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Following a discussion on the controversial opinions concerning the orthodontial treatment in adults, as well as on the fact that in many cases the orthodontial treatments in adults are much shorter than in children, the authors present data on eight cases reflecting the possibilities of orthodontial therapy in adults. The authors stress the necessity that the orthodontist should recognize the limitations of such therapy in adults, increasing in this way the possibilities for a successful therapy.

Following a series of theoretical considerations on normal occlusion, and on the interrelationship between the dentomaxillary apparatus and the central nervous system the authors approach two practical aspects:--the effects of an early loss of the first permanent molar tooth in the autochtonous child population, and--the solving of occluding changes in the sagittal plane. With regard to the first aspect a study was carried out in 246 patients aged between 11 and 18 years. In 48 of the subjects (19.51%) there was loss of the first permanent molar tooth, 26 had lost one tooth, and 22 had lost two teeth. Occluding changes were more marked when the lower molar teeth were lacking. With regard to the second aspect the authors present several cases of anomalies of the dentomaxillary apparatus with distal occlusion, solved in the Begg technique.

The authors make an analysis of the concept of prevention as applied to the field of stomatology, and also discuss the prophylactic strategies, and the means for action. A series of aspects are discussed, including: the why of preventive practice? What is preventive practice? The philosophy of prevention; which are the facilities and the necessary equipment?