Bases for my appliances??? Just like yourself, I fall back on the tried and true methods most times. I have many little goodies I have purchased to try over the years lying around in storage places in the lab. Like that 12" disc I,m trying to sell. That goody is quite useful however, if you don't already have one, they last forever.(practically)
I did purchase many books over the years on ortho appliances. These were helpful. My knowledge of what I do was forced on me.(sort of)
I used to do nothing but Study Models. Then one Dr. calls and insists I do his appliances. I'm thinking this will cut into my surfing time etc. He starts sending work anyway. I have no pliers, wires, acrylic, compressor, etc. I call him about it, he says "Get some".
So I get stuff Sears and this used dental supply in Long Beach called Adium, if I remember correctly. Anyway minimal stuff.
Now I haven't done a study model in maybe 18 years or so.
I did take a couple of courses at Great Lakes as well.
Thing that has been the best for me learning is to be able to have a new appliance type in my hand, and memorize it. This is one of the biggest pay offs I got from investing time and money in Ortho conventions as an exhibitor. You get the opportunity to cruise around and have a look at the new stuff. There is plenty of new stuff, lots of it actually. Most of it is crap. New ideas on old appliances type stuff. Clips on a Herbst was one, instead of screws to hold them together. Lots of people pooping clips for a while. Best change for the Herbst was to hex head screws from standard flat head.
I could go on for hours.
The techniques I use I have changed over the years for faster production and no quality loss. I am always open to new ideas and techniques, seems most of them are crap, but there si sometimes a tid bit in there that is good. Can't stop looking and improving.
Mike.
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