RetainerDesigner

Today I keep it simple by bending and soldering a simple Lower Lingual arch (Some call it a Lower Lingual Holding arch). Theses are a basic appliances made for Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentists all the time. These appliances are used to to hold the spaces in the lower arch while primary teeth are lost and the adult teeth erupt. This appliance will prevent the lower molars drifting forward when a primary molar has been lost too soon. Things i buy for my lab off of Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner Interested in learning more about the Orthodontic Lab? I am actively researching to create an essential online course for those in the Orthodontic Industry that want to pursue or advance a career in the Orthodontic Laboratory business! If this sounds interesting to you you can find out more here: https://courses.retainerdesigner.com/ I and setting up one-on-one zoom calls to find out what people will need from a course like this, this information will be valuable as I am currently building this course.

Got to make sure the colors are in the correct order! Things I order for my Lab: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner The gear I use to make my videos: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner?listId=2UJ8XD3571VEK&ref=idea_share_inf Interested in learning more? -Would you like to support my future videos? -Would you like to be a part of the building of an online Ortho lab school? -You can help for as little as $1 a month? Check out my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/retainerdesigner

Today I will attempt to place a bite plate on a compact RPE in one appliance! I have done these in the past but I will attempt a new method today, letst see how it goes? Success or utter failure? Live Streamed! Things I order for my lab on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner

Changing the colors on old dad! Things I order for my Lab: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner The gear I use to make my videos: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner?listId=2UJ8XD3571VEK&ref=idea_share_inf Interested in learning more? -Would you like to support my future videos? -Would you like to be a part of the building of an online Ortho lab school? -You can help for as little as $1 a month? Check out my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/retainerdesigner

Todays ORG podcast we talk to Katherine Whitten, CDT of Retainer Art Orthodontic Lab in Missouri City, Texas. We are both going to try an brave this Texas heat and talk about her start as an Orthodontic assistant and her journey to opening her own lab in 2022. What are the challenges of opening a lab in this digital world! Katherine is an ORG member since September of 2022 and has been a big help in with the organization and the planning of the annual conference.

We interview Priscilla Mier owner of JBC and Company one of the most influential ortho supply companies in our industry! From her humble beginnings as an Orthodontic Assistant as her first job to Lab owner to now Ortho lab Supply company she has excelled at each position! We talk about the many inventions she has created and how she became the first FDA approved Orthodontic Acrylic! We even talk a bit about her being a founder of what has now grown in to the ORG :)

Today we solve a challenging retainer, where we have a request for a pontic, next to an ankylosed tooth with a labial wire going in between. Should be interesting!

Today we will talk to Phill Pelligra, President of Perfect Finish Ortho lab in New Jersey. Phill has been a itegral part of the ORG and the ORG Conference! We will discuss his introduction into the ortho lab, how they became such a strong influence in many Orthodontic residences along the east coast and what the next steps are for Phil. He was a speaker at the last conference with his talk "Dental/Ortho Lab Partnerships, Exit Strategies and your Identity." You can check out his lab here: https://perfectfinishortho.com/

Taking it easy today. Have a lit of retainers to get out today, so Im just bending wires. So I though I would just bend wires and talk to you guys in the process! Things I order for my lab on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner

[Pre-Recorded] Todays guest, ORG member and Owner of JC Ortho Lab, Charles Berson, His lab is in New Jersey, but through modern technologies, like Easyrx and 3D printing he is able to run his lab 1,500 miles away in Florida!

Things I order for my Lab: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner?listId=2D9I1XL37SPN8&ref=idea_share_inf The gear I use to make my videos: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner?listId=2UJ8XD3571VEK&ref=idea_share_inf Interested in learning more? -Would you like to support my future videos? -Would you like to be a part of the building of an online Ortho lab school? -You can help for as little as $1 a month? Check out my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/retainerdesigner

