Dentofacial orthopedics and craniomandibular dysfunction

There has been a recent recrudescence of cranio-mandibular disorders (CMD), predominantly affecting women. Even children can be affected by CMD, often under diagnoses by their families and by medical professionals. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is important when evaluating the variety of diagnostic and etiological problems. The search for postural etiology, whether lingual or dental, is always necessary to better act on the etiology of these disorders. The involvement of orthodontics, in the prevention of CMD, has three impacts: functional, aesthetic and psychological, allowing for a better balance of the cranio-mandibular system. This makes the treatment of cranio-facial orthopedics, a successful choice in the recovery of CMD.     

Sudden,Severe, Idiopathic Occlusal Relationship Change Coexisting with Pain-Related Temporomandibular Disorders: A Case Report

The article presents a case of a young female patient who sought help due to myofascial pain followed by a sudden occlusal change (anterior open bite (AOB)) that occurred shortly after the administration of a soft night guard that had been previously provided by a general dentist. Palpation of the masseter and temporal muscles elicited the presence of familiar pain. After magnetic resonance imaging of temporomandibular joints, which ruled out disc displacement, the final diagnosis was myalgia. Since the patient had myalgia and malocclusion, the therapy included treatment of both conditions. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) management included a combination of kinesiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and a stabilization splint. After TMD symptoms had resolved, the patient underwent an orthodontic evaluation. Cephalometric analysis revealed skeletal class II, retrognathic face, convex profile, and normal vertical growth pattern. Orthodontic treatment included a fixed appliance with vertical intermaxillary elastics. After 19 months of treatment, both sides achieved acceptable occlusion with Class I. Since the patient had myalgia and severe malocclusion, it was important to follow a systematic diagnostic and therapeutic workflow. Although it is impossible to establish a relationship between TMD symptoms and orthodontic therapy, patients who have TMD symptoms should have their pain resolved through a conservative treatment protocol before commencement of orthodontic treatment. The beginning of orthodontic therapy comes into consideration only when the TMD pain resolves.     

Tweed-Merrifield technique and vertical dimension in hyperdivergent Class II

The cases presented in this paper share a common skeletal characteristic, hyperdivergence, a common therapeutic strategy, similar diagnostic elements, and a common choice of non-symmetrical extractions. Interceptive treatment is especially useful for this type of malocclusion to prevent deep over-bites, atypical habits, and severe malocclusion. In the Tweed-Merrifeld technique, orthodontists use careful dental, occlusal, cephalometric, and esthetic evaluations to establish an appropriate treatment plan and therapeutic strategy whose goal will be: to eliminate unhealthy compensations, re-position, if necessary, alveolar structures on basal bone, reduce anterior-posterior and vertical discrepancies, favor anterior mandibular rotation, improve facial esthetics, restore functional occlusion, and assure stability of results. Because of its consistent capability of achieving predictable resolution of the most varied and complex orthodontic disorders, the author has chosen this technique for routine use in his daily orthodontic practice.     

MK6: a computerized diagnostic system for mandibular movement

The authors describe the use of a new computerized diagnostic system MK6 by Myotronics Inc., Seattle, for the cranio-mandibular disorders. The conclusion of an anamnestic questionnaire, of an extraoral and intraoral standardized analysis and the computerized tridimensional tracings allow a precise and accurate diagnosis of the occlusal and neuromuscular pathology.     

Evidence-based care in orthodontics and periodontics: a review of the literature

BACKGROUND: In this article, the author reviews the evidence-based literature in the fields of periodontics and orthodontics to clarify the relationship between orthodontic tooth movement and various types of common periodontal disorders. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The first section is a review of the literature on common periodontal disorders. The second is a review of evidence-based studies in the combined fields of orthodontics and periodontics, with a focus on orthodontic treatment possibilities, limitations and risks inherent in patients with periodontal disorders, particularly active periodontal disease. RESULTS: The literature on orthodontic tooth movement as it relates to periodontal disease shows that proper orthodontic treatment in patients with excellent oral hygiene and the absence of significant periodontal disorders should not pose any significant periodontal risk. In the presence of poor oral hygiene, however, and under circumstances of certain types of periodontal disorders, fixed orthodontic appliances and tooth movement can contribute to significant deleterious periodontal consequences. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This review provides a clear understanding of what is known about orthodontic treatment possibilities, limitations and inherent risks in patients who may have certain types of periodontal disorders. It also underscores the importance of teamwork among the restorative dentist, periodontist and orthodontist when planning treatment for these patients. The author also offers a specific patient management protocol for this interdisciplinary dental team to follow.     

