By Chris Baker, RN, DMD F or years, orthodontic conventional wisdom taught us that our treatment sequencing should be: ᕤ Correction of the sagittal relationship of the posterior teeth, and finally, ᕥ Retraction of maxillary anterior teeth and ᕦ Final detailing In his 2000 World Journal of Orthodontics article, “Ordinary Orthodontics”, James McNamara reviews these steps of conventional wisdom’s sequence and says, “It is hoped that some of the details described here as ‘ordinary orthodontics’ will contribute to the improvement of fixed appliance therapy as practiced on a daily basis.” The new wisdom is all turned upside down and inside out. Now we are enjoying starting treatment sequencing with sagittal correction of posterior teeth, during which the incisors can be sectionally aligned if desired. Sagittal correction before resolution of transverse discrepancies. Sagittal correction before vertical correction (though vertical correction may be coupled with the sagittal correction if desired.) Sagittal correction that changes the face for the better, and often provides vertical improvement as well. Fantastic is the only description that fits. ᕡ Level and align, then ᕢ Resolution of transverse discrepancies, ᕣ Vertical separation (disclusion) of the incisors as needed, to then allow Fig. 1 16 Winter 2019 JAOS
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Winter 2019: Page 16
