I recently returned from the American Association of Orthodontists annual meeting and convention held in Orlando, Florida. In addition to teaching the national board preparatory class to practicing orthodontists and residents working towards becoming board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, I was able to attend several very interesting and informative lectures by some of the leaders in our profession. Of special note was the lecture (orthodontists were spilling out of the lecture hall to hear this presentation) by Dr. Kevin O’Brien entitled “In the Land oUncertainty is Salesman King?”. Dr. O’Brian is a professor of orthodontics and researcher at the School of Dentistry at the University of Manchester, UK. and has been a clinical orthodontist and researcher for about 30 years, with the research directed at the outcome of orthodontic treatment using randomised trial methodology.
I have included below a link to one of his articles that was discussed in his lecture, which describes the current state of research on self-ligating brackets (braces that include the brands Damon, Smartclip, Empower…). To summarize, the incoming credible research is showing the claims being made by the companies (and orthodontists) marketing these brackets are not supported. The public should be aware that aggressive direct to consumer marketing by manufacturers, which is then incorporated into many orthodontists websites, is just that- a marketing pitch without backing (and now contradictory) evidence. When these products involve making a claim of superiority (and an increase in cost), candor should be used when presenting the option of these brackets to our patients. As it stands now- there is no evidence of faster results, less sensitivity, superior results, cleaner teeth, or any of the major claims for using these brackets and their systems.
Does this mean that these braces are a bad option, or worse than traditional brackets? Of course not- I actually offer them as an option to my patients because they are very nice brackets (braces). I am just up front with patients in informing them that there is no evidence that they provide better results or a better experience than “traditional braces” (which manufactures also make unsubstantiated claims about in competition with one another, and the new technologies incorporated into them!). I believe my job as a professional is to keep up with current technology, but to be completely candid with my patients about the most current evidence if we are going to choose to use a product. Please read the article in the link below, and feel free to look up Dr. Kevin O’Brien’s blog for many valuable articles on the latest research involving orthodontics controversies, products, and treatments.
Dan Rejman, DDS, MS


Tomorrow my family, staff and I will be heading down to the annual American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) national convention in Orlando, Florida. I will be busy with responsibilities for my position on the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics. Additionally, there is the opportunity to catch up with the latest technology available in orthodontics, and the decisions that follow of whether to implement this new technology into Meadows Orthodontics. There are also hundreds of lectures and continuing education classes to choose from for myself and our staff. I thought I would highlight some of the things I will be doing and checking out at the convention.
A tongue thrust is different than the resting posture of the tongue. Tongue thrusting is an opportunistic behavior, that finds and fills spaces available in the dentition (such as existing open bites), sometimes when swallowing. There is no proof that tongue trusting causes malocclusions, or misaligned teeth. However, there is much data to support the relationship between abnormal resting posture of the tongue with misaligned teeth and malocclusions.





One of the challenges that parents of of children or teens in braces deal with on a daily basis is getting the child to wear their elastics, or rubber bands, consistently. I commonly hear, “We know they should be wearing their rubber bands all day and night, but when they go to school or to bed, they take them off or don’t remember to put them on.” The situation can get very frustrating for parents, as they feel powerless as their child’s orthodontic treatment extends much longer than was originally planned. Not wearing rubber bands consistently and as asked by your orthodontist WILL make treatment take longer, which in turn increases the risk of permanent staining of the teeth around the braces (called decalcification), and increases the risk of root shortening and gum disease. What can you do if your child is just not showing interest in cooperating with elastic wear? Here are some tips.