Programmazione ortodontica-prechirurgica tramite allestimento di mascherine termostampate

Objectives

The aim of this work is to introduce the protocol used at the Orthodontic Department of Milan University.

Materials and methods

All diagnostic and laboratory steps are described.

Results

The occlusal splint guides are made on a cast model after developing an orthodontic set-up.At any appointment the clinician can evaluate if the occlusal guides fit and what dental movements are necessary; this is possible without repeating records and taking new impressions. The evaluation of orthodontic treatment progression is also possible whereas undesirable effects, such as jiggling movements, can be avoided.The objectives of presurgical orthodontics are achieved when occlusal splint guides fit perfectly: at this moment the patient might be considered ready for surgery.

Conclusions

The protocol described by the authors allows to obtain an accurate orthodontic planning before surgery and to optimize treatment steps with consequent advantages in clinical practice.     

Associated orthodontic, surgical and hematological management of Cooley s anemia. Report of a case

Cooley s anaemia or b-thalassaemia or mediterranean anaemia is a blood disease characterised by malformation of the skull and long bones, which confers a typical appearance on the patient. The complete development of facial abnormalities can be prevented by an intensive blood transfusion programme or by bone-marrow-transplantation. At the present time these therapeutic strategies would be able to help these patients grow and develop, live a prolonged life and avoid bad surgical RESULTS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of orthodontic and maxillofacial surgical corrective treatment associated with an appropriate transfusion therapy in a b-thalassemic patient. The patient enrolled in the study was affected by major b-thalassemia and diagnosis was performed as an infant. She was referred to our centre at puberty for dento-maxillofacial disorders. Clinical, haematological and radiographic evaluation permitted a complete diagnosis. She received a combined haematological, orthodontic and maxillofacial surgical treatment. Controls for evaluating the statement of results obtained were performed at different times after the end of the therapy and have shown that the therapeutic objectives had been achieved and maintained. At the present time, complete diagnostic and therapeutic haematological strategies cannot be carried out on a large scale, especially in countries where health resources are limited. This objective reason, associated with possible low patient compliance, explains why we still encounter severe facial deformities resulting from erythroid hyperplasia. Our results suggest that this facial disfigurement requires surgical and orthodontic correction by consolidated surgical-orthodontic techniques performed according to the appropriate anaemia therapy. Although this is a preliminary study, initial encouraging results show no relapse three years after the end of the therapy.     

Redefining our protocol of the orthognathic surgery-first approach after 10 years of experience

The objective of this study was to update and redefine some concepts of the surgery-first (SF) approach, regarding its indications and contraindications, virtual planning work-up, surgical tips, and postoperative orthodontic benefits, after 10 years of experience. A retrospective analysis was made of orthognathic surgical procedures following the SF protocol between January 2010 and December 2019 to review inclusion and exclusion criteria, diagnostic workflow, surgical tips, and postoperative outcomes. A total of 148 SF procedures were performed during this period, which corresponded to only 9.2% of the total orthognathic surgeries performed, which means that we have broadened the exclusion criteria instead of reducing them. Surgical tips include interdental corticotomies solely in cases of anterior crowding and leaving the intermaxillary fixation miniscrews in place postoperatively for orthodontic skeletal anchorage. The mean duration of postoperative orthodontic treatment was reduced in comparison to conventional surgery (36.8 vs 87.5 weeks). The overall degree of satisfaction was high not only for the patients, but also for the orthodontists and surgeon. SF is especially indicated for patients who desire an immediate aesthetic result, with short-term orthodontics, or for treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders, if they meet the established criteria.     

