Journal of the American Orthodontic Society • March

ORTHOBITES Fig. 8 Fig. 7 Fig. 9 His case took approximately five months. He was and continues to remain very happy with his smile (Figs. 7, 8, 9). Experience Improves Results In summary, aligners serve a purpose and are obviously an alternative to traditional treatment. Providing treatment options to your patients is so very important. While I know in order to produce the results I desire in orthodontics and deliver the standard that I desire, nothing can replace brackets and wires. Aligners simply cannot provide adequate torque, are limited in extrusion mechanics, have certain limitations in rotated teeth, and are more expensive to the doctor. And I personally dislike excessive IPR! But I have found, as in all other things in life, as you learn more about a product or procedure and gain more experience, your results improve. I wish each of you a prosperous 2010. Author’s Note: I would like to dedicate this article to my former Farmersville, Texas office manager, Sandie Pryor. She was the essence of what you desire in a friend, employee and human being. Sadly, after a very courageous battle with breast cancer, she succumbed to this horrible disease on November 2, 2009. I quite honestly have never felt this type of loss before. Sandie ran my office and business life for over 10 years with passion, dedication and loyalty. But my super dental team has rallied around me. Sandie’s niece, Jennifer, who has been my hygienist for over 11 years, has assumed her role. This has nothing to do with the article, but it eases my pain. Thank you for allowing me to share this personal moment. I found this poem on a wall at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, TX: Cancer is So Limited It cannot cripple love. It cannot shatter hope. It cannot corrode faith. It cannot destroy peace. It cannot kill friendship. It cannot suppress memories. It cannot silence courage. It cannot invade the soul. It cannot steal eternal life. It cannot conquer the spirit. 30 March/April 2010 JAOS Dr. Jackson and Sandie Pryor