Finding balance with Planmeca Viso™ G7

For Dr. Maria-Isabel Atique, achieving work-life balance is important, which is why a career as an orthodontist appealed to her. The Venezuela native learned from her parents’ example. Her mother practiced orthodontics for more than 40 years while balancing motherhood, and her father was a cardiologist.

“Doing what we love makes a big difference in our lives and the lives of others who surround us,” said Dr. Atique. “My parents taught me by example to love helping other people.”

After completing her studies, she returned to Venezuela to practice for five years. Dr. Atique eventually immigrated to the U.S. with her husband, Jose Rojas. In 2006, their young family moved to San Antonio, Texas, so she could open her own state-of-the-art private practice, Atique Orthodontics. Jose joined her as office administrator.

Atique Orthodontics reflects the demographics of San Antonio, which has a Hispanic population of over 60%. Dr. Atique estimates that 15% of her patients are from native Spanish-speaking families. She has found that being bilingual helps patients feel more at ease.

“It's not only about speaking the language, but having a deep cultural understanding of their needs,” said Dr. Atique.

3D imaging technology also helps Dr. Atique understand her patients’ needs with more clarity. Her most recent technology investment is Planmeca Viso™ G7, a CBCT unit that represents the future of 3D imaging. Implemented January 1, this 3D system is already proving its ROI, helping Dr. Atique develop more comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plans and to make decisions on the spot without sending patients to an imaging center.

“It’s a different way to practice completely; it’s so much better and much more accurate,” Dr. Atique described. “We now have the ability to see the joints, airways, and tooth positioning, as well as the whole cranium. We can see things that we might miss otherwise. After evaluating the patient clinically, I’m then able to show them in detail what the problems are. That’s why having the 3D image is awesome.”

Dr. Atique with her Planmeca Viso™ G7.

Dr. Atique and her staff benefit from Planmeca Viso G7's large field-of-view (FOV) as well as the flexible, exact FOV positioning, all accessible via the touchscreen panel. When 3D imaging is not needed, the 3D sensor is capable of 2D imaging. She also likes that Planmeca regularly updates the Planmeca Romexis® software with no yearly fees, and that the footprint of Planmeca Viso G7 is more compact than other units.

Planmeca Ultra Low Dose™ protocol also factored into Dr. Atique’s choice of Planmeca Viso G7 as patient exposure over time is a big concern of hers.

“This unit offers Planmeca's Ultra Low Dose technology which lowers dose without loss of image quality. We need to have a balance—less radiation and more diagnostic quality,” she said.

Dr. Atique continues to find balance in her life as a wife and mother, and as an orthodontist practicing on the cutting edge of technology. Her message to both aspiring women orthodontists and orthodontists considering the investment in 3D imaging is the same: go for it!

The article was previously featured in Henry Schein Sidekick Magazine.