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Sure Smile is a new technology straightens teeth faster and better than before, unlike with conventional technique have to manually bend wires, which can lead to small amounts of under- or over-correction and extend treatment time. Average treatment time for braces is between 20 and 24 months. It uses computer and robotic manipulation of the archwire to increase accuracy in planning to speed up treatment times. It uses Shap Memory Alloy also known as smart alloy that remembers its target position and permanently retains its customized prescription using body heat. SureSmile average length of treatment is less 40% time than conventional techniques. Treatments estimated to take two years with traditional orthodontics may take only 12 to 15 months using SureSmile. It uses digital imaging with OraScanner to create 3-D model of the exact tooth position. A software is used in the computer to allow the orthodontist to manipulate the digital model of your teeth. Robotic hands bend the archwire to shorten treatment time.

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When a child needed braces twenty years ago; orthodontists had to use a typical appliance system. This involved the installation of stainless steel wires and brackets with basic elastics. These looked ill at ease and uncomfortable to the point they earned the nickname ‘railroad track’ braces. Today, these are becoming far more favorable. In fact, many movies and television shows now feature some of these appliances. Children’s orthodontics is now a chance for kids to have a say in their treatment and make a personal and unique statement.

The elastics for braces are now available in almost any color you can imagine of. This means kids can select their own colors. Their teeth now sport their favorite colors or color schemes that match a favorite sports team, school colors, or a seasonal color palette. With the arrival of composites, these treatments can have particular themes and shapes. Some of the most popular include shapes such as flowers, stars, and sports themes. This means kids no longer have a reason to hide their braces.

Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak.� Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums.� Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems.� Teeth that work better also tend to look better.� An attractive smile is a pleasant �side effect� of orthodontic treatment.An attractive smile is a wonderful asset.� It contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image�important qualities at every age.� A pleasing appearance is a vital component of self-confidence. A person’s self-esteem often improves as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. In this way, orthodontic treatment can benefit social and career success, as well as improve a person�s general attitude toward life.

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The nSequence Center for Advanced Dentistry in Reno, Nevada is an education and implant solution center which partners with surgeons and labs all over the world in planning implant cases virtually. CEO and President Daniel R. Llop describes the support they provide dentists and laboratories as guiding the implant surgery process and providing provisionalization. The nSequence dental education center offers courses such as practice management, impressionless dentistry, guided surgery, occlusion, endodontics, removable prosthetics, cone beam imaging, among others. They were named “the only total solution provider for guided implant surgery by leading clinicians” at the ADA Conference in San Francisco last year.

Preferred Provider Plans
Preferred providers are organizations of dentists who provide services at high discounts. These plans also have monthly premiums, but you are limited to the approved providers.

HMO Plans
Like medical HMOs, dental HMOs have monthly premiums, free regular checkups, co-payments for visits, a select group of practitioners. These often charge less than either preferred providers and indemnity plans.

Discount Plans
These are not insurance policies per se. With discount dental plans, you get a discounted rate for services from dentists who are part of the plan. Dental discount plans are best for families and individuals. There is also a monthly fee to the company on top of an initial enrollment fee. However, this can cost considerably less than an insurance plan.

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Dental procedures can be very expensive. If you foresee that you will be needing major dental treatment for the years to come, dental insurance could be the answer. Here are types of dental insurance programs to give you an idea of what to look for.

Indemnity Plans
These are the common plans where you pay a premium every month and the insurance company reimburses part of the cost. You are able to choose your dentist, however, the monthly premium is high and there can be several conditions that can be limiting.
Normally this is the percentage paid back by the insurer:

• preventive services, 100%
• common restorative services 80%
• treatments such as crowns and orthodontics 50%

SureSmile puts together advances in precision dental technology in an orthodontic treatment in three steps. Fits, a 3D image of the mouth is taken with the handheld OraScanner, which is based on white light and active triangulation. This is then fed into a computer to create a digital rendering. The orthodontist can manipulate this model and plot the movement of each tooth. Third, robotic hands precision-bend the archwires, thereby shortening treatment time because fewer adjustments need to be made. The treatment is said to be 40% faster, less painful than traditional treatments and require fewer visits. We’ll miss those plaster casts!

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Braces, especially the more expensive types such as Invisalign, can rapidly burn a hole in your pocket. One way to ease the burden is to find out about orthodontic insurance, which is usually separate from regular dental insurance policies. Orthodontic insurance can shave off a few thousand dollars from the treatment cost. Ask your dental insurer if you can add this to your existing policy and how much you have to add to the premium because of the supplement. You can also ask your orthodontist if they offer financing to make the braces lighter on the budget. That’s something worth smiling about.

ClearSmile is Australia’s answer to Invisalign. The concepts are very similar: clear aligners called Correctors are worn by the patient all day and night, except when eating, drinking, cleaning teeth and playing contact sports. Treatment is usually between 12 and 18 months and a patient can have anywhere from 12 to 32 aligners. ClearSmile is ideal from problems such as crowding and spacing of teeth, but the orthodontist will determine what treatment is best for you. According to one Australian orthodontist accredited in both procedures, there are differences between the technology of ClearSmile and Invisalign. However, the results are the same.

Can you imagine sensors like this in each of your teeth? If all goes as planned, that is how the braces of the future will be like. The Institute of Microsystem Technology (IMTEK) at the University of Freiburg has been developing smart brackets to address the need for monitoring movement of teeth. Smart brackets are orthodontic brackets with a microchip fitted with stress sensors that measure the forces applied to the bracket. Researchers have been working on the size of the stress sensor chip and its wireless energy and data transmission capabilities so that it can applied to the patient.

Image from www.imtek.de