Dallas-Based Lingualcare Inc. Launches First National Center of Excellence for Lingual Orthodontics.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2004

Lingualcare is First to Deliver Revolutionary Customized "Hidden

Braces" for the Nation's Aesthetically Conscious and Active

Individuals

The first Center of Excellence for lingual orthodontics in the United States opens March 10 in Dallas to offer aesthetically conscious adults and active teens with next-generation braces that are customized, hidden from view and, in many cases, on and off in less than two years.

"Customized, lingual braces have been used to treat patients in Europe for more than two years and the results are excellent," said Lea Nesbit, Lingualcare's founder and chief executive officer. "This new approach uses orthodontic innovation and technology to give every person the smile they want with less discomfort and in many cases less time. The best part for the patient is that the braces are completely hidden from view." The application of brackets and wires are placed on the lingual (tongue side) surface of the patient's teeth so they are completely hidden from view.

Lingualcare's Center of Excellence is located in Dallas, just east of the Dallas North Tollway on Beltline Road. It is a full-service orthodontic office with its own private patient rooms, laboratory and staff members who are trained orthodontic professionals.

"This center is one of four locations we plan to build during the next 18 to 24 months," said Nesbit. "Our focus is to showcase the aesthetic, practical and clinical value of braces that can't be seen but do the job, and do it faster and with less discomfort," said Nesbit. "We have more than 400 cases from Europe that showcase the results."

Nesbit views the Dallas clinic's excellence center as an education center as well, for orthodontists, dentists and students. "The body of knowledge is growing in this space. We're seeking to build a repository of lingual orthodontic knowledge that can raise the standard of care across the board."

To date, six Dallas-area orthodontists have been certified to provide the Lingualcare System. They include:

-- Dr. J. Clifton Alexander, Dallas and Coppell, Texas 

-- Dr. C. Moody Alexander, Dallas and Coppell, Texas

-- Dr. J. Moody Alexander, Arlington, Texas 

-- Dr. R.G. "Wick" Alexander, Arlington, Texas

-- Dr. Hilton Goldreich, Plano, Texas

-- Dr. James Moore, Garland, Texas

Dr. J. Clifton Alexander and Dr. C. Moody Alexander will maintain their Dallas and Coppell practices and have committed to treat patients at the Lingualcare Center of Excellence by appointment.

"Early on, we avoided using lingual braces because they could be uncomfortable for patients and hard for doctors to work with," said Dr. Moody Alexander, a former chairman of the Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, private practitioner and newly certified Lingualcare provider. "With Lingualcare, doctors don't have to sacrifice quality and a good functional result so that patients can have a great smile during treatment."

The Lingualcare System(TM) is an advanced, aesthetic orthodontic appliance system that is 100-percent customized for each patient. The appliance is placed on the lingual or the backside of the teeth so it is completely hidden from view. The customized appliance, which is manufactured using sophisticated imaging, rapid prototyping and robotic technologies, is designed based on each patient's dental anatomy to provide optimal comfort and performance.

The prescription for each patient is manufactured into the appliance so it requires minimal adjustments by the doctor and can result in shorter treatment time. The cost of customized braces offered by orthodontists varies according to the doctor but starts at about $7,500 per case.

Lingualcare Inc., headquartered in Dallas, promotes and provides North America's first complete, customized lingual orthodontic system for teens and adults. Founded in October 2002, Lingualcare serves orthodontists, dental professionals and consumers with excellent orthodontic products, training, services and support.

Web site: http://www.lingualcare.com

For more information, contact Roy Miller at 972-716-4070 x235.