Assessment of the therapeutic position for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment.

The authors discuss the influence of mandibular displacement in intercuspal position (ICP) on orthodontic planning and treatment. The correct therapeutic position in orthodontics should be assessed on the basis of clinical and radiographic parameters. Posteroanterior cephalograms can be of great diagnostic value; deviation from the norm of some measurements is highly indicative of a mandibular displacement in ICP. A repositioning occlusal splint is then constructed in the therapeutic position before the definitive orthodontic treatment is started; the splint should lead to improvement of the clinical and cephalometric data.