Professional paper
The Importance of Preventive Measures in Orthodontics
Želimir Muretić
; Department of Orthodontics School of Dentistry University of Zagreb, Craotia
Abstract
The frequency o f orthodontic anomalies in the world, and consequently in this country, is higher than 50% such a situation requires the application of intensive preventive measures, which are very important with regard to health and economy. Specific preventive orthodontics could reduce significantly the number and intensity o f such anomalies, caused by exogenous etiological factors.
Preventive orthodontics are carried out within the framework of general preventive dentistry from the prenatal phase, trough the early postnatal phase of development, during decodous and mixed dentition, and permanent dentition up to adulthood and final growth and development o f the craniofacial system. Due to the fact that in this country there too few orthodontists, it is necessary for pediatricians, pedodontists and all personal participating in the treatment of teeth in children and adolescents to be acquainted with the importance of adequate preventive orthodontic measures. General preventive dentistry including preventive orthodontics, are partly carried out in educational - training institutions, which requires
the participation of other personnel besides physicians in the preventive programmes. By effective application of preventive orthodontics programmes the number and intensity o f malocclusions could be reduced, and thus the frequency o f caries and parodontopathy. However, this requires better organisation at all levels o f general and specific prevention.
Keywords
preventive; preventive orthodontics; prevention o f malocclusion
Hrčak ID:
98629
URI
Publication date:
15.6.1996.
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