'Spring Break Escape' final day

The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History hosts its final spring break events today. The events include a scavenger hunt at 2 p.m. and a story and craft session at 3 p.m. All activities are free with paid admission. The museum hours today are 1-5 p.m.

Guest lecturer to address cultures

Find how past cultural relationships influenced today's world with "Incompetent Imperialism: Africa in Russian culture." Peter Barta, an acclaimed author and professor, visits 4:30 p.m. Monday in room 123 of George Lynn Cross Hall at the University of Oklahoma. Barta plans to address how Russia, once striving to colonize Africa, now experiences racial struggles, as well as new African cultural influences. The event is free and open to the public.

Gaylord College hosts speakers

Documentary filmmaker and director Pat Thompson and CNN European correspondent Jim Bittermann will speak Thursday at the University of Oklahoma. Pat Thompson will speak about her new documentary "The Cheese Nun," the story of Sister Noella Marcellino from being a cheese maker to a campaigner for bio-diversity, at 3 p.m. in room 2020 of Gaylord Hall. Jim Bittermann will speak on several topics he covered in Europe, including the life of former Pope John Paul II, the death of Princess Diana and NATA air strikes in Kosovo at 3 p.m. in room 211 in Dale Hall. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to attend the event, e-mail lthomas@ou.edu.

-- Transcript Staff

The Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. -- John Copen has had teeth problems since he was a child. Braces helped some when he was a teen, but not for long. Shortly after the braces were removed, he had several front teeth knocked out playing baseball.

Now 40, the Oviedo, Fla., engineer has spent most of his adult life with a loose-fitting bridge that, over time, has caused significant damage to his teeth, gums and jaw.

He's now in the midst of a dental makeover that's still a year from completion. But he says the process has been speeded up by a new, high-tech orthodontic system that relies heavily on computers, three-dimensional imaging and robotics.

His Ormco Corp. Insignia braces accomplished in 13 months what would have taken at least 20 months with regular braces, Copen said. He was skeptical when the braces first went on, but within two months, "I saw the results and how fast it was. It was amazing to me."

The Insignia system is in final testing stages, said Copen's Winter Springs, Fla., orthodontist, Dr. John Smith, a consultant to and instructor for Ormco. It won't be available to the general public until late this year.