Abstract:
To investigate the consequence of lateral cephalograms on the treatment decision for early treatment in orthodontics, were the models, photographs and X-ray images taken from six patients of the Department of Orthodontics of the University Hospital of Tübingen ZZMK. Criterion for selection of patients, the classification of early treatment by classification of orthodontic treatment need using the orthodontic indication groups (ISCG) was. Exclusion criteria were as craniofacial anomalies. The investigation was made and the diagnostic records of the patients before the start of the late stage of the dentition. The youngest patient was 5 years old at baseline and 2 months, the oldest 8 years and 4 months. The average age was 7 years and 2 months.A total of 47 of 234 respondents participated in both orthodontists survey rounds. They should carry out a treatment plan for the six patients at two time points T1 and T2. These 47 orthodontists were in three groups: A, B and C distributed. To investigate the influence of lateral cephalograms on the treatment decision of Orthodontists, the groups differed in that in addition to T1 and T2 for each group, not the lateral cephalograms were available to the other diagnostic materials. The therapy forms were analyzed with respect to changes and similarities of the treatment planning from first to second stage. The analysis showed only two significant changes in treatment plans from T1 to T2. These two changes have occurred in transverse therapeutic options. A lateral cephalogram provides no information about transverse relationships, because they are not to judge the lateral cephalogram. Therefore lateral cephalograms could not have been the decisive factor for the significant changes in these two significant changes to the treatment. All other findings showed no significant changes in treatment planning from T1 to T2.
Consequently, lateral cephalograms are of no consequence to the treatment decision of early treatment in orthodontics and should not be made routinely at such a young patient clientele.