Music Video by Train- Spreading the Holiday Cheer from Your Orthodontist in Markham

The holidays are well underway in Markham and we just wanted to share a cute video with you all.  We may not all celebrate Christmas, but we can all appreciate the warmth and happiness of this video.

It's our last day in the clinic for 2010 this Thursday.  Your Markham orthodontist wishes everyone a very happy holiday season and a fantastic 2011!

Markham and Toronto Orthodontist Discusses Recent Article about Damon Braces, Self-Ligating Braces, etc.

At MCO Markham and Stouffville Orthodontics, we want to present all of the relevant information to our patients so that they can make the most informed decision.  We get many inquiries about Damon braces or SL brackets.  We have not found these brackets to provide any superior results, comfort, or speed, and have been able to provide excellent, on-time care, with our current modern bracket system. We plan treatment well, so we can see our patients every 8 weeks and still often complete treatment ahead of schedule!

In the August 2010 issue of the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthodpedics, an article was written about claims made by manufacturers of various self-ligating braces.  The American Association of Orthodontics' Council on Scientific Affairs looked at this topic from the stand point of what evidence there is about these claims.  They looked at:

1.  Does lateral expansion of the dental arch by SL brackets "grow" buccal alveolar bone? There is no peer reviewed material on this subject.

2.  Is lateral expansion of the dental arch by SL brackets comparable with the lateral expansion gained by rapid maxillary expansion followed by conventional brackets?  There is no peer reviewed material on this subject.

3.  Is lateral expansion of the dental arch gained by SL brackets stable in the long term?  There is no peer reviewed material on this subject.

4.  Are SL brackets more efficient and more effective than conventional bracket systems?  Current evidence DOES NOT support this assertion.

5.  So SL brackets provide less friction between the archwire and bracket?  Current evidence shows this under specific lab conditions, but does not represent real life situations.

6.  Do SL brackets produce lower clincial forces compared with traditional brackets?  No in-vivo studies ahve been shown to answer this question.

7.  Do patients treated with SL brackets experience less pain during treatment?  There is not a lot of data to compare, yet this is a study reporting that patients with SL brackets experienced greater pain than those with traditional brackets.

8.  Are conventional brackets less hygienic than SL brackets?  Evidence does not support this claim.

Most of the notable assertions made by SL bracket companies are not backed up by evidence in scientific studies.  Unfortunately, many orthodontists continue to make these claims.  Ultimately, it is not the type of brace that is going to determine the outcome of your treatment.  It is the skill of the orthodontist, his/her team, treatment plan, and diagnosis that will be the difference.

Your Toronto Invisalign Specialist Says. "Smile More! "

Your Markham - Stouffville Orthodontist suggests you smile more :). Our Toronto Invisalign and Unionville braces patients have a lot to be happy about, including patient contests, rewards programs, frozen yogurt, and Invisalign, to go along with their beautiful smiles!


According to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University, those with big smiles may actually live than those who don’t. Positive emotions have been linked to both physical and mental health for some time. Researchers looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity, ranging from big smile, no smile or partial smile. They then compared this data to the longevity of the players, taking into account other factors, such as body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos lived an average of 72.9 years, players with partial smiles lived to be 75, and those with the biggest smiles lived to be 79.9 years old. The take home message is pretty clear!

If you're self-conscious about your smile, contact MCO Orthodontics to discover how we can help. We look forward to helping you achieve your best smile possible!

Richmond Hill Invisalign Dentist and Team Attend Invisalign Summit Las Vegas

TeamMCO, your Markham braces and Stouffville Invisalign team, recently went down to Las Vegas to attend the Invisalign Summit.  This is a meeting of the top offices in North America.  With a large waiting list, we were fortunate to be prioritized for early registration so that the entire team could take part in this excellent learning process.  We firmly believe that aside from having one of the best Invisalign doctors in the country, the knowledge of our team is second to none.  This ensures a smooth treatment process and allows us to answer any of your questions regarding your Invisalign care.

If you'd like to see more pictures of this great learning experience and team building trip, check out our MCO Orthodontics Facebook page!

MCO's Toronto Invisalign Patient Day is November 18th, 2010

MCO, your orthodontist in Markham, knows it is time for youto think about making your teeth straight and smile without worrying about the cost of Invisalign in Toronto. Our Invisalign Sale Day is a great reason for you to get going on your smile using virtually invisible braces. For one day only, getting Invisalign is less expensive than our aesthetic ceramic braces!

MCO Invisalign Orthodontics is hosting another Toronto Invisalign Day. Back by popular demand, this is your opportunity to experience Invisalign treatment with one of Toronto's top Invisalign Specialists. Dr. Tam teaches Invisalign to dentists and orthodontists nationally for Invisalign and has treated several dentists, their staff, and family members using this clear braces technique.

