DON’T DIY YOUR MOUTH!

Spreading Awareness of the Dangers of DIY Orthodontics

The phrases “do it yourself” and “orthodontics” should never go together. And yet, some parents attempt to fix their children’s smiles themselves, often with disastrous results. Earlier this year, The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) shed light on this troubling trend on their blog – highlighting the dangers of this DIY approach and urging readers to consult a professional. We applaud AAO for directly confronting this serious issue.

Framed as a case study, the post presents the story of a young Greek boy with a gap between his front teeth. Wanting to improve their son’s smile, but unwilling to see an orthodontist, his parents came up with a simple solution: a little rubber band. Stretched between the two teeth, the band closed the gap in two days – before disappearing into the boy’s gums.

Severe gum disease and tooth dislocation followed. Even after multiple dental procedures and surgery, the boy’s front teeth couldn’t be saved. Thankfully the orthodontic professionals at the University of Athens stepped in, and the patient was eventually able to have a beautiful smile. According to AAO, the orthodontists moved his remaining upper teeth forward and reshaped the canines and lateral incisors. The boy’s tooth gap is finally gone for good – although after far more extensive treatment than it would have taken if he had seen an orthodontist in the first place.

This is why AAO’s covering this subject matters. His parents wanted to help him, but they didn’t understand just how damaging manipulating teeth can be when you don’t know what you’re doing. Blog posts like this help spread awareness and can prevent near-tragedies like this one in the future.

Many of us here at Ortho Technology are regular readers of AAO’s blog, and this article exemplifies why. It’s a straightforward, illustrative piece that speaks to both professionals and the general public alike. We can’t recommend this resource enough to members of an orthodontic office and their patients. It’s a great idea to point new hires and patients to aaoinfo.org/blog.

Open Bite Treatments that Last Thanks to Tongue Tamers® PLUS

Considering the extensive treatment needed to correct severe open bite malocclusions, you and your patients want the results to stick. Unfortunately, treating these open bites often puts you up against one of the strongest sets of muscles in the human body: the tongue. Patients who have an unconscious habit of tongue thrusting when they swallow will gradually push their teeth back out of alignment. Fortunately, our new Tongue Tamers® PLUS system eliminates this challenge, allowing for rapid bite closure and improving patients’ overall oral health.

Read more about successful treatments
with Tongue Tamers PLUS.
Article written by Dr. John Constantine Voudouris

Or For more information speak with one of our certified sales representatives at 1-800-999-3161

A Guide to Selecting the Right SLB for Your Practice

We’ve compiled a list of the most important features you should look for in a self-ligating bracket (SLB). With the everchanging landscape of orthodontics and growing number of options for passive or interactive self-ligating brackets on the market today, consider these elements to get the clinical efficiency and results you demand. We listened to dozens of practitioners and spoke with our orthodontist advisory council to gather the eight most important features to look for in a self-ligating bracket system.

1.  A door that resists opening
2.  Easy and fast opening
3.  Constantly maintained force
4.  Total archwire slot engagement
5.  Lowest possible friction
6.  Allowance for increased friction (when desired)
7.  Accommodation of elastic chain and accessories like Kobayashi ties
8.  Patient comfort
    Bonus: Rotational control with full slot width coverage

As a practitioner who values treatment efficiency and results, don’t overlook your options for self-ligating systems. Choosing the wrong bracket could mean poor archwire engagement and potentially set your treatment back weeks!

The good thing is we looked at the shortcomings of existing brackets in the industry prior to launching Lotus Plus DS, our self-ligating bracket system. And when it was finally ready to go to market, we knew we were checking off the important boxes for our customers, along with some bonus time-saving features.

3. The Original Farmer’s Market & The Grove

If you’ll be in LA a little bit longer or have a free day after the AAO, The Original Farmer’s Market is a perfect place to spend a few hours. Founded in 1934, it boasts gourmet foods and shops, so definitely come with a little extra cash in your pocket to indulge. In addition to meats and produce, they have a wonderful selection of prepared foods. If you start to feel overwhelmed by the crowd, head on over to The Grove, adjacent to the Farmer’s Market. The Grove is a great entertainment complex complete with a movie theater, shopping, restaurants, and is host to special events throughout the year.

• Visit Website: The Original Farmer’s Market
• Visit Website: The Grove
• Google Maps

4. Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade

The Santa Monica Pier is a great option if you have a few hours to explore the city beyond the LA Convention Center. Just a short 27 minute Uber ride away, you’ll see 3 miles of some of the best shoreline in the country and the Santa Monica Pier with its famous Ferris wheel. Stroll down the boardwalk and take in the amazing views of the beach and the Pacific Ocean at sunset. It’s hard to be bored at the Pier with numerous rides and activities including a roller coaster and arcade. Just a few steps away is The Promenade, a very popular shopping destination, with a mix of local businesses selling custom pieces and big-name retailers like Madewell and Urban Outfitters. There is also an excellent selection of restaurants along the Promenade should you get hungry after all the shopping.

• Visit Website: Santa Monica Pier
• Visit Website: Third Street Promenade
• Google Maps

5. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Looking for a little culture in your life? Then head to one of LA’s most prominent museums just 26 minutes from the Convention Center. For $20-$25 a ticket, gain access to artwork from the likes of Matisse and Diego Rivera among others. Not looking to spend so much on a ticket? No worries, two of the most famous pieces the LACMA has are located just outside the building and are free to the public. “Urban Light” is a popular place for a photo op.

• Visit Website
• Google Maps

6. Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre

Interested in doing something touristy during your stay in LA? Then look no further than the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Extending from Sycamore to LaBrea on Hollywood Boulevard, take a minute to check out your favorite celebrity’s star on the walk in one of the most recognizable landmarks in the country. Also located along Hollywood Blvd. is the famous TCL Chinese Theatre, which opened in 1927 and is a representation of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

• Visit Website: Hollywood Walk of Fame
• Visit Website:TCL Chinese Theatre
• Google Maps

7. Sunset Boulevard

Running low on time but looking for something that encompasses a wide range of activities? Look no further than the infamous Sunset Boulevard. One of the most famous streets in the United States, it’s home not only to great shopping but classic music venues including The Roxy Theatre and Rainbow Bar & Grill. A section of the Boulevard boasts a vivacious nightlife with clubs like The Viper Room and Whiskey a Go-Go.

• Visit Website
• Google Maps

8. Beverly Hills Hotel

Rub elbows with the rich and famous – or at least see where they stay when they come to visit. The hotel was built in 1912 and has since been named a historical landmark. Once you’ve had your fill of touring the grounds, stop in at the Polo Lounge for a quick bite, a premier dining spot for the likes of the RatPack and Humphrey Bogart back in the day.

• Visit Website
• Google Maps

9. Griffith Park / Observatory [Observatory Temp. Closed – Opens May 7th)

Last but definitely not least – If you’re able to travel a little bit further away from the convention center and have some time to explore, Griffith Park is a must. The largest urban park in the country, Griffith Park has over 50 trails with waterfalls and lagoons that you can hike, and also contains the Hollywood sign and the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden. Make sure to visit the Griffith Observatory and see a show at the planetarium, or simply take in the breathtaking views of Downtown LA sprawled beneath you.

• Visit Website
• Google Maps