What is happening in Orthodontics?
Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
In contrast to the popular belief that braces can correct all
kinds of dental malalignment and the notion that braces automatically
produces beautiful smiles, the practice of orthodontics involves
serious challenges and limitations. Orthodontists are faced with
numerous biological and technical limitations, which can inadvertently
affect the outcome and stability of their finished products.
The age and health of the patient, hereditary factors,
environmental influences such as habits, obstruction of the nasal
airway and resultant mouth breathing, as well as allergies, diet,
stress, the presence or absence of teeth, etc., can modify the growth
of jaw bones and surrounding musculature, which are the main
determinants for final position of the teeth.
Success of orthodontic treatment, therefore, hinges on the
ability of the orthodontist to sort out the relevance of different
biological and environmental influences in each patient (etiology and
diagnosis). The orthodontist will then design a plan that either
modifies or accommodates these factors (treatment plan). Additionally,
each patient has his/her specific notion of facial attractiveness that
may or may not be harmonious with the diagnostic/ethilogic list.
Effective communication between doctor and patient is essential in
order to reach a mental picture of the end result.
In our office, we promote an atmosphere of listening. Also, to
encourage open communication we provide seats next to the dental chairs
for the parents.
Orthodontic Records
To reach a diagnosis and to formulate a treatment plan we need
to collect pertinent data. This is done as follows:
1. Preliminary Examination (first appointment):
Takes one hour and involves:
- Review of medical and dental history and patients main
concern(s)
- Comprehensive examination by doctor(s)
- Review of the findings and discussion of the possible
treatment options
- Review of the fees and the insurance coverage
This first exam visit provides the orthodontist with the basic
information to establish a tentative treatment plan. It provides the
patient/parents with the essential information to make an informed
decision about orthodontic treatment.
2. Dental/orthodontic X-rays and models (second
appointment):
In the majority of cases, at least two X-rays are needed for
diagnosis.
- Panoramic X-ray (or full mouth dental X-rays): Used to
evaluate the teeth and surrounding bone. We normally request this X-ray
from the dentist’s office.
- Lateral Cephalometric X-ray: Used to evaluate the
relationship of the jawbones and the occlusion (bite of the patient).
For this X-ray, we refer the patient to a dental X-ray lab.
- Dental study models: This procedure only takes a few
minutes and is fairly non-invasive. The upper and lower models are
related to one another to reveal subtle occlusal (bite) discrepancies.