“Most of my patients, whether they’re interested in braces or clear retainers for themselves as adults or their children, are unaware of the advances to the field. They are not only more pleasant but can also make having braces a much more pleasant experience than they ever expected it to be,” explains Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Gooding, a New York based orthodontist specializing in pediatric, adolescent and adult cases. “Thanks to these advances, orthodontic treatment is much more convenient, more socially accepted and less painful than ever before. The most common response heard in my office from my teen and adult patients is that they can’t believe how easy it was.”

Welcome to the future

Advances in the field of orthodontics become more high-tech and improve every year. These advances make the overall experience of having treatment more convenient, less painful, more successful and quicker than ever before. Additionally, the new financing and expanded options guarantee that all families find something within their budget, whether they have coverage through their insurance or not.

NASA-approved orthodontic wires

• You don’t have to be an astronaut to appreciate the importance of the new dynamic metals, as orthodontists today will attest to. Orthodontists now use a wire technology developed by NASA that helps speed the process of teeth straightening and renders it more comfortable since it allows the movement to happen with less energy.
  • According to Dr. Fulop-Goodling, “We use NASA-developed nickel-titanium wires because it’s a more consistent and continuous force on the teeth, while also being more comfortable for patients. Patients of all ages love it, and they’re fascinated by it. I often have new patients referred by their friends who ask for my ‘magic wires.’” The material is more flexible than traditional wires and sensitive to temperature, making it easier to maneuver. Once it’s settled into the mouth and the body temperature warms it up, the wire stiffens into position. “Another great feature is that since colder temperatures make the wire more malleable, I tell my patients to enjoy something cold like ice cream or frozen yogurt, instead of taking medication like ibuprofen, to relieve the pressure on the teeth.”

3D Films: where movie production and orthodontics come together

• Three-dimensional imaging software and tools have dramatically improved the process of diagnosis and treatment planning for every patient and orthodontist. A far cry from the x-rays of yesterday, today’s cutting-edge imaging technology renders detailed, comprehensive images of the entire mouth in crisp high-definition and three-dimensional images. Such life-like images eliminate guesswork from orthodontics and also ensure that every patient has the least invasive treatment possible for their case. Not to mention, they look good.
  • “3D imaging is a fabulous communication tool. It makes everyone happy because up until recently, a flat 2-D picture or photo was the only source to describe what you were planning to create on a 3-D smile. Pediatric and adolescent patients like them because as visual learners, they might not completely understand why their parents want them to have braces until they see it with their own two eyes. Adults love them because it gives them the comfort of clarity of these images,” Dr. Fulop-Goodling says, adding, “A great deal of artistry is involved with braces and thanks to such clear images, doctors and patients stay on the same page throughout the whole process.”

Color me happy, no more rubber bands!

• What might be the most conspicuous aspect of wearing braces – the colorful “bands” used to secure the wire to the bracket – are no longer a requirement. It’s a familiar sight: orange and black at Halloween, pink and red for Valentine’s Day and the colors of a favorite sports teams like the Yankees and Mets in between. The problem is that aside from drawing unwanted attention to the braces in the first place, rubber bands are notorious for their propensity to fall off and slow down treatment and they also are magnets for unhealthy plaque. Self-ligating brackets eliminate the need for rubber bands thanks to a simple mechanism that connects to the archwire itself as well as pre-treatment to make room in the mouth.
  • “Part of what makes self-ligating brackets so fantastic is their simplicity. They’re one of those things that make so much sense you wonder why no one thought of it sooner.” Dr. Fulop-Goodling explains. “These brackets can save time on the frequency of a patient’s visits to my office and we can spread each visit out over longer periods of time and see patients every two or three months or four or times a year versus monthly visits. Parents and patients appreciate this, considering how busy everyone is today.” She goes on to say, “There are several research studies which reveal that the orthodontic treatment time is less with self-ligating brackets because there is less friction without a rubber ring holding the wire into the bracket.”

Time is of the essence

• One of the most dreaded aspects of orthodontics is the length of time usually required for treatment, but with the introduction of Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics at the 98^thAnnual Session of the American Association of Orthodontics in 1998, treatment time can be cut down by as much as 75 percent. Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics requires small cuts made to the jawbones, altering its mineral content, which allows the orthodontic movement to take place four times faster than traditional treatment.
  • “This is the only advancement to date that capitalizes on our own body’s physiology to achieve a shortened treatment time for orthodontic patients and for that reason it’s very interesting to many people,” Dr. Fulop-Goodling points out, adding that other benefits make this method attractive to many patients. “Not only does this drastically reduce each patient’s orthodontic treatment time but it can also reduce root resorption, with patients who have a predisposition for it. Another amazing finding is that patients teeth don’t relapse or shift back to their original position as readily, after treatment.”

