The company
_____Founded by Claude G. Matasa in 1976 in Hollywood, California, the company exploited the finding that acrylic polymers can be successfully removed from all orthodontic attachments without subjecting them to charring, in other words, to temperatures which generate material degradations. Its unique process is based upon the dissolution of polymerized acrylates at temperatures at which simultaneous sterilization occurs. The attachments are finished by using burnishing instead of electropolishing, as the latter method removes metal.
_____The company moved successively to St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana, and finally again to another... Hollywood, this time in Florida (2026 Scott St., Hollywood, FL 33020). The company buys, sells and reconditions as a service to clinicians orthodontic attachments such as brackets, tubes, bands, and buttons. Details can be found on the company’s web site, www.Orthocycle.com.
_____Ortho-Cycle’s attachments are accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as being: "Substantially equivalent to the legally marketed devices" (Nov. 27, 1991). Every one of the guidelines of this very strict organization is respected: The attachments are sterilized. (Not once, but twice: first, in the process of removing the adhesive, when everything organic is broken up, and then when autoclaved just before mailing)
_____Their physical properties are maintained. (The adhesive is removed by dissolution, and not by charring). "Ortho-Cycle's method does not alter the mechanical properties of the bracket metal, and would be consi-dered the most desirable method" (D.J. L. Buchman, Am. Journ. Orthod./Dentofac. Orthop. 1980; 77: 654-668). "The only safe way for bracket reconditioning is to remove the adhesive chemically (Ortho-Cycle's system)." (F. V. Tenti, "Atlas of Orthodontic Appliances, Fixed and Removable", Caravel, Genova, 1986, p.305). "After trying several companies, we selected the reconditioning services of Ortho-Cycle... After exploratory screening was performed, a real-life test using similar criteria was extended for three recycle uses involving 100 cases of GAC brackets. All the reconditioning has been performed by Ortho-Cycle Co... Ortho-Cycle's reconditioned appliances last "in vivo" at least three cycles... For the average clinician, the repeated use of delicate appliances demonstrates that with proper reconditioning, it is possible not only to save, but also to achieve a performance similar to that of the new brackets" (A. Buchwald, Am. Journ. Orthod./Dentofac. Orthop.1989; 95: 352-354).
_____They are safe and effective. "Not a single case in court has been filled against the orthodontic prac- titioners who are using recycled appliances. The use of recycled brackets can be incorporated in the orthodontic offices" (D.E. Machen, Am. Journ. Orthod./Dentofac. Orthop. 1993; 104: 618).
_____Their quality is superior: "The quality of your recycling and sorting procedures have been faultless. After sending several thousand brackets to you, I would have expected (and accepted) that at least one or two might have been less than perfectly cleaned and sorted, but to my utter amazement, this has not occurred. As claimed in your magazine, I have experienced more problems with new brackets straight from the manufacturer than those received from your factory. Your charges have been reasonable, even taking our exchange rates in consideration, and billing procedures simple and effective. Goods have been received on time, every time. Many companies these days make bold statements about their goods and services, but fall short in actual delivery. Your company must hold something of a unique position in this regard". (Letter from Mark L. Russell, M.D. Sc., L.D.S., Melbourne, Australia)
_____Ortho-Cycle. is the first (and only one) company in its field that has been certified ISO 9002: In addition, in 2001a highly regarded, specialized statutory body, NIOM from Norway has accredited Ortho-Cycle Co. to display the CE Mark, opening thus the Europeean Union's market. As a result, its President, Claude G.Matasa, has been elected in the Empire's Who'Who Executive Registry and awarded the National republican Congressional Committee 2004 Ronald Reagan Gold Metal.