Esthetic perceptions of facial silhouettes after treatment with a mandibular protraction appliance.

Introduction: In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the effects on the facial silhouettes produced by a mandibular protraction appliance associated with corrective treatment in Class II patients.

Methods: The sample consisted of 54 (27 initial and 27 final) lateral radiographs from 27 patients. Of these patients, 14 were girls and 13 were boys, with a mean initial age of 12.

Periodontal and dental effects of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion, assessed by using digital study models.

Objective: The present study assessed the maxillary dental arch changes produced by surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME).

Methods: Dental casts from 18 patients (mean age of 23.3 years) were obtained at treatment onset (T1), three months after SARME (T2) and 6 months after expansion (T3).

Agenesis of maxillary second premolar--diagnosis and clinical management.

Controlling the eruption and development of dentitions is fundamental for a good oral health. The early diagnosis and adequate treatment of occasional developmental disorders are essential to achieve occlusal, functional and esthetic harmony. Abnormality is the term used for classification of alterations and is the most common developmental anomaly in humans.

Cephalometric variables used to predict the success of interceptive treatment with rapid maxillary expansion and face mask. A longitudinal study.

Introduction: Prognosis is the main limitation of interceptive treatment of Class III malocclusions. The interceptive procedures of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and face mask therapy performed in early mixed dentition are capable of achieving immediate overcorrection and maintenance of facial and occlusal morphology for a few years. Individuals presenting minimal acceptable faces at growth completion are potential candidates for compensatory orthodontic treatment, while those with facial involvement should be submitted to orthodontic decompensation for orthognathic surgery.

Skeletal maturation in individuals with Down's syndrome: comparison between PGS curve, cervical vertebrae and bones of the hand and wrist.

Introduction: This study was conducted with the aim of adapting the methods developed by Martins and Sakima to assess skeletal maturation by cervical vertebrae in the pubertal growth spurt (PGS) curve. It also aimed to test the reliability and agreement between those methods and the method of hand and wrist radiograph when compared two by two and all together. 

Methods: The sample comprised 72 radiographs, with 36 lateral radiographs of the head and 36 hand-wrist radiographs of 36 subjects with Down's syndrome (DS), 13 female and 23 male, aged between 8 years and 6 months and 18 years and 7 months, with an average age of 13 years and 10 months.

From conventional to self-ligating bracket systems: is it possible to aggregate the experience with the former to the use of the latter?

Introduction: Orthodontics, just as any other science, has undergone advances in technology that aim at improving treatment efficacy with a view to reducing treatment time, providing patients with comfort, and achieving the expected, yet hardly attained long-term stability. The current advances in orthodontic technology seem to represent a period of transition between conventional brackets (with elastic modules) and self-ligating brackets systems. Scientific evidence does not always confirm the clear clinical advantages of the self-ligating system, particularly with regard to reduced time required for alignment and leveling (a relatively simple protocol), greater comfort for patients, and higher chances of performing treatment without extractions - even though the number of extractions is more closely related to patient's facial morphological pattern, regardless of the technique of choice.

Evaluation of the cervical vertebrae maturation index in lateral cephalograms taken in different head positions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if upward or downward head inclination might interfere with determination of the growth stage, using cervical vertebrae maturation index (CVMI), in order to verify the accuracy of such diagnosis when radiographs are taken with errors. Forty-nine patients, 26 females and 23 males, aged 9 to 15 years, were submitted to 3 lateral cephalograms: normal (NHP), with 15° upward head inclination (NHP-Up), and with 15° downward head inclination (NHP-Down). Three examiners evaluated the CVMI on the 147 cephalograms.

Effects of mandibular protraction appliance associated to fixed appliance in adults.

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to conduct a cephalometric evaluation of the skeletal, dental and soft tissue effects resulting from treatment of adult patients presenting Class II malocclusion, performed with a Mandibular Protraction Appliance (MPA) combined with a fixed orthodontic appliance.

Methods: The sample consisted of teleradiographs obtained before and after treatment of 9 adult patients (initial mean age of 22.48 years) with bilateral Class II, division 1, malocclusion.

Six-year follow-up of maxillary anterior rehabilitation with forced orthodontic extrusion: achieving esthetic excellence with a multidisciplinary approach.

Orthodontic extrusion with multidisciplinary treatment can provide predictable outcomes in selected situations, reducing the costs and the adaptation times of gingival tissues after implant integration. Forced orthodontic extrusion is strongly related to interactions of teeth with their supportive periodontal tissues. This article reports a case of orthodontic extrusion of the maxillary incisors for later implant rehabilitation in a patient with periodontal disease.

Using the HERBST appliance with atypical extractions in the lower dental arch.

This article reports the case of a patient with severe mandibular deficiency and crowding in the mandibular arch treated with atypical extractions of two premolars followed by mandibular advancement with the Herbst appliance. It became clear that this therapy corrected the malocclusion while improving facial.

Anterior open bite correction using bite block: a case report.

Several etiological factors that result in dental and/or skeletal alterations make the open bite a type of malocclusion with several treatment alternatives. Corrective fixed orthodontics in conjunction with mechanical or functional orthopedics is a routine approach in correcting this problem. However, orthosurgical treatment must never be discarded for cases with skeletal involvement.

New perspective on Herbst therapy for skeletal Class II malocclusions: a proposal for maxillary protrusion management.

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.

Correlation of different cephalometric measurements to define facial type.

