28 Febbraio 2009

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Introduzione
In ortognatodonzia le cause inerenti la responsabilità professionale non si presentano in numero così rilevante come in altre discipline, quali la protesi (circa 70%) e la implantologia (20%), prestazioni caratterizzate da un accentuato impegno economico e che vedono il professionista soccombere in una percentuale di casi molto elevata (90% e più). Il contenzioso in campo ortodontico è tuttavia in continuo aumento e presenta aspetti particolarmente complessi per cui è necessaria una precisa conoscenza di alcuni concetti medico-legali.

Abstract - From treatment agreement to iatrogenic damage
Legal issues in orthodontics Objectives. This article is a critical analysis, from a medico-legal viewpoint of malpractice cases in orthodontics reported by international literature and/or observed by the author.
Materials and Methods. Several issues are discussed among which: informed consent in orthodontics, negligence in diagnosis and therapy, loosened bands and decayed teeth, orthodontic movement and periodontal lesions, orthodontic therapy and poor oral hygiene, root resorption and force application, failure to adequately monitor the effect of orthodontic forces by Rx films, in particular with Class II and Class III elastics, patient’s information about the use of facebows etc.
Conclusions. Cases such as those reported in this article could help orthodontists in risk management and could be included in Dental Schools teaching programs.

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