Orthodontics : the Art and Practice of Dentofacial Enhancement

This article describes the orthodontic treatment of a young woman with a Class II malocclusion and maxillomandibular prognathism. One orthodontic mini- implant was placed in the posterior area of the palate to provide anchorage for?a transpalatal arch. The force for molar distalization was applied using an elastic chain from the lever arm inserted on the transpalatal arch to the mini-implant. Two sliding jigs were applied buccally as a complement for Class II malocclusion correction. This system created an efficient mechanotherapy for maxillary molar distalization...

The application of a combined surgical-orthodontic procedure for the treatment of major facial deformities (eg, asymmetries) and associated malocclusions has become an increasingly prevalent treatment modality over the past few decades. Development of sound conjoint treatment principles made possible the correction of skeletal and dental dysplasias that were unyielding to either surgical or orthodontic treatment alone. The presence and severity of dentofacial asymmetries has been the subject of many commentaries and investigations...

A new way to upright the mandibular second molar is described. The principles of the Loca system, originally used for molar distalization, are employed in the mandibular arch.

AIMS: To survey retention protocols and need for practical retention guidelines among orthodontists in Norway and to compare the results with similar studies in other countries. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all members of the Norwegian Association of Orthodontists. It included questions about their background and their current retention protocol, as well as their perceived need for common retention guidelines. RESULTS: The response rate was 77...

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different methods of ligation in tie configurations on friction in dry and wet conditions. METHODS: Four methods of ligations were used: regular round tie, figure eight, twist, and diagonal. Materials used were Alastik (3M Unitek), Power O module (ORMCO), O-ring ligatures (JES), stainless steel ligatures (TP Orthodontics), 0.019 × 0.025-inch straight-length stainless steel archwires and stainless steel MBT 0...

AIM: This prospective clinical trial aims at correlating miniscrew implant (MSI) micro/macro architecture, the method of placement, and biologic markers in peri-MSI crevicular fluid (PMICF) as indicators of bone response. A comparative evaluation of surface morphology of the MSIs before placement and after retrieval defines a correlation between the architecture of the MSIs and the bone- implant contact ratio. METHODS: Two types of MSIs (hybrid and cylindric) were placed in ten patients using a split-mouth technique with the aid of a restricted random number table...

This report describes a combined orthodontic and surgical treatment approach for a severe skeletal Class III malocclusion in a young Indian woman with serious esthetic concerns. The case required significant surgical correction in the anteroposterior and vertical planes, involving surgeries in both the maxilla and the mandible. The case required the use of mini-implant anchorage in the presurgical phase as well as postorthodontic prosthodontic rehabilitation to replace missing posterior teeth to restore the occlusal table...

This case report describes the treatment of a 21-year-old woman with a severe Class III malocclusion, 9-mm anterior crossbite, extremely proclined maxillary anterior incisors associated with decreased buccolingual alveolar width, and a malformed supernumerary tooth. The treatment plan included fixed appliances to align and level the teeth, en masse retraction of maxillary anterior incisors after a labial and palatal corticotomy using temporary anchorage devices, high Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy for maxillary advancement, and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular setback...

AIM: The experience of pain is considered a major issue during active orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The objective of this study was to indirectly and retrospectively evaluate patients' perceptions of orthodontists' awareness to their pain during active orthodontic treatment. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was distributed to 100 patients undergoing active orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. The patients were treated by at least 35 orthodontists...

AIM: To analyze the influence of bracket base mesh geometry on the stresses generated in the tooth-cement-bracket continuum by a shear/peel load case and to compare the stress generated by three different loads (masticatory, peel, and twisting) on the bracket mesh base by employing a three-dimensional (3D) finite element computer model. METHODS: A validated 3D finite element model of the bracket-cement-tooth system was constructed consisting of 40,536 nodes and 49,201 finite elements...

AIM: To test whether there is any difference in pain perception during the week following placement of initial aligning archwire in active and passive self-ligating bracket systems. METHODS: Seventy patients (mean age ± SD, 16.1 ± 2.3 years; 35 males and 35 females) were enrolled in this prospective randomized clinical trial. After appliance placement and engagement of a 0.016-inch round martensitic nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) alloy archwire, pain levels were recorded after 4 hours; at bed time on the day of the appointment; after 24 hours; and after 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days using a nine-page visual analog system (VAS) questionnaire...

