Compliance is a vitally important component when it comes to your fixed and removable expander treatment plan success. With this thought in mind, making sure that you have looked at some of the different aspects of a successful expander treatment plan is vital, and ensuring your patients are compliant is essential for finishing cases while reducing revisions and refinement.

How to Measure Compliance with Your Treatment Plan Through Jack Screw Threads

Turning the expander can be a little tricky for a patient who has never done so before, so compliance isn’t always easy to measure; indeed, even patients who swear they’ve done the turns may be accidentally non-compliant due to turning in the wrong direction. Thus, measuring compliance is crucial, no matter how confident the patient is that they followed the treatment plan carefully.

Luckily, you can measure jackscrew threads to monitor compliance. At the start, the screw head will be at zero. However, each time you see an additional screw thread, this indicates that four turns were done. As such, if there are three screw threads visible, you can assume that twelve turns have been done.

Key Considerations

Always remember that you will always have a small amount of relapse, especially if the expanders are removables. You should also monitor the number of jackscrew threads that are visible from visit to visit. If the number of jackscrew threads doesn’t change between visits, it’s likely that the patient may not have been doing their turns.

However, it’s important to consider why expansion might be needed. Always check that:

• the palate is still vaulted
• the eruption planes are still there
• the upper arch is at least 50% wider than the lower arch

Get Professional Support Today

If your patient is struggling to remain compliant with their orthodontics treatment plan, there’s a good chance that finishing cases may take longer with more revisions and refinement. Luckily, if you need more support with finding the right treatment plan or training parents and patients on how to complete successful turns, contact our experts here at Straight Smile Solutions today

Ever wondered about how to create a treatment plan for class 3 retrognathic growing patients? In many cases, this can be a little tricky to define – but luckily, we’ve outlined the main things you need to know about how to tackle these case first to help. However, make sure you’ve checked our other ortho classes before starting on this to ensure you know how to approach the treatment plan.
Do Expansion Before Using a Protraction Facemask
Before ortho starts on a class 3 retrognathic patient, one of the first things you’ll need to do is expansion since constricted maxillas can be common. Even patients with constricted maxilla may still need expansion, so this is important to keep in mind.
Before starting the treatment plan, advance the maxilla to a class 1 or class 2 in a simulation to see how much expansion is needed. The expansion loosens the sutures in the maxilla, provided the patient isn’t post-pubertal.
How Long Should the Protraction Face Mask Be Worn?
The protraction face mask needs to be worn for around 14-16 hours each day. Because of this, it’s important that ortho starts when the child is young and able to meet this; in many cases, older post-pubertal kids won’t be compliant, making finishing cases successfully hard.
Get Support for Further Guidance
If you need further guidance for your class 3 maxillary retrognathic growing orthodontics patients, don’t hesitate to contact our experts here at Straight Smile Solutions today. We can help you understand a little more about using expansion as part of the treatment plan for protraction face masks.

Compromise Overjet Cases: How to Avoid Liability

Have you ever wondered about how to avoid liability in compromise overjet cases? Often, it can seem difficult to work out whether a compromised overjet case is safe to take, but there are several things you should consider here before ortho starts. Luckily, we’ve outlined a few key things you should know here to help.
Things to Consider Before Ortho Starts on Compromised Overjet Cases
Before ortho starts, there are several things you will need to know first. Remember, a compromised case means that the treatment plan won’t be finished to a perfect standard. While this can be an improvement still, it may leave a patient potentially unhappy with the results – leaving you at risk of liability.
First, check whether the patient is still growing. Girls tend to stop growing earlier than boys, but even between the ages of eight and seventeen years, growth is still possible. As a result, it’s worth considering whether it might be below standard of care to provide a compromised case to an under-eighteen-year-old. For us here at Straight Smile Solutions, any growing cases do not meet what we deem to be the minimum standard of care. Always do due diligence to check whether the patient is growing.
If the patient is over eighteen and isn’t growing, start by checking the chief complaint with the patient. The chief complaint doesn’t necessarily tie in with the treatment plan the patient has requested, you will need to explain this to them; sometimes, what the patient asks for could risk harming the profile or giving a result that the patient doesn’t expect. If you don’t feel comfortable with a treatment plan the patient asks for, don’t do it.
Always also check whether there are any health conditions that could put you at the risk of liability. For example, if there’s a risk of it compromising the airway and the patient has sleep apnea, it may not be a safe treatment plan to pursue.
What Options Are There?
There are numerous treatment options for overjet cases. These may include Invisalign and clear aligners, braces, extraction, anterior IPR, IPR on the maxillary arch, mandible advancement, and so on.
Get Professional Support for your Orthodontic Cases
Every case is unique. So, if you need further guidance, ideas, or support regarding your own orthodontic cases before they start, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly experts here at Straight Smile Solutions to book your consultation. We’re here to help!