The event will be held on Thursday, November 18th, 2010 between 1-6pm at Markham Centre Orthodontics. It is the day for you to begin treatment with us to take advantage of over $1000 in savings:

-Free Invisalign evaluation (including photos, x-rays, and examination... a $380 value)

-$380 off your treatment fee

-complimentary tooth whitening at the end of Invisalign treatment ($350 value)

-special giveaways and refreshments

-on-site Invisalign representative.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with us, please call 905-477-7750 or schedule an online appoinment at our Toronto Invisalign website. The spots will fill up fast, juast as they did at our previous 2 events. Vists are by appointment only and reserved for the first 20 new patients. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Markham Orthodontist is Guest Speaker at the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association Study Club

Your Markham Orthodontist was invited by the NPDA study club, a component society of the Ontario Dental Association, to provide a 5 hour lecture series on Orthodontics in 2010. The study club meets periodically throughout the year to educate dentists and specialists on a variety of dental topics.

Dr. Tam provided lectures emphasizing the correct timing for orthodontic treatment, discussed indirect bonding, the use of temporary attachment devices, social media, and his national lecture on Invisalign. Key points were to initiate MOST orthodontic treatments just prior to loss of the 2nd primary molars and that overall, the length of the lower jaw cannot be increased if done earlier when compared to during the peak period of growth. Other issues such as crossbites with mandibular deviation or underbite tendencies with a retruded upper jaw must be treated between the ages of 7 to 10.

The group of about 70 dentists found these topics and Dr. Tam's delivery extremely interesting. One of the attending dentists, Dr. Frank Bojcic, sent Dr. Tam an email after the presentation stating, "I am really happy that I came today. I really enjoyed the day as the pace picked up and it was not just a regular ortho course. Great content. Kudos." Dr. Tam was invited by several individuals to provide more lectures in the future and is happy to be on the forefront of knowledge and technology in his field.

Invisalign G3 as Discussed by Your Markham Orthodontist

Your Toronto Invisalign Specialist took part in the web conference call release of Invisalign G3. Being implemented October 11th, it has been touted to deliver better clinical results. It will be available on Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and Invisalign Assist. Some of the changes do may make it unsuitable for Invisalign Express. Below is a summary of some of the changes followed by Markham Orthodontist, Dr. Tam's, opinions.

The key improvements surround Smart-Force Features. The science is that the features are customized to each tooth based on width, long axis, and the contour of the entire tooth, while measuring actual forces. These new features and changes include:

1. Torquing ridges for lower incisors. Previously only on upper incisors to help with lingual root torque

2. Lingual ridges paired with buccal ridges when retracting and requesting lingual root torque. There was a previous concern that, when retracting teeth, no lingual surface was contacting the tooth, therefore removing one of the force vectors required to achieve a moment, and a compromise in root torque.

3, Optimized rotation attachments-Some new variations to allow them to be placed at the centre of the tooth if required, so that there are fewer interferences with the bite from opposing teeth. Previously only on canines, but now also on bicuspids. The claim is that instead of predictable 30 degree rotations, 45 degrees can also be achieved predictably. These attachments are supposed to be less retentive and therefore make it easier for patients to remove aligners when compared to the use of vertical attachments.

4. IPR staging- Earlier improvement was to check the contact points of the teeth before doing IPR, but will now take into account the mesial/distal axes as well as the incisal edges. This claim is that IPR is going to be a simpler procedure. indicators in the software will change colour of the IPR from grey=done, yellow=current stage, white=later to help the clinician properly identify when IPR is to occur.

5. Precision cuts- Precuts in the aligner are now available to allow the use of buttons or elastics. Previously, clinicians would have to make cuts in the aligners with nail clipper or crown/bridge scissors.

6. Passive aligners- No movement but still get fresh trays. Especially good for patients where one arch takes far longer than the other or those wearing elastics for several months to correct A/P discrepancies.

7. Delay of IPR and attachments. Specific movements requiring attachments will start when attachments placed. IPR can be requested to not occur within the first few visits to ease patients into treatment. Allow patients to get used to aligners and also help offices with patient appointments.

8. Highlighting of unpredictable movements- The range of “predictable” movements will be shown in the ClinCheck and any “harder movements” will be indicated. Previously had to be recognized by the doctor visually. For example, large extrusions, rotations, moving certain teeth without attachments, moving teeth large distances.

How does Invisalign G3 affect me as a doctor or as a patient?
These changes are in a positive direction for Invisalign and Align Technology. There is an improvement in the clinical efficiency for doctors, aiding in the patient experience, and a show of commitment to achieving scientifically- based, excellent clinical results with aligners.

For experienced clinicians, G3 does not mark a large change in the way we plan treatment, as many of us have already been personalizing these treatment features for our patients already. The biggest plus is that the new software and features make it extremely clear to doctors that they are the ones who are directing treatment. Impressions are not to be sent to Align to allow technicians to plan treatment. Invisalign is not magic. It should be viewed as an orthodontic technique, not a product. Therefore, while these changes allow the doctor more flexibility and decision-making, it will really begin to separate the experienced doctors from those who are less experienced. Treatment planning and diagnosis will still be paramount in any successful Invisalign treatment.

For more information, please visit www.torontoinvisalign.com or visit www.markhamortho.com to learn more about Dr. Tam and MCO Invisalign Orthodontics.