i-CAT3D.com or call
(800) 205.3570.

reputation for facilitating efficiency, accuracy and detail in diagnosis
and treatment, new applications are
allowing clinicians to expand their
treatment horizons and practices.
To meet the demand for education, the congress’ curriculum has
been expanded yet again this year
to include topics ranging from basic
information to detailed clinical use
and hands-on training with 3-D
planning software programs.
During the two-day symposium,
attendees will gain insight into the
different field-of-view options for
various specialties, get advice on

legal issues and marketing opportunities — and get a peek into the
future possibilities of cone beam.
In addition to the seminars, a
variety of vendors will display supporting 3-D products, such as imaging, implant and restorative systems,
as well as 3-D treatment-planning
software.
Dr. John Flucke, leading dental technology expert and congress
speaker, says: “3-D radiography
allows clinicians a view into their
patient’s anatomy that is more complete than any other traditional dental imaging modality. With all of
the information captured by 3-D, it
is extremely beneficial to learn all
of the facts behind the technology
and how it can be used to assist in
treatment planning — from start to
finish.”
The organizers of the congress
are honored to host attendees who
seek in-depth knowledge on this
technology, knowledge that can
place them at the forefront of their
profession.

“I think we are quickly moving
toward ‘the’ standard of care being
CBCT scans in dental offices,” says
Dr. John Graham, speaker at this
year’s congress.
“The clinicians who attend the
congress are looking to learn more
about a technology that can help
them advance patient care and that
can set their practices apart. This
program is where they will gain the
information they need.”
This event promises to expand the
knowledge of this imaging advancement and propel the industry’s
implementation of the technology.
“We’ve learned from owners of
3-D radiography that they greatly
benefit from integrating this
groundbreaking technology,” says
Henrik Roos, president of Imaging
Sciences International and Gendex
Dental Systems. “We are proud to
be able to sponsor this comprehensive educational event that offers
clinicians the opportunity to treat
their patients more safely and grow
their practices.” OT

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Table of contents

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