When Braces Premolar Extraction Cases Need Max Anchorage

Have you ever wondered about when your braces premolar extraction cases might need max anchorage? It’s not always easy to determine how much anchorage a braces treatment plan might need, but there are several things you can consider as part of this decision – and we’ve outlined some of the key things you need to know as follows.
When Do Braces Premolar Extraction Cases Need Max Anchorage?
It’s not always clear when premolar extraction cases need max anchorage at the outset, but there are a few things you can do to help work this out.
Notably, we should first stress that premolar extractions should only be done if they are absolutely necessary; this often won’t be the case in patients who are still growing. But if you have determined already that the patient is a good candidate for premolar extraction, you’ll then need to look at the anchorage you’ll need.
If the case isn’t particularly severe, you may not need max anchorage; in these scenarios, slip anchorage from both sides may be suitable. This is mainly true if you have a suitable 7mm space and you’re filling it from both directions; contrastingly, if you can only fill it in one direction with max anchorage, this will be a slower treatment plan.
Before approaching these cases, it’s important to first make sure you understand what BiMax Anchorage is to help. In these cases, we typically use internal anchorage (e.g. a lingual arch) on the bottom and either a Nance or Trans Palatal Arch on the top. When you remove the premolars, this in turn results in higher levels of anchorage to help fill a gap without the back teeth slipping forward.
Get Professional Support for Your Dental Case
If you have been having difficulties with your braces treatment plan, make sure you’ve considered today’s key points to help. However, if you have any further questions regarding your patients’ treatment plans, don’t hesitate to contact our experts here at Straight Smile Solutions to book a consultation with our team.

Braces and Invisalign are viable options for achieving a stunning smile and correcting dental misalignments. Each method offers unique advantages tailored to individual needs. With their traditional metal or ceramic brackets and wires, braces excel in addressing complex orthodontic issues, such as severe crowding or significant bite problems. Their fixed nature ensures continuous adjustments for precise results. Conversely, Invisalign’s discreet, removable aligners appeal to those seeking a more inconspicuous treatment and added convenience. They work best for mild to moderate alignment problems. Deciding between braces and Invisalign involves considering factors like treatment goals, lifestyle, and personal preferences.

Every orthodontist may have a different take on this, but having worked extensively with Invisalign, Dr. Amanda from Straight Smile Solutions (straightsmilesolutions.com) offers some insights. Many orthodontists lack sufficient experience with Invisalign, which leads to confusion for patients seeking treatment. Some might dismiss Invisalign as unsuitable for certain cases, while others will readily embrace it. If you encounter conflicting opinions, consider trusting the orthodontist who can show you cases similar to yours and their outcomes.

One key point to remember is never to commit financially to treatment until you’ve seen your clincheck. The clincheck is a simulation outlining the treatment plan and expected results. Any reputable orthodontist should be willing to show you this without any upfront payment.

In specific cases, braces might be preferable. For instance, braces might be more suitable if you have an impacted molar, especially if you need exposed-on surgery to align it. However, even in such instances, it’s not that Invisalign can’t handle the case—it’s just more challenging and might require additional fees or time.

