Katalog Swissorthodontics EN

Headgear spring module with integrated electronics to control wearing time and force.

The innovative Smartgear Module motivates patients and optimises therapy.

The wearing time decides on the success.

As soon as an extra-oral device is used for treatment, the success of the therapy depends almost exclusively on how regularly the headgear, activator or head-chin cap are worn. Because patients, as a rule, cannot measure or objectively assess their progress, the wearing discipline may suffer. If progress is inadequate, it is difficult for the orthodontist to assess whether the wearing discipline is insufficient or whether other factors are responsible and the treatment plan should be modified.

Self-control boosts self-motivation.

The Smartgear Module, which was developed by an orthodontist, allows each patient to control how long he or she wears the device and how great the average applied force is. This easy and fun selfcontrol boosts motivation, in particular in children, and improves the success of the therapy. A study

by Güray and Orhan from 1997 proves that wearing times can be increased by up to 26 % – and that most apparently with patients who were uncooperative at the beginning of the therapy.

Trust is good, but control is better.

With the help of an infrared interface, all data can be transferred from the Smartgear Module to the computer and can be analysed in detail there.

The data are objective and cannot be manipulated because the Smartgear Module also measures the temperature. The orthodontist can make a wellfounded decision on the basis of the wearing time, the force and the therapy success and argue whether the therapy should be continued as before or whether the treatment appliances may need to be adjusted.

7 decisive advantages at a glance: — Smartgear measures how long a patient wears his appliance.

— Smartgear documents each therapy uninterrupted.

— Smartgear boosts self-motivation and promotes therapy efficiency.

— Smartgear optimises the therapy, this saves time and money.

— Smartgear identifies early on whether the treatment plan should be adjusted.

— Smartgear provides objective data and objectifies patient consultations.

— Smartgear almost always helps to avoid disputes with patients or parents.

The Smartgear Module – this is how it works.

The Smartgear Module is hooked into the head­gear cap or the headgear neck strap instead of the traditional force module. The integrated electronic unit measures and stores wearing time, average force, as well as temperature. The patient can read the data on the integrated display. If desired, the ort­hodontist can transfer all data to his computer (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7).

The Smartgear software evaluates the force and temperature profile and analyses the wearing behaviour (see graphics).

Means by which the Smartgear software details and diagnoses wearing behaviour.

Control session

This patient wears his device regularly and on average ten to twelve hours daily.

After the consultation, this patient started to wear his device regularly and for longer periods – the increase is noticeable at first glance.

Module fixed Real wearing

This patient tried to manipulate the data: The temperature remains constant and the force is unnaturally even.

This patient does not support the therapy adequately.

He does not wear the device often enough and only for short periods. The success of the therapy suffers.

With all extra-oral equipment, the patient’s wearing time, resp. the compliance are, in addition to the mechanics, the most decisive factor, which has remained uncertain to date. It was demonstrated that compliance can be improved significantly by using a wearing timer.* * Cureton, Regennitter, Yancey (1993), Kyriacou, Jones (1997), Doruk, Agar, Babacan (2004), Brandao, Pinho, Urias (2006), Bos, Kleeverlaan, Hoog­s traten et al (2007), Güray, Orhan (1997)

The opinion of experts who work with patients on a daily basis and who are convinced by Smartgear.

“Not only the orthodontist can check the wearing time reliably with Smartgear but also the patient himself. That is extremely motivating.”

Dr. Christoph Büchler, Prilly, Ex-President Swiss Society of Orthodontics

“Smartgear makes the orthodontist a competent physician who has an overview of the prescribed treatment progress and this promotes trust. The new transparency increases motivation and the success of a compliance-dependent, high quality treatment.”

“…but it seems to me that the device has proven itself already with regard to efficiency, be it for the practitioner (control of the applied force and the patient’s effective collaboration) or for the patient’s motivation…”

Dr. Guido Herzog, Winterthur, developer of the Growth Guide Appliance (GGA)

Dr. Joël Morgantini, Muralto

Dr. Arnold Von Euw, Schwyz

“Finally I have a device with which I can control the cooperation of the patient. So I can predict early on, whether a proposed treatment will be successful or whether alternative measures must be taken.“

“An incredible motivational tool. As the patient knows, that wearing time is monitored, he shows a much better cooperation.”

Dr. Roland Männchen, Winterthur

Authorised dealer:

Made in Switzerland www.swissorthodontics.com

”Simple control of the wearing time and force simplify assessment of the treatment progress.”

Dr. Felix Rohrer, Zürich