ortho

Science Friday: Chew Tougher Food to Avoid the Orthodontist?

December 9, 2011 By Catherine Hughes 1 Comment

Can chewing more beef jerky lead to less visits to the orthodontist for braces?

ScienceDaily.com is reporting that new research by Dr. Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel of the University of Kent is indicating that many of the common orthodontic problems experienced by people in industrialized nations is due to a soft, modern diet.

Dr. von Cramon-Taubadel tested the long-debated theory that the transition from a largely hunter-gatherer to an agricultural subsistence way of living in many parts of the world causes the jaw to grow too short and small relative to the size of the teeth.

The doctor compared the shape of the skulls and lower jaws of eleven globally distributed populations against models of genetic, geographic, climatic and dietary differences. As reported in ScienceDaily, she found that lower jaw shape was related to the dietary behavior of populations, while the skulls were strongly related to the genetic relationships of the populations.

The lower jaw indicates whether populations are primarily hunter-gatherer or agriculturalist in nature. It is the chewing behavior that causes the lower jaw to grow and develop differently in different subsistence groups, while the skull is not affected in the same way.

Maybe we should be having jerky for breakfast instead of oatmeal?

What are your thoughts?

For more on this story see: Jaw Size Linked to Diet: Could Too Soft a Diet Cause Lower Jaw to Stay Too Short and Cause Orthodontic Problems?

Filed Under: The Wealthy Dentist Tagged With: Dental Care, Dental News, dental science, dentist, dentistry, dentists, ortho, orthodontics, orthodontist, science friday

Invisalign Drops Case Requirements for Dentists

April 27, 2010 By Jim Du Molin 9 Comments

Dentists reacted with anger to Invisalign's announcement that dentists would only be able to offer the clear aligners if they started at least 10 cases per year.

Well, Invisalign has taken note of dentist objections, removing the 10 cases per year requirement.

Invisalign dentists will still be required to complete at least 10 hours of Invisalign-related continuing education each year. Here's the official announcement from Align:

"Align Technology, Inc. today announced a strategic change to the Invisalign proficiency program the Company launched last June to help ensure Invisalign providers build a baseline of Invisalign product experience and knowledge through minimum annual case and continuing education (CE) goals. Effective immediately, doctors will no longer be required to start a minimum of ten shipped cases per year to maintain their active provider status. Doctors are still required to complete a minimum of ten Invisalign continuing education (CE) hours per year."

- Invisalign News (April 22, 2010)

When we surveyed dentists on Invisalign rules for dentists, they were near-unanimous in criticizing the requirements. In fact, only 17% of doctors surveyed felt the restrictions were valid.

“I am furious that a dental company is seeking to dictate treatment!” objected one dentist.

"The CE requirement is perfectly fine," offered another. "The 10 cases per year requirement is unprecedented, very disturbing, and just plain wrong. What if I don't do 10 dentures or dental implants or molar root canals this year? Shame on Invisalign for demeaning our profession in this way."

Here's more from Align about the changes to their Invisalign proficiency requirements:

Why is Align dropping the annual case requirement from the proficiency program?

We are responding to our customers’ frustration and unhappiness with the proficiency program. Many customers were upset by the proficiency program, particularly the annual case requirement. The volume of complaint letters has tapered off, but the mood and frustration of our customers has not improved.

In addition, numerous state and national dental organizations and their members oppose the case requirements. These are groups with whom we’ve always had good working relationships, and we don’t want to damage those relationships over this issue.

Many organizations, including the AAO and ADA, have recommended that Align focus on continuing education, rather than case requirements, as a means of encouraging product proficiency. We believe that these organizations will fully support this change regarding the annual case requirement.

Is Align dropping the case requirements because doctors weren’t meeting the requirements? Were case submissions dropping off?

Align is making this change is response to significant customer frustration and concerns regarding the annual case requirements. We’ve been pleased with our financial results over the last few quarters, and have seen positive impact and success among lower volume doctors who became more engaged with Invisalign over the last few months.

Is the change the result of pressure from industry organizations?

Numerous state and national dental organizations oppose the case requirement – these are groups with whom we’ve always had good working relationships. Industry organizations’ opposition to the proficiency program was far more intense than we anticipated. Many organizations, including the AAO and ADA, have recommended that Align focus on continuing dental education, rather than case requirements, as a means of encouraging product proficiency.

We believe that these organizations will fully support this change regarding the annual case requirement.

- Proficiency Program – Frequently asked questions

My question is this: Is everything back to normal now? Or has Invisalign created enough ill will among dentists that it will continue to haunt the company?

Filed Under: Braces, Dental Editorials Tagged With: braces, dentist, dentists, Invisalign, ortho, orthodontist

Braces Patients and the General Dentist (video)

April 9, 2010 By Julie Frey 1 Comment

There is lots of variation among dentists when it comes to referring braces patients out to an orthodontist.

While 1 in 4 treats most braces patients themselves, 1 in 3 general dentists refers out all dental braces patients.

“Minor tooth movement is within the purview of dentist and pediatric dentist," said one oral surgeon. "Treatment planning for major malocclusions is better done by an orthodontist and an oral surgeon."

The relatively high cost of braces can be attractive to doctors. "If we (GP’s) as a whole just knew how easy orthodontics are, the vast majority could increase monthly income by 15 to 25%," said one dentist. "I love doing it, and now me and my stay-at-home wife are both driving Mercedes."

Dentists Love Offering Invisalign (video)

February 8, 2010 By Julie Frey 1 Comment

Dentists love Invisalign, we found in this survey. Three quarters of general dentists say they offer Invisalign braces to their patients.

“You are crazy not to offer this service," advised one doctor. "As a dentist, we do simple cases and refer out to an orthodontist the complex cases. There are lots of dental CE opportunities to beef up your skill sets."

When it comes to braces, more and more adult braces patients are seeking Invisalign, clear braces, and actual invisible braces. As a matter of dental practice management, it's a good idea to offer patients what they want!