[How to manage with rigour but flexibility an orthodontic practice]. / Gérer son cabinet d'orthodontie entre rigueur et flexibilité.

INTRODUCTION: An orthodontic office owner must understand the context and then combine logic, emotion, intuition and common sense. The productivity approach is no longer acceptable. It is necessary to combine rigour, flexibility and pragmatism. DISCUSSION: The obsessive perfectionism is ineffective. In fact, there are four ways to demonstrate a flexible determination: persevere when appropriate, win the support of your entourage, back on some decisions, appeal to the collective will. Another needed feature is to have the flexibility to change its own habits and change the ones of others. Some practical examples based on the five available resources (time, money, people, training and equipment) illustrate the concepts discussed. CONCLUSION: Both qualities are necessary for the orthodontic business manager today: strong leadership and flexibility. The best attitude lies in the combination of these two seemingly contradictory requirements.

[How to analyze periodontal morphotypes in order to reduce the risk of periodontal recession]. / Savoir analyser le morphotype parodontal pour minimiser les risques de récessions parodontales.

INTRODUCTION: The periodontal morphotype is a leading feature to be born in mind during surgical, implant, prosthetic, restorative as well as orthodontic treatment. A fragile morphotype will rapidly trigger severe and worrying clinical repercussions for the patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to minimize the risks involved, sound knowledge of the different morphotypes and of the techniques for clinically evaluating them is a major requirement. These factors need to be regularly reassessed since morphotypes can vary throughout the course of treatment. RESULTS: Detecting and controlling mucogingival risk factors will enable an appropriate clinical approach designed to avoid the onset of secondary recessions or other gingival pathologies.

A survey of general dentists regarding orthodontic retention procedures.

AIM: To explore 1. how Swiss general dentists deal with complications associated with fixed orthodontic retainers, 2. collaboration between general dentists and orthodontists with regards to the organization and responsibility for long-term follow-up of orthodontic retainers, and 3. the need for standardized clinical guidelines regarding orthodontic retention. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was sent to 201 randomly selected dentists. They were asked about their experience with retainers, opinions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of different types of retainers, responsibility for patients wearing bonded retention and the communication between orthodontists and general dentists. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. RESULTS: The response rate was 61 per cent. About 55 per cent of the respondents had had experience with bonding fixed retainers and even more were familiar with their follow-up and repair. In case of complications, dentists usually contacted orthodontists according to the following rule: the more severe the complication, the more intense the communication. Most dentists hesitated to remove retainers when requested to do so by the patient and attempted to convince them to continue wearing them. Retainers bonded to all six anterior teeth were considered more efficient than those bonded to canines only; however, possible side effects (e.g. unwanted changes of the torque) were not well known. 66.4 per cent respondents were willing to take responsibility for patients in retention as early as 6 months after retainer placement. 93.2 per cent respondents would welcome the establishment of standardized guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Swiss general dentists have good knowledge of orthodontic retention and follow-up procedures. Nevertheless, introduction of clinical guidelines including information on the possible side-effects of bonded retention is justified.