Clinical case series design: a didactic contribution
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/reh.v36i3.7732Keywords:
case reports as a topic, case reports, research design, guidelines for research managementAbstract
A clinical case series is a descriptive and exploratory study design used to document novel therapeutic experiences, generate hypotheses under real-world conditions, and preliminarily refine clinical protocols without attempting to establish causal relationships. Methodological rigor in its design and reporting is essential to ensure its academic value. The objective of this contribution was to describe the technical and methodological components required for the structured development of a case series in dentistry. Using a pedagogical approach and the Twin Block appliance as a clinical model, the reporting stages were analyzed based on an adaptation of the CARE guidelines. The analysis indicates that the rigor of this study design relies on standardized diagnostic documentation, reproducible reporting of the intervention, and longitudinal follow-up. Although this design has limitations in establishing causality due to the absence of a control group, it provides an essential exploratory foundation for teaching and for the development of higher-level research.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ebingen Villavicencio-Caparó, Paula Rojas-Aguilar, Miluska Alegría-Bernal
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