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exhibitors 19Hinman Dental Meeting — March 28, 2014 By Dr. Stephen Ball n There has been a major movement in dentistry to preserve as much tooth structure as possible, and tooth alignment has become the cosmetic treatment of choice. Short-term ortho- dontics (STO) for general dentists is a cosmetic solution for adult patients and is a great service we can add to our practices. It is easy, effective and patients want it. As with any treatment, case selec- tion is paramount in deciding whom to treat. It is a useful alternative to traditional treatment options such as crowns and veneers, and it is not only less destructive but is also more cost- effective, meaning more patients can accessthistreatmentandcanachieve fantastic smiles in the space of only six months. Case presentation The patient came to us interested in veneers. After an initial consulta- tion, it soon became apparent that placing veneers would have been a very destructive option, as a lot of preparation would have been needed to achieve an ideal cosmetic result. After we explained the various pros and cons of veneers, the patient asked if there were any other options. Naturally, we then explained that one option is comprehensive ortho- dontics that would involve 12 to 18 months. We also described a more cosmetically focused approach, in the form of Six Month Smiles, that would straighten her teeth in about six months. Having discussed the various mer- its and drawbacks of each option, the patient opted for Six Month Smiles, because the relatively short treat- ment time was appealing to her and she only wanted a cosmetic fix, not a functional correction that com- prehensive orthodontics would have provided. This case is an excellent example of the “ideal case” for GP short-term orthodontics. The patient’s molar and canine relationships were Class 1 on both sides with a normal tooth width ratio, upper-to-lower. We weren’t planning any anterior-posterior rela- tionship changes, so this case was perfectly suited for a GP to complete. After five months, the treatment was completed, and the clear brack- ets were removed. We then finished the case with tooth whitening to fur- ther improve the appearance of the patient’s teeth. I have found that short-term ortho- dontics on adults can also lead to additional cosmetic work such as whitening or composite bonding to really finish the smile. At the end of treatment, the patient was absolutely delighted with the results and has, in fact, become a great advocate for our practice. She’s even recommended a number of her friends to come and see us as a result of the treatment, and it’s extremely satisfyingtoseehowmuchdifference this simple, yet effective short-term orthodontic system can have. Adding a new service that patients want Ad Here at Hinman To learn more about Six Month Smiles’ short-term orthodontic system, stop by the booth, No. 1049. 5 Before Six Month Smiles 5 After Six Month Smiles 5 The patient, after Six Month Smiles. (Photos/Provided by Dr. Stephen Ball)