According to “Dr. Wo” Wm. Randol Womack, DDS, Board Certified Orthodontist Editorial Director, Orthotown Magazine

 

Excitement is in the Air!
by Wm. Randol Womack, DDS, Board Certified Orthodontist
Editorial Director, Orthotown Magazine

The AAO meeting is coming up soon! This is always an exciting time in the field of orthodontics. Not only will it be held in beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii, but the exhibit hall promises to include the latest and greatest in orthodontics (See pg. 34 for our special AAO Annual Session Product Showcase). I can’t imagine what I would have missed out on had I stayed in retirement 11 years ago.

I am in constant awe of technology. For example, I just read an article (read the full article at: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone .0021531) showing the growth of teeth in mice using stem cells. This is big! We have several patients in our practice who have missing teeth. If we had a solution to this condition besides artificial tooth replacement, they could certainly benefit from technology like this.

Some technological items that will be featured in the AAO exhibit area include:
  • A new M-Series convertible molar tube from Dentaurum.
  • WaterPik is introducing the WaterPik Flosser as an aid to better oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment.
  • Imaging Sciences will showcase Tx Studio featuring Face-Wrap, which allows clinicians to map a standard photograph of a patient onto the 3D-scan volume.
  • Orametrix introduces SureSmile 6.0., which combines bone, root, crown and gingiva into a single 3D planning model.
  • The SimpliClear system, which is a completely clear orthodontic arch wire.
  • Align Technology will be featuring their iOC scanner to replace messy PVS impressions.
  • And finally, Ormco, which will be featuring a new clear aligner using the Insignia software system.

Speaking of Ormco, another exciting aspect to being on the islands will be the presence of Bethany Hamilton, professional surfer, and spokesperson for Ormco. I am sure you remember the story of the promising young surfer, age 13, who was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauai’s North Shore. She lost her left arm in the accident but did not lose her spirit or positive attitude. Just one month after the attack, she was back out in the water and it only took her a year to win the national title by placing first in the Explorer Women’s division of the 2005 NSSA National Championships. Bethany will be featured at the Ormco booth.

This year’s Hawaiian Aloha meeting should prove to be another technology explosion!
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