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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