15 December, 2008 (07:47) | Braces, General Info | By: editor
Orthodontics appliances come in two forms, permanent and removable ones that each have their own pros and cons. Removable ones are preferred by some who want the option of having them taken out when they need it like with formal affairs and other social events. Though they might seem convenient, they run the risk of getting flushed down the toilet or lost in some other place. These removable types are also limited to certain cases that are considered to be moderate meaning not too much movement is needed for the process to attain the desired outcome.
Permanent appliances are ones that are anchored directly to the tooth and cannot be removed making them unsightly and sometimes darned painful. They are used for more extensive cases which through the use of springs, wires, rubber bands and other materials that exert a certain amount of force that corrects the bite or overall alignment of teeth. They have shrunk considerably during the past years as the technology has been refined making them smaller and less obtrusive but can still be quite embarrassing say when you get a huge chunk of steak caught in between the many parts. Whichever case or type of appliance, it is up to the orthodontist to decide which is better and with the fast paced development of newer and better dental technology we will be seeing them more and more as more of us want that perfect smile.
Tags: Orthodental Appliances, Permanent Braces, Removable Braces
29 November, 2008 (05:21) | General Info | By: B. Slade

Image Source:floridaorthodontic.com
An open bite is the space between the biting surfaces of the front and /or side teeth, when the back teeth bite together. You have a misplaced mid line when the center of your upper front teeth does not line up with the center of your lower front teeth. Spacing are gaps between the teeth due to missing teeth or teeth that do not fill up the mouth. If there are more teeth than the dental ridge could handle, the condition is called crowding.There are various kinds of tools either removable or fixed, used to aid in moving teeth, retrain muscles and affect the growth of the jaws. these utensils bear down on the teeth and the jaws. The gravity of your condition will tell you the best orthodontic treatment most suitable for you.
8 October, 2008 (15:43) | General Info | By: B. Slade

Image Source: img.dailymail.co.uk
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.
15 August, 2008 (12:49) | Braces, General Info, News | By: B. Slade

Image Source: www.timberlanedental.com
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.
2 July, 2008 (06:05) | Braces | By: B. Slade

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.
Read more »
16 June, 2008 (10:06) | Providers | By: Yra
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.
13 June, 2008 (10:54) | General Info | By: Yra

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.
Image by Joi Ito
9 June, 2008 (10:34) | General Info | By: Yra
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%
6 June, 2008 (10:34) | Braces | By: Yra

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!
Image from www.suresmile.com
2 June, 2008 (10:06) | Braces | By: Yra
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.