Today we interview Brandon Farley, Owner of Cottonwood Orthodontic labs and Vice-president of ORG. We talk about his start in the orthodontic lab and how he got to where he is now. We also discuss why the cops were called to his lab! :) Bio: Brandon Farley founded Cottonwood Labs in 2004 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University; during which time he worked as an in house, full time orthodontic lab technician. This allowed him to pay his way through college while doing something he was excited about. He enjoyed this experience so much, after graduating he decided to open his own lab. Cottonwood Labs first started out in a friend’s basement, in Salt Lake City, Utah and now operates a full service orthodontic laboratory and production facility in Murray, Utah. In 2008 Brandon’s brother, Seth joined Cottonwood Labs and became the face of the company. Seth improved customer service and created valued relationships within the orthodontic industry. Seth introduced the “Perfect Fit Guarantee” and the “We’ll Make it Right” policies; allowing Brandon to focus on the operation and creation of quality products. Seth determined that any appliance made by Cottonwood Labs needed to fit the patient, fitting just the model might not always be good enough. The “Perfect Fit Guarantee” and the “We’ll Make it Right” policies are what makes Cottonwood Labs successful. By taking accountability of all remakes regardless of fault; the doctors, their staff and Cottonwood Labs work together to ensure issues are resolved before they become production problems or turn into a non-functional appliance. This level of transparency has allowed Cottonwood Labs to further align their goals with their doctors, to ensure the patient is getting an effective, quality appliance that has a “Perfect Fit.” Most recently Brandon and Seth’s father, Erik Farley (more commonly known as “Papa Farley”) has joined Cottonwood Labs and has helped grow and improve the business by improving customer service practices. Erik can also be found meeting with doctors, hiring employees or helping out the delivery driver. Papa Farley has made Cottonwood Labs a better place and he enjoys being there almost as much as his sons (and the rest of the staff) love having him. Cottonwood Labs continues to grow and evolve. They strive to be healthy and green; as based on the premise “When you are green, you grow; when you are ripe, you rot.” The orthodontic industry is changing and there are exciting advances being made. Cottonwood Labs is on the cutting edge of these improvements and uses the latest technologies available. They are currently using and providing 3D Printing, 3D Scanning and Cloud Support. Cottonwood Labs is now equipped to accept STL files through their Online Cloud System, provide 3D printed models and consult regarding 3D data management. Since opening its doors in 2004, Cottonwood Labs has provided doctors with high quality orthodontic appliances that are delivered on time with little to no adjustment needed. They have continued to grow year after year; and they contribute this success to the valuable relationships that have been fostered with their doctors. Cottonwood labs truly does everything in their power to “Make it Right.”

Yes! Its happening! ORG is doing a weekly podcast! The perfect way of kicking off this podcast is to interview the Current ORG President, Tiffany Prater, CDT, Owner of Destination Orthodontic Lab in Fort Worth, Texas. We will hear her story starting as an assistant while going to collage, to starting her own Ortho lab business all while being an awesome single mom to her son! We will give our vision for this podcast series and then dive in to Tiffany's story. This will be a dedicated podcast for our ortho lab industry, think of 'Voices from the Bench' but dedicated to our little niche. We plan on talking with everyone from the lone technician to the largest ortho lab owners and manufactures!

Patient ask to "re-acrylic"(Terminology by Perry) to a different color retainer (Terminology by Perry) Edited from the Friday Live stream: https://youtube.com/live/DHJ_NRPwNsw?feature=share Things I order for my Lab: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner?listId=2D9I1XL37SPN8&ref=idea_share_inf The gear I use to make my videos: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner?listId=2UJ8XD3571VEK&ref=idea_share_inf

Patient wants to change the color on her retainers. Not sure if they ordered the wrong color in the first place or she didn't like it when she saw it? This video will show the simple steps to take to replace the acrylic on an already finished retainer! Things I order from my lab on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner

Today I construct a Compact RPE. I do a few of these per week. This one happens to be made on a 3D Printed model. Also Called a 2 Arm RPE, some orthodontists like using these because they are more hygienic and low profile for the patient than the normal 4 arm RPEs. The screw I prefer is the 8mm Leone Stealth Slender Compact RPE AA-1621 https://www.youtube.com/@UCFZrA3tM3vtwFsb16Q3PmKw

Today I share my tips for 2 methods of correcting crooked teeth digitally. 1. MeshMixer 2. Blue Sky Plan I do want to thank Dr. Barron Grutter @bgrutterdds for getting me started by sharing his expertise on youtube, plus I picked up a lot of tips from friends along the way. https://meshmixer.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCqRyVZQyFC8HK9U9kSRPvdA https://blueskybio.com/pages/download-software

Here we go!! I will attempt to create a Hawley retainer start to finish live on air! I believe I have enough camera equipment to cover each of the 5 stages of constructing a Hawley Retainer: 1. Prep the model 2. Wire bending 3. Acrylic Application 4. Trimming 5. Pumice /Polish Things I order for my lab on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner

Today we follow up on something I mention in a earlier stream, "I have not done much acrylic application this year!" Today I attempt to change that. We will be adding acrylic to 4 3D printed models. 1. I show how I add acrylic to these models 2. How I control the setting up of the acrylic 3. Maintain an constant flow of retainers into the pressure pot! Join me Live and ask questions! Things I order from Amazon for my lab: https://www.amazon.com/shop/retainerdesigner