The aim of this study was to analyze a possible correlation of different cephalometric measurements to define facial type and to evaluate the best measurement for diagnosis. The sample consisted of 95 lateral cephalograms of caucasian patients with normal occlusion, aged between 15 years and two months and 21 years and four months, of which 54 were male and 41 female. The facial types were divided into dolichofacial, mesofacial and brachyfacial, according to the standards stated by different authors, and a relationship among them was investigated using the Kappa and Total agreement methods.

Effect of a low-level laser on bone regeneration after rapid maxillary expansion.

Introduction: In this study, we evaluated the effects of a low-level laser on bone regeneration in rapid maxillary expansion procedures.

Methods: Twenty-seven children, aged 8 to 12 years, took part in the experiment, with a mean age of 10.2 years, divided into 2 groups: the laser group (n = 14), in which rapid maxillary expansion was performed in conjunction with laser use, and the no-laser group (n = 13), with rapid maxillary expansion only.

Comparative in vitro study of the shear bond strength of brackets bonded with restorative and orthodontic resins.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of brackets bonded with different restorative systems and compare it with that afforded by an established orthodontic bonding system. Seventy human bicuspids were used, divided into five different groups with 14 teeth each. Whereas a specific orthodontic bonding resin (Transbond™ XT) was used in the control group, the restorative systems Charisma, Tetric Ceram, TPH Spectrum and Z100 were used in the other four groups.

Metallographic analysis of the internal microstructure of orthodontic mini-implants.

Effective orthodontic anchorage may be obtained by miniimplants inserted into the maxillary bones. However, the risk of miniimplant failure is one of the most important issues, especially the rupture of its structure referred to as fracture, mainly due to metal deficiencies. This study analyzed the internal microstructure of orthodontic mini-implants, ascertaining the composition of the metal to detect possible discontinuities from the surface to the core of the screws.

Evaluation of the Bolton ratios on 3D dental casts of Brazilians with natural, normal occlusions.

Aim: To evaluate the Bolton ratios in Brazilians with natural, normal occlusions.

Methods: Thirty-five dental casts of Brazilian Caucasians with a natural, normal occlusion from the files of the Postgraduate Program in Orthodontics of the Methodist University of São Paulo were scanned in three dimensions. On the scanned images, the greatest mesiodistal distance of each tooth from right first molar to left first molar was measured with Geomagic Studio 5 software.

Evaluation of distances between the mandibular teeth and the alveolar process in Brazilians with normal occlusion.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to evaluate the distances between the mandibular permanent teeth and the alveolar process in Brazilians with normal occlusion and to compare them with normal American values.

Methods: We used 59 mandibular casts from untreated subjects who had permanent dentition and the 6 keys to normal occlusion. A computer program was used to calculate the distances between the dental reference points and the alveolar process for each tooth.

The importance of the facial profile in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning: a patient report.

Orthodontic treatment to improve not only tooth alignment but also facial esthetics is a given in modern society. This paper illustrates this assumption with a report of a patient with a Class I, maxillary retrusion, concave profile, and retrusion of the upper and lower lips. Maxillary expansion was followed by face mask therapy and orthodontic treatment, which significantly improved the soft tissue profile by projecting the upper lip.

Miniplates as skeletal anchorage for treating mandibular second molar impactions.

Mandibular second molar impactions can be difficult to correct and might require surgery. A young man with an impacted mandibular right second molar was treated with a miniplate, which provided anchorage to upright the tooth. Although other devices are available, this technique appears to be predictable and quick, and has few side effects.

A new concept of mandibular dental arch forms with normal occlusion.

Introduction: Because it is important to maintain dental arch dimensions during orthodontic therapy, all possible dental arch forms must be evaluated.

Methods: A mathematical method associated with a polynomial function was used to evaluate the dental arch forms of 63 mandibular models of Brazilian adolescents in the permanent dentition with normal occlusion. A bead was glued to each tooth to simulate an orthodontic accessory and help in the measurement of distances between the center of the bead to the x- and y-axes.

Orthodontic compensation in skeletal Class III malocclusion: a case report.

Aim: To describe the dentoskeletal changes occurring during treatment of a patient with a skeletal Class III malocclusion treated for orthodontic compensation at 10 years 4 months of age.

Methods: Rapid maxillary expansion was performed with a Hyrax appliance, Petit orthopedic face mask, high-pull chin cap, and bioprogressive fixed mechanics.

Results: The mechanics employed yielded downward and backward mandibular rotation (3 degrees of opening of the facial axis), advancement of the maxillary incisors, and retraction of the mandibular incisors.

Early tooth extraction in the treatment of anterior open bite in hyperdivergent patients.

Aim: To describe the treatment of a 7-year-old patient with a hyperdivergent (dolichofacial) pattern, Class II Division 1 malocclusion, and anterior open bite.

Methods: Treatment was performed in 2 stages following the principles of the Ricketts bioprogressive technique and comprised early extraction of the maxillary permanent first molars and primary second molars.

Results: The treatment plan established for correction of the initial malocclusion reached the orthodontic goals, providing optimal esthetics and normal function.

Dentoskeletal and soft-tissue changes with cervical headgear and mandibular protraction appliance therapy in the treatment of Class II malocclusions.

Introduction: In this study, we cephalometrically compared changes in the dentoskeletal and soft tissues after orthodontic treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusions between the cervical headgear (CHG) and the mandibular protraction appliance (MPA) followed by fixed appliances.

Methods: The sample consisted of 50 patients divided into 2 groups of 25 patients each (13 male, 12 female). Group 1 patients were treated with CHG and fixed appliance, and group 2 patients were treated with the MPA and fixed appliances.