When should orthodontics be part of reconstruction of a degenerating dentition? A case report.

The present case report aims to describe a typical situation of an adult patient seeing her dentist for replacement of a missing tooth, but also requiring information regarding the possibilities for a return to the original occlusion as perceived by the patient based on family photos. The importance of the communication regarding the consequences of blindly following the patient's demand for a replacement of a missing tooth compared to the treatment possibilities when involving orthodontics is stressed. The significance of maintaining a high information level in the undergraduate training regarding treatment possibilities is stressed. The logic in dividing the treatment into separate phases defined by the solution of specific problems is demonstrated and minimizes the chair time as well as the treatment time.