Orthodontics at the Wireworks Logo | Orthodontist In Yorkdale | Orthodontist In Barrie

Ortho Technology | Kinetica 3D Dental

We have always had an in-house orthodontic manufacturing lab at the Wireworks to make all of our appliances. This has added to our clinical abilities, being able to create customized appliance solutions for our patients. We were able to keep before and after treatment digital 3D study models for our patients going back to about 2013.


This is an asset for our patients, as it provides a unique recovery tool if teeth shift years later. Most practices are still not doing this today for various reasons.


Lately we invested in newer welding technology that allows us to create more durable appliances. Traditionally, and still now, most appliances are soldered.

Soldering has several disadvantages, the main one being challenges with heat control leading to overheating damage in the area of the solder joint, which weakens the attachment and peripheral areas, leading to more failures over time.


Our 3D study model is how we work on your case/treatment plans. We scan your impressions or use our intraoral scanner (to avoid taking impressions) to get a digital image. We use special software that imports the images to create a model of your mouth. We receive our measurements and analysis from here. Our lab uses these digital models to make your retainer or active aligners. The benefit for our patients of our office keeping the 3D models on file is that we can 3D print a model and make a retainer molded to your mouth for after your braces came off. This is beneficial if a patient has had shifting.

  • Digital X-Rays

    Introduced in 1987, nearly 90 years after traditional x-rays came to fruition, digital radiography combined the power of computer technology with electric sensors and tiny bursts of radiation. Rather than printing the results on film, images form almost as soon as the sensors are placed in our mouths, projecting on a computer screen. Digital x-ray technology does demand additional training for orthodontists, though the majority of practitioners are adamant that the advantages are worth the commitment. Today, a lot of orthodontic offices only offer patients digital x-rays because, in multiple ways, it is the superior option to traditional radiography.


    • Less Expensive | Digital x-rays will generally cost you less than the traditional alternative because the cost of film to develop images for the latter adds up. In contrast, digital x-ray imaging projects right onto our computer.
    • Better Storage | Since these digital x-ray images are transferred to a computer system, it allows for easier storage of your oral health records. Your data can be transferred from one practice to another without any medical data being lost in the exchange.
    • Finer Images | Digital x-ray images produce a better resolution than their traditional counterpart. Also, old-fashioned x-rays can only project images in 25 various shades, whereas a digital image can reveal up to 256 shades of grey. Digital radiography also has the advantage of accessing more angles within our mouths, providing a streamlined view of a patient's entire oral structure. With the assistance of computer programs, orthodontists can even enhance the digital images further, for a focused view.

  • Intraoral Camera

    About the same size as a marker, intraoral cameras are digital imaging tools used to create high-resolution images of your teeth, gums, and other hard-to-reach places in your mouth. Intraoral cameras help dental professionals detect dental issues, such as tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer. Other great benefits include:


    • You can see, with precision, where you need to focus on brushing or flossing.
    • You can see the difference before and after treatment.
    • You can see magnified images of your teeth and gums, which helps dental professionals diagnose gum disease and cavities, and if caught early, can help prevent them.
    • These photos provide proof for insurance companies to give you the coverage you need.
    • Intraoral cameras also limit your time in the office because the images are produced in real-time, and the outcomes are available almost immediately.

  • Medit Intraoral Scanner

    Medit is the newest form in digital imaging. It provides patients with a safe and complete oral impression without the use of radiation. The use of Medit is also non-invasive and quite simple. The technology allows our patients to be in-and-out of the office in a few short minutes. This piece of equipment is environmentally friendly too, meaning no films, chemicals, or disposals of molds. We receive instant digital images of your full mouth which helps speed along your treatment plans. Experience the joys of living in the digital age.

  • ANYCUBIC and Flashforge 3D Printers

    3D printing has come a long way and has found its way into orthodontics. Our office utilizes 3D printer technology to help our patients with a variety of orthodontic procedures including clear aligners. There are 3 key elements to consider when deciding to have a patients lab work 3D printed:

     

    • Material Use | Since the introduction of biocompatible materials for 3D printing in orhodontics, the emphasis has been on improving mechanical properties to provide intraoral parts that have great strength and a high resistance to wear.
    • Accuracy | While many 3D printers on the market provide high theoretical accuracy, not all offer results that are repeatable over time. The hallmark of a true dental 3D printer is to have both high accuracy and repeatability.
    • Speed | While the ability to produce dental appliances in-office is revolutionary to digital orthodontics, the speed of an individual 3D printer can make a substantial difference for the time a patient spends in our office.
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