A comparison of different sealants preventing demineralization around brackets

Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie - Aim of the study was to compare how six different sealants resisted thermal, mechanical, and chemical loading in vitro....     

A longitudinal three-center study of craniofacial morphology at 6 and 12 years of age in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate

In this longitudinal study, the craniofacial morphology and evaluated soft tissue profile changes, at 6 and 12 years of age in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CBCLP) were compared. Lateral cephalograms from 148 patients with CBCLP, treated consecutively at three European cleft centers, Gothenburg (n (A) = 37), Nijmegen (n (B) = 26), and Oslo (n (C) = 85), were evaluated. Eighteen hard tissue and ten soft tissue landmarks were digitized. Paired t test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression models were applied for statistical analysis. ANOVA and Tukey-B, as a post hoc test, were used to evaluate the increments and compare centers. Hard and soft tissue data were superimposed using the generalized Procrustes analysis. For Nijmegen, the increments of the variables SNA, ANB, SN-NL, SN-ML, NL-ML, Snss, and Snpg were significantly different than the two other centers (p = 0.041 to <0.001). SNPg increments were significantly different between Nijmegen and Oslo (p = 0.002). The three cleft centers followed different treatment protocols, but the main differences in craniofacial morphology until 12 years of age were the growth pattern and the maxillary and upper incisor variables. Follow-up of these patients until facial growth has ceased, which may elucidate components for improving treatment outcome.     

Photographs of dental casts or digital models: rating dental arch relationships in bilateral cleft lip and palate

Yardsticks have been developed to measure dental arch relations in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients as diagnostic proxies for the underlying skeletal relationship. Travelling with plaster casts to compare results between CLP centres is inefficient so the aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of using digital models or photographs of dental casts instead of plaster casts for rating dental arch relationships in children with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CBCLP). Dental casts of children with CBCLP (n=20) were included. Plaster casts, digital models and photographs of the plaster casts were available for all the children at 6, 9, and 12 years of age. All three record formats were scored using the bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) yardstick by four observers in random order. No significant differences were found for the BCLP yardstick scores among the three formats. The interobserver weighted kappa scores were between 0.672 and 0.934. Comparison between the formats per observer resulted in weighted kappa scores between 0.692 and 0.885. It is concluded that digital models and photographs of dental casts can be used for rating dental arch relationships in patients with CBCLP. These formats are a reliable alternative for BCLP yardstick assessments on conventional plaster casts.     

A two-centre study on facial morphology in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate at nine years of age

The aim of this study was to compare craniofacial morphology and soft tissue profiles in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate at 9 years of age, treated in two European cleft centres with delayed hard palate closure but different treatment protocols. The cephalometric data of 83 consecutively treated patients were compared (Gothenburg, N = 44; Nijmegen, N = 39). In total, 18 hard tissue and 10 soft tissue landmarks were digitized by one operator. To determine the intra-observer reliability 20 cephalograms were digitized twice with a monthly interval. Paired t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression models were applied for statistical analysis. Hard and soft tissue data were superimposed using the Generalized Procrustes Analysis. In Nijmegen, the maxilla was protrusive for hard and soft tissue values (P = 0.001, P = 0.030, respectively) and the maxillary incisors were retroclined (P < 0.001), influencing the nasolabial angle, which was increased in comparison with Gothenburg (P = 0.004). In conclusion, both centres showed a favourable craniofacial form at 9-10 years of age, although there were significant differences in the maxillary prominence, the incisor inclination and soft tissue cephalometric values. Follow-up of these patients until facial growth has ceased, may elucidate components for outcome improvement.     

Orthodontics in general practice. 4. Eruption guidance appliances in orthodontics

Eruption guidance appliances are recommended for early orthodontic treatment or prevention of malocclusions. The treatment effect of eruption guidance appliances and functional appliances is similar. In addition to dentoalveolar and skeletal effects, eruption guidance appliances would also have myofunctional effects for treating open mouth behaviour and swallowing problems. However, there is no solid evidence for the myofunctional effect claimed. The position of erution guidance appliances in the orthodontic treatment arsenal is limited: early treatment of Angle Class II malocclusion in 2 phases has no advantage over a 2 phase treatment. When eruption guidance is needed, preference is given to an individually produced appliance.     

Dental agenesis patterns of permanent teeth in Apert syndrome

Dental agenesis may either occur as an isolated trait (non-syndromic) or as a component in a congenital syndrome. The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence of dental agenesis for each type of tooth and to look for dental agenesis patterns in persons with Apert syndrome. Serial panoramic radiographs of 23 individuals (five male patients and 18 female patients) were examined. Third molars were excluded. The prevalence of agenesis for at least one tooth was 34.8%. Up to two missing teeth were found for individuals with Apert syndrome. Maxillary lateral incisors and mandibular second premolars were the most frequently missing teeth. Four different dental agenesis patterns of the entire dentition were identified by using the tooth agenesis code (TAC). Two patterns occurred more frequently, both of which were symmetrical. One involved the simultaneous absence of teeth 12 and 22, and the other showed agenesis of teeth 35 and 45. In conclusion, patients with Apert syndrome were found to exhibit a high prevalence of dental agenesis. All dental agenesis patterns in which more than one tooth was missing were symmetrical.     

Apical root resorption after orthodontic treatment in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

Clinical Oral Investigations - The aims of this retrospective longitudinal study were to present the incidence of external apical root resorption (EARR) in the maxillary anterior teeth of patients...     

Age effect on orthodontic tooth movement rate and the composition of gingival crevicular fluid

Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie - To evaluate and form a&nbsp;comprehensive understanding of the effect of patient age on bone remodeling and...     

Long-term stability of unilateral posterior crossbite correction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the stability of orthodontically corrected unilateral posterior crossbite in patients treated either by rapid maxillary expansion or with slow expansion devices in the early (mean age 7.2 years, n = 50) or late mixed dentition (mean age 9.9 years, n = 50). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The observation periods were approximately 8 years for the early treatment groups and 6.5 years for the late treatment groups. The measurements were made on plaster casts at the following time points: before treatment (T1), after crossbite correction (T2), at the end of active orthodontic treatment (T3), and about 2 years after the end of active treatment (T4). Midline deviation and the skeletal classification of the malocclusion were also evaluated. RESULTS: Almost 80% of the treated patients showed long-term stability of the corrected unilateral posterior crossbite. More than 70% of the patients were treated for the mandibular midline deviation. At the end of active treatment, 50% of the patients showed a skeletal Class III craniofacial morphology. CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize that determination of the correct treatment approach for the individual patient is the basic principle underlying the therapeutic success in unilateral crossbite cases. In patients where a broad lower arch is a cofactor in the etiology of the lateral crossbite, the treatment approach should be focused on both arches and not be limited to the constricted upper arch.