Diagnosis

Let's consider the steps to a successful diagnosis for clear aligner treatment planning.

PATIENT GOALS

What is the patient's chief complaint? • 

• Is it esthetic? (A "better smile")
• To improve function or pain relief?
• To optimize before restorative treatment?
• Is it some combination of the above? 

What would they like to see as a result of treatment?

COLLECT INFORMATION

Consider and collect information from the patient's:

• Medical/Dental History
• Intraoral Examination
• Occlusion
• Extraoral Examination
• Clinical Photographs
• Intraoral Scans or PVS impressions
• Orthodontic Radiographs

ESTABLISH COMPLEXITY

• Asses the cumulative number of conditions observed in the patient.
• Considering the patient's goals and objectives for treatment; will their present conditions allow for those goals to be achieved?
• Consider the predictability of the movements required to address the patient's conditions.
• Are there any contraindications in their medical history?
• Is there any unseen pathology?

TREATMENT GOALS

• Based on all the information collected, determine which conditions will be addressed in treatment.
• Is there a preference for how long the patient wants to be in treatment?
• Depending on the goals, information, and preferred duration for treatment, select the treatment option most appropriate to achieve the desired outcome.