Other situations where braces might be considered include an impacted canine. However, even in these cases, it might be possible, to begin with braces and transition to Invisalign later.

Invisalign is generally superior to braces in most cases. While you need to keep the aligners in your mouth, it’s not as difficult as it might seem. If you’re worried about compliance, your doctor can adjust the treatment plan to make it more manageable. For example, wearing the aligners only while eating might lead to slower progress but is still a viable option.

When choosing an orthodontist for your Invisalign treatment, look for someone with experience in plastic aligners, whether Invisalign or other clear aligner options. Ensure your doctor’s name is on the aligner bag, indicating they have the necessary expertise. Be wary of those who crowdsource or use another doctor’s account, as it may indicate a lack of experience and could lead to potential liability issues.
Conclusion
Research and find a qualified orthodontist who can guide you through your Invisalign journey. Don’t hesitate to shop around and ask questions before making financial commitments. Remember, your smile is worth investing in, so take your time and find the best treatment option and doctor for you.

How to Upright a Stubborn Molar in Invisalign Cases

When it comes to creating an ideal Invisalign treatment plan, there’s a lot you may potentially need to consider. One such process you may need to try is straightening a molar to help make it more upright, and this can be a ltitle tricky if you’re new to orthodontics. Luckily, we’ve briefly outlined how to use ortho and clear aligners like Invisalign as follows to upright a stubborn molar.
How to Upright a Stubborn Molar in Invisalign Cases
If you’ve got an Invisalign case that requires molar uprighting, knowing how to approach this topic can be hugely important. These include the following points.
– Remove any 8s or wisdom teeth that are in the way before uprighting – trying to upright a molar with another tooth behind it likely won’t work well.
– Use attachments (buccal, lingual, and/or palatal) – the more handles you’ve got, the easier the case will often be. Without attachments, uprighting may not work.
– Don’t try Invisalign for a tooth with a crown – it’s often just not going to work unless you can cut the crown off.
– Check the crown to root ratio – if the roots are short, there’s a good chance the tooth may fall out during the clear aligner treatment plan. A minimum of a 1:1 ratio is important (ideally more). Get periodontist support with a prognosis in writing to help.
– Considering recontouring or spacer technique – if the neighboring tooth is too close and the height of contour doesn’t suit your case, you may want to consider recountouring or using the spacer technique as part of the treatment plan.
– Check occlusion – if needed, doing occlusal equilibration may be important to help prepare the tooth for an ortho clear aligner treatment plan.
– Make sure there’s full coverage of the tooth – if the tray doesn’t have full coverage, you may need to give Invisalign a call to address the issue and get a revision.
– Take a CBCT – make sure that everything’s looking healthy on a CBCT scan before you start.
Of course, always choose your patients carefully and put them on a virtual accountability loop to ensure they’re actually wearing their clear aligners as outlined in the treatment plan. As part of the Invisalign service, this is called “Invisalign Virtual Care,” and it’s free to use. Without this, they won’t see improvement.

It’s not always easy to ascertain whether your Invisalign or clear aligner orthodontics case may need refinements. Ideally, if the treatment plan is managed properly at the outset, you won’t need to do revisions or refinements. However, working out whether you need to do further work after the treatment plan has finished requires a few steps.
Does My Patient Need Revisions or Refinements?
You may need to consider a few key things when deciding whether a case needs revisions or refinements. Notably, this falls into the category of either health-related refinements and aesthetic refinements.
Common health-related reasons to do a refinement include the following:
– Contacts on anterior teeth
– Inconsistent posterior contacts
– Perio traps or open contacts
There are also a few cosmetic (aesthetic) reasons to do revisions, depending on what the client wants, including:
– Non-symmetrical results
– Premolar rotation
Of course, this always depends on whether the patient is willing to do the revision. Make sure you allow the patient to have control and choose how they would like their treatment plan to progress if they want it to; giving them a mirror once you’re done is a good option in this case. So long as you stick with unlimited or comprehensive cases, refinements are usually free (or charged just at the shipping fee) within a certain window of time.
However, never do a refinement if it’s going to cause health complications for the client. Always educate the client properly to help them find the right solutions to their needs.
Start with the Right Treatment Plan
In order to cut back on the number of revisions and refinements you have to complete, it’s important to make sure you start off with a highly accurate ClinCheck. You also need to ensure that the patient adheres to the treatment plan with regular orthodontic check-ins.

