Dentists

Orthodontics Proficiency Level

Estimated duration: 7-9 minutes 17 questions 4 answer options

This questionnaire analyzes your current clinical profile in orthodontics. It is not an assessment: it is a conversation to understand your real starting point and guide a professional development plan. There are no right or wrong answers.

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1 Clinical experience and autonomy

What level of autonomy do you have in orthodontics?

My confidence lies in simple, predictable cases. Complex planning and deviation management cause hesitation.

I plan and monitor treatments confidently. My limit is multidisciplinary cases, skeletal discrepancies, or complex mechanics.

I master the complete workflow across a broad variety of cases, consulting specialists only for niche situations.

My clinical judgement allows me to address any presentation. Peers frequently consult me on orthodontic cases.

2 Clinical experience and autonomy

What types of cases can you diagnose, plan, and execute?

Mild alignment, moderate crowding, and simple detailing. I require predictable conditions to feel confident.

In addition to simple cases, I tackle moderate malocclusions, limited transverse changes, and mechanics with elastics or IPR.

Broad spectrum of cases: aligners, auxiliaries, transverse discrepancies, anchorage mechanics, and interdisciplinary care.

The entire clinical spectrum: skeletal anchorage, assisted expansion, growing patients, and demanding adult aesthetic/functional goals.

3 Clinical experience and autonomy

Approximately what annual orthodontic case volume do you manage?

Fewer than 20 new active cases. Orthodontics plays a minor role in my practice.

Between 20 and 60 new cases. It is a regular presence in my day-to-day work.

Between 60 and 150 new cases. Orthodontics is a central pillar of my practice.

More than 150 new cases. A high-volume, deeply established orthodontic practice.

4 Diagnosis and planning

Which diagnostic tools do you routinely use?

Photography, panoramic radiographs, and clinical exam. Intraoral scanner or CBCT are rare or external.

Routine intraoral scanning and selective CBCT for impactions, canines, asymmetries, or anatomical limits.

IOS, standardized photos, and indicated CBCT, integrating facial aesthetics and skeletal relationships.

Complete diagnostic workflow: photography, IOS, CBCT, facial scanning, functional tracking, and virtual patient integration.

5 Diagnosis and planning

How do you routinely plan orthodontic cases?

Clinical exam, photos, and plaster/digital models when needed. Planning is predominantly conventional.

Alongside basic diagnosis, I integrate radiology, facial analysis, and intraoral scans in selected cases.

I use a structured diagnostic workflow: standardized photos, indicated CBCT, IOS, facial analysis, and clear biomechanical goals.

Planning is the core of my work: digital patient, CBCT, IOS, facial scanner, 4D dynamics, and simulated outcomes before starting.

6 Diagnosis and planning

How do you define treatment goals?

I focus mainly on dental alignment and addressing the patient's chief complaint.

I define dental and aesthetic goals, taking occlusal function into account in moderate cases.

I balance aesthetics, function, periodontal health, stability, airway when relevant, and biological movement boundaries.

I build a comprehensive plan: skeletodental diagnosis, biomechanics, periodontal prognosis, stability, and upfront interdisciplinary coordination.

7 Clear aligners and biomechanics

What types of cases do you treat with clear aligners?

Mild cases: minor alignment, small diastemas, or relapses, avoiding complex tooth movements.

Mild to moderate cases: crowding, limited dentoalveolar expansion, IPR, and occasional elastics.

Broad caseload: extrusions, intrusions, torque, selective Class II/III, open/deep bites, and auxiliary mechanics.

Advanced aligner therapy: complex movements, skeletal auxiliaries, hybrid treatments, staging strategies, and predictive outcome control.

8 Clear aligners and biomechanics

What is your proficiency in reviewing digital aligner setups?

I check the overall outcome and frequently accept the software or technician's proposal.

I make basic modifications: staging sequence, attachments, IPR, and visible final positioning.

I actively inspect staging, attachments, IPR, root torque, anchorage, elastics, and overcorrections based on biomechanics.

I master setups as a clinical tool: anticipating unpredictable vectors, designing anchorage, root control, planned refinements, and detailing.

9 Clear aligners and biomechanics

How do you manage monitoring, patient compliance, and refinements?

