Robin Sequence Facial Profile After Conservative Treatment: A Long-Term Follow-Up.

INTRODUCTION: Robin sequence (RS) is a congenital clinical condition characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis, and respiratory distress. Conservative methods could be responsible for releasing feeding and respiratory impairment but little information about mandibular growth is known in long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the longitudinal behavior of the facial profile of individuals with isolated RS who underwent conservative micrognathia treatment using photographs during the whole craniofacial growth. METHODS: Photographs of the right facial profile of 100 patients were used (50 individuals with isolated RS and 50 individuals without craniofacial anomaly). The individuals with RS were evaluated at 3 different times (T1: infant, T2: mixed dentition, T3: permanent dentition) by measuring the facial convexity angle (FCA; G.Sn.Pog´). A comparison between T3 and control group (C), individuals without craniofacial anomalies and in permanent dentition, was also performed, checking the FCA, nasolabial angle (Ls.Sn.Cm), mentolabial fold (Li.Si.Pog´), facial inferior third (Sn.Gn´.C) angles and the ratio between middle anterior facial height and lower anterior facial height. RESULTS: The T3 group showed an increased angle of facial convexity and increased facial inferior third angle and middle anterior facial height/lower anterior facial height ratio compared with the control group. In the longitudinal evaluation of individuals with isolated RS, significant differences were identified between T1 and T2 groups and T1 and T3 groups showing that the increased facial convexity was higher in the infants and that did not change significantly between the phases of mixed and permanent dentition. CONCLUSIONS: RS showed increased facial convexity in all phases evaluated, but their convexity decreased with growth. When compared with individuals without craniofacial anomalies, the individuals continue to exhibit retrognathism in the permanent dentition. The lack of a mandible projection has led to a considerable number of orthognathic surgeries for the correction of discrepancies.

Early orthognathic surgery with postsurgical bone-anchored retention in unilateral cleft lip and palate: A case report.

We present a case report of early Le Fort I osteotomy with maxillary advancement retained postoperatively by Class III elastics anchored on miniplates in a growing patient with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). A 14-year-old boy who underwent orthognathic surgery at the pubertal growth spurt was presented. During surgery, Bollard miniplates were installed in the posterior region of the maxilla and in the anterior region of the mandible. Class III elastics anchored on miniplates were used at night (8-10 h) starting 60 days after surgery. The force of the elastics progressively increased from 100 g to 250 g. The elastics were replaced daily. The positive overjet remained stable over 15 months of postoperative follow-up. Maxillary advancement was adequately retained using Bollard miniplates and the facial profile remained stable until the end of facial growth.

A Cleft-Customized Occlusal Rating System to Assess Orthodontic Occlusal Improvement in Patients With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a new method to quantify occlusal improvement in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) who had undergone orthodontic treatment and to evaluate its reproducibility. DESIGN: A panel of orthodontists decided on the relevance of different occlusal features to score initial and final 3-dimensional study models and panoramic radiographs. A subsequent subjective analysis was later performed by a local orthodontic panel. SETTING: The sample was obtained from the orthodontic clinical archives of a hospital known for the treatment of patients with craniofacial differences. PATIENTS: Thirty-one nonsyndromic patients, 17 males and 14 females, were randomly selected according to preestablished inclusion/exclusion criteria. INTERVENTIONS: The records corresponded to the period during which the patients were treated with conventional multibracket mechanics and adjunctive restorative procedures. MAIN OUTCOME/MEASURES: The intraclass correlation coefficient measured intraexaminer and interexaminer agreements. The Spearman correlation test assessed the relationship between the local orthodontic panel perception and the improvement scores. RESULTS: Inter- and intra-rater ICCs varied between fair/good to excellent. There was a strong correlation between the Cleft-Customized Occlusal Rating system classification of occlusal improvement and the local orthodontic panel's perception, thereby enabling the utilization of the interpretation scale by the panel. CONCLUSIONS: The method showed to be a useful tool in quantifying and classifying occlusal improvement in this specific population. As any other method, some limitations apply and need to be accounted for.

