Abstract
New diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to orthodontics range from novel methods to expedite tooth movement to contemporary appliance designs and advanced technologies, including 3D imaging. These protocols offer unprecedented opportunities such as individualization of treatments, improved diagnostics, efficient and efficacious therapy, and enhanced outcomes. On the other hand, these new devices and approaches pose challenges to the discerning clinician and patient who want to know whether a specific new technique offers diagnostic or therapeutic advantages over currently accepted methods. Furthermore, the integration of proven new approaches into everyday practice often can be burdensome. Finally, decisions on the use of such new methods add to the already existing lack of consensus concerning several traditionally difficult questions such as open bite correction, root resorption and obstructive sleep apnea.
This proceeding of the 43rd Annual Moyers Symposium and 41st Annual International Conference on Craniofacial Research (the Presymposium) contains reports, original research and review articles written by international experts on the evidence—or lack thereof—for traditional, new and emerging approaches in orthodontics. An improved understanding of the currently available evidence for these diagnostic and treatment modalities will provide strong rationale and justify their application to everyday patient care.
Cobourne, Martyn T