DIAGNOSIS............... a small word, yet the most important and decisive step in undergoing any treatment.
Diagnosis in orthodontics means examining, analyzing and investigating such conditions that require immediate or delayed treatment for correction of malocclusion to improve aesthetics, form and function. This is the most vital tool and foremost step because it not just concentrates on detecting dental malocclusion alone, instead encompasses multiple other factors like jaw discrepancies, developmental syndromes, systemic diseases, periodontal problems, psycho-social issues and cultural ambience in which a person lives, which has a positive or negative impact on the treatment plan of a patient. This is the only field of dentistry which uses the maximum number of tools for diagnosing a condition like OPG and Cephalometric radiographs, photographs of different facial views, study models etc. In orthodontics, evaluation of any discrepancy starts from a very early age because the earlier and better the diagnosis, the more valuable and beneficial it becomes in controlling and correcting dental and skeletal irregularities in treating the social smile and over all profile of the patient. Any in-accuracy in judging even a minor discrepancy can lead to detrimental effects which are usually irreversible, worsens the appearance of a patient, increases the cost and duration of a treatment, and consequently result in loss of confidence of the patient in his/her dentist and breaking a long build bond between patient and doctor.
Hence a good dentist, and specifically a good orthodontist is one , who has a sharp vision and the rite means for detecting and diagnosing the disease in a complete manner. So for all the young, flourishing capable dentists, who are in love with orthodontics, a small unrevealed truth from me..... MASTER THE ART OF DIAGNOSIS and you will rule the hearts of your patients. .
Dr Syed Sheeraz Hussain
BDS, DCPS,MCPS,FCPS
Editor In chief --POJ