When compliance fails, which is to blame: the patient or the appliance?

Jorge FABER

In the early years of my life as an orthodontist I sometimes heard comments about the behavior of patients undergoing treatment. These comments were targeted at patients' compliance in the use of the orthodontic appliance itself or its accessories, such as intermaxillary elastics, headgear, etc.. Such remarks were often uttered disapprovingly. "That's a lousy patient. Never wears his headgear," or "No way, she'll never wear her removable appliance." That's the crux of this editorial. When compliance fails, which is to blame: the patient or the appliance? [...]

Saturday, December 28, 2024 23:11