Spring Newsletter - 2010
We thought our patients would like to get to know their orthodontic team a little better in our Spring Newsletter
Angela:
AKA Front Desk Goddess.
Chances are the first voice you heard when you initially called our office and the first smiling face to greet you was Angela. She is our ultimate multi-tasker and native German organizer. Officially she is the Office Manager handling the administrative and financial tasks required to run the office. However, with a background in the Air Force as an operating room tech and experience in training, safety and infection control she is the ideal mentor for our younger staff members. Angela’s husband Mike is an Air Force medic currently deployed with the Army in Afghanistan. She has 3 lovely children: Alexandra, Madison and Ethan. Angela is working on her degree in elementary education.
Jaquelyn:
Jaquie, our hardworking dynamo, is celebrating her 2nd anvniversary working at the office. She is a nursing student at UCCS. Here she is working in the heart of careful patient care – instrument processing and sterilization. Jaquie had an interest in healthcare but no dental experience before starting here. She continues to amaze us on how quickly she acquires skills and her personality is a natural fit for any healthcare career. Jaquie is planning a summer wedding to Mac.
Rebecca:
Rebecca is the latest addition to our staff. She is also a student at UCCS and plans to enter dental hygiene school. Rebecca previously attended dental assisting school and worked in general dentistry so her experience level has added to our ability to provide quality care. Jaquie and she have much to discuss as she is also planning a summer wedding to Chris. Here she is preparing to pour plaster models in our busy dental laboratory.
Leyla:
Leyla has also been with us 2 years. She recently changed her major from nursing to premed at UCCS so she spends more time studying these days. She still is our pinch hitter for busy days or when Jaquie and Rebecca are unable to work. Leyla is Canadian so she adds a neighborly international flair to the staff. She married Tyler in a beautiful Black Forest wedding last summer so she is the experienced wedding planner of the staff.
Dr. Bentele came to Colorado Springs courtesy of the US Air Force Academy where he was the orthodontist and an instructor for over 4 years. In a not so terrible problem, Dr. Bentele has often been accused of looking like he just graduated from school as he transitioned into Dr. Shaner’s practice. He is actually nearing his 25th year in practice; 11 as a general dentist and 14 as an orthodontist. After graduating from dental school at the University of Missouri he spent a year in a hospital residency and 3 years in a graduate/research program in orthodontics at Ohio State. In his free time he likes camping, skiing, chasing trout and elk in the mountains and looking after his 3 boys Ben, Christof and Timothy.
A NOTE ON DENTAL EXAMS AND CLEANINGS
Something that sets our practice apart from others is how we work in partnership with your general dentist. When it is time for your dental cleaning we like to remove the archwires before the appointment. This will make the job easier for the hygienist and facilitate a much better job. Angela can coordinate this with your regular orthodontic visit.
We love to see patients referred from existing patients. These patients come to us with a good understanding of our practice values and orthodontic philosophies. We would like to extend our thanks for this ultimate compliment. Any new patient you refer who starts treatment is good for a $50 gift card to Home Depot, Target or Chili’s as a token of our appreciation.
To download this newsletter go to the top of the page.
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Fall Newsletter - October 2008
We posted the last newsletter on the www.inner-smiles.com website but we realized that after you download the initial forms that our website may not make it to your Favorites list. We’re hoping that you are enjoying the cool fall weather and are able to enjoy the Colorado outdoors. Dr. Bentele took the picture above while camping with his 8 year old son Timothy at Skaguay Lake in Teller County. Caught a few rainbow trout, too.
We really believe that successful and enjoyable orthodontic treatment is a collaborative effort involving the patient, family, general dentist and the whole orthodontic office staff. Each newsletter we’ll pass on items of orthodontic interest such as healthy snack ideas, tips from Angela on insurance issues and a review of an issue of controversy in orthodontics. In the last newsletter available on the website, Dr. Bentele reviewed what clinical research is telling the profession about the effectiveness of the popular Invisalign method.
Want a healthy snack during orthodontic treatment?
Jamba Juice Smoothie Recipe
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 3/4 cup strawberry nectar
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 banana
- 1 scoop of sugar free raspberry sherbet
- 1 scoop fat-free vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup of ice
- Blend and enjoy
ANGELA’S INSURANCE CORNER
How does my insurance cover the cost of orthodontics? Insurance usually only covers a portion of the treatment cost. The amount applied towards orthodontics is dependent upon the policy and that amount is disbursed over the course of treatment and not all upfront. We strive to obtain the best estimate of benefits when calling the insurance companies on your behalf to include history of orthodontic services used, actual billing codes, and associated charges to inform patients of their financial obligation towards treatment. We also sit down with patients to discuss the various options of payment prior to the start of treatment.
Typically insurance will pay 50% up to a set amount. That does not mean they will pay 50% of the total treatment amount. We strive to maximize the insurance benefits available to you.
It is important to keep us informed when insurance changes occur to prevent delays. If we are unable to provide an answer we may refer you to the human resources department that negotiated your benefits for your employer or the insurance company.
What’s the latest story about extractions for orthodontics?
Orthodontics has gone through several cycles with respect to extractions. Extractions were common early
on in the profession then fell out of favor only to resurface as a common treatment mode when I was
treated by Dr. Jaynes. (Things have come full circle – Dr. Jaynes was an early mentor of Dr. Shaner in a St. Louis study club). Then in the 1980’s extraction of permanent teeth once again came under scrutiny mainly by general dentists and some orthodontists.
