Restoring Lateral Incisors and Orthodontic Treatment: Perceptions among General Dentists and Othodontists

Abstract

RESTORING LATERAL INCISORS AND ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT: PERCEPTIONS AMONG GENERAL DENTISTS AND ORTHODONTISTS By Matthew A. Sandretti, D.D.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015 Thesis Director: Bhavna Shroff, D.M.D., M.Dent.Sc. Program Director, Department of Orthodontics The purpose of this study was to identify and compare preferences and perceptions of orthodontists and general dentists when restoring peg-shaped lateral incisors. The investigation sought to summarize these preferences with regard to treatment planning, tooth preparation and interdisciplinary communication. A pair of mailed and electronic surveys was distributed to 1,500 general dentists and orthodontists, respectively. The results indicated that general dentists perceived that general dentists held the primary decision-making responsibility, while orthodontists disagreed (P<0.0001). Orthodontists prioritized the treatment goals of Class I canine relationship and overbite/overjet more significantly than general dentists, whom valued tooth proportions more highly (P<0.0001). General dentists reported receiving significantly less