AIM: Mini-implants are a relatively new device for absolute anchorage control in orthodontics. Their failure due to loosening is a multifactorial problem. Improper positioning of mini-implants with different diameters is evaluated in this study via the finite element method. METHODS: Twelve 3D finite element models of a mandibular posterior segment were designed and included the first molar, a mini-implant, the periodontal ligament, and spongy and cortical bone...

Studies that evaluate frictional force on orthodontic brackets usually compare ligature, archwire size, bracket alloys, and systems. However, these studies do not simulate in vitro specific conditions of in vivo situations. Aiming to evaluate some conditions not created in vitro, 30 used standard edgewise brackets (30.7 months) collected from patients in the end of treatment (group 1) and 20 as-received brackets (group 2) of the same brand were compared. The brackets used in vivo were carefully removed to avoid deformation...

AIM: To compare the effects of two different types of face masks in the treatment of Class III malocclusions with maxillary deficiency in growing patients. METHODS: Forty-three patients (21 boys and 22 girls) with maxillary deficiencies were selected. Twenty-one patients (10 boys and 11 girls) with a mean age of 8.9 ± 1.4 years were treated with maxillary removable appliances and face masks. Twenty-two patients (10 boys and 12 girls) with a mean age of 9.3 ± 1...

AIM: To evaluate the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to porcelain surfaces using a recently introduced adhesive containing 10-methacryloyloxydecyle dihydrogen phosphate (10-MDP) (Panavia F2) and comparing it with two other bonding systems, Transbond XT and Fuji Ortho LC. METHODS: Three groups, each consisting of 20 porcelain premolars, were bonded with metal orthodontic brackets (0.022 MBT) using 10-MDP (group I), Transbond XT (group II), and Fuji Ortho LC (group III)...

Management of missing lateral incisors requires thorough treatment planning and an interdisciplinary approach. Occlusion and alignment are significant considerations. Three treatment options are available for replacing missing lateral incisors: canine substitution, tooth-supported restorations, and single-tooth implants. The ideal treatment is the one that satisfies the esthetic and functional requirements of the patient. The pros and cons of the various treatment options must be meticulously analyzed before arriving at a decision...

AIM: This retrospective cohort study assessed the differences between the masticatory performance of individuals with and without orthodontic treatment need. METHODS: Masticatory performances of 120 participants with equal numbers of males and females (n = 60 each) with and without treatment need (n = 60 each, determined using the index of the complexity, outcome, and need [ICON]) matched by age and sex were assessed. Participants chewed on test foods at sequences of 20, 30, 40, 40, 30, and 20 masticatory cycles...

Angle Class II malocclusions may present morphologic deviations originated from the maxilla, mandible, or both. Since its reintroduction by Pancherz, the Herbst appliance has demonstrated effectiveness in the management of patients with mandibular deficiency. Because of the intermaxillary anchorage, the action of mandibular advancement provokes simultaneous reaction of maxillary restriction, similar to high-pull headgear. This aimed of this report is to compare two cases treated in two phases. In the first interceptive phase, the transverse problem was corrected by rapid maxillary expansion, which was followed by a Herbst appliance for mandibular advancement; in the second corrective phase, the cases were finished with fixed appliances...

AIM: To compare in vitro the effects on shear bond strength of the application of a dental bleaching and desensitizer agent prior to bonding metallic orthodontic brackets to extracted human teeth. METHOD: Sixty therapeutically extracted human premolars without any visible defects were collected and stored in 0.1% thymol solution at room temperature. All teeth were randomly assigned to one of four groups (each n = 15): group I, teeth were treated with bleaching gel containing 10% carbamide peroxide; group II, teeth were treated with a desensitizer containing 26% potassium oxalate; group III, teeth were treated as in group I followed by application of the desensitizer agent as in group II; and group IV, control group...

This article presents insight into the different types of asymmetrical Class III dentofacial deformities, their diagnoses, and the treatment modalities adopted by orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons. In diagnosing facial and dental asymmetries, a thorough clinical examination and radiographic survey are necessary to determine the extent of the soft tissue, skeletal, dental, and functional involvement. The management of three cases of asymmetrical Class III dentofacial deformities is described. The optimal esthetic results and functional outcomes in the cases outlined were achieved by vertical and anteroposterior reduction with rotation of the mandible in conjunction with meticulously planned pre- and postsurgical orthodontic treatment...