So you think you can fly.

So you think you can fly

  

         Ever since the Wright Brothers took flight in 1903 feats of aviation have become endless- from Charles Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight in 1927 to the relatively recent non-stop around the world balloon voyage in 1999.

          There is one milestone that is still out there.  In 1980 the American Helicopter Society International created a $25,000 prize for the first aviator to:

1.                                                                               stay air borne for 60 seconds

2.                                                                               reach an altitude of more than 10 feet

3.                                                                               and hover without drifting more than 1,076              square feet

-                                                                                                                   all in a machine powered by nothing other than the human body.

         The prize grew recently to $250,000 after the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation took it under its corporate wings.  Now two teams are close after battling for the prize for years.  This weekend students from the University of Maryland will conduct flight trials for their GAMERA II XR.  The contraption has four giant blades that twirl below a recumbent style bike.  In the past it has hovered 65 seconds but it only got 9 feet off the ground. The other team is in Canada.  Students from the University of Toronto have built their own machine the ATLAS.  It has made it as high as ten feet but stayed airborne only 47 seconds.  There machine looks more like a conventional bike.  The pilot can pedal standing up for additional power.

           So if you ever wanted to fly put your engineering skills to a test and design your own machine.  Who knows your idea could win the $250,000 prize.  

          

Invisalign Summit

A few months ago, we attended the Invisalign Summit held in Las Vegas.  This was our first Invisalign Summit.  The meeting had the best of the best Invisalign offices presenting their pearls of wisdom.  There were over 3000 attendees.  We were told the meeting was sold out in 34 minutes.  Our long- term relationship with Invisalign allowed us to attend.  It was a fantastic meeting.  We are more than ever excited about the potential of clear aligner therapy.  There are very few cases that cannot be treated successfully routinely with Invisalign. 

In January, Invisalign introduced a new aligner material called Smart Track.  The material gives greater elastic properties.  This reduces the fatigue of the aligner, therefore, making tooth movements faster and more predictable.  We saw some fantastic results achieved with clear aligner wear.  I predict in the next ten years there will be as many cases treated with Invisalign as with traditional braces.  I know in our office we have seen an influx of new patients that not only desire a great smile but they want to do it with Invisalign.  Think about the difference with Invisalign and traditional braces…with clear aligners- you can eat anything you want, brushing is a snap because you take out the aligners, treatment is often faster and there are no “pokey” emergencies that can happen with traditional braces.  Many feel the cost with Invisalign is much greater but in our office the costs are the same.  If you have been thinking about improving your smile but you do not want traditional braces now is the time.  Invisalign is for you.  Remember our initial examinations are complimentary.  Keep Smiling

Dr. H

April is National Facial Protection Month

April is National Facial Protection Month

          The American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have joined forces to sponsor National Facial Protection Month. 

         From team sports like football, baseball and hockey to activities like roller blading and skate boarding, adults and children alike spend a lot of time and money gearing up for an active lifestyle.  One important piece of equipment-the mouth guard-is often overlooked.  The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation reported that athletes who do not wear mouth guards are 60 times more likely to damage their front teeth.  An American Association of Orthodontists survey found that 84% of children do not wear mouth guards while playing sports because they are not required to wear them.  At a time when football helmets or a hockey stick can cost upwards of $200.00 mouth guards can be one of the least expensive pieces of protective equipment.   Many athletes complain about the comfort of mouth guards being the reason they do not wear them.  We have provided pressure laminate mouth guards to our local athletes.  The fit is outstanding because they are made from a model of the teeth.  We customize these with the team colors and logos and place the name of the athlete embedded between the layers.  The athletes love them.  Contact our office for more information or visit our website, www.hineslyorthodontics.com