Biomechanical aspects of external root resorption in orthodontic therapy

External apical root resorption is a common phenomenon associated with orthodontic treatment. The factors relevant to root resorption can be divided into biological and mechanical factors. Some mechanical and biological factors might be associated with an increased or decreased risk of root resorption during orthodontic treatment. For mechanical factors, the extensive tooth movement, root torque and intrusive forces, movement type, orthodontic force magnitude, duration and type of force are involved. For biological factors, a genetic susceptibility, systemic disease, gender and medication intake have been demonstrated influence root resorption. Orthodontic therapy of patients with increased risk of root resorption should be carefully planned. Medical history, medication intake, family history, tooth agenesis, root morphology, oral health and habits must be considerate if we do not want jeopardize our patients by severe root resorption. To monitor apical root resorption the standard procedure is a radiographic examination after 6 months of treatment. In teeth with enhanced risk, a 3-month radiographic follow-up is recommended. The administration of anti-inflammatory drugs might suppress root resorption induced by orthodontic therapy, although none study was enough conclusive to indicate a protocol for patients with enhanced risk. In the event of multiple external root resorption, the diagnostic procedure should focus on the exclusion of the local factors and its associations (such as magnitude, duration and type of orthodontic force; periodontal disease; root form) that might lead to external root resorption. Systemic disorders associated with phosphorus-calcium metabolic alterations shall be suspected. This review searched the current knowledge of the mechanical and biological aspects of root resorption in orthodontic tooth movement.     

Orthognathic surgery: an informed consent model

In this study, the authors propose an informed consent form for orthognathic surgery. A careful review of the international literature and clinical practice suggested the feasibility of dividing the informed consent form into two parts. In first part, the diagnostic procedures and the therapeutic and surgical times are described. The patient must sign it as soon he or she accepts the orthodontic/surgical therapy proposed. The second part describes the possible problems and difficulties of the procedure, and it must be read by the patient before starting the therapy. In the opinion of the authors, this informed consent form allows the patient to know the risks related to the orthodontic/surgical therapy, thus preserving the surgeons from the civil risk and penalties of omission.     

Adjunctive orthodontic therapy in the treatment of juvenile periodontitis: report of a case and review of the literature

Historically, the patient with juvenile periodontitis (periodontosis) presented as somewhat of an unknown entity to the orthodontist. With uncertainties concerning etiology still present, the orthodontist may be hesitant to undertake orthodontic treatment for the juvenile periodontitis patient. The literature pertaining to proposed etiologic factors and treatment modalities for juvenile periodontitis is briefly reviewed. Current evidence indicates that juvenile periodontitis patients have a compromised host response which allows an exaggerated susceptibility to certain gram-negative organisms. The disease is characterized by rapidly progressing bone loss, which is not associated with marked local irritation or gingival inflammation. Early diagnosis and conservative periodontal treatment have demonstrated good results. However, cases of advanced lesions or those cases that also involve malocclusion and potential occlusal traumatism may benefit from adjunctive orthodontic therapy. Successful management of a case involving multiple tooth loss along with a moderate degree of malocclusion is presented, with emphasis on the coordination of periodontic, orthodontic, and prosthodontic care. Orthodontic movement of teeth into previously affected areas was quite successful after a short healing period following extractions. A suggested protocol for the combined orthodontic, periodontic, and fixed prosthodontic management of the juvenile periodontitis patient is presented. Once the disease process has been arrested, the prognosis of each tooth is evaluated and possible rehabilitations, including orthodontic treatment and fixed prostheses, are planned. Periodontal evaluations are scheduled concurrently with orthodontic appointments to monitor the condition as tooth movement occurs.     

