A systematic review of cephalometric facial soft tissue changes with the Activator and Bionator appliances in Class II division 1 subjects

The objective of the present systematic review was to evaluate, through lateral cephalograms, facial soft tissue changes after the use of the Activator and Bionator appliances in Class II division 1 malocclusion subjects. Several electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Cochrane Database, Embase, Web of Sciences, and Lilacs) were searched with the assistance of a senior health sciences librarian. Abstracts, which appeared to fulfil the initial criteria, were selected by consensus. The original articles were then retrieved. Their references were also hand searched for possible missing articles. Clinical trials, which assessed facial soft tissue changes with the use of either an Activator or a Bionator appliance without any surgical intervention or syndromic characteristics, were considered. A comparable untreated control group was required to factor out normal growth changes. Five articles using the Activator and six using the Bionator fulfilled the selection criteria and quantified facial soft tissue changes. An individual analysis of these articles was undertaken and some methodological flaws were identified. Based on the available evidence, a significant amount of controversy regarding the soft tissue changes produced by the Activator and the Bionator exists. Soft tissue changes that were reported as being statistically significant were of questionable clinical significance. Long-term, double-blinded, prospective randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings. Three-dimensional quantification is also required to overcome current limitations in our understanding of the soft tissue changes obtained with the use of removable functional appliances.     

Skeletal and dental changes in Class II division 1 malocclusions treated with splint-type Herbst appliances. A systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate skeletal and dental changes in growing individuals through lateral cephalograms obtained after the sole use of the splint-type Herbst appliances in Class II division 1 malocclusions. METHODS: Several electronic databases (Pubmed, Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Cochrane Library Database, Embase, Web of Sciences, Scopus, and Lilacs) were searched with the help of a health sciences librarian. Abstracts that appeared to fulfill the initial selection criteria were selected by consensus. The original articles were then retrieved. Their references were also hand-searched for possible missing articles. Clinical trials that assessed, through lateral cephalograms, immediate skeletal and dental changes with the use of splint-type Herbst appliances without any concurrent orthodontic appliances, surgical intervention, or syndromic characteristics were considered. A comparable untreated Class II division 1 malocclusion control group was required to factor out normal growth changes. RESULTS: Three articles were finally selected and analyzed. An individual analysis of these articles was made and some methodological flaws were identified. The selected studies all showed statistically significant changes in the anteroposterior length of the mandible, vertical height of the ramus, lower facial height, mandibular incisor proclination, mesial movement of the lower molars, and distal movement of the upper molars. Posttreatment relapse in overjet and molar relationship was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Dental changes are as important as skeletal changes to attaining the final occlusal results. Long-term, prospective, double-blinded, randomized clinical trials are needed to support these conclusions.     

Implant vs screw loading protocols in orthodontics

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review presents the loading protocols applied when using implants and/or screws in orthodontic treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical trials which assessed the use of implants and/or screws for orthodontic anchorage and studies involving treatment on syndromic patients, surgery, other simultaneous treatments, or appliances (ie mini-plates) were considered. Electronic databases (Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Lilacs, Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and All Evidence Based Medicine Reviews) were searched with the help of a senior Health Sciences librarian. Abstracts which appeared to fulfill the selection criteria were selected by consensus. The original articles were then retrieved and evaluated with a methodological checklist. References were also hand searched for possible missing articles. RESULTS: Eleven articles fulfilled the selection criteria established. Five studies involved the use of implants while six involved the use of screws for orthodontic purposes. An individual methodological analysis for each article was made. CONCLUSIONS: Loading protocols for implants involve a minimum waiting period of 2 months before applying orthodontic forces while loading protocols for screws involve immediate loading or a waiting period of 2 weeks to apply forces. Success rates for implants were on average higher than for screws.     

Cephalometric facial soft tissue changes with the twin block appliance in Class II division 1 malocclusion patients. A systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate facial soft tissue changes after the use of the twin block appliance in Class II division 1 malocclusion patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Cochrane databases, EMBASE, Web of Science, and LILACS) were searched with the help of a senior health-sciences librarian. Abstracts that appeared to fulfill the initial selection criteria were selected by consensus, and the original articles were retrieved. The article references were hand-searched for possible missing articles. Clinical trials that assessed facial soft tissue changes with the use of the twin block appliance without any surgical intervention or syndromic characteristics were considered. A comparable untreated control group was required to factor out normal growth changes. RESULTS: Two articles fulfilled the selection criteria and quantified facial soft tissue changes. Although some statistically significant changes in the soft tissue profile were found, the magnitude of the changes may not be perceived as clinically significant. Changes produced in the upper lip seem to be controversial, although the study with sounder methodological quality did not report significant changes. No change in the anteroposterior position of the lower lip and the soft tissue menton or improvement of the facial convexity was found. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional quantification of the soft tissue changes is required to overcome current limitations in our understanding of the soft tissue changes obtained after the use of the twin block appliance in Class II division 1 malocclusion patients.     