I detect tracking loss once obvious and usually wait until the series ends to refine.

I perform routine checks and adjust if tracking slips, wear time drops, or attachments dislodge.

I use defined protocols for tracking, wear compliance, elastics, aligner fatigue, and timely refinement scans.

I manage tracking deviations with clinical metrics: taking proactive steps and treating refinements as a planned phase rather than an emergency fix.

10 Miniscrews and skeletal anchorage

What is your skill level in indicating skeletal anchorage miniscrews?

I know the theory but have not incorporated miniscrews into real practice.

I prescribe them in selected cases, relying on external guidance for placement site and mechanics.

I prescribe miniscrews autonomously for intrusion, distalization, mesialization, vertical control, or absolute anchorage.

I integrate skeletal anchorage into primary biomechanical design, eliminating compromises and enhancing predictability.

11 Miniscrews and skeletal anchorage

What is your level in miniscrew insertion and clinical management?

I do not place them. If required, I refer or ask for assistance.

I have placed a few miniscrews in simple interradicular zones or assist under supervision.

I place and manage them autonomously in routine sites, assessing interradicular space, attached mucosa, angulation, and hygiene.

I master placement across challenging anatomical sites, handling re-insertions, stability loss, and 3D guided surgical insertion.

12 Miniscrews and skeletal anchorage

How do you design the biomechanics associated with miniscrews?

I use simple mechanics, depending on external protocols or mentoring colleagues.

I plan lines of action and anchorage in simple cases, but side-effect management causes uncertainty.

I calculate force vectors, moments, vertical control, and anticipated side effects, adjusting dynamically.

I design complex mechanics from first biomechanical principles, combining miniscrews with aligners or fixed appliances seamlessly.

13 Expansion systems and MARPE

What type of maxillary expansion do you routinely perform?

Simple dentoalveolar expansion in mild cases, avoiding significant transverse discrepancies.

Conventional tooth-borne expanders and limited aligner expansion, distinguishing dental from skeletal issues.

I manage rapid palatal expansion in growing patients and selective MARPE in late teens or young adults.

I master total transverse strategy: dental, skeletal RPE, MARPE, aligner synergy, and long-term retention stability.

14 Expansion systems and MARPE

How do you plan a MARPE or miniscrew-assisted expansion case?

I have not planned MARPE cases. I understand the technique but have not integrated it.

I evaluate indications with external mentoring, assessing palatal vault space and transverse deficit.

I plan with CBCT: evaluating midpalatal suture maturation, cortical bone thickness, screw placement, appliance design, and activation.

I integrate 3D diagnosis, digital CAD design, periodontal limits, airway impact, customized activation, and subsequent aligner coordination.

15 Expansion systems and MARPE

How do you decide between aligners, conventional expanders, MARPE, or orthognathic surgery?

Decision rests mainly on visual clinical severity and the appliance I am most comfortable with.

I consider age, transverse discrepancy, and aesthetics, seeking consultation in borderline presentations.

I evaluate age, skeletal maturation, CBCT, periodontal envelope, occlusion, airway, and expected stability.

I apply an explicit diagnostic algorithm: skeletal discrepancy, biological envelope, mechanical predictability, and surgical referral when indicated.

16 Digital workflow, manufacturing, retention, and complications

What is your skill level in designing or in-office manufacturing of orthodontic appliances?

Design and fabrication depend almost entirely on the lab or clear aligner manufacturer. I validate the final result.

I design or customize simple appliances: retainers, splints, simple expanders, or 3D models with lab support.

I actively design retainers, expanders, splints, and auxiliaries, managing materials, 3D printing, and clinical fit.

I master in-house orthodontic CAD/CAM: design, validation, printing/milling, QA inspection, and clinical delivery.

17 Digital workflow, manufacturing, retention, and complications

How do you handle complications or treatment tracking deviations?

Last question

I pause and seek external assistance. I prefer not to proceed without clear mentoring.

I manage basic deviations: tracking loss, lost attachments, minor relapses, or compliance issues. In complex situations, I consult or refer.

I have established criteria to manage most complications: mid-course correction, refinement, auxiliary anchorage, or altered mechanics.

I anticipate them during setup, manage them autonomously, and document them into continuous clinical and digital workflow improvements.