"Real" early orthodontic treatment. From birth to age 8

This article will introduce new concepts for earlier orthodontic (teeth) and orthopedic (jaw-bone) diagnosis and treatment from birth to age eight. While early orthodontic treatment around age 8 is getting some attention, age 8 is still too late to orthopedically guide proper jaw and airway growth in some children. By age 8, the jaws (maxilla and mandible) grow 80-90% of their adult size. Research shows that small jaws create small airways and increase the likelihood of life-threatening disorders, for life. Since the upper and lower jaw-bones form the gateway to the human airway, a new earlier orthodontic protocol and standard is warranted. Unique Functional Jaw Orthopedic concepts will help form a new early orthodontic protocol. These new concepts may very well help general dentists, pedodontists and orthodontists move dental care into a future world of medical dentistry which will include airway development, bed-wetting, ear disease, heart disease and longevity.     

Influence of occlusal vertical dimension on the masticatory performance during chewing with maxillary splints

Changing the occlusal vertical dimension is a common procedure in restorative dentistry, during treatment of patients with cranio-mandibular disorders, and during orthodontic and orthognathic treatment. The treatment may alter the length of the main jaw elevator muscles and the position of the mandibular head in the fossa temporalis. These changes may influence the bite forces that are generated during chewing and thus may affect the masticatory function. We measured the objective masticatory function, defined as masticatory performance, by determining an individual's capacity to pulverize a test food. The immediate influence of the increase in the occlusal vertical dimension on the masticatory performance was determined using three anatomical maxillary splints in a group of seven dentate subjects. The splints gave an increase in the occlusal vertical dimension of 2, 4 and 6 mm, respectively. Before we started the experiments the subjects practiced chewing with the splints during about 5 min. No significant differences were observed in masticatory performance among the conditions without and with the three splints. Thus, an increase in the occlusal vertical dimension up to 6 mm did not have a significant effect on the masticatory performance. Maxillary splints may be used to study the effect of occlusal factors on the chewing process by manipulating tooth shape and occlusal area of the splint.     

牙槽突裂的裂隙特点及正畸治疗对唇腭裂患者牙槽突植骨术的影响

牙槽突裂是位于唇腭裂患者上颌牙弓处的骨缺损,常发生于侧切牙与尖牙之间。由于先天性裂隙、早期手术治疗所致瘢痕挛缩及唇肌压迫等原因,患者多并发严重的上颌骨横向发育障碍。牙槽突植骨术作为唇腭裂序列治疗中的重要步骤,是修补上颌骨裂隙和矫正上颌横向发育不足的有效手段。众多临床实践及研究发现,正畸治疗的时机选择与牙槽突植骨术的成功率及预后效果密不可分,同时,牙槽突裂的裂隙特点对牙槽突植骨术产生的影响也不可忽视。本文就牙槽突裂的裂隙特点与正畸治疗时机对牙槽突植骨术成功率及预后的影响两方面进行综述,以期为唇腭裂患者临床治疗方案的选择及实验研究的设计提供一定的依据。     

Orthodontic Treatment of an Ankylosed Maxillary Central Incisor through Osteogenic Distraction

Tooth ankylosis is one of the various problems in dentistry and requires special treatment approaches for satisfactory results. In the orthodontic treatment of an ankylosed tooth, different treatment modalities have been put into practice including both orthodontic and orthodontic-surgical approaches. For favorable results, gingival margin esthetics must be considered as much as leveling the ankylosed tooth in the arch. Distraction osteogenesis accompanied by orthodontic mechanics is a sensible way of achieving this goal. However, devices used in the distraction protocol are high in price and bulky in shape, causing functional and esthetic problems for the patient. This report describes treatment of an infrapositioned ankylosed incisor with continuous distraction forces produced by conventional orthodontic mechanics. In conclusion, the ankylosed tooth was leveled in the upper arch successfully with a harmonic gingival margin.     

