Results of the 1996 JCO Study of Orthodontic Diagnosis and Treatment Procedures will be presented in three articles, beginning with this issue. The only study of its kind, it covers the gamut of materials and techniques used in diagnosis and treatment. Since this is the third survey since 1986, it makes it possible to examine trends in orthodontics over that decade.
The tables are interesting if only for the unique view of the specialty they provide. It is also interesting to speculate on some interrelationships. For example, nearly half of the respondents use an appointment interval longer than the time-honored four weeks; a third use a six-week interval. It seems likely that this circumstance is related to the growing popularity of titanium archwires.
As older orthodontists retire, the use of older procedures--notably Pont's Index, Bonwill-Hawley and Brader archforms, Tweed arch-length analysis, Begg and Crozat appliances, and Hawley retainers--is declining. The reduced use of Hawley retainers may be associated with the increasing use of other types of removable retainers and the significant debut of Essix appliances.
Similar articles from the archive:
- THE EDITOR'S CORNER The More Things Change March 1991
- THE EDITOR'S CORNER A Question of Style August 1987
Prescription of removable functional appliances appears to be declining, while the use of "non-compliance" appliances is increasing. Lingual orthodontics continues to languish, and magnetic appliances have not taken off. The decline in the use of ceramic brackets may be surprising, although it could be associated with the extensive use of miniaturized metal brackets.
Orthodontists seem to have settled on a "combination of causes" as the chief explanation for TMD. Advocacy of individual causes such as occlusion, stress, and--perhaps surprisingly--muscle dysfunction continues a decline that was apparent in the 1990 Study.
The next two articles, which will break down the data by demographic variables, will reveal some other interesting relationships.
ELG