Orthotown May 2023 - 40

OFFICE VISIT
What are some benefits you've
found working within a network
of practices, compared with
working as a solo practitioner?
One of the biggest benefits is the
collaborative treatment approach. In
today's busy world, it can be difficult
to connect with other dental professionals
about a patient's care in a
timely fashion. The ability to bounce
treatment plans off each other and to
understand a patient's dental needs
beyond orthodontics is super helpful.
TOP PRODUCTS
INVISALIGN CLEAR ALIGNERS
From the advanced functionality
of the ClinCheck software to the
predictability of the SmartTrack
plastic and optimized attachments,
Invisalign is still my No. 1 choice for
clear plastic aligners. Invisalign also
has widespread consumer brand
recognition.
LIGHTFORCE CUSTOM BRACES
I love the digital workflow of
LightForce custom braces. We're
able to offer patients 10-week
appointment intervals instead of
6-week appointments, and are
seeing better results than with
traditional braces. Plus, I'm able to
delegate bracket rebonds!
ISOGLIDE ERUPTION SPRINGS
These springs created by Dr. Grant
Coleman are game-changers for
bringing in impacted teeth. They
work much more efficiently than
traditional gold chains.
KLOWEN STRIDE
CUSTOM BRACES
Stride custom braces also use a
digital workflow and are appealing
to patients who prefer metal braces.
We're doing little to no wire bending
or bracket repositions because of
the accuracy of the indirect bonding
combined with their custom
brackets. They're truly revolutionary!
NORRIS EXTRA BROAD
ARCHWIRES BY DYNAFLEX
These nickel titanium wires
designed by Dr. Tito Norris are
my go-to archwires for creating
beautiful broad smiles or for
borderline non-extraction cases.
PRECISION ALIGNER BUTTONS
BY DYNAFLEX
These make it easy for patients to
attach their elastics to the aligners.
Often, ease of use equals better
compliance. (Also, we rarely have
emergency visits anymore.)
MAY 2023 | 40 | ORTHOTOWN.COM
What's your take on
Phase I treatments?
My orthodontic residency program
at Jacksonville, at least at the time,
encouraged Phase I treatment only
when deemed absolutely necessary.
Those cases were typically limited to
anterior or posterior crossbites, habit
cessation, etc.; we didn't necessarily
address crowding, except for extracting
primary teeth to temporarily create
space in the arch. Consequently,
we mostly treated patients 12 and
older and I didn't have much exposure
to mixed-dentition cases, so I had that
mindset early on in practice-to hold
off for comprehensive or one-phase
treatment if possible.
Today, after having practiced in
several orthodontic-pediatric settings
in Florida and New Jersey, I've seen the
benefits of early treatment in developing
the arches and avoiding unnecessary
dental impactions or protentional
extractions. I have to credit Dr. Feldman,
because I learned a fair amount
about Phase I treatment from him. The
parents often appreciate this approach
as well, instead of just waiting until
the child is in middle or high school
for treatment.
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Orthotown May 2023

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