The role of biology in the orthodontic practice (Page 8)

It may be concluded that an optimal orthodontic force is one that is applied with full attention to the anatomical constraints and peculiarities of every individual patient. Therefore, orthodontic treatment plans must focus on the desired changes in dental root position, rather than on adherence to some “universal” system of mechanotherapy as a solve-all approach. Issues such as force magnitude, duration, and direction, must be considered individually for each patient, with the clear understanding that anatomical constraints should not be violated or ignored during the correction of a malocclusion. When potentially damaging movements of dental roots are avoided, orthodontic forces may be considered biologically and clinically optimal. From this point of view, the Amalgamated Technique appears presently as the closest to be defined as an optimal mechanotherapeutic system biologically, as well as clinically.

A complete list of references is available from the publisher.

Page 1     Introduction

Page 2     Tissue remodelling and orthodontic tooth movement

Page 3     The age factor

Page 4     The effects of pre-existing medical conditions and the development of complications

Page 5     The etiology of tooth resorption

Page 6     The biological nature of an optimal orthodontic force

Page 7     How to move teeth without resorbing their roots

Page 8     Summary