Fig. 4a Fig. 4b Figs. 4a&b: Reprox and shape memory nickel titanium archwires work synergistically together to alleviate crowding very quickly, very safely and very predictably. This combination is one of the keys to fast treatment times. Fig. 3a Fig. 3b Fig. 5a Fig. 5b Fig. 5c Fig. 3c Fig. 3d Fig. 3e Fig. 3f Figs. 5a-c: Indirect bonding trays make placing lingual braces easy and predictable. Figs. 3a-3f: A variety of case types can be treated including open bites, anterior cross bites, and overjet reduction cases. The Magic Combination of Reprox and Nickel Titanium One of the key factors that make Powerprox Six Month Braces ® so fast, effective, and predictable is the use of nickel titanium archwires. You know from providing comprehensive orthodontics to your patients that these archwires have shape memory. This means however they are bent or twisted by the current improper position of the patient’s teeth they return to their original shape. This is a low force movement that is very safe and very comfortable for your patients. The archwire is anchored to the teeth via the brackets and then regains shape memory bringing the teeth along for the ride. This automatically corrects the archform and positions the teeth in their most esthetic position. We can treat a variety of cases with the Powerprox technique. Spacing cases, overjet cases, anterior cross-bite cases, open bite cases and deep bite cases are often treated. (Figs. 3a -3f) However, the most common chief complaint patients have is crowding. Crowding is a discrepancy between the mesial-distal width of the teeth and the length of the dental arch. As such, it stands to reason if you can reduce the mesial-distal width of the teeth you can alleviate crowding within the dental arch. In conjunction with shape memory nickel titanium archwires we often use reprox (IPR, stripping, slenderizing) to slightly reduce the mesial-distal width of the teeth to help alleviate crowding within the arch. (Figs. 4a&b) Overcoming Objection 2-Visibility of the Braces Patients know that metal braces are highly visible. Children and teens love to choose different color o-rings and show off their braces. Adults on the other hand tend to want their braces to be as inconspicuous as possible. Using clear labial brackets with tooth colored wires decreases the visibilities of the orthodontic appliances substantially. Those patients who are seeking the maxi-mum appliance invisibility can choose to be treated with lingual braces bonded behind the teeth. Lingual braces are the only non-visible fixed orthodontic system. This gives you a spectacular combination of invisibility and control (Figs 6a-c and Fig. 7). Their use allows you to www.orthodontics.com September/October 2011 35
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society September-October 2011: Page 35