Here are the opinions against extractions followed by a sample of what the scientific evidence actually says:
Extractions will “dish” in the profile |
Johnston, University of Michigan
Extraction and non extraction patients were equally pleased with their facial appearance.
Excess lip protrusion is reduced in extraction cases. |
Extractions will cause jaw joint problems |
Johnston, University of Michigan
No evidence that the jaw joint is pushed back in extraction cases or that extraction patients have any higher rate of joint problems. |
Extractions are undesirable because every tooth should be preserved |
Kim, Seoul University
Nonextraction patients were more likely to experience impacted wisdom teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are often associated with pathology and have to be extracted. Even the 12 year molars can be impacted and lost by pushing the teeth back in crowded cases. |
Non extraction treatment leads to a wider more pleasing smile |
Gianelly, Boston University
Virtually no difference between the smile width or the attractiveness when extraction and non extraction groups were compared |
So the opinions against orthodontic extractions do not stand up to scientific scrutiny. Avoiding premolar extractions is desirable but not at all costs such as risking losing other teeth. So here’s my take on extractions: Avoid extractions as much as possible by managing the excess space available in the baby molar area. Assess the ability of the patient’s soft tissues to withstand squeezing the crowded teeth into the limits of the anatomy. The presence of thin, recession prone gum tissue; protruding lips; lips apart at rest and incisor teeth already angled outwards all lean me towards extraction. If the top teeth stick out too far, can the patient tolerate treatment to push all the top molars back or would it be more effective to remove two premolars for “camouflage” treatment?
So here’s my promise to you. Treat every patient with a blend of art, science and experience to come up with the best individualized answer that meets our treatment goals. That is why objectives are such an important discussion for us. When do I extract teeth? -- Only when I need to in order to meet your goals for a great outcome
To download this newsletter go to the top of the page.
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Spring Newsletter - March 2008
This month’s topic: Invisalign versus traditional braces
Welcome to our discussion about topics of interest to today’s informed orthodontic patient or parent.
Most orthodontic patients are interested in a beautiful, well functioning smile that lasts a lifetime. Modern materials and methods make this goal achievable more comfortably, esthetically and sometimes quicker than ever. There is a greater emphasis today on the effects of proper tooth placement on facial beauty but there has been very little change over the decades in what orthodontists consider a good finish or occlusion of the teeth.
There is great interest generated by marketing and the media on achieving a great smile without traditional braces. (Invisalign and others) I firmly believe that the most important item to agree upon between doctor and patient is the objective. Where do we want to go? If we jump to the path (traditional braces, Invisalign, removable appliances) before we agree on the objective then we may not end up in the desired place.
Whenever possible I like to use evidence based care to evaluate new treatment modalities. So let’s see what the scientific literature in two of our most respected orthodontic journals has to say about Invisalign:
In study 1, I found that “Invisalign did not treat malocclusions as well as braces in this sample. Invisalign was especially deficient in its ability to correct large anteroposterior discrepancies and occlusal contacts. The strengths of Invisalign were its ability to close spaces and correct anterior rotations and marginal ridge heights.” In study 2, I read that, “Invisalign aligners had adverse effects on posterior occlusal contacts and positive effects on tooth alignment, buccolingual inclination, and interproximal spaces.” And in the 3rd study I reviewed, the authors studied the potential for relapse with Invisalign and found that “In this sample for this period of observation, patients treated with Invisalign relapsed more than those treated with conventional fixed appliances.”
These were the best scientific studies I could find that looked at outcomes and were not just based on opinion. Although Invisalign does some things well, overall in these studies it is inferior to traditional braces and in some measures resulted in a worse outcome than the initial malocclusion. Which brings us back to objective; if your objective is the best outcome, then clearly, traditionally braces excel. If you have minor problems and do not mind a less than perfect outcome in many areas then Invisalign has its place.
So what is the alternative for someone who desires a great smile but doesn’t want to experience the “tin grin” look? Even traditional metal braces are now much less noticeable than in the past. The truly esthetic alternative is the Clarity Self Ligating bracket offered in this office. |
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The Clarity SL bonds directly to the tooth yielding maximum control but it is tooth colored porcelain for maximum esthetics and there are no “O” rings to hold the wire in place which may become stained. So now you can have the best of both worlds: the great outcome you desire while preserving a great look while you’re undergoing treatment.
www.3mbraces.com
- Outcome assessment of Invisalign and traditional orthodontic treatment compared with the American Board of Orthodontics objective grading system; Garret Djeu, Clarence Shelton, Anthony Maganzini; American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics; September 2005 (Vol. 128, Issue 3, Pages 292-298)
- Evaluation of Invisalign treatment utilizing the American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System for dental casts; Scott Vincent; American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics; February 2005 (Vol. 127, Issue 2, Pages 268-269)
- Invisalign and traditional orthodontic treatment postretention outcomes compared using the American Board of Orthodontics objective grading system; Kuncio D, Maganzini A, Shelton C, Freeman K.; Angle Orthod. 2007 Sep;77(5):864-9.
Bentele Orthodontics
2575 Montebello Drive West, Suite 101,
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
