Pros and Cons of Practicing Orthodontics in Large vs. Small Towns

Study Notes

Patients requiring restorative procedures, prophylaxis, or periodontal therapy should be addressed before orthodontic treatment, and patients are given instructions on their next appointment time.
A well-organized appointment book is crucial for controlling the number of patients seen at each hour and preventing over-scheduling.
Debonding appointments are significant moments for patients, marking the end of their orthodontic treatment and a reminder of the successful collaboration between doctor, patient, and parent.
Orthodontists must be patient and motivating with child patients, as they are still developing and may have difficulty following directions.
Medically compromised patients require careful evaluation for potential risks before undergoing orthodontic treatment, with a focus on maintaining oral hygiene, reducing treatment duration, and avoiding gingival or mucosal irritation.
Patients with asthma may be at greater risk for root resorption, and orthodontists should inform them of this risk before initiating treatment.
Patients with diabetes mellitus should have their condition well-controlled before receiving orthodontic treatment, and periodontal health should be maintained through proper oral hygiene instructions, aggressive pretreatment and intratreatment oral hygiene, and prudent use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
Orthodontists must be aware of the potential risks of bacteremia and endocarditis, particularly during band placement and removal and scaling procedures.
Effective communication and a motivational approach with patients can lead to better treatment outcomes, including remembering patients' names, engaging in their lives, treating them as adults, and providing genuine smiles.
Treatment overruns can be caused by poor cooperation, broken appointments, appliance breakage, altering the treatment approach mid-treatment, starting treatment too early, abnormal eruption of second molars, adult occlusion, open bites with unresolved tongue thrusts or macroglossia, skeletal dysplasia, some impacted teeth, and birth defects.
The ultimate goal of a good orthodontic clinic is to provide high-quality care, own a good home-life balance, and minimize travel time.
Clinical practice requires a balance of experience and intuition, shaped by the results of successful and unsuccessful treatments, and competition from other dental professionals adds to the challenge of maintaining a successful orthodontic practice.