Treatment Planning in Dentistry

     Treatment planning involves offering multiple treatment options based upon a specific diagnosis from ideal dentistry on down, usually varying based upon complexity, fee and treatment time. Figuring out multiple treatment plans may initially seem complex and confusing for students. However, once one understands the complexity, treatment planning can actually become quite easy and fun. To create a treatment plan all one need do is modify your diagnosis by the patient's chief complaint. You then need to decide if you will treat just the specific chief complaint or the bigger picture.

     For example, if a patient presents with a severely broken upper premolar you could suggest to try to restore the tooth with amalgam, bonding, extract it or perform root canal therapy and fabricate a crown. The choice may not only hinge on the specific tooth in question but the surrounding dentition. The big picture of where comprehensive care will lead in this case might sway the dental student to ultimately recommending one course of treatment over another. What is the condition of the surrounding dentition. Are there other more strategically important teeth in need of more critical care in which the patient should ultimately make a greater investment of emotions, time and money?

     There is usually not just one way to treat a patient. It is possible to treat the same dental problem several different acceptable ways. What is acceptable? First, do no harm.     Second, give the patient what they want if possible. Third, keep in mind the ultimate comprehensive care of the patient and how this may modify initial treatment.