Technical Bulletins
PRACTICE BUILDING BULLETIN
Select from the following online library of educational manuals and PBBs to update yourself on the latest techniques and appliance designs. Download them as a PDF and print them for further study and reference.
THE ECONOMICS OF APPLIANCE THERAPY
In the past, the term "appliance therapy" only referred to the use of simple orthodontic appliances like a space maintainer or a Hawley retainer. Today, this term encompasses a wide variety of appliances which are used through every phase of a patient's treatment. Whether you are placing implants, performing periodontal surgery, or simply doing interceptive orthodontics, you will need to use appliances to help control and direct your patient's treatment.
THE TREATMENT OF SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA USING THE TAP® SYSTEM
As Seen on EXTRA! Recent articles in the medical and dental literature have made it clear that, as a dentist, you can provide a role in the treatment of both Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea through the use of oral appliances. In fact, in response to an overwhelming demand, more and more dentists are expanding their practices to treat sleep- disordered breathing. The TAP® appliance was designed with the principles of airway management in mind. Instead of employing existing dental technology for positioning and retention, the TAP® appliance was developed over a period of six years in a sleep lab environment to most effectively meet the demands of airway management while minimizing other dental and medical problems.
FORCED ERUPTION
One of the primary goals of restorative dentistry is to replace form, function and esthetics compromised due to trauma or disease. We must be prepared and equipped with alternatives in therapy to maintain a healthy, intact masticatory system. Forced eruption (raising the root with gentle, continuous force in a coronal direction) is one such alternative therapy.
SPAHL SPLIT VERTICAL ERUPTION ACCELERATING APPLIANCE SYSTEM
Designed solely for the closure of posterior open bites that occur subsequent to mandibular advancement procedured, the Spahl Split Vertical Eruption Acceleration Appliance System (SSV) is a practical, timely and effective multiple appliance technique. Find out everything you need to know -- right here, right now.
HALITOSIS: BEING PART OF THE CURE
Today it is estimated that more 25 million Americans suffer from chronic halitosis. Studies show that disorders of the oral cavity are responsible for most instances of bad breath. Halitosis is a condition that has a multifactorial etiology and even though it is most often caused by oral problems, bad breath can also be a symptom of a serious disease. Diabetes, for one. Due to its multifactorial etiology, diagnosis of the origin of halitosis is essential for its treatment…and dentists must take the lead.
THE REIMBURSEMENT GAME
In 1995, the second edition of Current Dental Terminology (CDT-2) was released. This manual was specifically developed for two reasons: as a tool to assist the dental office staff in accurately reporting treatment provided by dentists to patients and as a comprehensive guide to accurate claims reporting to third party payers. Every appliance in the Principles of Appliance Therapy for Adults and Children has been given a code number based on a code description from the CDT-2 User Manual. The SML appliance codes, along with the appliance name and the appropriate CDT-2 code, have been divided by the same chapter headings as they are seen in the manual. In this bulletin, you'll be guided through the process of obtaining reimbursement from a third party payer.
COSMETIC TOOTH MOVEMENT FOR ADULTS
Most adults are unwilling to undergo complete orthodontic care, yet many would love to do something to improve the way their teeth look. Fortunately, there are many minor tooth movement procedures that will do just that. In this bulletin: common procedures used every day to help you give your patients the beautiful smile they want.
GIVING AND RECEIVING FEEDBACK: IT CAN BE A TRICKY BUSINESS
In dentistry, we are concerned about standards of care, service, and performance to a third party--our patient. The tendency to "not rock the boat" can unfairly impact the efficiency and quality of care they receive. Not acceptable! We have created a comprehensive, dynamic, easy-to-use feedback system to ensure crucial ongoing feedback from your patients...and you.
SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
Because the etiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is multifactorial and the treatment options are varied, proper diagnosis and treatment are best handled via a team approach. Members of this team may include a sleep specialist, an ENT, an internist, an orthodontist, an oral surgeon and a general dentist. As a general dentist, you should play an active role in 1. screening your patients 2. treating them in conjunction with other sleep specialists and 3. providing them with follow-up treatment. You'll find much of what you'll need to know in this detailed overview and resource guide.
THE SCHWARZ MODEL ANALYSIS
The Schwarz analysis is a simple and easy-to-use formula that offers a solid guideline as to how wide an arch should be for any given case. It compares the difference in millimeters between an arch's actual measured width and a calculated ideal arch width for the patient. This bulletin details why and how a Schwarz Model Analysis is so vital to patient diagnosis -- and takes through the procedure from start to finish.