In many cases, a person’s diet can significantly influence their orthodontic treatment plans in later life. However, being aware of this can help dentists and orthodontists to guide parents on how to support their children’s overall oral health and structure.

How Does Early Diet Influence Orthodontics?

Many people overlook the fact that there may be a potential link between orthodontic treatment plans and early diet. Indeed, with such a long period of time between a child’s early diet and when they may need treatment, it’s easy not to think about this – but a growing number of orthodontists are noticing a trend between early diet and ortho treatment plans.

One of the problems that some children may have experienced with eating soft foods as a young child is that their diet doesn’t encourage the necessary jaw movements. As such, keeping this in mind can potentially influence whether a child needs orthodontics support for jaw movements and the like in later life.

However, this will always be the parent’s decision – so, letting them know about this from an early age can potentially allow them to make a choice based on their preferences.

Collaborating with an ENT

Have you ever thought about collaborating with an ENT (ear, nose, and throat technician) as part of your orthodontics work? In many scenarios, it’s easy to assume that collaborations will be limited to just other ortho professionals and the like, but this isn’t always the case, and sometimes you’ll need help from a wider pool of people.
Collaborating with an ENT
Collaborating with an ENT can be incredibly valuable for many patients and their treatment plans. However, it’s important to recognize that some ENTs may not be entirely open to orthodontics professionals, so you may need to find the right individual to help.
To begin the collaboration, it’s important to introduce yourself and explain how your field can overlap with the ENT’s specialty. Asking them in advance if they would be interested in a collaboration for referrals can really help – and keep in mind that you may need to contact quite a few before you get a positive response.
When you are working with the ENT, make sure you gather as much information as possible to make things easier for them. In addition, if you have any questions regarding airways (etc.), always get the specialist’s approval first before providing the orthodontics procedure. Remember, some patients may not be able to go through a particular treatment plan if it’s likely to impact their airways and so on.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been thinking of collaborating with an ENT, it’s highly important to make sure you start out with professional support. Luckily, our experts here at Straight Smile Solutions can help if you have any questions for your dental treatment plan, and if we think support from an ENT might help, we’ll be able to let you know.

Should GPs Treat Clefting Patients?

Have you ever wondered whether orthodontics professionals and GPs should provide treatment plans for clefting patients? In many cases, cleft palates can seem like they’ll be outside of the scope of a general dentist’s orthodontics services. But how does this work? Should you attempt a cleft lip or cleft palate case? We’ve outlined the main things you need to know to help with this decision.
Should GPs Treat Clefting Patients?
If you’re a general dentist providing orthodontics services, you’ll likely want to avoid clefting patients in many cases. As a result, if you get a patient who has either a cleft palate or a cleft lip, it may be best to refer them to a specialist orthodontist for appropriate treatment. Failing this, you may want to refer the patient to a craniofacial team locally.
Of course, it’s worth noting here that the majority of cleft palate or cleft lip patients will have received surgery at a young age to resolve these symptoms. As a result, you may not see obvious signs, but there may be an abnormal ridge at the top of the mouth or missing teeth where the cleft was originally.
It’s worth noting that lip-only cases are generally less problematic than a full cleft palate, although these can still be much trickier to address – potentially being tighter or more likely to be a Class III case.
Get Professional Support
If you have trouble working out whether you should attempt a case or not, getting professional support can really help. So, don’t chance it; contact our experts for additional guidance in your own cases today.