RESPONSIBILITY FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IN GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE
The dentist, when performing an orthodontic treatment must have the informed consent of the patient. Even so, the dentist retains full responsibility for the treatment.
An informed decision is based on:
• the expected goals, side effects, complications and prognosis of the suggested treatment
• treatment alternatives, including treatments that the clinician does not perform but refers to oth-er dental professionals
• advice on whether the proposed treatment will exclude alternative treatment options.
Moving single teeth or tooth movements in only one jaw always influences the oral function; the influence will frequently negative, if the treatment planning phase does not carefully include anchorage and functional considerations. Careful planning of the anchorage and functional considerations should be undertaken by the dentist and discussed with the patient.
Many of the orthodontic treatment systems available to the dental sector offer treatment planning without interaction with the dentist, but no matter what technology is involved in treatment planning and execution, the treatment remains the responsibility of the dentist.