Orthotown April 2016 - (Page 46)

practice solutions // Practice Solutions explores how specific products and services can be of use clinically or in practice management. A Preferred Corrector When Treating Many Class II Corrections by Graham Jones, DDS, MDS Dr. Graham Jones is the owner of Jones Family Orthodontics in Monroe, Washington. Jones attended dental school at the University of California at San Francisco, where he received his dental degree. While in dental school, Dr. Jones served as class president and received several awards for outstanding leadership, ethics and research. He was accepted into the orthodontic residency program at St. Louis University in Missouri, where he received his orthodontic certificate and a master's degree in Dental Science. 46 Orthodontists are faced with selecting methods of Class II correction that are predictably effective, efficient and comfortable for the patient. Since there are so many philosophies on timing and technique for Class II correction and many methods have been proven to be effective when employed appropriately, the individual orthodontist's choice often boils down to a practice management decision. When treating mild to moderate Class II cases, I typically prefer to wait until the permanent dentition is erupted so I can use full arches of upper and lower brackets and either Class II elastics or fi xed, spring-based Class II correctors. Available evidence indicates that most Class II correction occurs due to dentoalveolar effects, regardless of the appliance that is used. Elastics are convenient and inexpensive, and can be very predictable if patient compliance is good. But elastics can have shortcomings-the most obvious being that they rely on patient compliance completely to be effective. In some cases, elastics may also be contraindicated because of their typical side effects of mandibular molar and maxillary incisor extrusion. In cases where patient compliance may be poor or Class II elastic mechanics may be contraindicated, fi xed Class II correction springs can be a useful option to have on hand. I prefer correction springs to more conventional laboratory-fabricated appliances because they can be incorporated into my typical bracket setup at any time I choose, without the need for significant appliance modification or additional appointments for laboratory construction. Additionally, most fi xed Class II correction springs allow for the patient's bite to be evaluated in centric relation to assure the correction is not a result of mandibular posturing; thus, greater stability can be achieved. APRIL 2016 // orthotown.com Not all Class II correctors are created equal I've found that American Orthodontics' PowerScope 2 Class II corrector has some advantages over other Class II correction springs. The three most notable: * a more ideal line of action * uncomplicated, quick installation * improved patient comfort PowerScope 2 appliances' more horizontal line of action means that dental side effects are minimal compared to other Class II correctors, which can have a more vertical line of action. The expected result is less bite opening effects and less clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane. Because of this, little additional modification to my existing setup is needed. As for patient comfort, the ball-and-socket-joint design allows for good range of patient motion and little to no tissue irritation noted. I've switched a few patients from other Class II correctors to PowerScope 2, and they've said the new appliance was more comfortable. When treating asymmetric or unilateral Class II cases, the horizontal line of action helps avoid potential occlusal canting while correcting the malocclusion. Additionally, vertical effects on the maxillary molars are minimal, which means the appliance can be used without concern for vertical discrepancies developing between maxillary first and second Continued on p. 48 http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown April 2016

Orthotown.com Highlights
Embrace Progress: Decisions, Decisions
Industry News
Crossbite with Impacted Canines
Never Promise Non-Extraction Treatment to Phase I Patients
Netherland Doc Combines European, American Treatments
Your More Digital Future
Change the Words, Change Your Results
Protect Your Position in the Mouthguard World
Practice Solutions: American Orthodontics
Poll
Corporate Profi le The One to Watch: Henry Schein Orthodontics leads the field in innovation, ethics and business acumen
American Association of Orthodontics
Ad Index

Orthotown April 2016