Upper airways after mandibular advancement orthognathic surgery: A 4-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the stability of changes in the upper airways 4 years after orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion. METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was conducted including 33 cone-beam computed tomography images from 11 patients (average age of 35.91 years) followed up longitudinally for 4 years. The airways were measured with the help of the Dolphin Imaging software (Dolphin Imaging and Management Systems, Chatsworth, Calif) at 3 points: T1 (preoperative), T2 (6 months after surgery), and T3 (4 years after surgery). The parameters assessed were surface area (SA), minimum axial area, and volume (VOL) of the pharyngeal airway space. The times were compared using analysis of variance and Tukey's test. Pearson's analysis was performed to assess the correlation with surgical changes and age (P <0.05). RESULTS: Four years after operating on the airway spaces, the means of SA and VOL were significantly higher than those observed before the surgery (P <0.05). The means at 6 months were intermediate, with no significant difference before the surgery and 4 years after it (P >0.05). There was no significant correlation of the changes in SA, VOL, and minimum axial area with the amount of mandibular advancement, counterclockwise rotation of the occlusal plane, and age of the patient (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Four years after mandibular advancement surgery in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion, the increases in the airways remained stable.

Dental anomalies frequency in submucous cleft palate versus complete cleft palate.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study evaluated the prevalence of dental anomalies of number in different subphenotypes of isolated cleft palate. MATERIALS/METHODS: The sample comprised 26 individuals with submucous cleft palate (group S) and 68 individuals with complete cleft palate (group C) aged between 9 and 12 years from a single centre. Panoramic radiographs were evaluated regarding the presence of dental anomalies of number in permanent teeth. Intergroup comparison was performed using chi-square tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Tooth agenesis was found in 34.61 and 36.76 per cent of group S and group C, respectively. The most commonly missing teeth were the maxillary second premolar, maxillary lateral incisor, and mandibular second premolar. Supernumerary teeth were found in none and 1.47 per cent of the individuals with submucous and complete cleft palate, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between groups for the frequency of tooth agenesis and supernumerary teeth. LIMITATIONS: Only dental anomalies of number were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Individuals with submucous and complete cleft palate showed similar prevalence for tooth agenesis and supernumerary teeth. Dental anomalies frequency seems not to be a discriminator for subphenotypes of cleft palate.

Two-phase orthodontic treatment of two different types of tooth transposition in the same patient.

Orthodontic treatment is thoroughly planned considering the patient's facial and dental characteristics, the main complaint, treatment time and the orthodontist's experience. Transposition is a form of ectopia, in which two adjacent teeth exchange positions in the dental arch. Transposition can be partial or complete. This article reports the treatment of a female patient with two kinds of tooth transposition managed in the mixed and permanent dentitions. A girl, aged eight years and three months, came to routine paediatric consultation with an ectopic permanent mandibular left lateral incisor in the mixed dentition. Radiographic analysis indicated partial transposition of the permanent mandibular left lateral incisor and canine (Md.L2.C), and development of a complete tooth transposition between the permanent maxillary right first pre-molar and canine (Mx.C.P1). The patient was treated in two phases. The first, in the mixed dentition, and the second, in the permanent dentition with a three-year follow-up between them. These challenging treatment approaches are described in detail, including the mechanics used. The key points of this treatment were early diagnosis of the ectopic mandibular lateral incisor, use of light forces and interphase patient follow-up. These determined the best time to start the second treatment phase, enabling achievement of aesthetic and functional outcomes, and the results remained stable one year after the end of orthodontic treatment.

