ORTHO INDUSTRY NEWS Letter to the Editor: This letter is in response to the article, “Reasons to Consider Extracting Bicuspids,” Part 1 in the last issue of JAOS. While I would agree with the authors on most points presented, there is one statement I find very outdated and in error. Perhaps the authors are not aware that the JAOS is a journal shared by two organizations, the AOS and the AGpO. Perhaps the authors are not aware that nearly 100% of the AGpO members are Tip-Edger practitioners. Stating that the “Tip-Edge system makes assump-tion that the lower incisor should end-up on the A-Po line. Any practice with a significant ethnic population will seriously struggle to ever achieve this objective” shows they did not do any current research on the Tip-Edge System. The references to their statements were taken from a Begg article writ-ten in 1954 and a Kesling article from 1987. I believe in 1954 smoking was still being denied to be harmful and, in 1987, we were being told to give antibiotics two days before and two days after for a heart murmur prior to any dental treatment. Most members of the AGpO (on advice from Peter and Chris Kesling, the inventors of the system) use +2 to A-Po for Caucasians, +4 for Hispan-ics, and +6 for African-Americans. We certainly factor in ethnicity. While these figures are used along with many other factors to determine extrac-tion cases (mainly lower crowding), the AGpO members do believe that A-Po numbers are important. – Ron Austin, DDS Henry Schein Enters Aligner Market with Intuitive Treatment Process Response to Letter to the Editor: We appreciate, accept and stand corrected that the Tip-Edge system has updated cephalometric norms for the lower incisor to A-Po line treatment objective. In the Tip-Edge system, this is considered important while our article “Part 1: Reasons to Consider Extracting Bicuspids: Elevating Your Practice to the Level of Care of a Specialist” does not factor this into the treatment decision. We feel there is too much human intra-racial variabil-ity to utilize the lower incisor-to A-Po measurement as a standard treat-ment objective. This is supported by the University of Washington reten-tion study that concluded there is no specific position where the lower incisors should be positioned. Instead, our system abstractly factors the variables of lower crowding, skeletal open bite, Class II, and perceived facial protrusion to make the decision to extract bicuspids or not. – Ralph Nicassio, DDS and Maria Zavala, RDA AOS Sponsors Weekly Podcast The American Orthodontic Society now sponsors a weekly “Orthodontic Smiles” podcast, hosted by Dr. Ed Gonzalez, past-AOS President and current Execu-tive Director of the Academy of Diplomates. Podcasting is extremely popu-lar in today’s “go-go” world because it allows you to listen anywhere you have Internet access, whether the car, office or home. A podcast is a digital audio file and designed to teach, exchange ideas or discuss topical issues. It differs from webi-nars because there is no visual compo-nent, strictly audio. In the first seven episodes, Dr. Gonzalez has discussed the history of the AOS, talked with legendary pediatric dentist, Dr. Heber Simmons, our own Dr. Brad Williams, and Dr. Luis Carriere, among others. We encourage you to access these educational and enjoyable weekly sessions by going to our home page, www.orthodontics.com, and click on “Orthodontic Smiles”. Henry Schein, Inc. has entered the rapidly growing market for orthodontic aligners with its proprietary SLX™ Clear Aligner System. It is a complete solution that incorporates the popular Sagittal First/Motion 3D technol-ogy, a proprietary offering of the company’s Henry Schein Orthodontics (HSO) business. According to HSO’s lead clinical advisor, Dr. Dave Paquette, Sagittal First/Motion 3D can significantly reduce the number of aligners needed for use in a typical case, providing meaningful time savings and clinical benefits to doctors and patients alike. This new and innovative system offers clinicians and patients an intuitive and simpli-fied treatment process. The SLX™ Clear Aligner System, which has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, uses patented manufacturing processes to achieve aligner clarity and a precise fit for greater comfort and improved tooth control. It also provides an enhanced aesthetic orthodontic treatment option for consumers, as well as an easy-to-use case submission and treatment planning process for clinicians that offers high-quality outcomes. 6 Summer 2018 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Summer 2018/Buyer's Guide: Page 6
