A Repost of media interview with Dr. Guthrie B. Carr
I know you market your practice with the tagline “Tradition, Technology and Experience”
Tell me about that?
Well, the tradition portion refers to my families’ heritage as dentists in Greater Lafayette. We have over 110 years of continuous practice! If your family is from greater Lafayette, there is a good chance that I, my father, my uncle, or my grandfather has treated someone in your family. I take that tradition very seriously in our relationships with our patients. We value the trust the community has placed in our family over the past 100 years. Technology refers to the changes that are available to let orthodontists improve the patient experience. Not every orthodontic practice embraces new technology.
Why is that?
Technology can be very expensive, it can disrupt the rhythm of office workflows, and it takes time to learn and master. I have invested in newer technologies that provide better information for diagnosis and treatment. This allows for shorter, more comfortable treatment and improved results.
Tell about these technologies?
Firstly, our ultra-low dose ICAT 3D scanner is amazing. It allows me to get a 3D scan of a patient with less exposure than a digital panorex, which is the most common orthodontic X-ray. It is not uncommon for me to find information that was not seen on a previous traditional X-ray.
I can submit this ultra-low dose scan to a third party who will turn it into a dynamic model. This is useful in pretreatment simulations for early treatment expansion, surgery cases, cases that might need restorations or implants when the orthodontic part of the treatment is finished. It is a great learning tool for me, and a great communication tool for the patient and their dentist.
We also offer digital video scanning that replaces traditional impressions. This allows us to send information digitally to labs we work with like Invisalign and Suresmile.
You offer Invisalign? Tell me about that?
Invisalign has made a lot of progress in their implementation of new technologies. I am now confident that Invisalign is a great choice for a variety of problems, including children, tweens, teens, and adults. I have spent a lot of time in continuing education learning the nuances of their technology and how to best apply it for each individual case. One newer feature with Invisalign is the ability to integrate our 3D radiographic scan showing the bone and roots with the dental scan of the teeth. Positioning the roots in the ideal place along with tooth movement is a game changer for treatment quality and efficiency. I believe I am the only orthodontist in the area offering this technology. Nationally, only 20% of orthodontists use this to their advantage.
What is Suresmile?
Suresmile is a fantastic technology that allows me to use the 3D scans we take and create a dynamic model of my patients. I can see their teeth, roots, bone, and the braces. I can even link their model to their smile photo. This allows me to simulate the desired final result with more information than is available in conventional orthodontic treatment. From this plan, I create custom wires that are bent robotically to maximize their accuracy. These custom wires allow me to make the simulations come true. After I simulate the final result, I can design the final smile using the photo linked to the model. This is very powerful because often the smile is why our patients come to us; the bite and the function are what orthodontists are focused on. With Suresmile, I can optimize both. Oh yeah, it also shortens treatment. Patients love that!
What about the experience?
As an orthodontic specialist, I have two years of additional education beyond dental school focused solely on orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. I have been in practice for over 30 years. I am actively involved in my professional societies and meetings to learn both the science and the technologies that affect our diagnosis and treatment planning.
What else would you tell someone about your orthodontic practice?
Because of the advanced 3D and digital technologies we use, we run our office schedule on time, require fewer appointments, and finish our treatments on time, which is not so common in orthodontics. I have a wonderful staff who are fun and talented and really engaged with our patients and their families in the office. They really make the office environment a great place. We love our patients, and I think our patients would say it shows.