There has been a major movement in dentistry to preserve as much tooth structure as possible, and tooth alignment has become the cosmetic treatment of choice. Short-term orthodontics (STO) for general dentists is a cosmetic solution for adult patients and is a great service we can add to our practices. It is easy, effective and patients want it.
As with any treatment, case selection is paramount in deciding whom to treat. It is a useful alternative to traditional treatment options such as crowns and veneers, and it is not only less destructive but is also more cost-effective, meaning more patients can access this treatment and can achieve fantastic smiles in the space of only six months.
Case presentation
The patient came to us interested in veneers. After an initial consultation, it soon became apparent that placing veneers would have been a very destructive option, as a lot of preparation would have been needed to achieve an ideal cosmetic result.
After we explained the various pros and cons of veneers, the patient asked if there were any other options. Naturally, we then explained that one option is comprehensive orthodontics that would involve 12 to 18 months. We also described a more cosmetically focused approach, in the form of Six Month Smiles, that would straighten her teeth in about six months.
embedImagecenter("Imagecenter_1_1278",1278, "large");
Having discussed the various merits and drawbacks of each option, the patient opted for Six Month Smiles, because the relatively short treatment time was appealing to her and she only wanted a cosmetic fix, not a functional correction that comprehensive orthodontics would have provided.
This case is an excellent example of the “ideal case” for GP short-term orthodontics. The patient’s molar and canine relationships were Class 1 on both sides with a normal tooth width ratio, upper-to-lower. We weren’t planning any anterior-posterior relationship changes, so this case was perfectly suited for a GP to complete.
After five months, the treatment was completed, and the clear brackets were removed. We then finished the case with tooth whitening to further improve the appearance of the patient’s teeth.
I have found that short-term orthodontics on adults can also lead to additional cosmetic work such as whitening or composite bonding to really finish the smile.
At the end of treatment, the patient was absolutely delighted with the results and has, in fact, become a great advocate for our practice. She’s even recommended a number of her friends to come and see us as a result of the treatment, and it’s extremely satisfying to see how much difference this simple, yet effective short-term orthodontic system can have.
While many dentists tend to be overly concerned about the number of new patients coming into the practice each month, patient retention is where practice ...
I graduated from dental school in 1977. At that time, adhesive dental options were just beginning to emerge. Caulk Nuvafil was the first light-cured ...
Curve Dental has added online forms to its practice management software, providing doctors with the ability to create any form that can be accessed by any ...
LEIPZIG, Germany: Google has launched a new health service in the United States, joining other companies that also offer ways to manage personal medical ...
As part of its growth plans and in order to better serve its customers, ASI has announced that it is adding local sales representatives to cover designated ...
Let’s be honest: There are times when your laboratory technician simply doesn’t deliver what you envisioned so clearly in your mind. A bit more ...
When consumers fire up their web browsers, the vast majority of them start at a search engine. According to research from Pew Internet, 93 percent of online...
NEW YORK, US: Oral tumours can cause agonising pain and thus greatly impair the quality of life of patients. Researchers from the New York University ...
KRIENS, Switzerland: According to World Health Organization data, almost 45% of the global population has some form of oral disease. For people with a ...
Cosmetic dentists are clinical perfectionists. To an extraordinary degree, you take personal pride in the smiles you restore and think of the patients ...
Live webinar
Thu. 18 July 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 6 August 2024
6:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Tue. 13 August 2024
7:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 14 August 2024
12:30 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Wed. 21 August 2024
9:00 AM EST (New York)
Dr. Jim Lai DMD, MSc(Perio), EdD, FRCD(C)
Live webinar
Wed. 28 August 2024
8:00 PM EST (New York)
Live webinar
Mon. 2 September 2024
5:00 AM EST (New York)
To post a reply please login or register