Orthodontic approach to asymmetry

From an orthodontic point of view, asymmetries can be gathered in three great clinical entities: mandibular lateral deviations, dental asymmetries without skeletal involvement, skeletal asymmetries. Once the therapeutic aims and the principles of the orthodontic approach of these dysmorphoses have been recalled, the authors present the various orthodontic means implemented in this type of treatment. Four cases treated illustrate those types of treatment. Vertical non-surgical asymmetry may have an obvious local origin, for instance, a unilateral damage to a nerve. but usually, there is no evident origin. Frequently the occlusal slippage of a severe sagittal or a vertical malformation, which may evolve as a borderline surgery case, is suspected to be the real cause. In these cases, the diagnosis is always late, with the ending growth. The treatment needs peculiar strong asymmetric mechanics and, sometimes, unilateral mixed extractions. The post-treatment occlusion can be unstable; for this reason, the finishing steps must be carefully conducted. Four clinical case reports develop these points ov view. Multidisciplinary treatments prove very useful to solve three types of clinical situations. In the adult patient, facial esthetics are indicated in severe dentofacial asymmetries. Esthetic improvements of dental nature are still required in deviated smiles, or frontal tippings of the occlusal plane. In addition, asymmetrical intermaxillary relationships will lead to functional anomalies: TMJ disorders, dental wear or lingual dysfunctions. Finally, multidisciplinary treatments in the adult concern the occlusal transverse anomalies, the lateral crossbites, the Class II subdivisions, the deviations of the inter-incisor midlines or unilateral edentulousness. The various plans of treatment, as well as the orthodontic mechanics used, are illustrated in the following development by clinical cases.     

Interdisciplinary treatment planning for orthodontic‐prosthetic implant anchorage in a partially edentulous patient

Successful orthodontic treatment is characterized by optimal anchorage control. Teeth or groups of teeth are united to counteract biomechanical reactive forces during orthodontic treatment. These classic anchorage control mechanisms are less efficient or even non-existent in partially edentulous patients who are missing multiple posterior teeth. However, osseointegrated oral implants ad modum Br-vemark can provide optimal anchorage control for orthodontic tooth alignment and rehabilitation of occlusion through prosthetic implant restorations. Careful multidisciplinary planning based on complex diagnostic wax setup casts to determine exact implant location and orientation in line with future orthodontic tooth displacements and prosthetic implant crown restorations is the most important step in the overall treatment planning.     

Treatment of ankylosed maxillary central incisors by single-tooth dento-osseous osteotomy and alveolar bone distraction

When tooth ankylosis occurs in growing children, the ankylosed tooth fails to erupt and gradually positions itself below the occlusal plane. This causes functional and esthetic problems, and orthodontic treatment is often impossible. To clarify this problem, we developed a new treatment protocol for the movement of ankylosed teeth. This consists of single-tooth dento-osseous osteotomy and alveolar bone distraction using orthodontic multibracket appliances. A special distraction device is not required, thus reducing the burden to patients. Two cases in which an ankylosed maxillary central incisor was successfully treated with this protocol are presented.     

伴颞下颌关节病错畸形的正畸治疗原则与方案

颞下颌关节(TMJ)的生物学特征是适应性改建,主要表现为髁突在咬合状态与下颌位置改变时会引发吸收、增生或修复.错畸形类型与颞下颌关节病(TMD)易感性之间存在关联.总体上,错畸形与TMD易感性从高到低依次为:突面、偏颌、直面、凹面错畸形.在突面畸形中,骨源性与混合Ⅱ型的TMD易感性最高,常表现为突吸退(突面畸形-髁突吸...     

Orthodontic treatment in periodontally compromised patients: 12-year report

This work describes the therapeutic protocol of combined orthodontic-periodontal treatment and evaluates the effectiveness of surgical and nonsurgical periodontal therapy in the maintenance of a healthy periodontal status after the orthodontic treatment. Surgical periodontal treatment was performed in 267 patients affected by severe periodontal disease, and 128 patients had nonsurgical treatment. For each patient the mean value of probing depth (mPPD) and the rate of positive bleeding on probing (%BoP) of the teeth involved in the orthodontic movement were registered before the start of the periodontal treatment, at the end of the orthodontic treatment, and 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12 years after the end of the orthodontic treatment. Comparison between pretreatment and posttreatment values and between pretreatment and follow-up values showed a decrease in mPPD and %BoP that was of statistical significance. The difference between posttreatment and follow-up values was not statistically significant. These results suggest that orthodontic treatment is no longer a contraindication in the therapy of severe adult periodontitis. In these cases orthodontics improve the possibilities of saving and restoring a deteriorated dentition.