THE TALON SPLINT
The Talon Splint, Comfortable - Retentive - Adjustable. The Talon offers the best features of a hard splint and a soft splint -- affording more comfort and adjustability while eliminating the need for excessive chair time fitting. Find out more about how to integrate the Talon Splint into your practice.
ATHLETIC MOUTH GUARDS
It is estimated by the National Youth Sports Foundation that more than five million teeth will be knocked out in sporting activities this year.1 In fact, dental injuries are the most common type of orofacial injury sustained during participation in sports.Every patient in your practice who is involved in any athletic activity where contact can be made or a fall can occur should be using a dentist prescribed, heat/pressure laminated intraoral mouthguard. Wearing this type of custom mouthguard not only protects the teeth and soft tissues, but will also reduce the potentially dangerous forces that may cause head concussions, neck injuries, and jaw fractures. If you're among those dentists who still advise patients to purchase boil-and-bite or stock mouth guards, it's time to re-evaluate your position.
THE TWIN BLOCK APPLIANCE
Malocclusion is rarely, if ever, the result of a single factor. Therefore, when treating a patient with a malocclusion, our goal is not just to realighn teeth, but to achieve a proper balance tetween teeth, bone and muscle Early treatment with the Twin Block Appliance can accomplish this goal -- without compromising patient speech, function and comfort.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRECTING POSTERIOR CROSS-BITES IN THE DECIDUOUS OR MIXED DENTITION
Early treatment is the key to success when treating posterior cross-bites in the deciduous or mixed dentition. Children with compromised airways and mouth breathing problems frequently have constricted maxillary arches...and the ideal time to treat and underveloped maxilla is in the mixed dentition stage. That's when patient level of cooperation is the highest and when more serious future problems can be avoided.
ACCURATE ALGINATE IMPRESSIONS
Taking an alginate impression is one of the most common procedures done in the dental office. Easy as baking a cake! But as with baking, if the dentist changes the dental impression recipe without thinking about how it can potentially impact the result, the result can be failure. Not taking the time to perform this procedure correctly is one of the most expensive mistakes a dentist can make. Here you'll find detailed instructions and insights on how to take an accurate alginate impression.
PER-FECT BITE CONSTRUCTION BITES
When prescribing a functional repositioning appliance or any appliance with an occlusal bite plane, it is essential to take a proper bite registration. A 3-point construction bite is the best way to capture the relationship of the maxilla to the mandible. Included: Instructions on how to use Per-fect Bites.
THE APPLIANCE DESIGN WORKSHEET
Do you need help designing your appliances? This PBB takes you step by step through our custom Appliance Design Worksheet (actual worksheet is included in the PBB). We've also included ways to avoid common mistakes doctors make when sending in prescriptions that lead to ill-fitting appliances.
MemRx SYSTEM OF APPLIANCES
Learn about the exciting advances in Appliance Therapy technology now being utilized in the MemRx System of Appliances. This PDF details all of the individual MemRx appliances as well as instructions for their use and components.
THE SNOREFREE™ SYSTEM
Since SML introduced the SnoreFree to the dental profession, the overwhelming response from dentists and patients has been positive. As public awareness increases about snoring, more and more people seeking out dentists to help them solve their problem. Using appliances like the SnoreFree will keep you on the cutting edge of the non-surgical methods to treat snoring and sleep apnea. Included: Instructions on how to use the Snore Free Appliance.
THE MIXED DENTITION ANALYSIS
Most orthodontic problems begin during the period of time when the development of the entire masticatory apparatus, including the dental arch and occlusion, proceeds from the primary to the permanent dentition. Unfortunately, many patients do not see the orthodontic specialist during this time. That's why the general dentist -- because he or she is the one who cares for thedental needs of the vast majority of growing children -- must be able to recognize growth problems as they occur. The Mixed Dentition Analysis is designed for just that purpose. Learn how to perform a space analysis to determine if the dental arch contains enough room to accommodate unerupted permanent teeth.
THE GEORGE GAUGE™
The George Gauge is an affordable and highly reliable mechanism for taking accurate bite registrations for orthodontic appliances, including splints and sleep treatment appliances. These instructions will ensure that the best bite registration is taken for the first time—making you, your patient, and your lab happy!