Maxillary expander with differential opening vs Hyrax expander: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this 2-arm parallel trial was to compare the dentoskeletal effects of the expander with differential opening (EDO) and the Hyrax expander in the mixed dentition. METHODS: Patients aged 7-11 years with maxillary dental arch constriction and Class I or Class II sagittal relationships were randomly allocated into 2 study groups. The experimental group comprised 22 patients (10 males, 12 females) with a mean age of 8.46 years treated with the EDO. The comparison group was composed of 24 patients (6 males, 18 females), mean age of 8.92 years treated with the conventional Hyrax expander. One complete turn per day for 6 days was performed for the posterior screw of the EDO and for the Hyrax expander. The anterior screw of the EDO was activated 1 complete turn per day for 10 days. The primary outcomes were the anterior opening of the midpalatal suture, changes on the interincisal diastema width, maxillary dental arch widths, arch perimeter, arch length, palatal depth, inclination of maxillary posterior teeth and on dental arch shape, and the amount of differential expansion in the anterior region compared with the posterior region of the maxillary dental arch. Computer-generated randomization was used. Allocation was concealed with sequentially, numbered, sealed, and opaque envelopes. Blinding was applicable for outcome assessment only. Occlusal radiographs of the maxilla were obtained at the end of the active expansion phase (T2). Intraoral photographs were obtained immediately pre-expansion (T1) and at T2. Digital dental models were obtained at T1 and 6 months after the active expansion period (T3). Intergroup comparisons of T1-T2 changes were performed using multiple linear regression analysis (P < 0.05). The independent variables were both treatment and the starting forms. Bonferroni correction for multiple tests was applied. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significantly greater opening of the anterior region of the midpalatal suture, a greater increase of the interincisal diastema width, and greater increases of the intercanine distance and inter-first deciduous molar distance than the Hyrax expander. The experimental group showed a significant differential expansion between the anterior and posterior regions, whereas the Hyrax group produced a similar expansion in the canine and molar regions. Serious harm was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The EDO was capable of promoting greater orthopedic and dental changes in the anterior region of the maxilla than the conventional Hyrax expander. Similarity between the 2 expanders was observed for changes in the posterior region width, arch perimeter, arch length, palatal depth, and posterior teeth inclination.

Craniofacial Morphology in Patients With Opitz G/BBB Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cephalometric characteristics of patients with and without Opitz G/BBB syndrome type I. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary cleft center in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen individuals with Opitz G/BBB syndrome with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), compared to 18 individuals with nonsyndromic complete cleft lip and palate and 18 individuals without malformations, matched for gender and age. INTERVENTIONS: Pretreatment lateral cephalograms of all patients were manually traced and digitized for achievement of linear and angular measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis followed by Tukey tests were used for intergroup comparisons at a significance level of P < .05. RESULTS: Individuals with Opitz G/BBB syndrome exhibited alterations in SNGn, P-Co, and N'-Pr/Po-Or that were not attributable to BCLP. Co-Go, Sella-Nasion-Supramentale, ANB (maxillo-mandibular relationship), and anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine (ANS-PNS)/U1A-U1T were significantly different in both G/BBB and BCLP groups compared to control, but not different between G/BBB and BCLP groups. Anterior nasal spine-posterior nasal spine/Go-Gn, ANS-PNS, V-Upper pharyngeal wall, and U-lower pharyngeal wall were different in nonsyndromic BLCP compared to nonsyndromic controls and Opitz G/BBB group. CONCLUSION: Patients with Opitz G/BBB syndrome exhibited some unique cephalometric alterations compared to patients with nonsyndromic complete BCLP and controls.