Long-term skeletal changes with rapid maxillary expansion: a systematic review

The objective was to evaluate long-term transverse, anteroposterior and vertical skeletal changes after rapid maxillary expansion (RME). The data were clinical trials that assessed skeletal changes through cephalometric analysis. No surgical or other simultaneous treatment during the evaluation period was accepted. Electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, ASP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, Embase, Web of Sciences and Lilacs) were searched with the help of a senior Health Sciences librarian. Abstracts that appeared to fulfill the initial selection criteria were selected by consensus. The original articles were then retrieved. A methodological checklist was used to evaluate the quality of the selected articles. Their references were also hand-searched for possible missing articles. Articles without an adequate control group to factor out growth changes were excluded. Only three articles (one measuring transverse and two anteroposterior and vertical changes) measured RME stability after active expansion, all of them had some methodological flaws, which limit the attainable conclusions. An individual analysis of these articles was made. Long-term transverse skeletal maxillary increase is approximately 25% of the total dental expansion for prepubertal adolescents. Better long-term outcomes are expected in transverse changes because of RME in less skeletally mature patients. RME appears not to produce clinically significant anteroposterior or vertical changes in the position of the maxilla and mandible. The conclusions from this systematic review should be considered with caution because only a secondary level of evidence was found. Long-term randomized clinical trials are needed.     

Contemporary Class II orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment: a review

The literature regarding the dental and facial soft tissue effects of various forms of contemporary Class II orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment is reviewed. Treatment outlined includes the use of headgear and functional appliances to attempt to modify the facial growth process and the extractions of premolar teeth as part of overall fixed appliance treatment. The conclusions of numerous articles highlight the fact that many approaches to treatment can be successful in correcting Class II malocclusions. Findings reported in recent literature also now show that the extractions of premolar teeth, for instance, as part of Class II treatment, do not necessarily lead to direct soft tissue effects. If lip profile changes do occur, it seems that they are far more likely to be positive aesthetically, than negative.     

The treatment effects of Invisalign orthodontic aligners: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to determine the treatment effects of the Invisalign orthodontic system (Align Technology), Santa Clara, Calif.). TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors reviewed clinical trials that assessed Invisalign's treatment effects in nongrowing patients. They did not consider trials involving surgical or other simultaneous fixed or removable orthodontic treatment interventions. RESULTS: The authors searched electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, EMBASE Excerpta Medica, Thomsen's ISI Web of Science and LILACS) with the help of a senior health sciences librarian. They used "Invisalign" as the sole search term, and 22 documents appeared in the combined search. Thereafter, they used "clinical trials," "humans" and "Invisalign treatment effects" as abstract selection criteria. Only two published articles met these inclusion criteria, though after reading the actual articles, the authors determined that they did not adequately evaluate Invisalign treatment effects. Both articles identified methodological issues. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The inadequately designed studies the authors found represented only a lower level of evidence (level II). Therefore, the authors found that no strong conclusions could be made regarding the treatment effects of Invisalign appliances. Future prospective randomized clinical trials are required to support, with sound scientific evidence, the claims about Invisalign's treatment effects. Clinicians will have to rely on their Invisalign clinical experience, the opinions of experts and the limited published evidence when using Invisalign appliances.     

Orthopedic treatment outcomes in Class III malocclusion. A systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To assess the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of early orthopedic treatment in Class III subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature survey was performed by applying the Medline database (Entrez PubMed). The survey covered the period from January 1966 to December 2005 and used the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). The following study types that reported data on the effects of Class III treatment with orthopedic appliances (facial mask, chincup, FR-3) on intermaxillary sagittal and vertical relationships were included: randomized clinical trials (RCTs), and prospective and retrospective longitudinal controlled clinical trials (CCTs) with untreated Class III controls. RESULTS: The search strategy resulted in 536 articles. After selection according to criteria for inclusion and exclusion, 19 articles qualified for the final review analysis. One RCT and 18 CCTs were retrieved. CONCLUSION: The quality standard of the retrieved investigations ranged from low (four studies) to medium/high (five studies). Data derived from medium/high quality research described over 75% of success of orthopedic treatment of Class III malocclusion (RME and facial mask therapy) at a follow-up observation 5 years after the end of orthopedic treatment.     

