Why Straightwire Orthodontics Is a Worthy Investment for Your Patients and Your Practice
In the age of social media and selfies, you won’t be surprised to learn that patients of all ages want solutions to correct minor and significant cases of malocclusions. What may surprise you, though, is that an estimated 20% of the U.S. population doesn’t have an ideal bite relationship, and 65% don’t have well-aligned mandibular incisors. And though 50% to 75% of patients could benefit in some way from orthodontic treatment, some reports indicate that only 10% to 20% of orthodontic problems are properly diagnosed.
Though these figures may be initially alarming, they highlight the reality that as few as 20% of general dentists have been sufficiently trained to diagnose malocclusion and provide their patients with the comprehensive orthodontic techniques that could improve their oral and overall well-being.
The Impact of Malocclusion on Oral Health and Psychosocial Well-being
While patients who actively pursue orthodontic treatment may be most concerned with improving their smile’s aesthetics, the consequences of malocclusion run more than skin deep. Malocclusion can negatively affect chewing and speaking, abnormally wear down tooth enamel, contribute to dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint, and cause headaches or facial pain. Straighter teeth are also easier for patients to properly clean, which can decrease their risk of tooth decay and gum disease with consistent oral hygiene.
Last but not least, the aesthetic concerns that may motivate your patients to seek or accept treatment can have a major impact on their total well-being. A patient’s perception of their malocclusion can lead to socially avoidant behaviors, such as hiding their teeth or limiting their full expression in smiling and speech, and can negatively impact how others perceive their level of attractiveness, social acceptability, and intelligence. Combined, the psychosocial consequences of malocclusion can negatively impact a patient’s psychological health, interpersonal relationships, and professional opportunities.
Why straightwire orthodontics?
Straightwire orthodontics utilizes simple orthodontic appliances, such as brackets and archwires, to move teeth into a more ideal alignment. During treatment, a series of pre-shaped archwires are flexed to fit into the brackets that have been secured to a patient’s teeth. As the archwires return to their original shape, bracketed teeth are gradually repositioned to achieve the desired occlusion.
Because the archwires are pre-shaped, little to no bending is required before they are fitted into bands and brackets, which means less chair time for your patients. Straightwire orthodontics also provide consistent results, equating to shorter treatment times and increased patient satisfaction.
Along with providing patients with the experience and results they seek, gaining competence in straightwire orthodontics enables you to diagnose and treat 70% to 80% of the orthodontic cases you see in current and prospective patients and diversify your revenue streams. With the average fee for comprehensive orthodontics being $5,000, adding just one new straightwire case each month could bring your practice an additional $60,000 a year.
Basic Straightwire Orthodontics Course with Dr. Bradford R. Williams, D.D.S.
Dr. Brad Williams, DDS, first added general practice orthodontics to his practice and joined the American Society of Orthodontics in 1983, just one year after starting his general practice. A straightwire practitioner since 1999, Dr. Williams is a distinguished member of the AOS and senior instructor of the Basic and Intermediate Straightwire Courses offered to general and pediatric dentists.
The Basic Straightwire Course is a five-session series that offers students a proven system for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning that will equip you with the proficiency and competence to treat 70% to 80% of all orthodontic cases you encounter in your practice. Each session offers two days of hands-on clinical lectures and a half-day of case review for current or prospective cases you’re encountering in your practice.
Along with teaching you how to diagnose and treat Class I and Class I malocclusions within your scope of practice, the Basic Straightwire Course teaches you how to use the straightwire orthodontic appliance system to band and bracket teeth. You’ll also learn how to complete basic cephalometric analysis, diagnose cases, plan for treatment, and practically incorporate orthodontics into the flow of your general or pediatric practice.
The Basic Straightwire Course provides 100 continuing education credit hours (20 per session), with an additional 100 CE credit hours of monitoring during the year following your course completion.
To grow your practice, increase patient loyalty, and uplevel your skills as a general or pediatric dentist, register for our upcoming Basic Straightwire Course in Dallas today.