The Importance of Cooperation
The estimated time determined to complete each patient's treatment plan can depend on several of or all of the following:
- • A patient's growth - or lack of growth
- • The rate at which a patient's teeth will move
- • The severity of the patient's problem
- • Most important of all - the patient's cooperation.
The orthodontist creates an environment in which the patient treats himself/herself. The orthodontist provides the "battle plan", but the patient is the one who makes it work by following it. Success requires good, intelligent planning by the orthodontist, and a commitment by the patient to make the treatment work.
The following patient responsibilities are key to obtaining a successful treatment result:
- • Wearing removable appliances and auxiliaries as directed
- • Maintaining proper oral hygiene
- • Refraining from eating certain foods
- • Keeping regularly scheduled appointments
