With the Olympics just wrapping up Gold Medals are on
everyone’s minds! As I watched with my family the dedication and hard work the
athletes put into each of those medals it made me think of my patients and what
it takes to get a Gold Medal Smile.
Although patients may not need to spend hours in the gym, pool, or
weight room to achieve a Gold Medal Smile, it does take a commitment from
patients and their families to reach treatment goals. There are many hurdles an orthodontist will
face when treating a case. Great patient compliance is extremely important to
create an award winning smile.
There are two areas where an orthodontist depends on the
patient to stay on top of their game.1) Oral hygiene - Braces are food traps and
if teeth are not kept clean optimal results will not occur. 2) Elastic wear- This
vital step in the process is absolutely necessary. When elastics are worn incorrectly
or not at all, treatment slows down or does not progress. When the orthodontist
and the patient work together a beautiful smile (Gold Medal Smile) is created.