Outcomes of Alveolar Graft With Rhbmp-2 in CLP: Influence of Cleft Type and Width, Canine Eruption, and Surgeon.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of cleft type and width, canine eruption stage, and surgeon on the outcomes of alveolar graft with rhBMP-2. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary craniofacial center. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety individuals submitted to alveolar graft in late mixed or early permanent dentition. INTERVENTIONS: The 90 individuals (mean age: 16.8 years) were submitted to alveolar graft with rhBMP-2. Periapical radiographs were obtained before and 6 months after surgery. Surgeries were performed by 4 experienced maxillofacial surgeons. The alveolar grafts were assigned as success or failure by 3 blinded raters based on the modified Bergland and Chelsea scales. Permanent canines adjacent to the defect were assigned as erupted and not erupted. The greatest cleft width was measured on preoperative periapical radiographs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The influence of 4 independent variables (cleft type, cleft width, canine eruption phase, and surgeon) on the outcome of alveolar graft was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression ( P < .05). RESULTS: All independent variables presented significant influence on alveolar graft outcome. The subgroup of unerupted maxillary canines demonstrated better outcomes than erupted canines ( P = .001). The group with cleft lip and alveolus (CL/A) demonstrated better outcomes than complete cleft lip and palate (CLP; P < .001). The greater the alveolar cleft width, the less favorable were the graft outcomes ( P = .027). The surgeon also had a significant influence on the surgery success ( P = .003 and .001). CONCLUSION: The type and width of CLP, the eruption of permanent canines, and the surgeon influenced the outcome of alveolar graft surgeries performed with rhBMP-2.

Long-term profile attractiveness in Class II Division 1 malocclusion patients treated with and without extractions.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the influence of Class II treatment protocols in profile attractiveness. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with initial full Class II Division 1 malocclusion, orthodontically treated an average of 15 years before, and matched by sex, age, time after treatment, orthodontic outcomes, and overjet, were compared. Three groups were formed, according to the treatment protocol: NE, nonextraction (n = 20; mean age 29.94 years, 15.62 years after treatment); 2E, 2-premolar extractions (n = 27; mean age 30.56 years, 15.09 years after treatment); and 4E, 4-premolar extractions (n = 21; mean age 32.29 years, 17.20 years after treatment). Cephalometric measurements and profile silhouettes were obtained from posttreatment and long-term posttreatment lateral cephalograms. With a 10-point numeric scale, 77 orthodontists and 77 laypeople rated profile attractiveness of each silhouette on a website. RESULTS: The raters' posttreatment and long-term posttreatment scores, respectively, were: NE 4.76 and 4.32; 2E 5.35 and 5.08; and 4E 4.53 and 4.33. CONCLUSIONS: The posttreatment profile attractiveness was significantly higher in the 2E than in the 4E group, and in the NE group it was similar to the others. The long-term profile attractiveness in the 2E group was significantly greater compared with the NE and 4E groups.

Mutations in the endothelin receptor type A cause mandibulofacial dysostosis with alopecia.

The endothelin receptor type A (EDNRA) signaling pathway is essential for the establishment of mandibular identity during development of the first pharyngeal arch. We report four unrelated individuals with the syndrome mandibulofacial dysostosis with alopecia (MFDA) who have de novo missense variants in EDNRA. Three of the four individuals have the same substitution, p.Tyr129Phe. Tyr129 is known to determine the selective affinity of EDNRA for endothelin 1 (EDN1), its major physiological ligand, and the p.Tyr129Phe variant increases the affinity of the receptor for EDN3, its non-preferred ligand, by two orders of magnitude. The fourth individual has a somatic mosaic substitution, p.Glu303Lys, and was previously described as having Johnson-McMillin syndrome. The zygomatic arch of individuals with MFDA resembles that of mice in which EDNRA is ectopically activated in the maxillary prominence, resulting in a maxillary to mandibular transformation, suggesting that the p.Tyr129Phe variant causes an EDNRA gain of function in the developing upper jaw. Our in vitro and in vivo assays suggested complex, context-dependent effects of the EDNRA variants on downstream signaling. Our findings highlight the importance of finely tuned regulation of EDNRA signaling during human craniofacial development and suggest that modification of endothelin receptor-ligand specificity was a key step in the evolution of vertebrate jaws.

