A discerning approach to simple aesthetic orthodontics.

There is currently considerable interest from general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the use of simple orthodontics to treat adult malocclusions. There is controversy in this, particularly in relation to 'quick fixes', simple orthodontics and 'straight teeth in six months' as opposed to more conventional treatment where the whole malocclusion is treated. This article will present a case for the use of simple aesthetic adult orthodontics in a measured and planned way.

Orthodontics. Part 12: Combined orthodontic treatment.

Dentistry is becoming more sophisticated and capable of providing much higher treatment standards than ever before. Treatments previously considered impossible can now be achieved as a direct consequence of these advances. However, this increased complexity of treatment also means that the different branches of dentistry have, as a necessity, become more and more specialised.

Orthodontics. Part 11: orthodontic tooth movement.

Orthodontic tooth movement is dependent on efficient remodelling of bone. The cell-cell interactions are now more fully understood and the links between osteoblasts and osteoclasts appear to be governed by the production and responses of osteoprotegerin ligand. The theories of orthodontic tooth movement remain speculative but the histological documentation is unequivocal.

Orthodontics. Part 10: Impacted teeth.

This section deals with the important issue of impacted teeth. Impacted canines in Class I uncrowded cases can be improved by removal of the deciduous canines. There is some evidence that this is true for both buccal and palatal impactions.

Orthodontics. Part 8: Extractions in orthodontics.

Extractions in orthodontics remains a relatively controversial area. It is not possible to treat all malocclusions without taking out any teeth. The factors which affect the decision to extract include the patient's medical history, the attitude to treatment, oral hygiene, caries rates and the quality of teeth.

Orthodontics. Part 9: anchorage control and distal movement.

Anchorage is an important consideration when planning orthodontic tooth movement. Unwanted tooth movement known as loss of anchorage can have a detrimental effect on the treatment outcome. Anchorage can be sourced from the teeth, the oral mucosa and underlying bone, implants and extra orally.

Orthodontics. Part 5: Appliance choices.

There are bewildering array of different orthodontic appliances. However, they fall into four main categories of removable, fixed, functional and extra-oral devices. The appliance has to be selected with care and used correctly as inappropriate use can make the malocclusion worse.

Orthodontics. Part 7: Fact and fantasy in orthodontics.

Clinical research has previously lacked good methodology and much opinion was based on anecdote which is widely regarded as the weakest form of clinical evidence. There are few randomised control trials in orthodontics which support or refute areas of dogma. The number of randomised control trials is increasing significantly.

Orthodontics. Part 6: Risks in orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics has the potential to cause significant damage to hard and soft tissues. The most important aspect of orthodontic care is to have an extremely high standard of oral hygiene before and during orthodontic treatment. It is also essential that any carious lesions are dealt with before any active treatment starts.

Orthodontics. Part 4: Treatment planning.

The treatment plan is an integral part of orthodontic management. It should be divided into both treatment aims (what do you want to do?) and plan (how are you going to do it?). The treatment aims will include, for example overjet reduction.

Orthodontic and orthognathic management of a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta and dentinogenesis imperfecta: a case report.

This case report describes a patient's severe Class III malocclusion, managed with a combination of orthodontic and orthognathic treatment. The medical history was complicated by osteogenesis imperfecta and dentinogenesis imperfecta. In addition the patient was a Jehovah's Witness.

Orthodontics. Part 3: patient assessment and examination II.

The intra-oral assessment examines the oral health, individual tooth positions and inter-occlusal relationships. When this has been completed in conjunction with the extra-oral examination, a treatment plan can then be formulated.

Effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Part 2: Psychosocial effects.

The aims of this project were to evaluate whether early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance for the developing Class II Division 1 malocclusion resulted in any psychosocial benefits. This multicenter trial was carried out in the United Kingdom, with 174 children aged 8 to 10 years with Class II Division 1 malocclusions randomly allocated to receive treatment with Twin-block appliances or to an untreated control group. Data were collected at the start of the study and 15 months later.

Orthodontics. Part 2: Patient assessment and examination I.

The patient assessment forms the essential basis of orthodontic treatment. This is divided into an extra-oral and intra-oral examination. The extra-oral examination is carried out first as this can fundamentally influence the treatment options.

Effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Part 1: Dental and skeletal effects.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance for the developing Class II Division 1 malocclusion. This multicenter trial was carried out in the United Kingdom. A total of 174 children, aged 8 to 10 years old, with Class II Division 1 malocclusion were randomly allocated to receive treatment with a Twin-block appliance or to an untreated, control group.

Effectiveness of treatment for Class II malocclusion with the Herbst or twin-block appliances: a randomized, controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Herbst and Twin-block appliances for established Class II Division I malocclusion. The study was a multicenter, randomized clinical trial carried out in orthodontic departments in the United Kingdom. A total of 215 patients (aged 11-14 years) were randomized to receive treatment with either the Herbst or the Twin-block appliance.

An audit of the Yorkshire Regional Cleft Database.

This study assessed the validity of the Yorkshire regional orofacial cleft database by comparing the computer-based records with locally collated records of primary surgical events for babies born over a 2-year period (1994-1995). One-hundred-and-thirty-two infants with clefts (excluding submucous cleft palate) were identified from the latter source with an equal proportion of unilateral cleft lip/palate and isolated cleft palate births. However, only 62 per cent of cases were recorded on the database and the reporting rate of individual cleft units was highly variable (43-85 per cent).

Dental arch relationships in Yorkshire children with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Objective: To assess the dental arch relationships of children with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), born consecutively between 1983 and 1987, who had undergone primary cleft repair in the West Yorkshire region of the United Kingdom. The treatment outcome of this UCLP sample was then compared with the results of a previously published intercenter European study.

Design: A retrospective study with standardized record collection and blind assessment.

A 5-year post-operative review of secondary alveolar bone grafting in the Yorkshire region.

The objective of this study was to determine the quality of secondary alveolar bone grafting in the Yorkshire region, and consisted of a retrospective review of patients case notes and radiographs at five surgical units within the Yorkshire region. The subjects were 109 patients who had secondary alveolar bone grafting between 1.9.