Orthodontist supplies. Braces. Enough said? As a matter of fact, no. While the wire-and-brackets braces system remains a mainstay of orthodontic practices, technology has advanced and diversified to the point that an orthodontist may expect to deal with multiple distributors just to stay on top of the latest and best products.

As you're searching for the best deals on the highest quality orthodontist supplies, keep the following cost saving, quality enhancing measures in mind:

1. Keep a healthy supply of basic orthodontic hardware on hand at all times.

2. Bring advanced orthodontic products manufacturers into your distributor list as needed - or as you can afford them.

3. Round out your orthodontist supplies with the right adhesives, instruments, and accessories.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get the nuts, bolts and brackets of orthodontic appliances

Because orthodontic appliances are routinely custom-fitted to each individual's mouth, you'll need to have plenty of the building blocks - brackets, wires, spacers, and attachments - on hand. Having the right supplies ready means that you can go right to work prepping your patient's teeth while any specialty products you might require later are on order.

I recommend: Suppliers like Orthodontics Products and Dynaflex offer brackets, wires and attachments - the nuts and bolts of orthodontic systems - and work hard to stay on top of demand for the latest high technology products. Orthodontics Products also carries more specialized products like headgear.

Track down high-end orthodontic equipment

Rapid advances in orthodontics materials and technology mean that you need a savvy supplier to stay on top of the latest products. You can either search out specific technologies or supplies and ask your orthodontics products distributor to carry them - if they don't already - or search for a distributor that already carries them.

I recommend: Orthodontic Design and Production offers high-end innovative bracket systems and in-house manufacturing. Invisalign products are clear tooth trays that slip easily in and out of the mouth, making eating and dental hygiene much easier than conventional braces. They are available through the Aligntech Institute.

Search out miscellaneous orthodontics equipment

There's more to orthodontist supplies than braces and brackets. Get everything else you need - from orthodontic instruments to disposable sanitary supplies to adhesives - by dealing with comprehensive suppliers that distribute products aimed at covering any general or niche orthodontist products you may need.

I recommend: Reliance Orthodontic Products sells bonding adhesives products for all types of orthodontics products. They work hard to keep up with the latest technology. Davis Dental Supplies offers a wide range of "helper" supplies an orthodontist needs but might not initially think off, such as disposable face masks or head rest covers, dental impression trays, and so on. Apex Industrial Electronics sells high quality orthodontic instruments.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can save money on rarely used orthodontic supplies, like specialty braces, by ordering them only as needed. Your overhead will be lower, you'll have less waste and you'll be able to ensure that your patients get the most up-to-date technology possible when you do place an order.

Purchasing orthodontic equipment and products is one of many important decisions orthodontists have to make. In terms of orthodontic equipment and instruments, orthodontists want to purchase a quality product at an affordable price. Product reviews provided by other orthodontists can help them make an informed decision as to which instruments are of high (or low) quality and the pros and cons associated with that particular instrument or piece of equipment.

The purchase of orthodontic products serves a two-fold purpose - to make sure the product serves it orthodontic function and to purchase a product that is aesthetically appealing to the patient so they will use the product as required. Dental vendors provide an efficient way for orthodontists to keep abreast in changes to orthodontic products to not only address the needs of patients but to also make their orthodontic experience as enjoyable as it can be by offering scented dental wax and colored ligatures and elastomerics.

Whether you are an established orthodontist or a recent graduate, following the following orthodontics products basics can help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed:

1. Placing orders directly to orthodontic manufacturers and suppliers

2. Buying used orthodontic equipment

3. Reading reviews for orthodontic products and equipment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Order orthodontic instruments and products directly from manufacturers or suppliers

Place your orders directly to orthodontic manufacturers and suppliers using one of their convenient methods of ordering via online, fax or calling a sales representative.

I recommend: Orthodontic Design and Production is an orthodontic products manufacturer offering orthodontic instruments such as cutters, pliers, bracket holders and ligature tying instruments. They also sell devices such as an orthodontic plier rack that one can use to store instruments. Orthodontic Design and Production Inc. along with Thompson Orthodontics sells orthodontic supplies such as brackets, orthodontic wire, molar tubes, bonding brushes, orthodontic rubber bands and patient wax.

Save money by purchasing used orthodontic equipment

Purchasing refurbished orthodontic equipment such as dental chairs, dental lights and intraoral cameras can save you money.

I recommend: BuyDentalEquipment.com and Dental Equipment Liqudators offer warranties on all of their refurbished orthodontic equipment. In addition, if you have old orthodontic equipment that you no longer use or wish to replace, they will purchase the equipment from you. Note that when purchasing equipment from an orthodontist that is retiring or upgrading his/her office, you may not receive the same product warranty as you would when purchasing the same item from a vendor. Pay attention to the details.

Read orthodontics products reviews when selecting orthodontics equipment

Consult product reviews when purchasing orthodontics products. Basics of such reviews give the orthodontist information regarding the products' quality, ease of use, advantages and downfalls.