Use of skeletal maturation based on hand-wrist radiographic analysis as a predictor of facial growth: a systematic review

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the predictive value of hand-wrist radiographic assessment of skeletal maturity in estimating facial growth timing and velocity. A search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, Web of Sciences, and Lilacs identified 16 articles that met the following inclusion criteria: use of hand-wrist radiographs for skeletal maturation determination, facial growth evaluated through cephalometric radiographs, and cross-sectional or longitudinal studies. Five articles were rejected because of major methodological issues. Most of the remaining articles had small sample size, and there was no report of randomization or method error. Skeletal maturity determined by hand-wrist radiographic analysis was well related to overall facial growth velocity. Maxillary and mandibular growth velocities were related to skeletal maturity, but their relationship was less robust than that for overall facial growth. The available articles have not adequately defined a relationship between cranial base growth velocity and skeletal maturity. Hand-wrist radiographic assessment of skeletal maturity for use in facial growth prediction should include bone staging as well as ossification events. The role of skeletal maturity assessment in clinical and research applications is discussed and recommendations are provided.     

Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography and Interdisciplinary Dentofacial Therapy: An American Academy of Periodontology Best Evidence Review Focusing on Risk Assessment of the Dentoalveolar Bone Changes Influenced by Tooth Movement

Background: The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate whether cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging can be used to assess dentoalveolar anatomy critical to the periodontist when determining risk assessment for patients undergoing orthodontic therapy using fixed or removable appliances. Methods: Both observational and interventional trials reporting on the use of CBCT imaging assessing the impact of orthodontic/dentofacial orthopedic treatment on periodontal tissues (i.e., alveolar bone) were included. Changes in the alveolar bone thickness and height around natural teeth as well as treatment costs were evaluated. MEDLINE (via PubMed) and EMBASE databases were searched for articles published in the English language, up to and including July 2016, and extracted data were organized into evidence tables. Results: Thirteen studies were included in this systematic review describing the positive or deleterious changes on the alveolar bone surrounding natural teeth undergoing orthodontic tooth movement or influenced by orthopedic forces through fixed appliances. Clinical recommendation summaries presenting the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence in terms of benefits and harms were generated. Conclusions: CBCT imaging can improve the periodontal diagnostic acumen regarding alveolar bone alterations influenced by orthodontic tooth movement and can help determine risk assessment prior to such intervention. Clinicians are also better informed to determine risk assessment and develop preventative or plan interceptive periodontal augmentation (soft tissue and/or bone augmentation) therapies for patients undergoing orthodontic tooth movement. These considerations are recognized as being especially critical for treatment approaches in patients where buccal tooth movement (expansion) is planned in the anterior mandible or involving the maxillary premolars.     

Temporomandibular disorders in growing patients after treatment of class II and III malocclusion with orthopaedic appliances: a systematic review

Objective: To determine if the use of orthopaedic appliances in growing patients applied to correct Class II and III malocclusion is related to the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Material and methods: A systematic review was conducted between 1960 and July 2017, based on electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Scielo, Lilacs and Bireme. Controlled clinical trials (CCTs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified. The articles were selected and analyzed by two authors independently. The quality of the evidence was determined according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Tool and the Cochrane Quality Study Guide.

Results: Seven articles were included, four CCTs and three RCTs. The studies were grouped according to malocclusion treatment in (a) class II appliances (n?=?4) and (b) class III appliances (n?=?3). The quality of evidence was low due to the high risk of bias, independent of the association reported. All studies concluded that the use of orthopaedic appliances would not contribute to the development of TMD.

Conclusions: The quality of evidence available is insufficient to establish definitive conclusions, since the studies were very heterogeneous and presented a high risk of bias. However, it is suggested that the use of orthopaedic appliances to correct class II and III malocclusion in growing patients would not be considered as a risk factor for the development of TMD. High-quality RCTs are required to draw any definitive conclusions.     

