Fully functional global ortho portal
“Don’t be afraid to learn some orthodontics. It’s a real practice builder, especially in the current economic climate,” says Dr Derek Mahony, specialist orthodontist and creator of FULLFACEGLOBAL (FFG), a comprehensive online source of the latest evidence in orthodontics. The site was recently updated with new features to make it more user-friendly, reinforcing its aim of disseminating the best orthodontic information to specialists and general dentists.
In the year ahead, Dr Mahony says FFG will focus on new technologies that impact orthodontics such as 3D cone-beam imaging, new orthodontic brackets and mini-screws. There will also be a critical evaluation of aligners. “Aligners are very popular at the moment because the manufacturers market directly to consumers. We don’t want dentists to think these will replace braces, because they cannot fix major bite problems,” Mahony explains.
For him, cone-beam imaging is the best way to assess impacted teeth. The procurement cost is still beyond solo practitioners, but this is easily overcome by using radiology firms or sharing with larger practices.
“Self-ligating brackets are the biggest buzzwords in orthodontics at the moment. They offer quicker tooth movement, less pain and discomfort and minimise the need to remove teeth. Every manufacturer is making them now; 20 years ago there was only one,” he says. FFG provides an important platform for clinicians using different brackets around world to share their results, helping others to make evidence-based decisions in treatment.
Mini-screws are another innovation gaining popularity in orthodontics, due to their minimally invasive approach. “A big advantage is you can move teeth without putting braces on whole mouth. This reduces pain, time and cost for the patient,” he says, adding that mini-screws also reduce the need for orthognatic surgery.
Topics to be revisited due to high demand will include the controversy of myofunctional therapy. “It is essential to recognise how a young patient’s abnormal swallow, posture, tongue position, etc, is going to affect orthodontic treatment,” he explains. When presenting new technology for discussion on the site, Mahony uploads a case ideally suited to the technology and a case that contra-indicates it. “This allows participants to make up their own minds about the best procedures,” he says.
New software integrated into FFG now allows users to upload their patient cases with greater ease and speed. “People can submit their cases and x-rays, I give commentary on them and open them up for global discussion,” he says. With over 50 000 participants from around the world, users can get top clinicians to review and comment on their cases, bringing depth and interactivity to the online learning environment.
“The message is that if general dentists are interested in improving their practices in this gloom and doom economy, orthodontics is a good way to offer patients something new,” he says. This is reiterated by Dr Catherine Sherry, a general dentist in Yukon, Oklahoma, USA who has practised for 25 years. Having been a member of FFG for more than three years, she feels the benefits have been confidence and validation of her treatment planning. Her favourite aspect of the site is the questions and answers section and she recommends it to any dentist who is interested in orthodontics.
View Derek Mahony video intro to the online mini residency HERE
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“Don’t be afraid to learn some orthodontics. It’s a real practice builder, especially in the current economic climate,” says Dr Derek Mahony, specialist orthodontist and creator of FULLFACEGLOBAL (FFG), a comprehensive online source of the latest evidence in orthodontics. The site was recently updated with new features to make it more user-friendly, reinforcing its aim of disseminating the best orthodontic information to specialists and general dentists.
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The sand-blasted and acid-etched surface-treated mini-implant (C-implant, C-Implant Co, Seoul, South Korea) is designed to endure heavy and dynamic loads and offers high stability during orthodontic treatment, however the implications of its removal are still unknown. The purpose of a study, conducted at the Department of Orthodontics at the Catholic University of Korea, was to evaluate the removal torque values (RTVs) of early-loaded mini-implants. Results showed that all mini-implants remained intact, lead researcher, Professor Seong-Hun Kim, placed the study in context.
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Dr Derek Mahony, specialist orthodontist from Sydney, Australia, gives an overview of how the discipline of orthodontics has evolved over the past decades and in which direction it is headed.
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Dr Derek Mahony, specialist orthodontist from Sydney, Australia, discusses the current state of the art in orthodontics, including the innovative Damon system.
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