Preclinical in vitro study of streptococcus mutans accumulation in three fixed retainer designs: Microbiological assay.

The use of fixed retainers in the lower arch is frequent; however, its presence increases the accumulation of biofilm and dental calculus. The objective of this research was to evaluate, in vitro, the accumulation of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in 3 designs of fixed retainers.

Expansion with transpalatal arch or continuous arch mechanics.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the 3-dimensional force system produced by transpalatal arch (TPA) mechanics with that produced by a continuous arch (CA) on the expansion of maxillary first molars.

Methods: A patient's model with 2 molars in 4-mm crossbite had orthodontic appliances bonded to all teeth. The first and the second molars were connected to two 3-dimensional load cells to compare the forces in the transverse and anteroposterior planes (Fx and Fy) and the rotational moments (Mz) produced in both molars by the expanded TPA and by 0.

MARPE Guide: A Case Report.

Aim: This paper presents a prototyped surgical guide for placement of MARPE-mini-implant-assisted rapid palatal expander.

Background: Investigations conducted in the last decades have increased the technological resources used in orthodontics. This scientific advance applies to several clinical procedures, including the planning of devices used in guided surgeries, using computed tomography images and intraoral scanning.

Which one closes extraction spaces faster: en masse retraction or two-step retraction? .

Objectives: To compare the time to close extraction spaces between en masse (ER) and two-step retraction (TSR).

Materials And Methods: Forty-eight patients with bimaxillary protrusion underwent treatment with extraction of four first premolars. All patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups: ER (n = 24) or TSR (n = 24).

Tooth movement rate and anchorage lost during canine retraction: .

Objectives: To investigate the canine retraction rate and anchorage loss during canine retraction using self-ligating (SL) brackets and conventional (CV) brackets. Differences between maxillary and mandibular rates were computed.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-five subjects requiring four first premolar extractions were enrolled in this split-mouth, randomized clinical trial.

Dental skeletal effects of the metallic splinted Herbst appliance after growth spurt: a lateral oblique cephalometric assessment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate dental and skeletal changes induced by the use of Herbst appliance compared to natural growth in young adults with Class II division I malocclusion with mandibular retrusion, by means of lateral oblique radiographs. Forty-six subjects, I4 -18 years old, after pubertal growth peak, with Class II division I malocclusion were assessed. Subjects were divided into two groups: the Experimental group included 23 subjects treated with Metallic Splinted Herbst and the Control group included 23 subjects followed without treatment.

Impaction of Maxillary Central Incisors: Surgical and Orthodontic Treatment--Case Report.

The aim of this paper is to report two clinical cases, which was performed with surgical exposure and orthodontic traction of a maxillary central incisors. Light forces were used during the orthodontic treatment applied on rigid wires as anchorage. It was noted that teeth presented adequate clinical crown height and gingival contours.

Scientific use of the finite element method in Orthodontics.

Introduction: The finite element method (FEM) is an engineering resource applied to calculate the stress and deformation of complex structures, and has been widely used in orthodontic research. With the advantage of being a non-invasive and accurate method that provides quantitative and detailed data on the physiological reactions possible to occur in tissues, applying the FEM can anticipate the visualization of these tissue responses through the observation of areas of stress created from applied orthodontic mechanics.

Objective: This article aims at reviewing and discussing the stages of the finite element method application and its applicability in Orthodontics.

Comparison surface characteristics and chemical composition of conventional metallic and nickel-free brackets.

This study aims at comparing conventional and nickel-free metal bracket surface characteristics with elemental composition by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The sample consisted of 40 lower incisor brackets divided into four groups: ABZ = conventional brackets, Kirium Abzil 3M® (n = 10); RL = conventional brackets, Roth Light Morelli® (n = 10); NF = nickel-free brackets, Nickel-Free Morelli® (n = 10); and RM = nickel-free brackets, Roth Max Morelli® (n = 10). Qualitative evaluation of the bracket surface was performed using SEM, whereby surface features were described and compared.

Orthodontic Treatment in Adult Patient with Reduced Periodontium: A Case Report.

Patients presenting reduced periodontium represent a major concern for orthodontists. The purpose of this article is to present the clinical case of an adult patient who presented sequel of periodontal disease (diastemas) compromising her dental aesthetics. She was subjected to an orthodontic treatment with the application of light forces distant from the teeth with reduced periodontium.

Influence of the vertical position of maxillary central incisors on the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypersons.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypeople with respect to different upper central incisor vertical positions in a frontal smile analysis.

Materials And Methods: A frontal close-up smile photo of an adult Caucasian woman was selected. The patient had healthy upper anterior dentition and had no history of orthodontic treatment.

Controlling mechanical undesirable side effects with a tooth indicated for extraction: free anchorage.

