Straight Talk Dr. Ron Roncone



I believe that orthodontics is a lot like cooking. Even though we all start out with the same ingredients, the results can be vastly different. In my opinion, truly great orthodontics is based on three factors (excluding the extremely important patient cooperation): the scientific component, the experiential component and the artistic component (Fig. 1). I call this the SEA concept.



For many years we have moved in and out of various phases of orthodontics – the appliance phase, the mechanics phase, the functional phase and the face phase. We are now in what might be considered the technology phase. Superb orthodontics is the result of using all of these phases. A short order cook (orthodontist) has the same basic ingredients (basic science, appliances, etc.) as does a great chef (also an orthodontist), but the final result can vary tremendously.

Knowing how to use established science is very important. But, please do not neglect the art aspect. We must have an eye for what a great orthodontic result looks like. It is not just a wide smile but the wide, natural-looking smile that also functions properly that is crucial. It is up to the experienced professional to achieve this result in a non-invasive way and in as short of time as possible.

One cannot hang the proverbial orthodontic hat on just evidence-based research. We must depend on our own experience in how to work with the connectivity of joints, muscles, occlusion, aesthetics and stability. Every day orthodontists are engaged in full-mouth reconstruction. Every day orthodontists are engaged in slow facial "plastic surgery." There most certainly is an art to those endeavors!

We cannot base our goals on just the numbers. How many cephalometric analyses can be found in the literature? What numbers do we follow? There must be room for orthodontic individuality based on all three areas – science, experience and art.

Our professional journals should reflect and encourage papers which show a blend of the SEA principle and not just those of a purely scientific nature.
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