RetainerDesigner

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