Early orthodontic treatment of skeletal open-bite malocclusion: a systematic review

The aim of this study was a systematic review of the literature to assess the scientific evidence on the actual outcome of early treatments of open-bite malocclusions. A literature survey was done by applying the Medline database (Entrez PubMed). The survey covered the period from January 1966 to July 2004 and used the MeSH, Medical Subject Headings. The following study types that reported data on the treatment effects included: randomized clinical trials (RCT), prospective and retrospective studies with concurrent untreated as well as normal controls, and clinical trials comparing at least two treatment strategies without any untreated or normal control group involved. The search strategy resulted in 1049 articles. After selection according to the inclusionary/exclusionary criteria, seven articles qualified for the final review analysis. No RCTs of early treatment of anterior open bite have been performed. Two controlled clinical trials of early anterior open bite have been performed, and these two studies indicated the effectiveness of treatment in the mixed dentition with headgears or functional appliances (or both). Most of the studies had serious problems of lack of power because of small sample size, bias and confounding variables, lack of method error analysis, blinding in measurements, and deficient or lack of statistical methods. Thus, the quality level of the studies was not sufficient enough to draw any evidence-based conclusions.     

Immediate skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of the crown- or banded type Herbst appliance on Class II division 1 malocclusion

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative skeletal and dental changes produced by the crown- or banded-type Herbst appliance in growing Class II division 1 malocclusion cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several electronic databases were searched with the help of a health sciences librarian, without language limitation. Abstracts that appeared to fulfill the initial selection criteria (Herbst use and clinical trial) were selected by consensus, and their original articles were then retrieved. Clinical trials were selected that used lateral cephalograms to assess immediate skeletal and dental changes from the use of either crown or banded Herbst appliances. Clinical trials that employed other simultaneous potentially growth-modifying appliances or surgery were excluded. A comparable untreated Class II division 1 malocclusion control group was required to factor out normal growth changes. References from the selected articles were also hand searched. RESULTS: Only three articles meet the selection criteria. Proclination and anterior movement of the lower incisors, overjet reduction, and improvement of first molar relationship thorough mesial movement of the first molars, reduction of ANB angle, and an increase in the mandibular plane angle were reported. There were mixed findings as to mandibular sagittal length and position and increases in lower face height, both anteriorly and posteriorly. No statistically significant changes were noted in the sagittal length or position of the skeletal maxilla. CONCLUSIONS: Dental changes have more impact than skeletal changes in the correction of Class II division 1 malocclusions with the crown or banded Herbst appliance.     

Facial anthropometry in cleft patients: a historical appraisal.

OBJECTIVE: To present a historical appraisal of the use of anthropological and cephalometrical facial soft tissue measurements in cleft patients. DESIGN: The McDowell Indexes and a Medline search were used to trace references up to 1999. Also, references listed with chapters and articles on facial clefts were searched for anthropometrical studies. Twenty-six retrieved articles and book chapters on soft tissue anthropometry and 12 cephalometric publications on soft tissue measurements on radiographs and plaster casts of cleft patients were reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Since 1931, the facial soft tissue appearance of cleft patients has been evaluated by means of anthropometric and cephalometric techniques. Not all of the older studies were performed in a statistically correct fashion. Many of the conclusions of the studies overlap despite differences in technique of assessment. Most studies demonstrate the deficient growth of the maxilla and the deformities of the facial profile in cleft patients.     

Implant site development by orthodontic extrusion. A systematic review

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of orthodontic extrusion of nonrestorable teeth prior to implant placement for improving the alveolar bone and gingival characteristics of implant recipient sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic database searches of the following databases were conducted with the help of a senior health sciences librarian: Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus. Hand searches of the reference lists of selected articles were also conducted. Abstracts that appeared to fulfill the initial selection criteria were selected for full article retrieval. Retrieved articles were then carefully evaluated, and more specific selection criteria were applied. The authors conducted the selection processes independently, and any differences were resolved through discussion. An analysis of timing, type, and magnitude of forces applied was sought. RESULTS: Eighteen articles were considered for review. Most of the selected articles were case reports or case series describing orthodontic extrusion of periodontally hopeless maxillary anterior teeth. The results of the reported cases were evaluated individually and collectively with regard to various hard and soft tissue implant site characteristics. Clinically significant gains in alveolar bone and gingival tissue were reported in all cases, resulting in significant quantitative and qualitative improvements in the implant sites. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the available literature, orthodontic extrusion of nonrestorable teeth prior to implant placement appears to be a viable alternative to conventional surgical augmentative procedures in implant site development. No direct comparison to any other method was found, and therefore no conclusion could be made about its relative efficacy.     

