SureSmile

Orthodontic Health Month Highlights New Technology Available in Corpus Christi to Accelerate Treatment

Corpus Christi, Texas, October 1, 2005
The nation's growing interest in makeovers has increased the public's awareness of appearance, and one change that's easier than surgery or other extreme measures is highlighted this month. October is National Orthodontic Health Month. Orthodontic treatment can benefit your self-esteem at any age and improve your oral health, but busy adults and teenagers often object to the typical treatment length of two years. Now Dr. Richard Ingraham of Corpus Christi is offering treatment times up to 40% faster with new technology that enables the orthodontist to provide more effective treatment. This new revolutionary system, called SureSmile, totally reduces the treatment time and number of discomfort episodes for patients needing braces.

SureSmile is a state-of-the-art computerized treatment planning and appliance customization system that offers significant advantages over previously available orthodontic systems. Unlike conventional orthodontics, which uses a plastic model and 2-D imaging, SureSmile gives the orthodontist a detailed computer model of the patient's teeth that can precisely plot individual tooth movement through the entire course of treatment – from start to finish. Additionally, using high-tech wires customized through a robotic process, the orthodontist can move each tooth to the target position more directly and in less time than conventional methods. As a result, patients experience fewer wire changes and adjustments and in-office maintenance visits, while still achieving superior results.

"SureSmile technology is a perfect option for busy teenagers and adults who do not have time for frequent office visits of lengthy procedures," says Dr. Richard Ingraham. "With this system, my patients can now obtain the smiles they desire with less overall discomfort and shorter treatment times than before. SureSmile is the future of orthodontic care."

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), more than five million people in the U.S. and Canada are presently receiving orthodontic treatment with one in five patients over the age of 18. The AAO also estimated that nearly 75% of the population could benefit from orthodontic care to correct common, often inherited problems, such as crowding, spacing and bad bites, and now recommends that all children receive orthodontic screening no later than age 7 to identify and evaluate potential problems and determine the best time to begin treatment.

SureSmile is developed by OraMetrix, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, technology-based solutions designed to improve the quality of orthodontic care. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, OraMetrix has developed centers in Berlin, Germany and Dallas. For more information on OraMetrix, visit www.orametrix.com.