Gastric emptying rate before and after orthodontic treatment examined with the [C] breath test: A pilot study.

Introduction: Orthodontic patients with malocclusion have significantly lower masticatory and gastrointestinal digestive function than persons with normal occlusion. Although several studies have suggested that masticatory function is improved after orthodontic treatment, the relationship between such improvement and change in gastrointestinal symptoms has not been quantitatively evaluated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the change in masticatory function and the gastric emptying rate in patients with malocclusion, before and after orthodontic treatment.

Influence of orthodontic appliance-derived artifacts on 3-T MRI movies.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to study configurations of speech organs in the resting state. However, MRI is sensitive to metals, and numerous types of metallic appliances, most of which have a large magnetic susceptibility, are used in orthodontic treatment and may cause severe artifacts on MRI. We have developed techniques for obtaining MRI movies of the oral region, to evaluate articulatory changes, especially movement of the tongue, palate, and teeth, pre- and post-orthodontic/orthognathic treatment.

Computational Fluid Dynamic Study of Nasal Respiratory Function Before and After Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery With Bone Trimming at the Inferior Edge of the Pyriform Aperture.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of maxillary impaction orthognathic surgery on nasal respiratory function and the efficacy of bone trimming at the inferior edge of the pyriform aperture.

Materials And Methods: The participants were 10 patients (3 male and 7 female patients) with mandibular prognathism who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery with maxillary impaction. The surgical procedures performed were Le Fort I osteotomy with bone trimming at the inferior edge of the pyriform aperture and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy.

An anatomic study of the attachments on the condylar process of the mandible: muscle bundles from the temporalis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate anatomically the relationship between bone and muscles by detailed observation of the bone shape and the structure of muscles to facilitate an understanding of the function of the muscles involved in jaw movement.

Methods: 36 specimens of 24 Japanese cadavers were examined. The insertion areas were marked using a radiopaque marker and examined by micro-computed tomography.

Differences in Velopharyngeal Structure during Speech among Asians Revealed by 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Movie Mode.

Objective: Different bony structures can affect the function of the velopharyngeal muscles. Asian populations differ morphologically, including the morphologies of their bony structures. The purpose of this study was to compare the velopharyngeal structures during speech in two Asian populations: Japanese and Thai.

Use of an advanced 3-T MRI movie to investigate articulation.

Objective: To develop a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) movie to reveal the dynamic movement of articulators and teeth.

Study Design: Five healthy females with normal occlusion participated in this study. Various concentrations of MRI contrast media (ferric ammonium citrate [FAC]) were tested for visualization of teeth, according to facial markers and with the use of a gel.

Severe unilateral scissor bite and bimaxillary protrusion treated by horseshoe Le Fort I osteotomy combined with mid-alveolar osteotomy.

This report describes an orthognathic surgical case employing horseshoe Le Fort I osteotomy (HLFO) combined with mid-alveolar osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) for a patient with severe unilateral scissor bite and bimaxillary protrusion. A female patient (aged 26 years, 2 months) presented with a chief complaint of dysmasesis caused by scissor bite on the right side. The clinical examination revealed difficulty in lip closure and a convex profile.

Maxillary movement in distraction osteogenesis using internal devices in cleft palate patients.

Objective: The purpose of this cephalometric study was to compare the actual movement with the planned movement of the maxilla by using internal maxillary distraction in cleft lip and palate patients.

Patients: Twelve patients, including eight with unilateral and four with bilateral cleft lip and palate, underwent maxillary advancement with internal maxillary distractors.

Main Outcome Measures: Lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained preoperatively, predistraction, and postdistraction were used for analysis.

Functional relationships between the masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscle activities during gum chewing:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional relationship between masseter muscle (MM) and sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) activities and between mandibular and head movements during mastication, under experimental muscle fatigue. The sample consisted of 12 adults with individually normal occlusion. The subjects were asked to chew gum at three different times: before maximum clenching, immediately after maximum clenching, and 3 minutes after maximum clenching.