For those who don’t want braces

• Invisible, barely there and out of sight options are nothing new – Invisalign hit the market in 1999, ceramic braces became popular around 1996 and lingual braces (placed on the back of the mouth) made their debut in 1983. However, just last year Align technology launched Invisalign Teen, and in October of 2010 Align launched Invisalign G3, which includes some cutting-edge features that allow it to address issues that until now, only traditional braces could:
  • Overly crowded teeth
  • Widely spaced teeth
  • Crossbite
  • Overbite
  • Underbite
• Something to think about: Dr. Fulop-Goodling is a proponent of using clear, removable teeth aligners when appropriate and her frequent use of Invisalign earned her the company’s attention as well as multiple roles within the company: she was in the first class of doctors certified with Invisalign (which at the time was a pilot study), is an active member of Invisalign’s National Speaker’s Bureau, acted as a national spokesperson during a 2005 hygiene campaign and also helped launch Invisalign Teen in 2009 on The Tyra Banks Show. Combine that with the more than 2,000 cases she’s successfully treated using Invisalign, and it’s clear why Dr. Fulop-Goodling is considered of the country’s foremost Invisalign experts.

The decision to undergo orthodontic treatment – whether it’s an adult who is opting to pursue it for themselves, or an adolescent whose parent makes the choice – is now the first step of an entirely positive experience. “Years ago, patients had a hard time focusing on the excitement of their soon-to-be straightened teeth and the incredible impact it would have on their entire appearance because all they could think about was how embarrassing wearing braces was going to be,” explains Dr. Fulop-Goodling. “That’s changed with the introduction of effective new diagnostic tools and technologies that help patients see the forest through the trees and let them avoid suffering through lengthy, overly-conspicuous treatments to get their dream smile.”

About Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling

Dr. Jacqueline Fulop-Goodling is a New York-based orthodontist and Invisalign specialist. She earned her DMD degree and completed her orthodontic residency at Boston University School of Dental Medicine, where she later went on to assume a professorship and to become the first female director of B.U. Dental School’s Orthodontic Department for second, third, and fourth year dental students.

Dr. Fulop-Goodling is a popular lecturer and has taught more than 10,000 orthodontists, dentists, orthodontic residents, dental students and their teams in multiple fields of orthodontics throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, South America and Israel. Dr. Fulop-Goodling has cemented her reputation as one of the most prominent figures in the field of orthodontics as the holder of several U.S. and international patents and the presenter of a four-year, double blind study on identical twins that compared the effects of treatment with conventional orthodontic methods versus Invisalign.

Dr. Fulop-Goodling’s multiple, flourishing practices and her academic and professional achievements caught the attention of Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign, in 2005 when she was asked to join their National Speaker’s Bureau through which she continues to lecture at some of the county’s most renowned dental schools on the use of Invisalign. Additionally, Dr. Fulop-Goodling was named Invisalign’s National Spokesperson for their hygiene campaign and in 2009 the company asked her to become a spokesperson for Invisalign Teen, and she proudly helped to launch it on The Tyra Banks Show in June 2009.

Dr. Jacquie, as she is affectionately called, is one of the top 10 Invisalign doctors worldwide and has treated close to 2,000 Invisalign patients and countless more with traditional braces. Her practice includes three state-of-the-art locations in New York – Manhattan, Long Island, and in Monroe – that are all equipped with top-of-the-line computer imaging systems, digital radiographic equipment, and a number of unexpected accoutrements to ensure an unrivaled patient experience.

1.  Everyone wants to carry their luggage on the airplane these days to avoid the lengthy bag-check line and costly fees. This can be done, even if you are taking toiletries and other TSA regulated items, such as toothpaste and hairspray, in your carry-on luggage.  In order to create your own travel-size toothpaste for a fraction of the price, I recommend purchasing a Toothpaste 2 Go transfer adapter.

2.  Pack all liquids in travel-size containers and put them in a clear, seal-able bag. Make sure you store this bag inside another toiletry bag just in case something leaks, so that your other possessions aren’t accidentally ruined. If you are having difficulty finding travel-size hairspray, then I recommend not taking it at all and purchasing a cheap brand once you get to your destination. All of your other essentials are easy to find under the 3-ounce limit.

3.  Shoes and coats are some of the largest space wasters to pack for a trip. To ensure you have plenty of room for your belongings in the carry-on luggage, wear the same shoes and coat on the airplane that you will wear at your destination. Also, make sure you choose a versatile pair of shoes and jacket, so that you do not waste space taking one jacket and one pair of shoes that only go with one outfit.

4.  Roll your t-shirts, pants and dress shirts, instead of folding them flat in your carry-on bag.  This will give you maximum packing space as well as minimize the wrinkling of your clothes.

5.  Check with your hotel and find out which items will be provided there at your destination.  There’s no need to pack a blow dryer, clothes iron, shampoo, conditioner or soap if these items will be waiting for you at the hotel.  You can also eliminate the need for packing shaving cream by carrying a large shaving brush with you and use it to work up a lather from the hotel’s soap in lieu of shaving cream.

Keep these packing tips in mind the next time you travel, and you will be able to check in without waiting in that exasperating line as well as save your hard-earned money from those baggage fees. Once you get to your destination, that money can be spent on a few relaxing cocktails instead!

1.  Brush your teeth after every meal – Although most people brush their teeth both in the morning and before bedtime, very few brush their teeth after they’ve actually eaten something.  This leads to an all-day buffet on your teeth’s enamel by harmful bacteria.  Carrying a small toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste in your backpack, lunch kit or purse can help improve the health of your teeth.

2.  Use an electric toothbrush – Electric toothbrushes are essential to maintaining proper dental care for they enable you to give your teeth a deep cleaning, while effectively removing stains, plaque buildup and reducing gum disease.  Even those with limited manual dexterity can manipulate an electric toothbrush easily and clean their teeth and gums better than brushing with a traditional toothbrush.

3.  Floss regularly – Next to brushing, flossing is the single most important thing you can do to ensure a healthy mouth.  Flossing removes the bacteria and food particles that your toothbrush may have missed.  As a matter of fact, the American Dental Association recommends that you floss at least once per day for proper oral health.

4.  Visit your dentist regularly – Even with proper daily care, your dentist is still an integral part of your oral health routine.  Dentists can help identify potential problems and intervene with treatment before they get worse.  It is essential that you visit the dentist at least once per year for optimal dental care.

5.  Eat a balanced diet - Consistently eating a diet from each of the four basic food groups will build a strong body system for growth, repair, maintenance and defense.  Sugary snacks and colas will only feed the harmful bacteria in your mouth and further damage your teeth and gums.  If you do partake in any sugary foods or drinks, it is essential that you brush your teeth soon after to reduce their detrimental effect.

• Carry-On Liquids, Gels and Aerosols – It IS permitted to carry liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on luggage as long as they are in 3.4 oz. or smaller containers.  Toothpaste 2 Go was invented due to these TSA regulations.  Each traveler may use ONLY ONE quart-size, clear, zip-top bag to carry their liquids, gels and aerosols.  If you’re in doubt as to whether your specific item will be allowed, please pack it in your checked luggage instead.  There are exceptions to the 3.4 oz. size requirements for items such as breast milk, baby formula, medications and frozen items, but these must still be declared to a TSA agent when entering the screening area.
  • (TSA: 3-1-1 on Air Travel)

• Checked Baggage Packing Tips – Make sure that you do not lock your luggage for the TSA agents will be inspecting your luggage thoroughly.  If they can’t gain access to your luggage’s contents due to a lock, they will break it.  You should also never pack fragile or extremely valuable items, such as electronics or jewelry.  Make sure that any film you may have is also not stored in your checked baggage, for the screening equipment used by the TSA will ruin it.  Also, do pack any wrapped gifts inside your checked luggage, for the TSA agents will unwrap them in order to inspect the item.  It’s also a good idea to have your luggage labeled clearly both inside and out as well as not to over-pack, so that nothing can spill out when inspected.
  • (TSA: Packing Tips)

• Prohibited Items – Of course, there are some items which are strictly prohibited from being carried aboard an aircraft, no matter whether they are in your carry-on or checked luggage.  Basically, if the item is considered flammable or explosive, then it is NOT allowed on an airplane.  Most all other forms of sports equipment, martial arts and self-defense items, tools and firearms are allowed to be carried in your checked baggage, but not allowed to be carried on.  The main exception to this rule is common lighters, which can be packed in your carry-on luggage, but not in your checked luggage.  If your lighter contains fuel though, it must be housed in a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved case.
  
  • (TSA: Prohibited Items)

• Click here for additional resources concerning travelers with medical disabilities and conditions and special requirements for traveling with children.

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