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We are devoted to your safety

safe orthodontics

There have been some recent news reports about people contracting infections in certain medical facilities due to improper sterilization.  These reports, understandably, have made some people concerned about infection control.  Here at Kellerstein Orthodontics, we believe that proper sterilization procedures are critical and we adhere to the protocols of the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) and the Canadian Dental Association (CDA).  We take every possible precaution to ensure your safety:

  • First, used instruments are cleaned and disinfected in an ultrasonic bath with an enzymatic detergent to remove any debris or contamination
  • Then, the instruments are rinsed in a bath of distilled water to remove any contaminants and soaps
  • Then the instruments are packaged into cassettes and sterilized in a steam-pressure autoclave.  This autoclave is checked frequently to ensure that not even the toughest microorganisms can survive in it.
  • Cassettes are wrapped and not uncovered until ready for use.  This prevents any microbes from getting to the instruments while they wait to be used

With all of these protocols in place, patients can be certain that the instruments used in their mouths are safe.  But safety does not end with our instruments.  All of our countertops are disinfected between patients with a high-level surface disinfectant.  Chairs, counters, sinks and handles are wiped down and disinfected before each new patient is called in.

We use gloves and masks for each patient, and disinfect hands with hand sanitizer before gloves are put on.  We use disposable barriers on all surfaces that cannot be wiped down, and change these between patients.

When you come to visit us for any reason, whether it be an adjustment to your braces, or a new aligner or retainer is being fitted for your use, or whether you are having your teeth scanned with our iTero 3D scanner for an Invisalign case, you can rest assured that all of our instruments are always properly sterilized before use and because we use a cassette system, each tray which contains the instruments is also wrapped in plastic to minimize any accidental exposure to any foreign contaminant.

Our office also takes care to run tests on our sterilization machines to be 100% certain that any bacteria or virus is killed ensuring that you may rest easy knowing that your visit is not only comfortable but safe.

News reports about infections are disturbing, buy you can rest assured that at this practice your safety is our top priority.

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How the selfie is impacting Orthodontics

Selfies and invisalign

The selfie – love it or hate it, there’s no denying it has had a major impact on the dental world.  It has become a go-to form of expression for many people, almost as socially acceptable as a handshake!  People will snap dozens of shots, cherry pick the one they like the best, and share it with the world.  In the course of taking multiple selfies you get to see your smile up close and zoom right in.  In the industry, this is referred to as “Photographic self-assessment”.

As a direct result of selfies we see many patients come to our door with specific concerns or requests about how to align their teeth just right for that perfect look!  That is great from my perspective, since the more specific patients are about their concerns, the better I am able to tailor a specific treatment plan to address them.
And this type of specific planning is where our new software for Invisalign treatment really shines.  First, we create an individualized smile-plan by taking a 3-dimensional scan with our state-of-the-art ITero Element scanner.  We then create a computerized simulation (called a “Clincheck”) of how the teeth will move from the start to the end of treatment, taking care that the final result addresses all of the patient’s concerns.  The Clincheck simulation also includes views of how the teeth should look at each week of the treatment, allowing us to monitor how well the teeth are responding to treatment and whether things are proceeding on schedule.  And, for patients who love to take selfies along the way, they can compare their selfies to the simulation to reassure themselves that everything is on-track.

Now, one final note about selfies – we definitely want to create a plan that addresses all of our patient’s esthetic concerns.  But we also have to keep in mind the health of the teeth, gums, and jaws.  This is why we always create plans that not only address the appearance of the front teeth, but also the back teeth and the bite, which you can’t see on the selfie.   Without doing so, the teeth may straighten but may develop gum disease, jaw aches, and may not be stable in their new position.

So take a selfie and make a list of your goals….and realize that as your orthodontist, I will likely have important input to modify that list to get you a smile that is not only dazzling, but also will last for the long-term.  And realize that obtaining that perfect smile will likely take some time, but short-cuts often end up costing more time and money in the long-run.  As the old expression goes,  “There are no short-cuts to anywhere worth going.”

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Invisalign Promotions or “cheap” invisalign. Buyer Beware.

