Finishing details

The C-R Eval quantifies finishing detail excellence. Rotations, uneven marginal ridges, buccolingual inclinations, and occlusion generally account for the majority of poor scores on the C-R Eval. A progress panoramic radiograph and study casts or an intraoral scan should be taken at the start of the finishing stage of treatment. Thus, the 8 parameters of the C-R Eval can be noted and corrective actions taken before debanding. Bracket repositioning, first, second, and third order adjustments to the archwire, and suitable interarch mechanics may be needed to improve the overall occlusal outcome.

Inappropriate treatment objectives

Skeletal and dental treatment objectives must be developed to address a patient’s diagnostic problems and chief concern. Objectives should be based on evidence when evidence exists. The treatment plan should be designed to meet the treatment objectives. Determining treatment objectives requires an understanding of the evidence regarding skeletal and dental changes with growth, as well as craniofacial and dental norms or ideals. It is common for examiners to notice that the objectives exactly match the results achieved. This can be problematic when the results are unusual or otherwise unexpected based on existing research. This type of error is compounded by improper superimpositions, which lead to an erroneous interpretation of the treatment effect. In these situations, the objectives were clearly not evidence based but were developed directly from the results. Such case reports may become incomplete because of many deductions on the CMF.

Excessive proclination of mandibular incisors

Excessive proclination and flaring of mandibular incisors are frequently observed by examiners during evaluation of an examinee’s records display. Improper mechanics such as excessive or unwarranted use of fixed functional Class II correction appliances, removable Class II correction springs or devices, and Class II elastics are often used without consideration for other biomechanical safeguards. Significant adverse consequences may occur, such as detrimental long-term effects on periodontal health and protrusion of the lower lip. Although mandibular incisor flaring is acceptable in some instances, the examinee must properly identify scenarios where it is appropriate and preferred vs instances where it is detrimental.

Excessive expansion of intercanine width

Excessive mandibular incisor proclination and protrusion can also result when attempts are made to treat significantly crowded mandibular arches with a nonextraction treatment approach. In addition to the aforementioned negative periodontal and profile changes, nonextraction treatment for a significantly crowded mandibular arch can result in significant expansion of intercanine width, which has been reported to be unstable. In all instances, caution is necessary when using mechanics that may result in an excessive mandibular incisor proclination or a significant increase in mandibular intercanine width. The examinee must properly diagnose and treatment plan patients to prevent negative treatment outcomes that result from significant mandibular canine expansion during treatment.

Inappropriate vertical mechanics to close skeletal anterior open bites

Nonextraction skeletal anterior open-bite closure using extrusive mechanics is becoming a more frequent treatment modality. Although some patients can be successfully treated using this approach, posttreatment stability of skeletal open-bite closure with anterior vertical mechanics can be highly variable. In certain patients, extrusion of anterior teeth might be the preferred method of treatment; in other patients, this may result in excessive gingival display. The distinction between dental and skeletal open bite must be reflected in the diagnosis, and the examinee must be able to defend any treatment and biomechanical method that uses extrusion mechanics and to discuss the appropriateness of a particular treatment approach. Although the C-R Eval scores in any inappropriately treated patient may not put the record in the incomplete category, an incorrect diagnosis that results in poor treatment planning and flawed treatment mechanics could cause an unacceptable score on the CMF. This leaves the case being scored as incomplete.

Poor control of vertical dimension

Vertical molar control (whether using an extraoral appliance, vertical holding appliance, or temporary skeletal anchorage device) is another important treatment variable that is often overlooked or ignored altogether. Patients who require careful attention to vertical control of the maxillary molars and management of other factors that could negatively affect the vertical dimension should have and exhibit treatment mechanics that are attentive to this important detail. Failure to properly diagnose vertical issues and a lack of vertical biomechanical control of the posterior dentition result in treatment effects that negatively impact the patient’s profile and occlusal scheme. Even though the C-R Eval score may be in the acceptable range, a significant point loss on the CMF can cause the case to be determined as incomplete. The examinee must properly diagnose any vertical issues and develop a treatment and biomechanical plan that does not cause mandibular backward rotation and excessive lip strain.

Cephalometric tracings

Cephalometric tracing and superimposition errors are problematic for some examinees. Incorrectly identified landmarks may affect the DI score and cause the case report to fall below the DI requirement. Additionally, accurate identification of stable landmarks in the cranial base (planum sphenoidale, greater wings of the sphenoid, cribriform plate, and ethmoid crest) are extremely important to ensure that the cranial base superimpositions are accurate and provide meaningful information. Regional tracings of the maxilla and the mandible should include the required landmarks to allow accurate superimpositions in order to determine the dental changes over time.

It is common for examinees to present incorrect tracings of cephalometric landmarks and important craniofacial structures. Most commonly, this occurs due to the examinee’s reliance on imaging software with digitized points. Imaging programs will not accurately reproduce the desired tracing of a specific structure without customization by the user. Most digitizing softwares use preselected points for common anatomic structures that may not accurately represent the anatomy of a specific patient. All tracings must accurately reflect the anatomic structures. It is the responsibility of the software user to manipulate the tracing to accurately reflect the anatomy. Failure to identify structures accurately can lead to superimposition errors, which result in faulty interpretations of the results. This can result in significant points on the CMF and cause the case report to be incomplete. Proper tracing and superimposition are critical for the orthodontic specialist to be able to identify the effects of growth and treatment for a patient.

Many examinees choose to trace cephalometric radiographs by hand. Hand tracings are held to the same standards of measurement accuracy as those produced by digitized cephalometric imaging software. Some examinees have used large-diameter felt-tipped pens that have a writing tip that creates anatomic tracings and measurement lines that do not elicit accurate cephalometric measurements. Furthermore, superimpositions traced with large-diameter markers make it difficult for both the examinee and the examiner to accurately interpret the changes with orthodontic treatment. Fine-tipped markers (0.5 mm) are required for consistency and accuracy. The ABO Web site provides excellent demonstrations for landmark identification and proper cephalometric tracing techniques using both computer-generated tracings with imaging software and hand tracings.

All cephalometric tracings should exhibit a 1:1 ratio between the radiograph and the tracing. Superimpositions should likewise have a 1:1 ratio. It is common for an examinee to show an appropriate cephalometric tracing with the proper 1:1 ratio for the measured tracing and subsequently show superimpositions that do not match the dimensions of the original tracings. This error most often occurs with digital imaging software. Confirmation of calibrated pretreatment and posttreatment cephalograms is necessary for proper assessment of the examinee’s outcomes. The examinee must ensure that all tracings and superimpositions meet the standards of the ABO as shown on its superimposition instruction videos on the Web page.