Saturday, January 1, 2011

BUTTERFLY SYSTEM: KALAMAZOO ORTHODONTICS SIGNATURE BRACES


Kalamazoo Orthodontics is rather unique in the world of orthodontic practices as we feature our own signature line of orthodontic braces, the Butterfly System.  These braces were designed and created by Dr. S. Jay Bowman who was invited by the President of American Orthodontics, Sheboygan WI to develop a treatment system featuring his own concepts.  The initial result was a new, low profile orthodontic bracket designed to enhance orthodontic treatment outcomes while also improving esthetics and comfort of these braces.  

The Butterfly System braces feature a low profile, yet they also have a vertical slot through the middle of the brace for the addition of a variety of auxiliaries to add their versatility.  The 16% reduction in profile dimensions compared to typical braces improves their comfort as these braces don't protrude as far from the surface of each tooth.  The Butterfly System also allows patients to "personalize" their orthodontic experience with a choice of multiple "colors" to tie in their wires.  Research from Ohio State University in 2010 demonstrated that patients from the ages of 9-17 still prefer the aesthetics of these type of colorful braces compared to other styles of braces.  In addition, the vast majority of orthodontists (77%) also prefer this type of orthodontic bracket, too.

Dr. Bowman's Butterfly System was officially introduced at the Annual Session of the American Association of Orthodontists but the first publications on this unique concept were published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics and Journal of the Indian Orthodontic Society in 2003-4.  Our braces were also featured in interviews with Dr. Bowman in Kieferorthopadie Nachrichten in Germany in 2009 and in an article scheduled for publication in Orthodontic Practice US in 2011.  The original concepts and theoretical basis for the Butterfly System were first described in American Orthodontics Good Practice in 2001.  Since their introduction, orthodontists from around the world have embraced the Butterfly System.  Dr. Bowman discusses these and many other concepts in lectures that he has given worldwide.  The Butterfly System features aesthetic, colorful, and comfortable braces; designed just for our practice.