Success Is A Journey We treat each patient like a rock star. What rock stars want in their orthodontic treatment is the same thing every patient wants—treat-ment in as few in-office visits as possible in as short a time as possi-ble, treatment that is hardly notice-able while it’s in progress, comfort and a dazzling smile as a result. So much of what we do in orthodontic practice centers around the number of visits it takes to treat a case. Among other things, appoint-ment number and duration directly affect patient motivation, profitability and how the patient experiences his or her treatment. When I began to focus on each step of our workflow, questioning what technology was available—whether it be an appliance or digital support—that could save time and effort and reinforce our overall goals, I began to envision the myriad possibilities of Minimum Touch Orthodontics. For answers, it meant ardently following mentors, scrutinizing their cases, their mechan-ics, and their workflow to continually challenge myself and my staff to Fig. 11: Reveal aligners provide an intimate tooth fit which improves retention and lessens the need for unsightly attachments. higher and higher standards. Whoever said “Success is a journey, not a destination” got it right. The appliances and technologies I employ in my practice are the foundation for the success I have achieved so far; the journey continues. References 1. Gelles, O. Personal Communication, OrthoFi, Inc., Anaheim, CA; December 17, 2021. 2. Borghei, S., “Orthodontists’ preference on type of rigid fixed functional appliance for skeletal CL II correction: a survey study” J Clinical Exp Dent 12(10): e958-e963, Oct. 2020. Published online 2020 Oct 1. doi: 10.4317/jced.57461. www.orthodontics.com Winter 2022 13
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Winter 2022: Page 13