Cheap invisalign

Let’s face it – everyone loves a good deal. That’s why, when people search online for Invisalign, their eyes are often drawn toward the ads for cheap promotions. $1800 Invsialign! $2500 Invisalign! Given that the average orthodontist’s fee for Invisalign is $6000-$7000 in Toronto, these deals seem almost too good to be true. And, as a general rule, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Imagine, for a moment, seeing an online ad for plastic surgery – “Nose jobs, normally $8000, now only $1999.99.” Seems like a good deal, right? But almost too good to be true? Why would a qualified plastic surgeon lower the fee so much? Now imagine reading the fine print and discovering that the sale price was not actually for a procedure that would fully correct the nose, just alter the appearance very slightly.  And imagine finding out that the doctor performing the procedure was not actually a plastic surgeon, but just a family doctor who took a few weekend courses.  Would the deal still seem as enticing at that point, or would alarm bells be ringing in your head?

Most of the online deals for Invisalign are very similar to our imaginary plastic surgery ad.  The treatment offered at the low price is usually a product called “Invisalign Express,” vs  “full Invisalign”.  The Express product was designed for patients with the most minor dental problems, and is totally insufficient for the vast majority of patients. In other words, this cheap product is unlikely to give you the results you want, and is not the same as full Invisalign.  Furthermore,  most of the doctors offering these promotions are not orthodontists, but general dentists with much less training – similar to family doctors offering surgery.  So even when full Invisalign is used, it is not used as expertly or with the same results that an orthodontist could provide.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to save money, and some promotions are legitimate.  but before you go for that online promotion, here are some tips to be sure of what you are getting:

    1) Be aware that there is a difference between orthodontists and general dentists, and that not everyone who does Invisalign is an orthodontist.   Remember that Invisalign is just a tool and, like any tool, the results you get depend on the skill of the user.  If you aren’t sure whether your doctor is an orthodontist or a general dentist, just ask!  And beware of un-regulated terms like “cosmetic dentist” or “invisalign expert.”

    2) Make sure that the product you are buying is full Invisalign, not Invisalign Express. This will ensure

    that you will get as many aligners as you need, as well as a 5-year warranty on the results.  Ask your doctor if they are using iTero 3D scanning to help map out your treatment plan?  Our office is equipped with this exciting technology you can learn more about and watch a video about iTero here and read more in this article about it’s key benefits and why you will benefit from working with an Orthodontist that works with this technology.

    3) Ask the doctor what happens if the results are less than perfect. Will more aligners be ordered at no extra charge?  Will braces be provided at no additional charge to correct the problem? Or will you need to be referred elsewhere and have to pay again?

    4) Ask the doctor whether the goal is simply to straighten the teeth or also to correct the bite. You, as a patient, may not care much about your bite, but the doctor performing Invisalign on you should.  Without taking your bite into consideration, the results may cause you more harm than good.   

    Most of us wouldn’t shop for bargain basement medical care because we want the best for our health. Let’s not forget that our dental health is part of our overall medical health. Don’t settle for less than the best.

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What is ITero 3D Scanning and why it matters to you.

3D Scanning iTero

Recently, our office decided to invest in an ITero machine. Traditionally, when orthodontists needed 3-dimensional models of teeth (either to measure the teeth or to make braces or retainers), we took dental impressions. This involved mixing a goopy, rubbery material, squishing it in place over the teeth, and holding it there for 1-2 minutes while waiting for it to harden.

Although I have developed several techniques for making dental impressions less unpleasant for my patients, many have told me that having dental impressions taken was their least favorite part of the whole orthodontic process. I found that, more than any other fear that new patients had, they feared the dental impressions – having been told stories of gagging and vomiting by their friends and relatives. Well, the times have changed. ITero is a new system which uses a 3-dimensional scanner instead of dental impressions. We simply run a scanner (looks like a thick pen) over your teeth to capture the 3-D image. We can take as many breaks as you need, and no goop goes into your mouth. Say goodbye to gagging and horror stories about orthodontists! And the measurements and appliances that we make are more accurate than ever before.

As an added bonus, once we’ve scanned your teeth, we can immediately show you the scan on a monitor and do a mock-up of what your teeth will look like once they’ve been straightened – all at your first consultation visit, free of charge! We stay on the cutting edge of technology to give you innovations to make your treatment better and more comfortable than ever before. That is our commitment to you!

We invite you to visit our web page here for more info on how the ITero machine works and to watch a video.