Andrew Demos, DMD, CAGS
Suffolk Pediatric Dentistry, Port Jefferson, NY
The Clear Fusion Retainer has become the standard appliance for all of my retention needs. It provides the aesthetics that my patients are looking for, and the rigidity that a clear retainer needs to keep the teeth in proper alignment. Due to the clear aesthetics that the Clear Fusion Retainer offers, patient compliance has been greatly improved. In addition, over time the occlusal wear of the retainers has been excellent.
The Clear Fusion Hybrid Retainer provides the durability and lingual support of a traditional Hawley retainer. But due to the fact that it doesn’t have a labial bow, it also has the aesthetic appeal of an invisible retainer.
The bottom line is that the Clear Fusion Retainer is a new, invisible appliance that is comfortable for my patients, yet has proven durable enough for long-term retention. I highly recommend this appliance.
Kuo
Interproximal Enamel Recontouring
Eric Kuo, DDS, MS
Vice president of clinical technology, Align Technology Inc
Private orthodontic practice, San Francisco
When an orthodontist prescribes interproximal enamel recontouring for Invisalign® treatment, the aligner sequence will automatically be staged so that the teeth are first aligned for better interproximal access before any IPR needs to be performed. This approach makes the IPR easier to perform, even though the total number of aligners may increase.
A simple technique to protect the interproximal papilla during interproximal recontouring is to gently insert an interproximal wedge prior to reshaping the contact. The slight separation of the teeth helps reduce the chance of rotary instrument binding if you are using a slow-speed diamond disc. You can secure a cotton roll under the tab at the base of the wedge to help keep the lip away from the teeth. To determine the amount of enamel removed, remove the wedge and allow the teeth to rebound before measuring the gap. If you select a wedge that is not too wide, anesthesia is not needed prior to wedge placement.
Khouri
V-bend Technique to Intrude Anterior Teeth
Suhail A. Khouri, DDS
Ballwin, Mo
Intruding anterior teeth has been one of the most challenging tooth movements that orthodontists face. After I invented and developed the Bendistal Pliers to bend distal ends of all kinds of superelastic wires without annealing, I started using this unique tool to place permanent V-bends on tied superelastic archwires and activate those wires to intrude maxillary and mandibular incisors. The effect of this one-squeeze, routine adjustment in the patient’s mouth has revolutionized the traditional treatment techniques of deep overbites, and can help with nonsurgical correction of Class III and crossbite cases as well.
I use this new technique routinely in my office, and have collected a huge amount of clinical data showing its validity in dealing with those stubborn orthodontic problems. I have published and lectured on this topic, and am ready to give extensive courses about this technique anywhere, anytime, to share my experience with my orthodontic colleagues around the world.
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