Limiting factors in orthodontic treatment: 1. Factors related to patient, operator and orthodontic appliances.

UNLABELLED: Owing to a shortage in the orthodontic work force in the United Kingdom, many general dental practitioners carry out orthodontic treatment in selected cases. Orthodontic treatment may not always be successful as a result of various factors. Some of these limiting factors are related to the practitioner, others to the patient, the orthodontic appliances used and sometimes to the underlying biology. It is essential that practitioners are aware of these limitations. The aim of this two part article is to describe some of the practical aspects that need to be considered. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: General dental practitioners and novice orthodontic practitioners may get into difficulties by embarking upon an orthodontic treatment which may not be feasible owing to various limitations of orthodontic treatment.