Harmony FAQ

How to Order

How much does a case of Harmony cost?

Please contact your AO account manager or local distributor. You may call Customer Service at 1-800-558-7687 (for USA) or +33 1 49 89 59 40 (for Europe) for contact information for your local sales representative.

How do I order my starter kit?

While you may order your starter kit at any time, you must be certified and registered in order to submit your first case. Once certified, you may purchase your starter kit through your AO sales representative or distributor.

How do I become certified for HARMONY?

It is recommended that you enhance your skills by having on-site training in your office (USA only) or attending an in-office HARMONY course. There is a complimentary online certification course at www.myharmonysmile.com in your dedicated space.

What should I use for packaging and shipping my case to the HARMONY lab?

HARMONY provides shipping boxes and pre-paid labels for shipping your impressions and Rx Form to the lab. You may call HARMONY Customer Service at (800) 558-7687 (for USA) or +33 1 49 89 59 40 (for Europe) and ask to have them sent to your office. When you receive your finished case, there will be 1-3 shipping boxes/Rx sheets included for future use.

Can I submit a digital scan instead of PVS impressions?

Currently, HARMONY can accept digital scans using the iTero IOS or 3 Shape Trios. With your first scan submission, a PVS impression must also be submitted for calibration/comparison. Harmony is willing to consider your specific intraoral scanner please submit your scan and a PVS impression so that we can validate your scanner.

How do I send the digital scan to the HARMONY lab?

There are specific protocols for uploading the scan data to HARMONY. The scans are uploaded to the doctors reserved space at www.myharmonysmile.com. An Rx form must be submitted with the upload. Go to www.americanortho.com/harmony to view/print instructions.

Impressions

When treating only one arch with HARMONY, is it necessary to submit impressions of the opposing arch and bite registration?

You must send either a PVS impression, IO scan (iTero or Trios) or a plaster model (from alginate impression) of opposing arch. A bite registration must always be submitted. On the Rx form, indicate whether or not the NON-HARMONY arch will be treated labially or not at all (no treatment = no set-up done on this arch). It is important to give details of your treatment plan for both arches to allow the most accurate set up of the HARMONY arch. NOTE: If you plan to begin treatment of the non-harmony arch or to have extractions done prior to bonding the HARMONY arch, it is CRITICAL to retain the arch which will be treated with HARMONY prior to bonding.

In the impression, if a single tooth is not erupted and I want to begin treatment, will I receive the missing bracket later in treatment?

Yes. If possible, the lab will create a "mirrored" bracket of opposite tooth, if existing, and include it with the original case. That bracket will not be in the transfer tray.

In the impression, if multiple teeth are not erupted and I wish to begin treatment, will I receive the missing brackets later in treatment?

After the missing teeth are erupted, a pick-up impression is taken and sent to the lab with a new Rx Form requesting the bracket, tube or band to be fabricated. As there will be brackets bonded to the teeth at this time, an alginate impression, poured immediately in plaster, will be easier to work with for this process.

Why is a two-step, two-phase impression recommended?

This process utilizes a separating sheet (Plicafol) in the putty (phase 1) to create the correct size "channel" or custom tray. It is removed and the wash (phase 2) is then able to flow around the teeth which gives excellent detail for best fit of the custom bracket base to the tooth. Use of a high quality impression material system using “Heavy body or Putty” and a “Light body or Wash” is strongly recommended. (eg: ImpressaSure by American Orthodontics)

Do you recommend prophylaxis prior to impression?

If there is calculus on the lingual surfaces, it must be removed prior to the impression. Remember to also remove fixed lingual retainers! You should wait 5-7 days after prophylaxis before taking the impressions.

Rx Form

Where can I find an Rx Form?

A digital copy of the Rx Form is available online at www.americanortho.com/harmony or at www.myharmonysmile.com in your reserved space under DOWNLOADS. You can then print, scan and upload into your reserved space under SUBMIT YOUR CASE or print and mail with impressions/records.

