Pediatric orthodontics: where have we been? Where are we going?

Pediatric treatment planning is difficult for those doctors who observe their patients throughout the long period of childhood. Which changes are normal? Which will self-correct? How long should the therapy be? Which is the best, current modality of treatment? An understanding of cyclic patterns, a dentofacial orientation on an individual basis, problem-oriented treatment plans, and certain reasonably based protocols make this journey through the time of childhood and the current age of dentistry rather rewarding.