Nexus brackets

From: Dr. Blair Adams <adams.blair@gmail.com>
Subject: nexus brackets
To: escostudyclub@yahoo.com

Has anyone used nexus brackets? They are the Forestadent version of the GAC Innovation bracket that has been ‘adopted’ by Ormco.

I currently use 50:50 Damon / Innovation, but if I could pool all with one company there might be serious financial benefits.

Dr Blair Adams
adams.blair@gmail.com
Ottawa Canada

Need a new camera

From: Dr. Joshua Wachspress <doc@braces.co.il>
Subject: need a new camera
To: escostudyclub@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 1:58 AM

Good morning all

Are there any recommendations for a staff- friendly digital camera?

Thanks,
Josh Wachspress
Modi’in, Israel

Dry heat sterilizers

From: kevinutley@comcast.net <kevinutley@comcast.net>
Subject: dry heat sterilizers
To: escostudyclub@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 8:07 AM

I spoke with a noted orthodontic office design person yesterday about my upcoming expansion/renovation of my office.  She told me that orthodontists are getting away from dry heat sterilizers (Dentronix) and going to autoclave type systems that allow bagging during sterilization.  Her thought is that this “looks” better from a patients point of view.  Pretty much a marketing move.   I didn’t have time to question her about corrosion…etc., so I let it go.  What are your perceptions about this?

Kevin C. Utley

Planmeca Xray machine

From: Dr. ThuyDuong Truong <thuyduongtruong@yahoo.com>
Subject: Planmeca Xray machine
To: escostudyclub@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 11:21 AM

I have a Digital Pan/Ceph Planmeca CC 2002 purchased in the year of 2002 with the Dimaxis 2.4.5 version.  Does anyone have problem with it lately regarding the PCI board connection to the Dimaxis software.  Any information is appreciated.  ThuyDuong Truong San Diego, CA

Hand sanitizers

From: kevinutley@comcast.net <kevinutley@comcast.net>
Subject: Hand sanitizers
To: escostudyclub@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, January 24, 2011, 10:49 AM

I started using handsanitizing gel instead of handwashing a few months ago.  I find that it allows me to glove up much more quickly and move through my day.  I still wash if there is visible soil on my hands (usually after soldering something in the lab).  Anyone aware of any studies that compare the use of hand sanitizers instead of hand washing?  How many of you are using hand sanitizers?

Kevin C. Utley
Cordova, TN

A DIY 3-d desktop STL machine you can play with

From: Stanley Sokolow <stanleysokolow@gmail.com>
Subject: A DIY 3-d desktop STL machine you can play with
To: escostudyclub@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 12:39 PM

If you’ve seen the video presentations from Align Technology about their process for turning 3-d computer virtual models into aligners, you probably saw their elaborate 3-d stereolithography (STL) machines.   These devices have a platform which sits at the surface of a vat of light-cure plastic liquid and a laser which the computer controller scans across the liquid surface, drawing a horizontal cross-section of the object (patient’s teeth).   Then the controller lowers the platform a smidgen and draws (light-cures) the next thin layer, and so on until the plastic cast is built.   These machines cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each.  They are about the size of a very large refrigerator, or two.  Not practical for an orthodontic office’s lab.

I’ve seen a different approach for turning 3-d data into physical models.  This line of products uses something resembling an ink-jet printer, but instead of squirting ink, it squirts melted wax.   The jet is moved around on a flat area by the machine and builds up a model, layer by layer, like the light-cure STL machine.   The market is for engineering firms who want a quick physical prototype of mechanical parts, but it’s wax.  These devices cost about $3000 to $4000 each.

Today I discovered that a small company is showing, at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, a desktop 3-d STL machine that uses thermoplastic ABS filament (resembles the “string” for a string-trimmer weed-eater tool), heated by the drawing head, and extruded onto the platform.   This builds up the model the same way as the other machines, but what you get is a plastic model.  It can also make objects with PLA, which is a biodegradable plastic.  The box is small enough to sit easily on a desk or counter top.  You supply the computer.  It’s sold as a partially assembled kit, for $1,225 (US dollars).  I don’t know anything about the software that comes with it, but the ads say it is an “open source” product, so I assume it’s something a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) geek can deal with.   Here’s an article describing it, with a video:  http://www.gizmag.com/makerbot-thing-o-matic–the-diy-3d-printer/17516/.  They call it the “Thing-O-Matic”.

If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with turning 3-d orthodontic models into physical casts in your office, this may be a way to get started.  It’s not a turnkey product for orthodontic use, but a component of one if you are technically competent enough to take the idea and turn it into something practical.  Why would you want one?   Maybe, if you have eliminated plaster casts from your office records and you want the ability to turn quickly a 3-d virtual model into a physical model upon which you can make an appliance in-house, this might do it for you.  The companies that digitize impressions can produce the output in various data formats, often including the standard STL format.   Or maybe you are an orthodontic inventor and want to make prototypes of your designs for a new bracket or new instrument.  Or maybe you want to make jewelry or toys from designs you create on 3-d modeling software.  If you like to tinker with such things, check it out at: MakerBot Industries.

Have fun.

