THE CHALLENGES OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC

Abstract

Social distancing imposed by COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) severely restricted the access to some services, including follow-up of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Since then, going to the doctor’s office has been mandatory and strictly necessary only in urgent or emergency situations. The objective of this work is to present, through a literature review, the main occurrences of the kind in the specific context of orthodontics and the COVID-19 pandemic, also discussing their clinical implications and the future perspectives of professionals and patients who are undergoing treatment. Its conclusion is that the reinforcement of biosafety practices and the development of alternative tools were of great importance in reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Keywords

• pandemics
• orthodontics
• coronavirus infections