Etiology of Malocclusion

Question 1

What did early orthodontists believe?

Answer 1

• believed in the perfect man
• Angle and his associates believed that malocclusion was a disease of civilization and blamed it on improper function of jaws under the degenerate modern conditions.
• changing jaw function in order to produce proper growth and improve facial proportions was an important goal of treatment and difficult to achieve.

Question 2

What did orthodontists believe in the first part of the 20th century?

Answer 2

• classical genetics developed and a different view of malocclusion gradually replaced the earlier one.
• the new view was that malocclusion is primarily the result of inherited dentofacial problems which may be altered somewhat by developmental variations, trauma, or altered function but which are basically established at conception.

Question 3

What did orthodontists believe in the 1980s?

Answer 3

• there was a strong swing back to the earlier view as the failures of heredity to explain most variation in occlusion and jaw proportions was appreciated and as the new theories of growth control indicated how environmental influences could operate by altering posture.
• the earlier concept that jaw function is related to the development of malocclusion was revived and strengthened.

Question 4

What do orthodontists believe presently?

Answer 4

• a more balanced view seems to be emerging
• contemporary research has disproved the simplistic picture of malocclusion as resulting from independent inheritance of dental and facial characteristics
• there is no simple explanation for malocclusion in terms of oral function
• there is never just 1 reason

Question 5

What kind of approach do orthodontics take in diagnosis and treatment planning?

Answer 5

-problem oriented approach

Question 6

What is needed in formulating the client’s “problem list”?

Answer 6

-both the client’s perceptions and the doctor’s observations are needed.

Question 7

What will treatment planning do?

Answer 7

-synthesize the possible solutions.

Question 8

Which four (4) questions do you need to answer in the interview?

Answer 8

1. How did things get to be the way they are?
2. What if anything is likely to change in the near future?
3. Why is the patient seeking treatment, and why now?
4. What does he/she expect to happen as a result of treatment?

Question 9

What kinds of things do you need to think about when asking the question: “How did things get to be the way they are?”

Answer 9

Consider medical and/or dental history, etiology

Question 10

What kinds of things do you need to think about when asking the question: “What if anything is likely to change in the near future?”

Answer 10

Consider medical condition, growth status

Question 11

What kinds of things do you need to think about when asking the question: “Why is the patient seeking treatment, and why now? ?”

Answer 11

Consider chief concern, motivation

Question 12

What kinds of things do you need to think about when asking the question: “What does he/she expect to happen as a result of treatment?”

Answer 12

Consider internal/external motivation, expectation

Question 13

Why are questions asked on the medical history questionnaire?

Answer 13

Medical History: to avoid suffering from medical complications and avoid medical emergencies.