ills are necessary if the more complex malocclusions are to be treated successfully" (p. ix).
The initial diagnosis of a need for orthodontic work should be made by the general-practice dentist. This is the professional who has seen the patient regularly, preferably at least every six months for routine examination and cleaning. The general-practice dentist is able to compare the growth and development of the patient's mouth over time and can provide baseline records useful to the orthodontist.
Significant malocclusion requires orthodontic adjustment to correct. Malocclusion is poor positioning of the teeth in relation to one another and often in relation to the jaw and gums. In malocclusion, "space is the problem, either too much or too little" (Friedman, 1991, p. 123); temporary problems may be the result of unequal growth spurts, with teeth running out of room in the jaw or permanent teeth erupting later than normal or not at all. Orthodontists group malocclusion problems into three classes, depending on the predominant feature of the teeth and ja
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