Let’s start by defining what lingual braces are. Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces except they are bonded to the inside of your teeth. No, not literally “inside” your teeth. What we mean is the side of your teeth that faces your tongue otherwise known as the lingual surface of your teeth.

So what’s the advantage of lingual braces? This is a great way to straighten your teeth when you absolutely don’t want anyone to see you have braces. It’s almost like having invisible braces. For people in the public eye this is a great choice. For instance, one of our local news casters wore lingual braces. Bet you can’t guess who because you never saw the braces. If you really want to know, click here to find out.

In the past, lingual braces were a problem because it’s very difficult to accurately hand bend an archwire for the inside of the mouth. Fortunately, the advanced technology of SureSmileQT used by Orthodontic Partners has eliminated that problem through the use of 3D imaging & robotically bent customized archwires.

While it’s true lingual braces cost more and are not as comfortable as traditional braces, they may be the perfect choice if you want straight teeth without the visible braces.

Recently Dr. Bruntz was in Florida attending the annual SureSmile conference. SureSmile is the advanced technology we have at Orthodontic Partners that uses 3-D imaging to create custom made archwires which provide the best results and reduces treatment time by about 40%. Orthodontic Partners is the worlds most experienced provider of SureSmile. Fortunately, Dr. Bruntz was able to spend some time with his family at Disney World while he was there. This was Carrigan's first visit and was quite excited to meet Micky Mouse. Landon is more adventuresome and loves both Space Mountain and Splash Mountain.

Watch our You Tube video as Margaret Aranguena shares her SureSmile orthodontic experience as she gets her braces off. Another beautiful smile by Orthodontic Partners.

• Mummies have been discovered by archaeologists with crude metal bands wrapped around individual teeth. It has been surmised that catgut was used to close the gaps.
• Pierre Fouchard first constructed braces in 1728. They were made of a flat metal strip connected to the teeth by pieces of thread.
• Delabarre introduced the wire crib in 1819 which marked the birth of contemporary orthodontics.
• In 1841 Schange invented the 1st bands which consisted of metal strips with screws to adjust the size.
• Maynard was the first to use gum elastics in 1843.
• In 1850 Tucker started cutting rubber bands from rubber tubing.
• Eugene Solomon Talbot was the first person to use x-rays for orthodontic diagnosis in the late 1800's.
• Edward Angle invented brackets in 1915. The Brackets were attached to the bands that went around the teeth. Today brackets are bonded directly to the teeth.
• Tooth colored brackets were invented in 1976.
• SureSmile technology was made available in 2004.

Where does the term Orthodontics dome from?

• The term orthodontia was coined by Joachim Lafoulon in 1841.
• According to Wikipedia, Orthodontics is derived from the Greek work orthos "straight or proper" and odus "tooth". Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that is concerned with the study and treatment of malocclusions (improper bites).

What is the difference between an Orthodontist and a Dentist?

• An orthodontist needs four years of college, four years of dental school, and two years of postgraduate study in orthodontics before they can practice orthodontics.
• All orthodontists are also board certified dentists.

At what age should Orthodontic Treatment begin?

• Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age however the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child see an orthodontist by age seven. Many Orthodontic problems are easier to correct before the jaw growth has slowed.

What is SureSmile?

• SureSmile is an advanced technology that makes it possible for the orthodontist to use 3D computer images to create customized archwires. The customized archwires are bent by a robot using heat-activated shape-memory wires. In order to bend these wires the robot has to heat the wire to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The SureSmile technology enables the orthodontist to achieve better orthodontic results. And because teeth are moved more efficiently, treatment time is reduced by about 40%.
• Orthodontic Partners is the world's most experienced provider of SureSmile.

What do retainers do and how long should they be worn?

• Retainers are worn to keep the teeth from moving after braces are removed.
• Retainers should be work 24 hours a day for the first month after braces are removed and nightly there after.

This weekend we attended the Bridal Fair at the Reno Sparks Convention Center. A bridal fair may seem like a strange place to find Orthodontic Partners but it's really not. All brides want to have everything perfect for their wedding day and that includes a beautiful smile that will be captured in photos to be enjoyed for years to come. Because the SureSmile technology we use in our office reduces treatment time by about 40% we have been able to help many brides have the smile of their dreams in time for the big day. Orthodontic Partners has completed over 2000 cases using this amazing technology making us the world's most experienced provider of SureSmile. For more information on SureSmile or our office visit us at www.orthodonticpartners.net.

We know we have been telling you about the benefits of SureSmile but did you know that Dr. Lee W. Graber, president of the American Association of Orthodontists, uses SureSmile for his patients. Follow this link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/fashion/08skin.html?_r=3 to view an article recently printed in the New York Times that highlights some of the current technologies in orthodontics including SureSmile. For more information on SureSmile, visit our website at http://www.orthodonticpartners.net/suresmile.html.

SureSmile is the amazing technology we use at Orthodontic Partners to help you achieve the smile of your dreams in the shortest time possible. With SureSmile we are able to generate a 3D image of your teeth. From that, the Drs are able to move and align each tooth to give you the perfect bite relationship. Because the computer knows exactly where your teeth are when the 3D scan is taken, and exactly where the Drs want to move them, it's able to design a custom made archwire. The wire is actually made of a Shape Memory Alloy that can only be bent by a robot so it's extremely accurate. With traditional treatment, wires have to be manually bent with pliers making small adjustments over months, over correcting and under correcting, until finally your teeth are where they need to be. With SureSmile we avoid all that and your teeth move in a direct path to their final destination thereby reducing treatment up to 40%. This means not only shorter treatment time for you but less time away from school and work. Orthodontic Partners is actually the world's most experienced provider of SureSmile and the great thing is you can receive the SureSmile treatment in any of our four offices in Reno, Sparks, South Meadows or Fernley.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.orthodonticpartners.net/suresmile.html or call our office at (775) 825-4804.

ABC News Video: SureSmile

Does the thought of having braces bring you down? Ever shudder at the thought of having to wear braces for years before your teeth are straight? Braces are a very real part of many teens and adults’ lives – a part that many wish would be over sooner rather than later! If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, and braces are on the horizon, don’t fret, you’re in luck!

New state-of-the-art software, SureSmile®, is sure to make patients smile! With SureSmile braces are no longer fitted by an orthodontist, but cut and bent by a robot. The orthodontist is able to use the SureSmile software to create a 3-D image of the patient’s mouth giving orthodontists a clearer view of the patient’s teeth and jaw structure. On the computer the orthodontist is able to rearrange the teeth and assemble them in the correct position. The SureSmile program calculates the exact shape and pattern of the teeth and bends and cuts the braces wires, with more precision than traditional braces.

Once the braces are on it’s only a matter of time before they are taken off revealing beautiful, straight, healthy teeth. With traditional braces a patient is expected to schedule 18 to 20 office visits over two years. With SureSmile patients average seven to 10 visits and can have their braces off within half the time. If you’re interested in learning more about SureSmile technology please contact our office!

Thanks to Dell Computers, Orthodontic Partners have been able to stay on the cutting edge in the orthodontic industry with the latest technology. Dell has been our greatest support in helping us run our Cone Beam Scanners, SureSmile® technology and our 3D X-ray machines.

Be sure to check out our website to learn more about our practice!

We've completed 1000 beautiful smiles using the advanced SureSmile technology. That makes us the most experienced SureSmile practice in the nation. We are finishing cases 40% faster, many in 12 months or less, and some in as little as 4 months. The results have been fantastic and now with 1000 spectacular smiles, Orthodontic Partners has confirmed SureSmile as a proven, revolutionary technique in orthodontic care. Patients enjoy less time in braces which equates to less time away from school and work, faster results and less dental hygiene problems.

The best part is we want to you help us celebrate. In honor of completing 1000 SureSmile Patients we are having a drawing for $1000 and we want you to enter. To be eligible you just need to be an existing patient or come in for an exam before the end of October. Stop by any of our offices during business hours to fill out your entry form.