Selection of patients for orthodontic therapy: Part one: Indication and justification of orthodontic therapy

The selection of patients for orthodontic therapy should be based on the principle that treatment should offer some advantage for the occlusion and patient as a whole considered on a scientific basis. The present report evaluates the scientific evidence, gained from orthodontic literature, for the advantages gained from orthodontic therapy related to avoidance of detrimental effects arising from malocclusion. Factors considered include damage to oral tissues, both soft and hard, problems involving masticatory function as well as psychosocial factors.