Changes in temporomandibular joint morphology in class II patients treated with fixed mandibular repositioning and evaluated through 3D imaging: a systematic review

To estimate the effects of skeletal class II malocclusion treatment using fixed mandibular repositioning appliances on the position and morphology of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Two independent reviewers performed comprehensive electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM reviews and Scopus (until May 5, 2015). The references of the identified articles were also manually searched. All studies investigating morphological changes of the TMJ articular disc, condyle and glenoid fossa with 3D imaging following non‐surgical fixed mandibular repositioning appliances in growing individuals with class II malocclusions were included in the analysis. Of the 269 articles initially reviewed, only 12 articles used magnetic resonance imaging and two articles used computed tomography (CT) or cone‐beam CT images. Treatment effect on condyle and glenoid fossa was discussed in eight articles. Treatment effect on TMJ articular disc position and morphology was discussed in seven articles. All articles showed a high risk of bias due to deficient methodology: inadequate consideration of confounding variables, blinding of image assessment, selection or absence of control group and outcome measurement. Reported changes in osseous remodelling, condylar and disc position were contradictory. The selected articles failed to establish conclusive evidence of the exact nature of TMJ tissue response to fixed mandibular repositioning appliances.     

Efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of gabapentin (GBP) in the treatment of pain of  idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN). A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (EBSCO Industries), Emcare (Ovid), Medline (Ovid), Medline (PubMed), Scopus (Elsevier) and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics). The inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trials of GBP as a monotherapy in the treatment of idiopathic TN in adult participants and publications in English. All other study methodologies were excluded. The search yielded 1472 articles, and after exclusion, 11 full‐text articles were eligible for full‐text analysis. Only two studies met the inclusion criteria. There is insufficient evidence either to support or refute the efficacy of GBP in the management of idiopathic TN. Therefore, further well‐designed placebo‐controlled trials are required to confirm the efficacy of GBP in managing TN pain as a single therapy.     

Soft tissue facial considerations andorthodontic treatment

The purpose of this article is to review soft tissue considerations for orthodontic treatment planning so that specific treatment objectives can be defined before making any treatment decisions. Soft tissue objectives that must be considered in the treatment planning process include the following: retract, maintain, or protract upper and/or lower lip; increase, maintain, or decrease vermilion display (lip thickness); reduce lip strain, mentalis muscle strain, and interlabial gap or maintain lip competence; increase, maintain, or decrease nasolabial angle; increase, maintain, or decrease mentolabial angle; increase or maintain cervicomental angle; reduce, maintain, or increase the gingival display on smiling; improve facial asymmetry; increase, maintain, or decrease width of the alar base; and increase, maintain, or decrease the vertical and/or antero-posterior projection of the soft tissue chin. To formulate these treatment objectives, a review of the literature in terms of soft tissue changes with growth, soft tissue changes with treatment (effects of extraction and nonextraction therapy, headgear and functional appliances, protraction facemask, orthognathic surgery), and the smile is provided.     

Soft tissue assessment before and after mandibular advancement or setback surgery using three-dimensional images: systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of mandibular advancement or setback surgery on the facial soft tissue assessed using three-dimensional images. An electronic search was performed in the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Science, and OpenGrey databases. Inclusion criteria comprised studies that evaluated the soft tissues of adult patients before and after mandibular advancement or setback surgery using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The risk of bias was analyzed. A total of 3501 studies were retrieved. The titles and abstracts of 2071 studies were read and 2040 of them were excluded. Thirty-one articles were read in full and six fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included. A meta-analysis was performed using three of these articles. The correlation was significant and strong in the chin area (r = 0.876 and r = 0.868) and moderate for the lower lip/lower incisor (r = 0.690). The ratio for lower lip/infradentale was 78% and for Pog′/Pog was 98%. Due to the limited number of articles included, there is weak evidence to infer that changes in the facial soft tissue due to mandibular advancement or setback are significant, but changes in the lower lip tend to be smaller than changes in the chin area.     

What is the most effective adhesive for attaching orthodontic bands?

DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline and Embase were used and a search of the internet also undertaken. There was no restriction with regard to publication status or language of publication. STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT), including split-mouth studies, of adhesives used to attach orthodontic bands to molar teeth were selected. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: All review authors were involved in study selection, validity assessment and data extraction without blinding to the authors, adhesives used or results obtained. All disagreements were resolved by discussion. RESULTS: Five RCT and three CCT were identified as meeting the review's inclusion criteria. All the included trials were of split-mouth design. Four trials compared chemically cured zinc phosphate and chemically cured glass ionomer; three trials compared chemically cured glass ionomer cement with light-cured compomer; one trial compared chemically cured glass ionomer with a chemically cured glass phosphonate. Data analysis was often inappropriate within the studies that did meet the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to determine the most effective adhesive for attaching orthodontic bands to molar teeth in patients with full-arch fixed orthodontic appliances.