Orthotown October 2023 - 29

Fig. 8a
Fig. 8b
Fig. 8c
Fig. 8d
enamel reshaping and continued
Class 2 settling elastics to achieve
ideal occlusion before removal.
Observations: Photos taken at
the end of Phase 3 (Fig. 7) are one
week before removal. Seeing that
all items on the original problem list
should be resolved, this is a quick
appointment where everything is
checked; a scan is taken for our
lab-fabricated L3-3 and photos
are taken. We are trying to avoid
any issues that would prevent our
patients from being anything but
thrilled on the day the braces are
removed.
Because this bracket- archwire
interaction eliminates the problem
of " bracket-wire play, " we are fi nishing
most of our cases with almost
no wire bending. The last phase of
treatment is also very straightforward
because all the teeth will be
in the proper positions, with the last
archwire change and time left being
based on the patient's occlusal
requirements. In this case, Phase 3
lasted an additional three months.
Case completion
The retention plan included direct
placement of an upper 2112 braided
SS fi xed retainer and a digital
scan for U/L Essix retainers with a
custom-made 0.025-by-0.019-inch
gold fi xed retainer bonded to the
L3-3. Retainers were provided
along with tooth whitening gel with
instructions for full-time wear for
one week, then nights only.
Overview
An overview of the case (Figs. 8a-
8d) illustrates a beautiful result in all
anterior aesthetics, posterior arch
development and functional occlusion.
By leveraging the advanced
technology and engineering of the
Damon Ultima PSL system, selecting
variable torque brackets and using
refi ned phase-based protocols,
we were able to treat this case to a
wonderful result in a short period of
time. Maxillary incisor position and
angulation were maintained even
with signifi cant arch development
and Class 2 elastics, illustrating the
torque control of this system. Overall,
the patient was highly compliant
with elastics from the beginning to
the end of treatment.
From a clinical effi ciency standpoint,
the patient had nine treatment
visits completed in less than
13 months.
When looking at the total treatment
time, this case was treated in
a timeline that was unthinkable to
our practice just a short time ago.
From the ease of appointments for
both the patient and the team to
the reduced treatment visits and
overall time, it demonstrates that
this technology can drastically shift
how we think and treat patients.
The most signifi cant advantage
when looking past the beautiful and
functional result is saving time for
the orthodontist, the orthodontic
team and the patient.
Dr. Michael Bicknell graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago as valedictorian
of his doctorate class and later joined the orthodontic faculty as a clinical instructor.
Bicknell's multilocation private practice, Advanced Orthodontic Specialists, is in the
Chicago suburbs, and his educational messages have been presented at speaking
events in more than 14 countries. He is the co-founder of the Ultimate Orthodontic
Academy, an online and in-off ice platform that provides educational courses for
orthodontic professionals, students and teams. Bicknell is also a Damon System Mentor
and a paid consultant for Ormco.
OCTOBER 2023 | 29 | ORTHOTOWN.COM
http://www.ORTHOTOWN.COM
Orthotown October 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown October 2023
