Preface

Pediatric Orthodontics: Theory and Practice seeks to answer clinical questions and to provide the reader with knowledge to solve daily orthodontic problems. I have written this book for three different parts of dental community: dentists, residents and specialists. It is the intent of this book to provide the dentist with an easily available and readable source of information for dealing with a specific clinical problem in pediatric orthodontics or to assist in diagnosing a clinical finding. Second, it is intended to supplement the post-graduate student’s dental curriculum in order to provide the proper pediatric orthodontic knowledge. Finally, the busy orthodontist who is interested in the specific topic will find this review helpful.

Chapter 1 is a review of craniofacial growth and development. Chapter 2 emphasized the importance on frontal and lateral facial esthetics in pediatric orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. Chapter 3 focuses on skeletal and dental relationships and their contributions to orthodontic treatment. Chapter 4 provides in depth the relationship between tooth eruption pattern and dental arches changes during transition from mixed to permanent dentition. Moreover, through clinical examples and problem based approach, a thorough knowledge of tooth eruption sequence as well as tooth eruption abnormalities and arch space loss is provided. Chapter 5 emphasizes the principles for proper occlusal guidance, prevention of developing malocclusions and proper interceptive orthodontic treatment during the mixed dentition period. A series of clinical examples and pediatric orthodontic intervention treatment were also presented. Chapter 6 addresses the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of maxillary transverse discrepancy in the mixed dentition period. Chapter 7 approaches the early diagnosis and appropriate orthodontic intervention of dental anomalies and tooth impaction. Chapter 8 focuses on the diagnosis and orthodontic management of class II, III malocclusions during the mixed dentition period.

With the help of visual aid and the unique question-answer format, the reader can quickly focus on a specific area of interest to answer the question. The problem-based approach allows the clinicians to test and improve their knowledge in Pediatric Orthodontics. The topics are covered with figures, cases, diagrams and references.

George Litsas, D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D,
Private Practice,
limited to Orthodontics,
El. Venizelou 2,
Kozani 501 00,
Greece

The author declares no conflict of interest, financial or otherwise.

To my family and especially to my parents and my wife, Katerina, and my children Melas and Maria whose love, encouragement and support have helped make this book a reality.

A great deal of thanks goes to the Dental School of Aristotle University, to the entire staff of the Department of Orthodontics, Dental Faculty, Marmara University as well as to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, TUFTS University, School of Dental Medicine. I owe a great deal of appreciation to professors Dr. Nejat Erverdi, Dr. A.E. Athanasiou and Dr. A. Pappas.