Orthodontic Considerations in Prosthetic and Restorative Dentistry

Abstract

Orthodontic treatment no longer is limited to adolescents. The past 20 years have shown an enormous increase in number of adults treated. Many orthodontists now report that 35 to 40 per cent of their patients are adults. Indeed, there are orthodontists who limit their practices exclusively to adult orthodontics. Prosthodontists and restorative dentists rely on orthodontics as a means of providing more comprehensive care to a wide variety of patients. These patients present with diverse problems and a collaborative effort between orthodontist and restorative dentist often is necessary to achieve an optimal treatment result. An overview of restorative problems that can be ameliorated by orthodontic treatment has been shown. Common problems addressed, were, for example: anterior crowding, insufficient pontic space, lack of abutment parallelism, crossbites, diastemas, and premature contact relationships. Less common, but even more demanding of orthodontic-prosthetic cooperation, are problems involving orthognathic surgical procedures and the rehabilitation of patients with congenital abnormalities. A rationale for the collaboration of orthodontists and restorative dentists was demonstrated. As technology burgeons, it becomes more and more necessary for one discipline to rely on the expertise of another. Our colleagues, in their various specialties, have made such enormous advances in sophistication that it has become virtually impossible to absorb all that is new in all areas. Collaboration not only is desirable, but has become mandatory, if we are to provide the highest level of care for our patients.