Facial and Nasolabial Aesthetics of Complete UCLP Submitted to 2-Stage Palate Repair With Vomer Flap.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the aesthetics of nasolabial appearance and facial profile of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) submitted to 2-stage palate repair with vomerine flap. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Single center. PATIENTS: Forty patients with UCLP, mean age of 7.81 years of both sexes, rehabilitated at a single center by 1 plastic surgeon. INTERVENTIONS: Lip and anterior palate repair with nasal alar repositioning was performed at 3 to 6 months of age by Millard technique and vomer flap, respectively. Posterior palate was repaired at 18 months by Von Langenbeck technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Four cropped digital facial photographs of each patient were evaluated by 3 orthodontists to score the nasolabial aesthetics and profile. Frequencies of each score as well means and medians were calculated. Kappa test was used for evaluating inter- and intrarater reproducibility. RESULTS: The nasal form and deviation was scored as good/very good in 70%, fair in 22.5%, and poor in 7.5% of the sample. The nasal-subnasal aesthetic was considered good/very good in 55%, fair in 30%, and poor in 15% of the sample. The lip vermilion border and the white part of surgical scar aesthetics were good/very good in 77.5% and 80%, fair in 17.5% for both categories, and poor in 5% and 2.5% of the cases, respectively. In all, 67.5% showed convex facial profile, 20% was straight, and 12.5% was concave profile. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage palatoplasty presented an adequate aesthetical results for the majority of patients with UCLP in the mixed dentition.

Slow versus rapid maxillary expansion in bilateral cleft lip and palate: a CBCT randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this "two-arm parallel" trial was to compare the orthopedic, dental, and alveolar bone plate changes of slow (SME) and rapid (RME) maxillary expansions in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with BCLP and maxillary arch constriction in the late mixed dentition were randomly and equally allocated into two groups. Computer-generated randomization was used. Allocation was concealed with sequentially, numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes. The SME and RME groups comprised patients treated with quad-helix and Haas/Hyrax-type expanders, respectively. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) exams were performed before expansion and 4 to 6 months post-expansion. Nasal cavity width, maxillary width, alveolar crest width, arch width, palatal cleft width, inclination of posterior teeth, alveolar crest level, and buccal and lingual bone plate thickness were assessed. Blinding was applicable for outcome assessment only. Interphase and intergroup comparisons were performed using paired t tests and t tests, respectively (p < 0.05). RESULTS: SME and RME similarly promoted significant increase in all the maxillary transverse dimensions at molar and premolar regions with a decreasing expanding effect from the dental arch to the nasal cavity. Palatal cleft width had a significant increase in both groups. Significant buccal inclination of posterior teeth was only observed for RME. Additionally, both expansion procedures promoted a slight reduction of the alveolar crest level and the buccal bone plate thickness. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found between the orthopedic, dental, and alveolar bone plate changes of SME and RME in children with BCLP. Both appliances produced significant skeletal transverse gains with negligible periodontal bone changes. Treatment time for SME, however, was longer than the observed for RME. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SME and RME can be similarly indicated to correct maxillary arch constriction in patients with BCLP in the mixed dentition.

Long-term stability of Class II treatment with the Jasper jumper appliance.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion with orthopedic devices combined with fixed orthodontic appliances has shown excellent results when used in growing patients. We aimed to evaluate the long-term stability of the cephalometric changes obtained during Class II malocclusion correction with the Jasper jumper associated with fixed appliances. METHODS: The treatment group comprised 24 patients who were evaluated at 3 stages: pretreatment, posttreatment, and long-term posttreatment. The control group comprised 15 subjects with normal occlusion. Intratreatment group comparisons among the 3 stages were performed with repeated measures analysis of variance, followed by Tukey tests. Intergroup comparisons of posttreatment changes and normal growth changes of the treatment group were performed with t tests. RESULTS: Apical base relationship, maxillary incisor anteroposterior position, and overjet demonstrated significant relapses in relation to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Most dentoalveolar changes obtained with the Jasper jumper followed by fixed appliances during treatment remained stable in the long term. However, apical base relationship, maxillary incisor anteroposterior position, and overjet demonstrated significant relapses in relation to the control group. Therefore, active retention time should be increased in the posttreatment period.

