Interdisciplinary approach to orthodontic treatment involving an osteopath and a dentist (protocol)

Abstract

Contemporary approaches to orthodontic treatment are complex: in complicated cases, they combine removable/fixed orthodontic appliances and surgical treatment, i.e., extraction of permanent teeth. In order to prevent negative outcomes and complications that can follow correction of dentofacial abnormalities and deformities, children and adults alike need to be thoroughly examined and prepared to the orthodontic stage of treatment. Many studies point to the relationship between orthodontic treatment and development of somatic dysfunctions. The purpose of this work was to develop an osteopathic disorders correction algorithm that can be introduced to an interdisciplinary protocol uniting efforts by an osteopath and an orthodontist with the aim to improve the quality of specialized orthodontic medical care.