As general dentists, we have likely all experienced the disappointment of getting a patient back from the specialist, only to realize your directions were not followed to the letter. It then falls in our court to make the proverbial “silk purse out of a sow’s ear”. With this case, I would like to demonstrate how keeping orthodontic treatment in the hands of the general dentist can greatly enhance the aesthetic and functional outcome of a smile makeover.
Many general dentists experience frustration when they refer patients to specialists. This frustration comes from losing control over the outcome of the case. The general dentist has a unique perspective on treatment planning that stems from being continually exposed to all disciplines of dentistry. On the other hand, specialists become focused solely on their specialty and tend to neglect other facets that are integral to the success of the case. This is especially profound in cases that are aesthetically demanding.
A 44-year-old female patient presented to my office with the chief complaint of “my front tooth has been discolored for some time, and it is now becoming very loose, and I don’t like the way it looks like I am missing a tooth on the left.” (Fig. 1)
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