title: Limiting factors in orthodontic treatment: 1. Factors related to patient, operator and orthodontic appliances.
abstract: Owing to a shortage in the orthodontic work force in the United Kingdom, many general dental practitioners carry out orthodontic treatment in selected cases. Orthodontic treatment may not always be successful as a result of various factors. Some of these limiting factors are related to the practitioner, others to the patient, the orthodontic appliances used and sometimes to the underlying biology. It is essential that practitioners are aware of these limitations. The aim of this two part article is to describe some of the practical aspects that need to be considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General dental practitioners and novice orthodontic practitioners may get into difficulties by embarking upon an orthodontic treatment which may not be feasible owing to various limitations of orthodontic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Health and Development, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, S10 2TA.
authors.forename: Anwar A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sandler
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005386:Fingersucking; D006801:Humans; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome