Moderated by:
Todd Snyder
Considering Overtreatment
Patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance of crowded and/or rotated teeth are often reluctant to receive orthodontic therapy due to the duration of this treatment, or a host of similar such factors. While it is always important to stress that a noninvasive, orthodontic means of improving the arch form and position is the best means of improving such a condition, if the patient is fully informed of the treatment options available yet he or she still desires to avoid an extended treatment period, contemporary restorative techniques--including the placement of crowns or veneers--can provide exceptional results that address the patient's original concern. How, though, does a responsible and ethical practitioner sift through the patient's motivations and related clinical factors to determine the means of treating a patient with crowded or rotated dentition without being too invasive?