Bone-anchored maxillary protraction therapy in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate: 3-dimensional assessment of maxillary effects.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to 3-dimensionally assess the treatment outcomes of bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. METHODS: The cleft group comprised 24 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and Class III malocclusion with mean initial and final ages of 11.8 and 13.2 years, respectively. The noncleft group comprised 24 noncleft patients with Class III malocclusion with mean initial and final ages of 11.9 and 12.9 years, respectively. Cone-beam computed tomography examinations were performed before and after BAMP therapy in both groups and superimposed at the cranial base. Three-dimensional displacements of maxillary landmarks were quantified and visualized with color-coded maps and semitransparent superimpositions. The t test corrected for multiple testing (Holm-Bonferroni method), and the paired t test was used for statistical comparison between groups and sides, respectively (P <0.05). RESULTS: BAMP produced anterior (1.66 mm) and inferior (1.21 mm) maxillary displacements in the cleft group with no significant differences compared with the noncleft group. The maxillary first molars of the cleft group showed significantly greater medial displacement than did those in the noncleft group. The zygoma showed significantly greater lateral displacement at the cleft side compared with the noncleft side. CONCLUSIONS: BAMP caused similar amounts of maxillary protraction in patients with and without unilateral cleft lip and palatem with discrete differences between the cleft side and the noncleft side.

Analysis of the dentoalveolar effects of slow and rapid maxillary expansion in complete bilateral cleft lip and palate patients: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the dentoalveolar effects of slow (SME) and rapid (RME) maxillary expansions in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of 50 patients with BCLP and maxillary arch constriction was randomly and equally allocated into two groups. Group SME comprised patients (mean age of 8.8 years) treated with quad-helix appliance. Group RME comprised individuals (mean age of 8.9 years) treated with Hyrax expander. Digital dental models obtained immediately pre-expansion (T1) and 6 months after the active expansion period (T2) were used for measuring maxillary dental arch widths, arch perimeter, arch length, palatal depth, buccolingual inclination of posterior teeth and differential amount of expansion accomplished at the canine and molar regions. Inter-phase and intergroup comparisons were performed using paired t tests and t tests, respectively (p < 0.05). RESULTS: SME and RME caused significant increase of arch widths and arch perimeter. Arch length and palatal depth decreased nonsignificantly with SME but significantly with RME. Buccal tooth inclination was significant only for maxillary deciduous canines in both groups. The quad-helix appliance showed a significant differential expansion between anterior and posterior regions. No differences were observed between SME and RME for all variables. CONCLUSIONS: Differences were not found between the dentoalveolar effects of SME and RME in patients with BCLP. SME demanded a greater therapy time compared to RME. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both expansion procedures can be similarly indicated to correct maxillary arch constriction in patients with BCLP in the mixed dentition.

Root resorption in Class II malocclusion treatment with Class II elastics.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this investigation was to compare the amount of apical root resorption in nonextraction treatment of Class II malocclusions with and without Class II elastics. METHODS: A sample of 54 patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion, retrospectively selected, was divided into 2 groups. The elastic group consisted of 27 patients who were exclusively treated with fixed appliances associated with elastics, and the headgear group consisted of 27 patients treated with fixed appliances and extraoral headgear. The groups were matched regarding initial age, treatment time, amount of overjet, initial malocclusion severity, final occlusal status, and severity of Class II molar relationship. Posttreatment periapical radiographs of the maxillary and mandibular central and lateral incisors were used to evaluate root resorption. The amounts of resorption in the groups were compared with Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the amounts of root resorption between the elastic and the headgear groups. CONCLUSION: Nonextraction treatment of Class II malocclusions with Class II elastics associated with fixed appliances causes similar root resorption as treatment with extraoral headgear and fixed appliances. Apical root resorption was predominantly mild and similar in the 2 groups.

