Aloha! In my quest to stay atop the latest and greatest in orthodontic techniques, I ended up in Hawaii at the American Assoc. of Orthodontists meeting. I listened to lectures, walked the aisles of the exhibition hall, and talked with other orthodontists from around the country. I left with this overwhelming feeling that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The difference now I think is that pretty much everything you want to do in an orthodontic office, you can do using some form of computer technology. The glitch however is that it comes with a price and although it may be exciting to use and look flashy, it is not necessarily "better". Despite the best efforts of silicon valley's brightest technogeeks, orthodontics still and I think always will involve the careful interaction between human brain, eyes and hands to achieve the proper diagnosis and treatment plan and desired tooth movement to achieve optimal results. The materials involved whether porcelain, stainless steel, nickel titanium, may change over time, but the end result will always involve a living, breathing, thinking and caring orthodontist. Mahalo...
Dr L
