Occlusal diagnosis and treatment provide the foundation for successful restorative and esthetic treatment

This case demonstrates how a patient whose initial complaint was lower anterior crowding achieved improved function and prognosis for her dentition through treatment for her occlusion. Although she had initially refused the recommended orthodonture in favor of the compromise approach of composite restoration and enamoplasty, she ultimately proceeded with the orthodonture after completion of treatment for caries and defective maxillary restorations. Her overall prognosis improved because the maxillary anterior teeth were restored to harmonious proportions and length and her mandibular anteriors were no longer visibly crowded and rotated. Prognosis also improved because occlusion was improved.