EVIDENCE-BASED ORTHODONTICS IN SOLVING CONTROVERSIES AND PROVIDING A BASIS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES

This review focuses on how to solve controversies in clinical orthodontic practice through evidence-based debate and consensus. The importance of quality retrospective and prospective primary research is highlighted in helping us increase our knowledge-base, as is the value of carefully defining the question or controversy to be resolved with a PICO-based approach. Focus is then given to randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews (secondary studies) and initiatives to improve their quality and their reporting in orthodontics. An historical perspective of orthodontic clinical research is made before an appraisal of research today. Finally, the value of best practice guidelines is discussed, and a look is taken at the best ways to establish clinical practice guidelines and clinical care pathways in orthodontics.