This manuscript describes the use of a tooth indicated for extraction due to orthodontic reasons as an anchorage aid to receive undesirable side effects caused by orthodontic uprighting of a contralateral molar tooth. The mandibular right second molar was mesially tipped as a result of loss of the adjacent first molar. Since the treatment plan involved extraction of the mandibular left first premolar, undesirable side effects associated with the molar uprighting movement were transferred to this tooth.

Influence of maxillary incisor edge asymmetries on the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypersons.

Introduction: Our objective was to determine the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists and laypeople with respect to asymmetries on the maxillary incisor edges in a frontal smile analysis.

Methods: Two frontal close-up smile photos of 2 women, 1 white and 1 Afro-Brazilian, were selected for this study. Both smiles displayed healthy maxillary anterior dentitions.

Photographic assessment of cephalometric measurements.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between craniofacial measurements obtained from cephalometric radiographs and analogous measurements from profile photographs.

Materials And Methods: Lateral cephalograms and standardized facial profile photographs were obtained from a sample of 123 subjects (65 girls, 58 boys; age 7-12 years). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated from repeated photographic measurements to evaluate method reliability.

Rapid palatal expansion: a comparison of two appliances.

This study analyzed occlusal radiographs to compare the transverse changes produced in patients treated with rapid maxillary expansion using two types of appliances. The sample consisted of 31 children aged 7 to 10.6 years, of both genders, with posterior cross-bite.

Crimpable double tubes for segmental retraction.

When a T-loop is used in segmental mechanics, it is generally attached posteriorly to an auxiliary tube in the first molars and anteriorly to a crimpable cross tube or a Burstone canine bracket. This article illustrates the use of a crimpable tube with a 90-degree bend on the base wire to secure a T-loop in segmental retraction. Both of these approaches allow a T-loop to be reactivated in a simple manner without undesirable changes in the system of forces, which could happen if the T-loop is skewed posteriorly.

The role of orthodontics as an auxiliary tool to lip augmentation.

In recent years, facial esthetics excellence has become a major focus in health professional offices and for the public worldwide. Among the main concerns of the patients is lip augmentation, since it has been associated with beauty and youth. This procedure has been increasingly performed and studied by dermatologists and plastic surgeons.

Photoelastic analysis of forces generated by T-loop springs made with stainless steel or titanium-molybdenum alloy.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to use photoelastic analysis to compare the system of forces generated by retraction T-loop springs made with stainless steel and titanium-molybdenum alloy (TMA) (Ormco, Glendora, Calif) with photoelastic analysis.

Methods: Three photoelastic models were used to evaluate retraction T-loop springs with the same preactivations in 2 groups. In group 1, the loop was constructed with a stainless steel wire, and 2 helicoids were incorporated on top of the T-loop; in group 2, it was made with TMA and no helicoids.

Accidental swallowing of orthodontic expansion appliance key.

Ingestion of a foreign object, including a dental object, can lead to a trip to the emergency room. This article describes the accidental swallowing of a key that was used to activate a rapid maxillary expander. An orthodontic patient swallowed the key while trying to activate the appliance at home.

Maxillary ulceration resulting from using a rapid maxillary expander in a diabetic patient.

One of the characteristics of diabetes mellitus is the exaggerated inflammatory response. The present report shows the reaction from the use of a rapid maxillary expander in a diabetic patient. A 9-year-old child presented an uncommon reaction to the treatment with a rapid maxillary expander, and on follow-up examination, it was discovered that the patient had diabetes mellitus.

Continuous torque system with control of the reaction unit.

This article describes an orthodontic system used to obtain active continuous torque with movement control of both active and reactive units; the system relies on principles of the segmented technique. A cantilever system with .017 x .

Changes over time in canine retraction: an implant study.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to analyze rates of canine movement over the first 2 months of continuous retraction, when rate changes are expected.

Methods: Ten patients with bone markers placed in the maxilla and the mandible had their canines retracted over a 2-month period. Retraction was accomplished with beta-titanium alloy T-loop springs.

In vivo and in vitro study of the shear bond strength of brackets bonded to enamel using halogen or LED light.

Aim: To evaluate the shear bond strength in vivo and in vitro of metallic brackets bonded to human teeth with light-curing bonding material, using two types of light-curing units.

Methods: Sixty human premolars were divided into six groups. In the GI and GII groups, the brackets were directly bonded to volunteers' maxillary and mandibular second premolars on the right and left sides, respectively, of their mouths.

Midsymphyseal distraction osteogenesis: a new alternative for the treatment of dental crowding.

In this article, we describe a midsymphyseal distraction osteogenesis treatment with a novel dentally supported appliance. This approach differs from that used in previous reports because the incisors were allowed to move during the distraction procedure. This report shows that midsymphyseal distraction osteogenesis can be used to expand both arches to produce a wider smile.