This post is about understanding how we turn our orthodontic assessment into a diagnosis we can start to plan treatment for.
If you have read the previous posts, you will know that we value a streamlined, systematic and straightforward workflow, from assessment through to treatment. We previously discussed our assessment template (available in our orthodontic Resources), which is quite extensive. All that information can be difficult to digest and turn into a treatment plan. There is where the Diagnostic Summary comes into its own. This resource allows you to very quickly understand the key features of the malocclusion you are treating.
This isn't just for comprehensive orthodontics. In fact, it is even more important for 'simple alignment' cases.
Producing a diagnostic summary helps to list all the notable features of the case you're treating; some of these features will be addressed as part of your treatment plan, and other features may be accepted if you are doing limited amount of treatment and the patient wishes to avoid longer more comprehensive orthodontic care.
Why should this be more important in simple cases? Well, when we treat patients in a non-ideal manner, we are essentially accepting compromises in the final outcome. These compromises may include, for example, features such as increased overjet, crossbites, or asymmetric gingival heights. The orthodontic Diagnostic Summary helps to identify all the pre-existing features of the case which are not going to be treated.
By doing this in a systematic way, you can discuss with your patient the features being accepted, educate them about the limitations of your treatment, manage their expectations, and build the discussion in to the consent process. It also helps to ensure that your treatment is being safely delivered, and that your patient is going to benefit from the proposed orthodontic treatment.
Apart from the obvious benefits to patient communication, expectations and medico-legal aspects, having a diagnostic summary will help you to develop different treatment options in a streamlined way. You can learn more the diagnostic summary and developing treatment options by attending our interactive orthodontic course (launching soon) for general dentists.
Sign in to the Resources page to find a download for our Orthodontic Diagnostic Summary sheet.
Orthodontic Learning PointS
Why is the Diagnostic Summary so important?
Succinctly list the notable features of the case
Identify which features will correct
Identify which features you will accept
Facilitate patient communication
Leads organically to developing treatment plans
How can Orthodontia help you?
Understand what features should be included in the Diagnostic Summary
Learn how to develop appropriate treatment plans
Help you identify the cases you can treat confidently
Help you avoid the cases which you may not feel comfortable with
Learn all above on our course.
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