Q. How are the results achieved so quickly?
Q. Do I need a ceph?
Q. What are the costs involved with the Patient Tray Kits?
Q. Are most patients candidates for Short Term Ortho treatment?
Q. Do orthodontists offer this type of treatment?
Q. What are the limitations of this type of treatment?
Q. What type of brackets and wires are used?
Q. What do most dentists charge for this procedure?
Q. How long has this type of treatment been provided?
Q. What is the average chair time for dentists?
Q. How are the results achieved so quickly?
A. The main reason for the short treatment times is that the goals of treatment are slightly different than traditional orthodontics. The goal of traditional ortho is to achieve a finish that is as close as possible to the “ideal” orthodontic finish which involves coincident midlines, ideal overjet, ideal overbite, ideal root positions, class 1 canine relationship and class 1 molar relationship. The goal of Short Term Ortho is to correct the patient’s chief complaints and create as much symmetry as possible during the treatment time. These goals are consistent with most orthodontic treatment that is done with clear aligners. The posterior occlusion is usually not significantly changed although minor crossbites, deep bites and open bites can be corrected with short term treatment.
Q. Do I need a ceph?
A. A ceph allows us to determine if discrepancies are dental or skeletal. A ceph provides useful information for traditional orthodontic treatment that involves changes to the Anterior/Posterior relationship of the teeth and jaws. A ceph does not provide much useful information for Short Term Ortho which does not involve AP changes to the teeth and jaws. Most dentists do not have cephs taken when they treat patients orthodontically using clear aligners, spring retainers, arch expanders etc. Most dentists that provide Short Term Ortho treatment also do not routinely take cephs. However, every dentist should check their state laws and do what they think is appropriate.
Q. What are the costs involved with the Patient Tray Kits?
A. Full Patient Tray Kits (upper/lower) for dentists in the USA and Canada are approximately $518.00 and $408.00 for a single arch kit. UK pricing for a Full Patient Tray Kit is $559.00 USD and $448 .00 USD for a single arch kit (UK prices include return shipping).
Q. Are most patients candidates for Short Term Ortho treatment?
A. Yes. Most adults who are unhappy with the appearance of their smiles have tooth position problems. Also, these patients usually have chief complaints that will be addressed with Short Term Ortho. If a patient has chief complaints that are outside the realm of Short Term Ortho (skeletal discrepancy, significant midline discrepancy, significant overjet etc.) then they would not be a good candidate for short term treatment.
Q. Do orthodontists offer this type of treatment?
A. Yes. Most orthodontists offer some types of “compromised treatment” if an adult patient refuses traditional treatment or jaw surgery. Most orthodontists don’t market short term treatment. Furthermore, most treatment provided by orthodontists and general dentists using clear aligners involves very similar treatment goals in that it is not meant to provide a 100% “ideal” result.
Q. What are the limitations of this type of treatment?
A. A significant amount of tooth movement can be safely accomplished in less than 9 months. However, changing Angle class, achieving ideal root positions and correcting significant midline discrepancies usually involves years of treatment for adult patients. Correcting these items is usually outside the scope of Short Term Ortho treatment. Short Term Ortho treatment is defined as orthodontic treatment that endures for less than 9 months and is cosmetically focused.
Q. What type of brackets and wires are used?
A. Clear composite brackets are used in conjunction with Teflon coated tooth colored NiTi wires. This combination is very inconspicuous and patients really appreciate this.
Q. What do most dentists charge for this procedure?
A. Most dentists charge between $2900 and $6900 for this type of treatment. Many dentists also include retention and teeth whitening as part of a Six Month Smiles package.
Q. How long has this type of treatment been provided?
A. Short term cosmetically focused orthodontics has been around since braces were first attached to teeth. In this sense, Short Term Ortho has been around longer than modern day comprehensive orthodontics that is aimed at achieving specific results as laid out by orthodontic organizations. More specifically, Dr. Clifton Georgaklis was probably the first dentist to begin marketing a “six month ortho” option and marketing it heavily to patients. In this sense, Dr. Georgaklis is the pioneer of this treatment and has been providing it for more than 20 years. Dr. Jack Sheridan is also considered a pioneer of this type of treatment and has been a strong proponent.
Q. What is the average chair time for dentists?
A. This can vary from office to office depending on the skill of the operators and the systems that are in place. On average, doctor time for a case (from start to finish) is about 4-5 hours.