A simplified method to develop an interdisciplinary treatment plan: an esthetically and functionally driven approach in three steps

Many clinicians are unsure of how to develop a comprehensive plan of treatment for patients who present with multiple problems and pathologies. In order to efficiently plan appropriate treatment for such complex patient cases, the clinician needs to either have or develop the necessary knowledge of evidence-based information on the predictability of available clinical procedures. The clinician also needs to understand the correct sequence in which such treatment is applied, and perfect the skills required for carrying out that treatment. Since most clinicians have not acquired all the knowledge and skills necessary for this task, an interdisciplinary approach to treatment is typically required. This article provides a practical step-by-step approach to planning comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment focused primarily on the teeth as they relate to each other and to the structures that surround them. The approach is based on the answers to six questions that are grouped into three steps: 1) evaluation of the teeth relative to the face and lips; 2) assessment of anterior tooth dimensions; and 3) analysis of the anteroposterior and maxillomandibular relationships. The information obtained must then be related to the patient’s skeletal framework, periodontal status, caries susceptibility, and biomechanical risk assessment in order to formulate a clear and complete plan of treatment.