Practice Profile
The quality of treatment is directly affected by the relationship of each system and service we provide for our patients. Please review some of our office systems. Click on the yellow links for more information.
ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS
Interactive Communications: The IACT communication program is a multimedia presentation that uses graphics, animation and morphing to educate our patients during their initial exam. We have found combining a verbal message, with powerful visuals, provides an educational and effective understanding of orthodontic concepts and various modalities of treatment.
TopsXtreme: TopsExtreme imaging uses the power of digital technology to capture facial, dental and radiographic images instantaneously. These images are immediately viewed during the initial exam appointment to visually enhance your understanding of you or your child’s individual orthodontic needs. Dr. Awbrey further uses this technology during this appointment to accurately assess your orthodontic diagnosis and confirm a mode of treatment, thus eliminating the need for additional record and consultation appointments.
Digital Radiography: The major advantages of digital radiography over a traditional radiography are its ability to produce an x-ray picture instantaneously of extremely high quality utilizing less radiation for our patients. Because the digital image interfaces with our Tops Practice Management System, our patients are able to view their radiographs on a computer monitor at the initial appointment thus enhancing patient education.
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UP-TO-DATE STERILIZATION SYSTEMS
When you visit our office, you can relax knowing that the safety of our patients is a primary concern. Our sterilization techniques and barrier controls are designed to meet and exceed all guidelines established by OSHA and the CDC. All instruments are pre-washed using the Hydrim L110W prior to sterilization. The Hydrim L110w automatically removes debris from instruments effectively promoting sterilization. Each instrument is either dry-heat sterilized using a Dentronix 7000 and/or autoclave sterilized using the Statim 5000 between every patient. Single-use/disposable items are used whenever possible and discarded after each use and a North Bay/Bioscience, LLC biological monitoring service verifies our sterilization techniques. You can relax and rest assured that everything is clean/sterile in our office.
STATE-OF-THE-ART APPLIANCE SYSTEMS
Self-Ligating Braces System: The Intelligent Choice. The SmartClip™ Appliance system from 3M Unitek dramatically advances bracket design and revolutionizes self-
ligation. With sophisticated engineering that integrates the unique properties of nickel-titanium into a precisely designed form, 3M Unitek innovators have created a clip mechanism that brings the first truly self-ligating appliance to orthodontics. This system is coupled with the MBT™ Versatile+ Appliance System bringing our orthodontic treatment to a new level of clinical performance to help us achieve unmatched efficiencies, more predictable results and an ideal occlusion (bite) with reduced treatment times. We absolutely do not recycle our brackets.
Aesthetic Braces System: Clarity™ Reinforced Ceramic Brackets developed by 3M Unitek are clear bracktes that "blend in" with the teeth and are virtually invisible for our patients who are concerned about esthetics during their orthodontic care.
Invisible Braces System: These unique braces are created using state-of-the-art technology and are 100% customized to the shape of your teeth and to your dental situation. Lingual braces are placed behind your teeth, and are therefore virtually invisible to other people. With iBraces you get efficient, effective tooth movement and great aesthetics.
See how iBraces Works
To read more about Invisalign’s pros and cons, please click on the link www.archwired.com.
Heat Activated Archwires: This technology, developed by NASA, is a high-tech archwire, which when bent and secured into place along misaligned teeth, is activated by the heat of normal body temperature. The heat causes the wire to slowly spring back to its original shape gently straightening teeth. These heat sensitive wires have replaced the traditional stainless steel wires enabling teeth to move quicker, more efficiently and with less discomfort to our patients. The result is decreased treatment times and less trips to the orthodontist.
Orthopedic Corrector: The Forsus™ System, comparable to the Herbst Appliance, is worn in conjunction with braces to normalize growth discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws.
This appliance, by posturing the patient’s lower jaw in a forward direction, over time promotes growth in pubertal adolescents, helping to eliminate excessive overbites, improve the fit of teeth and possibly prevent the need for jaw surgery. The major advantage of this system over headgear or elastics is that its effectiveness does not rely on patient cooperation.Tempory Anchorage Devices: We are dedicated to staying at the forefront of expanding technologies in orthodontics. Tempory anchorage devices or TADs have allowed us to perform difficult orthodontic movements predicatably, that in the past could not be obtained by conventional orthodontic treatment because of the limitations of anchorage requirements and patient compliance. 
These tiny titanium screws, the same material used in hip replacements, are temporarily placed in bone between teeth to enhance orthodontic anchorage. The screws are minimally invasive and can be placed using only topical anesthetic. Once the proper orthodontic movement is achieved the screws are simply removed at that appointment with minimal patient discomfort. TADs have been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration for use in patient 12 years and older. TADs have to potential to eliminate in certain cases the need for headgear and elastic, and, in extreme cases, closing skeletal anterior openbites, where until recently, the treatment of choice was surgically repositioning to the upper jaw bone to close the bite.
These advanced appliance systems enable teeth to move faster, more predictably with less discomfort resulting in fewer orthodontic appointments and shorter treatment times.
