In an effort to utilize the latest technology in our office, we have undertaken a variety of improvements in the types of braces we use, the equipment we take x-rays with and the way we will make the final wires for your braces.  We are very excited about these new “tools” that we will have at our disposal.

First, we are now using a newly designed brace that is of the type of braces called, “self-ligating” braces.  These braces look like conventional braces on first glance, but upon closer inspection, you will see a small clip is built into the brace itself that holds the archwire into the slot on the brace.  Prior to this type of brace, we would use a tiny, thread like wire to tie the main archwire in or sometimes we would use the colored elastic “O” ring ties.  The new design provides for less friction between the archwire and the brace.  It is also easier to keep clean.  Continuing research on these braces will reveal if the less friction allows for quicker tooth movement as simply logic would imply.

Second, we have recently upgraded our x-ray machine to be able to take 3-D x-rays of your teeth and jaws.  You may have seen programs on this on TV or in magazines where the view of the patient may be rotated or swiveled to see the teeth and jaws from all angles. It will give us the ability to see information very similar to a CT scan done at a hospital but with a fraction of the x-ray exposure.  The amount of diagnostic information that is gained beyond conventional x-rays is tremendous.

Last, we are beginning to us a system called SureSmile.  This uses a computerized scanner to get pictures of your teeth during treatment.  The scanner has a mirror similar to the little ones we use to look in your mouth.  A pulsing white light will scan your teeth, after we have done the early tooth alignment. The computer creates an electronic model from this scan. Then adjustments to the models are done to that a robot can create the final archwires needed to finish your bite correction.  Early studies from the company and the other doctors using the system show a significant decrease (37%) in the amount of time/visits it takes to detail and finish the alignment of the teeth with this system. In treatment terms this could mean that treatment originally estimated to take 18 months could be complete with this greater efficiency in 12 months. I am sure we are both anxious to use something that could lead to such a dramatic shortening of the treatment time.