When designing a treatment plan for your dental patients, creating a structured sequence can be invaluable. This approach helps you navigate complex cases, prioritize patient needs, and ensure comprehensive care. We've come up with a master sequence that can serve as a guide for your practice.

Before you dive into the sequence, it's crucial to understand your patient's medical and dental history, chief complaints, and values. This will help you with your treatment plan and help you tailor it to each patient's unique needs.

The Master Treatment Sequence

Here's a structured approach to treatment sequencing that you can adapt to your practice:

Immediate Care and Pain Management

• Acute Pain or Injury
• Palliative Care
• Surgical or Dental Repair
• Inflammation Management

Systemic Health Considerations

• Provisional Care Prior to Definitive Plan
• Urgent Systemic Care
  • Blood pressure
  • Blood sugar
  • Obesity
  • Sleep disorders
  • Immune system problems
  • Liver and kidney function
  • Cancer conditions and staging
  • Oral medicine disorders (salivary problems, sinus issues, lesions)

Chronic Pain and Dysfunction

• Chronic Pain, Headaches, Muscle Dysfunction
  • Range of Motion
  • Force Management
  • Trigger Point Therapy
  • Condylar Evaluation and Control
  • Splints, Orthotics, and VDO Management

Dental Defects and Tooth Structure

• Dental Defects and Tooth Structure Problems
  • Open Margins
  • Cracks and Fractures
  • Cavities and Caries
  • Missing Teeth
  • Management of Apical Periodontitis and Periapical Cysts
• Force Balancing and Control

Periodontal Health

• Periodontal Disease and Treatment
  • Gingivitis
  • Periodontitis
  • Mucogingival Defects

Skeletal and Airway Analysis

• Skeletal Diagnostics
  • Airway Analysis
  • Upper and Pharyngeal Airway
  • Sinus and Septum Issues
• Growth and Development
  • Myofunctional Disorders
  • Orthognathic Concerns
  • Condylar Damage
• Facial Balance
  • Orthodontic Care
    • Arch Control
    • Tooth Arrangement
    • Tooth Size/Arch Size Disorders
    • Incisal Edge Positions

Restorative and Prosthetic Care

• Restorative Care
  • Dental Anatomy and Dentin Coverage
  • Aesthetics and Symmetry
  • Smile Design
  • Force Management and Balance
• Prosthetic Care
  • Replacement or Reconstruction
  • Dentures, Implant Prosthetics, Partial Dentures
  • Obturators and Skeletal Reconstruction

Wellness and Long-Term Care

• Wellness and Anti-Aging Care
  • Personalized Preventive Care Program
  • Facial Tissue Management
  • Skin and Wrinkle Management
• Follow-Up and Monitoring
  • Stability, Speech, Chewing System Function
  • Long-Term Scans (JVA, T-Scan, Optical Scans, Photography, CBCT)
  • Sleep and Fitness Tracking
  • Oximetry

While this master sequence offers a comprehensive framework, it's still important to customize it based on each patient's needs, desires, and health conditions. Some phases may be irrelevant for certain patients, and that's okay. The key is to have a structured approach that guides your planning process and ensures thorough, thoughtful care.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to treatment planning, consider adapting this master sequence to enhance your practice's efficiency and patient satisfaction.