Why Choose Board-CertifiedJulie and I just returned from four days at the national American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) convention in San Francisco. I wanted to write a quick blog about the latest and greatest that is going on in the world of Orthodontics, Braces, and Invisalign treatment.
I spent the first day teaching the preparatory course for the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). I taught both the morning and afternoon preparatory classes to about 25 orthodontists and orthodontic residents who are preparing for their Board exams. What a great group of people. It was an honor to meet and help colleagues who are working so hard to prepare for this exam, many of whom came from around the world (Pakistan was the farthest distance a class member traveled from, while several where from right here in the Denver Metro area). As always, I also learned alot preparing to teach the course.
The American Board of Orthodontics just launched their new web site which is very user friendly, and does a great job explaining to the public and dental professionals the merits of becoming Board Certified (only one in three orthodontists are board certified). You can visit the site at www.americanboardortho.com, and use the orthodontist locator to use your zip code to find nearby Board Certified Orthodontists. The ABO is also addressing the issue of an accepted standard of care for our profession.
I attended a number of continuing education classes, including lectures that reviewed the latest research on early correction of Class II bites (or what the public calls “overbites”, upper teeth that are relatively too far forward compared to the lowers). The research continues to support the rationale for waiting to treat this condition in one phase only, or when most of the permanent teeth have erupted.
On a technological front, the most interesting development is how far optical imaging and impression systems are coming. At Meadows Orthodontics, we have been using Itero digital impressions to eliminate the goopy impressions that were needed for braces and Invisalign, but they released their newest model at the conference that takes a large leap forward in patient comfort and time needed to capture an image of the patient’s teeth. 3-D printing also continues to proceed forward with many applications in orthodontics that result in higher efficiency and patient comfort.
Julie and I did have time for some fun also. I am a foodie, and there is no better place than San Francisco for eating! We had a great meal in Chinatown (we wished our daughter Nina was with us!), and headed up to Napa and Sonoma for a day and a half. This was my first time in wine country, and it is one of the most beautiful areas I have seen. They really take the quality of food there to another level. As a former farmer, I found it really neat that the area is so rural and agri-based, but so celebrated and world-renowned.
Overall a great educational, fun and filling trip!
Dr. Dan Rejman is orthodontist and owner of Meadows Orthodontics in Castle Rock, Colorado. He was recently named Best-of-the Best, Best Orthodontist in Castle Rock (2014 and 2015), and named a 5280 Top Orthodontist for the 4th year in a row (2012-2015).