STATE-OF-THE-ART ADHESIVE SYSTEMS
Pre-Coated Adhesive Appliance System: This system is the fastest, most convenient and efficient method you can use to cement a bracket to a tooth.
Each bracket is individually kept in a sterile package and pre-coated with a light activated adhesive, which requires a special light to harden the cement. A major advantage to this system, over chemical cure, is a virtually unlimited working time to precisely place each bracket on a tooth before the cement is set. Proper bracket placement is absolutely essential to achieving an ideal result.
Band Cement: Transbond Plus Glass Ionomer Band Cement has demonstrated in clinical studies to be the best cement for retention of molar bands. The cement also has the ability to release fluoride for many months, which helps protect a tooth both around and underneath the tooth from decalcification.
RETENTION SYSTEM
Bonded Lower Retainer: 
The majority of relapse, which occurs after braces are removed, is usually across the lower front teeth. For the most part, it is due to patient’s poor use of the lower removable retainer.
We take the cooperation out of having to wear a lower retainer by permanently bonding a lower wire to the back of the lower canines. They are invisible, comfortable to wear and easy to clean and floss.
Upper Removable Retainer:
We have a wide variety of colors and designs for our patient’s personal preference. We choose the maxillary hawley rather than a clear overlay retainer, because the hawley allows for better settling of the bite once braces are removed. Improving the fit of teeth after the braces are removed is imperative to the stability of your final result. We have our patients wear the retainer for the first 3 months 24/7 hours/day and nighttime there after.OFFICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Tops Practice Management System: The Apple-based system assures every patient’s visit to our office is efficiently managed from patient sign-in to making an appointment for your next visit.
HouseCallsTM: Housecalls is an automated computer software program that calls and confirms the night before your orthodontic appointment. We realize that families are very busy and a little reminder is just another service we provide for our patients.
Vox On-HoldTM: We are committed to never leaving our patients on hold. 
However in the event you are, we have installed an informative message-on-hold system to educate our patients about our orthodontic care.
T-Link: We are committed to keeping you connected to our practice. 
T-Link is a web-based, secure system that gives you the ability to check appointment dates and times, account balances and even gives you the option to make your payments online. Also through our T-link system you will receive emails informing you and your family of important events, orthodontic news and appointment times.
Appointment Slip: At the time of checkout, each patient will receive an appointment slip as a reminder for his or her next appointment and school excuse.
Automatic Debit: For your convenience, we offer automatic bank draft to simplify monthly fees. 
This saves you time and eliminates the need for printing, mailing and cost incurred from postage. You will also be able to obtain a statement at www.orthobanc.com by simply acessing your account online.
Electronic Claims: Through Topps practice management system we are able to file your claims online. This is a major benefit to our patients, because it allows us to handle your insurance and avoids unnecessary time you would spend mailing forms and consulting with insurance companies.
Patient Sign-in: The computerized check-in alerts our staff that you have arrived for your appointment. Our staff, very shortly after check-in, will come and greet you and escort you back in our treatment area to be seated. We know your time is valuable and we pride ourselves on never making you wait for your appointment.
WE ARE CARING
Follow-up phone calls: We routinely call our patients after key appointments just to ensure you or your child is doing well and let you know that we do truly care about your experience with our office.
Postcards: We are constantly sending postcards to thank, motivate and praise our patients.
Commitment to Communication: We make a conscious effort at every appointment to briefly update you about treatment and if it is progressing according to schedule. We are committed to keeping you informed and we will always make time to answer your questions.
OUR OFFICE IS FUN
TV Above Each Chair: We have TV’s above each chair where we play some of your favorite movies and TV shows to make your appointment as enjoyable and relaxing as possible.
T-Shirts: Each patient receives a t-shirt at the braces appointment and there are several styles to choose from. After the t-shirt is worn after three appointments a Block-Buster gift certificate is awarded.
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Contest: Dr. Awbrey and his staff are dedicated to delivering the highest level of orthodontics, but at the same time making sure your orthodontic experience is fun and rewarding. Our office regularly holds contest throughout the year. Our prizes include movie passes, gift certificates, sporting event tickets, IPODS, PSPs.
Video Game Room: We have video games to help our patients’ siblings pass the time while waiting to complete their appointments. Movies, toys, books and magazines are available there for your children’s enjoyment.
Toys and Stickers: We want the children to leave with a positive experience, so every new patient and their siblings are always offered a gift.Retainers: An array of colors and styles are available for you to choose from when your braces are removed.
Coffee center: From our orthodontic treatment, to our coffee, we want you to know you are
receiving the best. There is nothing better than a great cup of coffee early in the morning. Staff: We take great pride in being friendly to our patients and we guarantee your experience with our staff will truly be a positive one.
There is truly a difference with it comes to orthodontic treatment. Dr. Awbrey is totally committed to providing the finest in orthodontic care. Because of our advance systems and superior service, we are confident you will experience this difference. We look forward to meeting you and discussing the benefits of creating a beautiful healthy smile just for you.
