Diagnosis and Mechanics for the Clinical Assistant

Orthodontic clinical assistants are very skilled at performing the treatment procedures that their orthodontist currently uses but they often times do not completely understand the science and reasoning behind any give procedure. In today’s busy offices, with assistants of varying experience, it is hard to keep track of who knows what and often time assistants are hesitant to ask questions about something they are expected to know because they do it on a daily basis. This lecture will discuss the area of orthodontics where Biology and Technology meet. Everything from levels of force, Andrews 7 keys, skeletal change vs dental movement, and a host of other concepts basic to “why orthodontists do what they do” will be covered.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the range of ideal for tooth movement and how inner bracket distance, wire selection, and elastics fits with this concept.
• Define Andrews 7 Keys and how wire selection, re-bracketing, and wire bending are used (or not used) over the course of treatment to reach those goals.
• Define how skeletal balance and normal growth and development affects treatment decisions in Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 patients.