The congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisor. Part 2: assessing dentists' preferences for treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To (1) determine if there are different preferences among general dentists, a combined group of dental specialists, and orthodontists concerning whether a patient with congenitally missing lateral incisors should have the teeth restored or if the canines should be orthodontically moved into the position of the missing teeth; (2) determine the role that esthetics and function of the final result has on the respondents' treatment preferences; and (3) compare the respondents' opinions about treatment preferences to their rankings of esthetics reported in part 1.


METHODS
The questionnaire accompanied the photographic evaluation in part 1. Percentages were computed and chi-squares were used to compare response patterns.


RESULTS
Compared to orthodontists, a significantly greater percentage of general dentists and combined dental specialists would restore the lateral incisors and would do so primarily for esthetic reasons. Interestingly, for those dental professionals who responded that the missing teeth should be restored, many did not rank any photograph of a restorative option as the best option.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental professionals should attempt to eliminate their personal opinions when recommending treatment options for a congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisor because discrepancies exist between the treatment result judged as most esthetic and the one most likely to be recommended.
Armbruster
Paul C
PC
Louisiana State University, School of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 1100 Florida Ave, Box 230, New Orleans, LA 70119, USA. orthovet@bellsouth.net
Gardiner
Diana M
DM
Whitley
John B
JB
Flerra
James
J
D000848:Anodontia / Q000628:therapy*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D016379:Denture, Partial, Fixed, Resin-Bonded; D004955:Esthetics, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008437:Maxilla; D023861:Photography, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques