Journal of the American Dental Association, Vol 124, Issue 11, 99-102
Copyright © 1993 by American Dental Association
The esthetic impact of orthodontics: planning treatment to meet patients' needs
DM Sarver
Department of Orthodontics at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry, Birmingham.
Successful orthodontic therapy in the growing patient involves the coordination of mechanotherapy, growth modification techniques, knowledge of hard and soft tissue growth patterns and patient motivational techniques. These cases represent differing types of Class II malocclusions in which the causes and treatment solutions were quite varied. The differing esthetic needs used treatment plans designed after a careful, problem-oriented assessment of the patient's needs. In each case, the success involved appropriate timing, differential diagnosis, excellent patient cooperation and the design of treatment plans to satisfy occlusal and esthetic goals. Teamwork between general practitioners and orthodontists is critical in meeting patients' needs.