Do I have to fill out the entire form even if it is a simple case or only one arch?

The criteria needed to best design an appliance requires details which are requested on the Rx form. If boxes are left blank, the lab may send an email asking for that information. This delays the production of the case and could delay delivery.

What kind of information should be placed in the remarks section?

Any information that can help the design team: A basic outline of your treatment plan; surgical treatment; post-treatment restorative plans and spacing needs; details for finishing (how to handle tooth height/size discrepancy); how bridges will be handled in treatment; etc...

Can I submit my Rx form online?

At present, the completed Rx form can be uploaded at www.myharmonysmile.com in the doctors reserved space under SUBMIT YOUR CASE. Follow the prompts.

Case Delivery

How long will it take to receive my order of Harmony?

Once the lab has received and validated the submitted records and the Rx form is complete, the finished case will take 3-5 weeks to be received in your office. It is important to consider shipping times when scheduling your patient bonding.

When do I have the ability to see my case (set-up) online?

You will receive a sequence of emails: #1) When records received and validated; an estimated ship date for the case to leave the lab in France #2) Set up is online and ready to view in your reserved space on www.myharmonysmile.com. Click on: Orders. Note: a 72 hour window is allowed before auto-validation by the lab. It is within this timeframe that you must accept or request modifications to the set up in order to maintain your original shipping date. If you prefer to validate all of your cases prior to going to production we can set up your account to accommodate that request.

How do I communicate with the lab once the case has been sent from my office?

Communication with the lab is done by email. On occasion, you may receive a phone call/email from Customer Service or a Trainer. It is critical that the email address provided on the Rx form is one that is checked frequently. Delays in communication can cause delays in production/shipping/delivery of your case.

Does Harmony allow me to make changes on torque and angulation on the digital set up?

You are able to make changes to your set up and communicate to the lab exactly what you wish to change and any necessary values. The views are interactive with your mouse. These adjustments to the setup must be completed within a 72 hour window to avoid changes to the estimated ship date. Delays at this process can cause delays in receiving your case.

Bonding

What adhesive do I use for bonding Harmony?

Two adhesives have been recommended for use with Harmony: MaxCem Elite Clear (Kerr) and Geristore (Denmat). With Geristore, Reliance Assure is necessary as a primer. With MaxCem Elite Clear, no primer is required.

Do I have to use a dual cure adhesive when bonding Harmony?

HARMONY has worked with many different adhesives. The recommended dual-cure adhesives, MaxCem Elite and Geristore, have been clinically proven to successfully bond the self-ligating clip with little risk of flash to damage the mechanism and for bond strength of the larger bracket base. It is not recommended to use other adhesives, particularly those which are cured only by light.

Can I use another adhesive than the ones recommended in the protocols?

For the most successful and predictable results, we advise doctors to follow HARMONY bonding protocols, including the adhesive and product recommendations. We advise against liquid self- curing adhesives because they can damage the clip.

Why are silicone trays recommended by Harmony?

Silicone trays are recommended because they are transparent, have a tight which allows for enhanced accuracy when seating the tray and holds the brackets most securely. The silicone breaks apart easily for removal after adhesive is set.

When is the ideal time to have extractions done?

Extractions are safest done AFTER bonding the HARMONY appliance. If extractions are done prior to the placement of HARMONY, the spaces must be retained. If done 3 days prior, retention is not critical. It is a good idea to have an "Essix" type retainer made in the event that the bonding appointment is delayed. Without retention, tooth movement will adversely affect fit of the indirect bonding tray resulting in improper bracket placement. Direct bonding is not recommended.

What are the clinical steps for bonding Harmony brackets?

Harmony is bonded using Indirect bonding trays. The teeth are prepared by micro-etching with 50 mcn aluminum oxide, 60 second acid etch w/ 35-37% phosphoric acid etch and application of recommended adhesive. Please refer to www.americanortho.com/harmony for a step-by step Clinical Chairside Guide in pdf.