I recommend: DentalCompare.com and Dental Product Shopper provide product reviews for a variety of dental and orthodontics equipment and supplies.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attend conferences, seminars and trade shows to keep abreast of the advances made in orthodontic appliances, orthodontic hardware and other products in the field of orthodontics.

Whether you are an established dental professional or an aspiring orthodontist, you and your patients can benefit greatly from orthodontics products education and training. Expanding your knowledge of orthodontics equipment, orthodontic hardware and even orthodontic products manufacturers will help you to provide your patients with the best care possible.

Continuing your orthodontics equipment education never ends as the industry is always evolving with the introduction of new products and innovations. Stay at the forefront of the practice with training on orthodontic instruments, orthodontic supplies and all related orthodontic equipment.

Consider the following when seeking the best options for orthodontics products education and training:

1. A degree in dentistry is the first step to gaining knowledge about orthodontics products.

2. Many professional organizations exist to enable professionals to network with orthodontic equipment experts.

3. A plethora of education programs exist to help dental professionals expand their orthodontics products education and training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a degree in dentistry to learn about orthodontic appliances

Colleges and universities across the country offer various dental degree programs. If, after dental school you want to achieve specialized education as an orthodontist, another two years of education are required. Be sure to research all of the options available and pursue the specialized profession carefully - it can be quite a commitment and considerably rewarding.

I recommend: The American Dental Association explains what it takes to become a dentist. Degree Dictionary gives five steps to becoming a specialist in orthodontist supplies.

Join professional organizations to research and learn to properly use orthodontic supplies

Joining professional organizations allows to you to network and learn tricks of the trade from seasoned veterans of the field. These organizations also offer numerous meetings, seminars, and publications to their members, all of which will benefit your practice and your patients.

I recommend: The American Orthodontic Society provides numerous resources for you to further your orthodontic equipment knowledge. The American Association of Orthodontists hosts an annual meeting for industry professionals.

Consider continuing education to learn about orthodontics products

If you already have a degree in dentistry or another dental specialty, continuing education can give you specific knowledge without having to formally pursue another degree. Specialized courses and seminars are offered in order to help make you a more rounded dental professional. These topic-specific programs can help you learn about everything from orthodontic hardware to orthodontic products manufacturers.

I recommend: The Academy of Gp Orthodontics describes their program for dentists and other licensed dental specialists to further their careers in orthodontics equipment. An orthodontic instruments continuing education course is outlined at Rondeau Seminars.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Once you complete your additional two years of training to be an orthodontist, consider also becoming certified in orthodontic equipment. The American Board of Orthodontics offers a voluntary certification to those who want to demonstrate their knowledge of orthodontics through written and clinical exams.
• •  Everyone involved with running a successful orthodontics practice can benefit from orthodontics products education and training. Encourage assistants and all attending staff members to pursue continuous education to improve the overall quality of treatment received at your practice.

Becoming familiar with orthodontics products key terms can help your business by allowing you and your employees to communicate effectively with clients, to make purchases properly and efficiently as well as help in communication amongst staff and with other dental professionals.

Orthodontics products key terms involve the components of orthodontic products as well as the products themselves. Knowing the difference in these products and how they can impact your customers will help make you a strong asset to your field as well as impact your communication skills and overall impression on your patient and his or her family.

Action Steps
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Acrylic

Acrylic is the versatile plastic used in orthodontics and dental products.

I recommend: Take a look at the acrylic composition and information on VERSACRYL acrylic.

Alginate

Alginate is the plaster that is used to make dental impressions.

I recommend: Find out more information and frequently asked questions about alginate from Accu-Cast.

Interocclusal registration

Interocclusal registration is a bite impression used to see how teeth come together.

I recommend: See how interocclusal registration is used in denture conversion at BIOMET 3i. You can also see step-by-step pictures in the process.

Nickel titanium (NiTi)

Nickel titanium (NiTi) is a strong and flexible orthodontic wire that is still flexible to allow for rapid tooth movement.

I recommend: Find out about nickel titanium wires from Masel. They offer a wide variety of nickel titanium products for your business. Check out the article Springs into Action- A clinician's guide to space closure using nickel titanium coil springs by Dipak Chudasama, BDS, MSC, MORTH RCS, and Laurance Jerrold, DDS, JD, ABO.

Space maintainer

Space maintainers are used to maintain a space in the mouth, particularly when children lose baby teeth but the adult teeth have not yet grown in. This mechanism will hold the space until the permanent tooth can fill the opening.

I recommend: Find out about space maintainers from LACosmeticBraces.com. Learn more about different types of space maintainers and how to care for them at Colgate.

Stops

Stops are the bend attachments that are placed on the wire in order to limit the archwire from sliding or to keep the it from moving in the bracket slot.

I recommend: Learn about stops on archwires from the Orthodontic CYBERJournal. Check out the stops from Nexadental. Their crimpable stops can help you prevent wires from sliding out of brackets or buccal tubes.