Stability of extraction space closure.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and long-term behavior of extraction space reopening in patients with Class I malocclusion and to identify some associated factors. METHODS: A sample of 43 patients met the inclusion criteria. Dental casts at the onset of treatment, after treatment, and 1 and 5 years after debonding were used. Initial and final cephalometric radiographs were used to measure the amount of incisor retraction. Cochran tests were used to compare the numbers of open and closed extraction spaces after treatment and at 1 and 5 years after debonding (P <0.05). Initial incisor crowding, amounts of anterior retraction, and angulations between the canines and the second premolars were compared between patients with and without space reopening with t tests. RESULTS: Of the sample, 30.23% had extraction space reopening. The frequency of open spaces significantly increased between the final and the 1-year posttreatment dental casts and decreased between the casts at 1 and 5 years posttreatment. Patients with space reopening had less initial anterior crowding and greater amounts of mandibular incisor retraction during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high prevalence of space reopening 1 year after treatment. However, these spaces tended to decrease by 5 years after treatment.

Analysis of the maxillary dental arch after rapid maxillary expansion in patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

INTRODUCTION: Although rapid maxillary expansion has been extensively studied in noncleft patients, scarce evidence of maxillary effects is found for patients with oral clefts. Our objective was to evaluate the dentoalveolar effects of rapid maxillary expansion in children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate compared with noncleft patients. METHODS: The experimental group included 25 patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate and posterior crossbite (9 girls, 16 boys; mean age, 10.6 years). The control group comprised 27 noncleft patients with posterior crossbite (14 boys, 13 girls; mean age, 9.1 years). The experimental group had lip and palate repairs at 3 and 12 months of age, respectively, and maxillary expansion was indicated before a secondary alveolar bone graft. Digital dental models were obtained immediately before expansion and 6 months after expansion with a laser scanner. Canine and posterior tooth inclinations, transversal widths, arch perimeters, arch lengths, palatal depths, and palatal volumes were digitally measured. The paired t test was used for interphase comparisons, and the independent t test was used for intergroup comparisons (P <0.05). RESULTS: In the experimental group, expansion produced buccal tipping of the canines and posterior teeth and significant increases of all maxillary transverse measurements, arch perimeter, palatal volumes, and palatal depths; only arch lengths decreased. No differences were observed between the groups for any measurement, except for intermolar distance. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid maxillary expansion produced similar changes in the patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate compared with the noncleft patients except for arch length and palatal depth that decreased after expansion in the children with oral clefts.

Soft-tissue changes in Class II malocclusion patients treated with extractions: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Concerns about the effects caused by premolar extractions on the soft-tissue profile have motivated many investigations in different malocclusions. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cephalometric facial soft-tissue changes after orthodontic treatment with premolar extractions of Class II division 1 malocclusion subjects. SEARCH METHODS: Electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus were searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: Abstracts that appeared to fulfil the initial criteria (premolar extraction; cephalometric soft-tissue analyses/changes) were selected. The full-text original articles were then retrieved. Their references were also hand-searched. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: By consensus of two researchers, the articles that fulfilled the selection criteria and quantified facial soft-tissue changes were individually analysed. Some methodological flaws were identified and some articles were excluded. The studies were rated according to the type of study, sample description and homogeneity, malocclusion severity, consideration of confounding factors, validity of the method, and statistical analyses. RESULTS: Heterogeneous information about malocclusion severity before treatment was found in most articles. Statistically significant soft-tissue changes reported included nasolabial angle (NLA) increasing from 2.4 to 5.40degrees in 2-premolar extraction protocol and from 1 to 6.84degrees in 4-premolar extraction protocol. Retrusion of the upper and lower lips were also verified, with less retraction of the lower lip in 2-premolar extraction groups. CONCLUSIONS: When Class II division 1 malocclusion is treated with premolar extractions, the NLA increases and the lips are retracted. However, there is less retraction of the lower lip in the 2-maxillary premolar extraction protocol.