Stan

Allergic reactions to Invisalign materials

From: Charles J Ruff [mailto:orthodmd@me.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2011 7:56 AM
To: ESCO ESCO
Subject: allergic reactions to Invisalign materials

I recently had a patient (45 yr old adult female) who complained of medical problems that started around the same time as she started Invisalign tx.  The chief complaint was vitamin D deficiency as well as being run down.  When I moved her from regular aligners to Invisalign retainers, her symptoms increased to the point she felt her tongue and throat were swollen and very sore.  When she removed the retainers she felt much better.

I then transitioned her to a fixed lower retainer and a true Essix retainer made from Ace material from Raintree.

The patient then did some research and found out about the FDA fine that Invisalign paid for not properly notifying the FDA about similar type complaints  that Invisalign was aware of.

Does anyone have any similar concerns or complaints from patients?

thanks

charlie ruff 

Here is a note from the patient about what she experienced

http://www.uic.edu/depts/dort/ESCO/Fotter.pdf

Magnifying Loupes

From: Utley3 [mailto:utley3@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 2:39 PM
To: ESCO@listserv.uic.edu
Subject: Magnifying Loupes

I was wondering how many reading this are using magnifying loops?  If so, what procedures do you use them for?  I feel like they would help me with bandings and adhesive removal at deband.  Any problems or disadvantages?  I am looking at Design for Vision loupes.  Any particular brands/products anyone else recommend? 

Kevin C. Utley

Class II correction and FORSUS

Hi ESCO friends,

Very happy with the come back of ESCO as a straight forward – FREE expession site for real clinicians, without academical or dognatic restrictions or commercial interest in mind….Also about Class II correction and FORSUS:
I’ ve been using real HERBST tubes and plungers in combination with classic edgewise fixed appliances since 20 years.., thanks to the MALU system: “Mandibular Advancement Locking Unit” .
It is presented by a small company: SAGA co. from Norway. SAGA and the inventor of the system, Dr. Kumar Swadesch, is always present on AAO exhibition. It is an isometric system , without spring or helix:
THIS IS A REAL HERBST APPLIANCE !
I agree the learning curve is a bit difficult: you need strong bands, well adapted, etc.. Of course, there is some breakeage, especially of the lower arch wire, if the shape of the step bend was not smooth enough, but I can live with it. I almost never loose lower cuspid bracket’ s. WE must accept some technical failure, if we counteract muscles and nervous activity. This seems logic to me, especially for patiens with bruxomania extreme deep bite and a short and powerfull M. Masseter — sport activities – nervosity and stress…But witch alternative do we offer to this patient? elastics ? or a head gear ? or… Surgery !!
Of course, it is easier for the orthodontist to state from the beginning that there is no other way to correct the severe Class II of a given patient: you decide this – your patient accepts the treatment plan or not, and that’s up to him, – and you ‘ll sleep well… Of course, I present surgery as an option for cases that need an mandibular – pogonion – advancement for esthetical reasons.
It is difficult to “grow” the mandible on a long term basis with orthopedics, only the Herbst appliance can do it…a bit.( Aelbers and Dermaut – AJO 1996 ) The result is always individual and unpredictable, but for many cases there is some skeletal change. For the Herbst appliance this skelettal change is about 22°. But it corrects nicely most Class II malocclusions. And not every patient wants or needs a radical profile change …
With the MALU – HERBST system, most cases work very well … it is relatively cheap , no lab work, (only cut the tube and plunger to the right lenght with a diamond disk ), it is well tolerated by the patient.
Unilateral application is possible .
This system is not well known, due to the lack of interest of the mean companies … There are only few publications: J. C. O . 1996 

.	Modified Edgewise herbst Appliance RAFFAELE SCHIAVONI, MD, DDS, MS, CARLO BONAPACE, MD, DDS, VITTORIO GRENGA, MD, DDS VOLUME 30 : NUMBER 12 : PAGE 681 : Dec : 1996

This is my routine Class II correction procedure, I have always about 10 cases in treatment – respecting the Proffitt – and O ‘Brien studies, that proved efficacy and efficiency of a One stage treatment in the permanent dentition..
Hereby some pictures of the system — other pictures of many treated cases are available on request ..).
Good luck !
Marc Van Rossen 

About Forsus/Twinforce

From: Marco Tribò [mailto:marco.tribo@tribo.ch]
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 2:53 AM
To: ‘The Electronic Study Club for Orthodontics’
Subject: About Forsus/Twinforce

Welcome back to the sleeping beauty Esco Digest!

About Forsus/Twinforce

We have been using both with the following results:

1. Both works
2. Twinforce is about 1.8 x more expensive (in Switzerland)
3. Considerably less breakage with forsus
4. Both are easy to handle
5. Twinforce offers a version that can be fixed to the upper and lower wire (no need of Bands on upper first molars)
6. Forsus slides on the lower wire and rests on the cuspid bracket. This can cause problems: rotation of cuspids and the brackets can be detached.

So finally it is a personal preference and depends also on the type of appliance/patient that you are treating. As we all know we have patients that are very careful and then we have others…

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all out there!

Marco Tribò