Bethesda, Md. (Ivanhoe Newswire)— It’s a rite of passage for teens and young adults. The tugging and crimping of wires as metal braces improve the look and function of their teeth. A few years ago, removable plastic aligners became an option. Now, an innovative orthodontic device may cut the time of treatment in half.
Before and after. Parents often know there are a few years, and many orthodontists visits in between.
For 24-year-old Meghan Zorc, this is the second go round with orthodontic care. She had braces as a teen, but recently her front teeth started to separate.
“I was having a lot of space between them, and as you can imagine, my tongue was starting to push through them,” Meghan told Ivanhoe.
And, as a dental student, Meghan was extra conscious of her smile.
This time, Meghan wanted accelerated treatment. She found Negaar Sagafi, DDS of Bethesda Orthodontics, one of the first in the country to offer a newly designed appliance by orthodontic company, BRIUS. It’s applied to the back of the teeth.
“Instead of connecting the brackets and the teeth together, each tooth has its own independent bracket and has its own independent spring that connects to what we call a stability bar or an anchorage bar,” Dr. Sagafi shared.
Dr. Sagafi says the device is customized for each patient and moves each tooth into place independently.
She noted, “The appliance, the BRIUS, is actually moving the teeth from its initial point to the final point that it needs to go to.”
Because there’s no bar attached to the teeth, patients can floss normally, helping to avoid cavities. And instead of bi-monthly or monthly visits, Dr. Segafi sees patients just a few times a year.
“It’s a huge, huge perk to have this appliance in my mouth all the time and never have to worry about it,” Meghan exclaimed
Out of sight, and for Meghan, out of mind.
On average, traditional orthodontic treatment costs families between $5,000-$7,000. Dr. Sagafi offers treatment with the device by BRIUS for about the same cost as a way to encourage patients to try the new technology. It’s also important to note that Dr. Sagafi lectures about the new device and is compensated by BRIUS for her travels but does not receive royalties from the company.
Contributors to this news report include: Cyndy McGrath, Producer; Kirk Manson, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.
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Source:
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS
RESEARCH SUMMARY
TOPIC: BRIUS ORTHODONTICS: LOOK MOM, NO WIRES!
REPORT: MB #4965
BACKGROUND: The BRIUS is a system of braces that go behind the teeth, moving them individually, versus traditional braces that require the teeth to be attached to a bar in front. The BRIUS metal bar has arms that attach to the back of each tooth.. There is no retainer so there is no time where the patient can take the braces off, which can cause more recovery time when it comes to previous approaches like aligners. The overall treatment time is reduced by 55% with the BRIUS method. Fewer visits are also helpful to the patient, versus traditional methods that require more time in the chair. Many of the BRIUS patients can be successfully treated with just three visits.
(Source: https://orthothrive.com/brius-an-invisible-orthodontic-option/)
TRADITIONAL TREATMENT: Braces are needed for aesthetic purposes as well as functionality. If a patient has overcrowded or crooked teeth, too much space between their teeth, overlapping teeth, an underbite, or jaw misalignment problems, braces can help fix these issues. Traditionally, braces are done in childhood, because it takes less time to correct the teeth. Generally, braces are safe; however, there is risk of losing minerals on your teeth, causing permanent small white stains, as well as tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. To combat these risks, cut down on sugar, starch, hard or crunchy foods. Make sure to brush and floss carefully and rinse thoroughly to be sure no food is left in your gums or brackets.
(Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/braces/about/pac-20384607)
NEW TECHNOLOGY: Aside from BRIUS which is the newest technology in braces, clear braces are also new in orthodontics. They are similar to traditional braces, but the brackets are clear. The brackets are made out of a ceramic or plastic material. They are attached to each tooth and connected with a wire. Treatment usually takes 18-24 months. These can come with a white over wire, making the braces even more clear-looking and less noticeable, but this could also increase the price. It may be uncomfortable after they are first put in, and there is the potential to develop sores on the cheeks and gums. Wax is given as an option to help this as the inside of the patient’s mouth gets used to the new materials. Depending on how severe the patients need for realignment of their teeth is, another option includes aligners, which are like clear plastic retainers given in stages to help the patient’s teeth move.
(Source: https://www.dentaly.org/us/clear-braces/)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT, PLEASE CONTACT:
KEVIN KNIGHT
206-451-4823
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ivanhoe.com
