Rationale and criteria for excellent finishing

Ryu, Young Kyu; Kim, Young Joon

Abstract

Finishing is usually accomplished about four to seven months before the removal of orthodontic appliance in order to achieve ideal occlusion and excellent aesthetics. This process, called finishing, is the key to obtain excellent final results. Some of orthodontists believe it can be accomplished at the final stage of orthodontic treatment, and they complete it without their special rationale and criteria for finishing. However, it should be considered as a part of the total treatment plan from the beginning to end, and a guideline for finishing, which is based on rationale and criteria for the removal of orthodontic appliance, is needed to obtain the desired results. The guideline should include a checklist for finishing. This checklist is divided into four categories: occlusal, aesthetic, periodontal, and habitual factors. Occlusal factors include alignment, marginal ridge discrepancy, interproximal contact, anterior inclination, posterior inclination, over-jet, over-bite, arch form, and functional occlusion. Aesthetic factors include gingival form, crown form, crown width, and crown length. Periodontal factors include root angulation, bone level, and black hole in periodontal factors. Habitual factors consist of mouth breathing, tongue position at rest, tongue thrust, lip biting, nail biting, and finger sucking.