Orthotown May 2013 - (Page 32)

technology // feature by Jeffrey T. Kozlowski, DDS When speaking to fellow orthodontists, I’m frequently asked how I took the plunge to adopt 3D digital treatment techniques and I find many of my peers struggling with how to begin. My initial experience with customized Insignia SL began in 2007 when I conducted an extensive clinical evaluation by treating 41 patients to completion. While I wouldn’t recommend selecting this many patients to begin treating with customized Insignia SL for the first time, I am convinced that the best way to learn Insignia is to submit cases regularly. Regular case submission allows the clinician to relate what is designed in the digital environment to the clinical experience and final results. This positive feedback loop of learning will help the clinician design each successive Insignia case with a higher level of understanding and accuracy and hence be more successful with its application. My experience has been that clinicians who regularly submit Insignia cases are more successful with it than those who start only a few cases and wait to see how they work out. My skills improved substantially through the first 10 to 20 cases, and like using any other new appliance, it takes a bit of time to learn the nuances. I also strongly recommend doctors initially select easier cases, and then add more challenging cases when they become familiar with the software and clinical protocols. This article highlights how Insignia works and demonstrates the practice, patient and treatment benefits. Digital Orthodontics A true straight-wire appliance would necessitate patient-specific appliances based on an individual’s anatomy. Now, with advances in computer software and digital scanning and fabrication, that idea is a reality and a practical consideration for your practice. Customized Insignia is the first true straight-wire appliance. It involves two components: customized appliances – brackets, wires and placement gauges – and 3D real-time virtual treatment planning software. The 3D software enables clinicians to design the patient’s final occlusion on screen before initiating treatment, then prescribes the fabrication of patient-specific appliances to achieve the planned result. This concept is quite different from how clinicians customarily practice orthodontics. Traditionally, we choose appliances with specific torque values to have certain effects, then react to those effects by repositioning brackets and making wire bends to guide the teeth into the desired positions. With Insignia, we begin with the end in sight and drive directly toward the desired end result. After more than 20 years in development, customized Insignia appliances offer the only comprehensive patient-specific solution available. The treatment planning process begins with accurate PVS impressions. New clinical methods and materials make this procedure quick and easy. From the impressions, the Reprinted with permission from Ormco Corporation. Clinical Impressions, Vol. 19, No. 1, Feb 2013, www.ormco.com/ci 32 MAY 2013 // orthotown.com http://www.ormco.com/ci http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown May 2013

Orthotown.com Highlights
Wired for Success: Googlize Your Business
Class III
Waste of Time/Money Marketing Ideas
Do You “Write Up” a Treatment Plan Report?
Orthotown.com Research: Lasers
Orthodontic Acceleration: Propel Alveolar Micro-Osteoperforation
Focus Ortho
New Products
Big Steps Forward for SureSmile Software
A New Era in Digital Orthodontics
Placing an Unplanned Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device with the Incognito Appliance System
From Mom’s Point of View
Orthodontists, Patients and AcceleDent
Ad Index

Orthotown May 2013