Orthodontic informed consent for impacted teeth.

Orthodontists routinely refer patients to oral surgeons or periodontists for exposure of impacted or ectopic teeth. Although other specialists perform these procedures, the orthodontist could have a legal responsibility to obtain informed consent, depending on how the referral orders are written. The purpose of this article is to discuss some considerations of the informed consent process for surgical exposure and alignment of impacted or ectopic teeth, and to suggest a template for an informed consent form for this use.