For most of her life, Angela Lattire’s teeth have been a source of pain—both physical and emotional. “As an adolescent, I wore some awful appliances to fix my overbite,” she shares. At 18, Angela had jaw surgery, and eight teeth were removed. Then more braces. Every attempt to fix the situation, however, only made it worse. It also came with a loss of self-esteem.
“I was always self-conscious—you can’t see my teeth when I smile,” Angela remembers. “It made me look old.”
Now at age 43, Angela is finally on the path to getting the smile she’s always wanted—thanks to technology that uses 3D imaging and printing to create customized braces that perfectly fit every unique nook and cranny of her teeth and gums. More interestingly, going to the orthodontist has become a family affair.
It began three years ago when now 10-year-old daughter, Ella, needed early intervention to correct a crossbite. A referral led to Dr. Jacob Stadiem at Northeast Orthodontic Specialists. During Ella’s appointments, Angela began to share her own dental history with Dr. Stadiem—but it wasn’t until her 13-year-old son, Mason, became a patient last year, that Angela decided to try again.
“The LightForce 3D technology has changed so much about getting braces,” Dr. Stadiem says. “Once I do the scans and create a design, it’s digitally sent to LightForce in Boston where they are printed.” The resulting braces fit so well,they require no adjustment when fitted into a patient’s mouth. And Angela chose clear braces, which makes them barely noticeable.
Of course, technology hasn’t solved all the issues. “Getting braces is moving teeth, which is an inflammatory process, so there’s going to be some discomfort,” Dr. Stadiem shares. “But not nearly as much, because of the lighter forces involved.”
Time between appointments is longer, too, from the previous 4-to-6 weeks to every 10 weeks on average. Patients don’t need to visit as much—less appointments, shorter treatment time. The typical two-year process of having braces is around 18 months for many patients with 3D-printed braces.
“Angela’s issues are more complicated, so she’ll probably be looking at a little over two years of treatment. We’ll bring her upper teeth down and in, which will definitely give her a full smile and make her look younger.”
“Life’s too short not to smile,” Dr. Stadiem continues, smiling himself. For too long, he believes the focus was getting teeth to fit together perfectly. “If we don’t address each patient’s smile aesthetic, then we’re doing them a disservice.”
Dr. Stadiem smiles a lot, which summarizes his whole approach to life, especially work. “When kids finally get their braces removed, there’s a celebration in the office.”
Perhaps the best part? “We give them a chocolate caramel apple from Divine’s European Chocolate—something they haven’t been able to eat for awhile,” Dr. Stadiem says. One more treat for Angela and the kids to look forward to.
NOSorthodontics.com | 3284 Montgomery Rd, Loveland / 9380 Kenwood Rd, Cincinnati | 513.793.4770
If we don’t address each patient’s smile aesthetic, then we’re doing them a disservice.
— Dr. Stadiem