Treatment Decision Analysis is a method to combine both treatment outcome and financial information into appropriate decision making. This type of analysis is often used in medicine and public health. Dentistry has begun using this form of analysis in clinical decision making. Each analysis starts with a basic decision tree (figure below) where on maps out all possible outcomes from the decision node. From this tree we can input all necessary information to arise at cost-decision effectiveness.

In orthodontics we are blessed with a wealth of diagnostic information. From this information, clinicians decide which treatment option is optimal for patients. However, given the same information many orthodontists have differing opinions on types of treatment and appliance use. We use known patient data and treatment outcomes to assess decisions based on statistical models such as receiver operating curves.