The post The Orthodontic Specialist Dr. Emmanuel Inglezos participates with a scientific paper at the annual conference of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) 2023 appeared first on Dr. Inglezos Orthodontist | Invisalign.

From today, this innovation will be available to you for treatments with Mandibular Advancement and Invisalign First treatments.

Invisalign G8 further improves on Invisalign’s proprietary technology that you know and trust, by enhancing SmartForce features with our newest innovation—SmartForce Aligner Activation. SmartForce Aligner Activation ensures sufficient and consistent activation in every aligner stage, to help doctors like you achieve more predictable tooth movements with every aligner.

This innovation will be available for all Invisalign system products in the coming weeks. We will let you know as soon as this is available. In the meantime, you can already start experiencing the benefits of Invisalign G8, for Mandibular Advancement and Invisalign First treatments.

Deep bite cases In deep bite treatments, SmartForce Aligner Activation supports anterior intrusion and demonstrates up to 2x1 improvement in predictability of incisor intrusion.It is applicable to anterior intrusion2 in Invisalign First cases, as well as to anterior intrusion with improved leveling of curve of Spee in final position in Invisalign Mandibular Advancement cases.

Posterior arch expansion3 For Invisalign Mandibular Advancement, the SmartForce Aligner Activation will aid in posterior arch expansion and treat crowding & crossbite cases by working synergistically with New Optimized Expansion Support attachments or Optimized Expansion Support and Rotation attachments to reduce the potential for buccal crown tipping during posterior arch expansion4. You will be able to select automatic placement of Precision Bite Ramps during the prescription process5.

Open bite For Invisalign Mandibular Advancement, the new G8 features will help reduce the likelihood of posterior open bite by addressing the premature anterior contacts and unwanted buccal crown tip.

The post Invisalign G8 with SmartForce Aligner Activation appeared first on Dr. Inglezos Orthodontist | Invisalign.

As discussed by the American Association of Orthodontists (“AAO”) in a prior news release, the AAO has serious concerns about direct-to-consumer orthodontics when it sees hundreds of “Customer Complaints” on the Better Business Bureau’s website for SmileDirectClub, LLC (“SmileDirectClub” or “SDC”).[2]The Better Business Bureau’s (“BBB”) website now has more than 1,050 “Customer Complaints” against SmileDirectClub.[3] This number has increased by over 450 “Customer Complaints” since December 19, 2018.[4]  SmileDirectClub also has an invite-a-friend program where referrers who invite their friends to join SmileDirectClub (on such channels as social media) receive a gift card after their friends’ SmileDirectClub purchase ships.[5] The “Terms” of SmileDirectClub’s invite-a-friend program do not appear to require referrers to let their friends know that the referral involves the incentive of a gift card.[6]

Some of the reports of alleged health and/or treatment issues involving direct-to-consumer orthodontics appear to be at odds with SmileDirectClub’s claim that “[t]here’s nothing really harmful with clear aligners. That’s one of the best things about this is you can’t really hurt people with this, which is nice.”[7] The AAO disagrees with SmileDirectClub’s statement because orthodontic aligners are meant to move teeth, and if that movement is not done correctly it can lead to potentially irreversible and/or expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues – some of which may not arise immediately.

Individuals and patients who have dental issues can contact their treating dentist, state or territory/provincial dental boards or authorities,[8] state Attorney General’s consumer protection office[9] or provincial consumer affairs office,[10] regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”),[11] and their elected officials (e.g. Governor, state representative, etc.) about such issues.

The AAO’s previously issued press release included information on the following:

• Dental Boards’ Jurisdiction
• Legal and Advocacy Developments
• SmileDirectClub’s Consent and History Form
• Certain SmileDirectClub Representations
• SmileDirectClub’s Affiliated Doctors
• SmileDirectClub’s Price

The AAO believes it is in the best interest of patients to have orthodontic treatment conducted under the direct and ongoing, in-person supervision of a licensed orthodontist. SmileDirectClub’s current Consent and History form even requires a potential patient to agree: “I further understand that my clear aligner therapy treatment will only address the alignment of my teeth and will not correct my existing bite condition. In order to correct the current condition of my bite, I will need to seek more comprehensive treatment via my local dental professional.  Because I am choosing not to engage the in-patient services of a local dental professional, I understand and accept that my teeth will be straighter than they currently are but may still be compromised.”[12]  (Emphasis added).

To access the AAO’s Consumer Alert – “Questions to Consider When Researching Direct-To-Consumer Orthodontic Companies” – visit https://www.aaoinfo.org/_/online-orthodontic-companies/.

Please keep in mind that the foregoing involves certain legal proceedings, and we appreciate your understanding in the sensitivities related to any legal proceeding. Other activities regarding direct-to-consumer orthodontics are listed here – https://www1.aaoinfo.org/legal-advocacy/dtc-advocacy-page/.

[1] See https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1775625/000104746919004785/a2239489zs-1.htm.
[2] See https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/nashville/profile/cosmetic-dentistry/smiledirectclub-0573-37111672.  See also http://www.fox5atlanta.com/health/fox-medical-team/finding-the-right-braces-proves-tricky-for-atlanta-man (last visited July 25, 2019); https://www.wrdw.com/content/news/Mail-order-braces–Is-your-smile-worth-the-cost-452548583.html (last visited July 25, 2019); see also THE CAPITOL FORUM, June 21, 2019, Vol. 7 No. 227, “SmileDirectClub: Dissatisfied Customers Asked to Sign Release Before Getting Refund; Restrictions on Complaints and Reviews in Release Could Run Afoul of State and Federal Laws.”
[3] https://www.bbb.org/us/tn/nashville/profile/cosmetic-dentistry/smiledirectclub-0573-37111672 (last visited on August 16, 2019).
[4] D. Blaine Leeds, DDS et al. v. Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-01679 (N.D. Ga.) (“Motion of the American Association of Orthodontists to File Brief as Amicus Curiae in Support of Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss,” Ex. 1 (pp. 14-15), and Ex. L).
[5] See https://smiledirectclub.com/invite/ (last visited July 26, 2019).
[6] See https://smiledirectclub.com/terms/ (last visited July 25, 2019).
[7] See https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/news/2019/03/14/fast-growth-harsh-critics-meet-the-nashville.html (last visited July 25, 2019).
[8] Last visited July 25, 2019.
[9] Last visited July 25, 2019.
[10] Last visited July 25, 2019.
[11] Last visited July 25, 2019.
[12] https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:https://smiledirectclub.com/consent/ (last visited July 25, 2019).

Source: https://www1.aaoinfo.org/

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One of my most painful memories as a kid was having my braces tightened

The orthodontist would grip his pliers, clamp down on the metal wire cemented to my teeth, and crank.I’m happy to have straight teeth today… but man did those things hurt.

And they were embarrassing too. Especially during those young teen years when self-confidence is fragile. There was just no good way to hide a mouthful of metal…

So Long, Metal Braces

Ever notice you don’t see metal braces all that much anymore?

Align Technology (ALGN) answered the prayers of millions of teenagers by creating “invisible” braces.

Instead of shiny metal brackets cemented to your teeth, Align’s Invisaligns are made of transparent plastic. It sold over 80 million pairs last year.

Invisalign was a godsend for people with crooked teeth. Not only could they fix your smile with far less pain and embarrassment. They made early investors rich!

In the past decade, Align’s revenue has soared 530% to $1.97 billion. In the same time its stock has soared 3,400%, as you can see here.

Source: Forbes.com

Take our Smile Assessment to find out now.

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