Effects on the sagittal pharyngeal dimensions of protraction and rapid palatal expansion in Class III malocclusion subjects.

This study examined the effects of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) and maxillary protraction headgear therapy in 18 patients with a skeletal Class III malocclusion (11 girls and seven boys; mean age 10.9 years) on upper airway dimensions compared with an untreated control group (nine girls and eight boys; mean age 10.9 years). Pre- and post-treatment cephalometric radiographs were traced and analysed at similar time intervals. The average treatment time was 6.94 +/- 0.56 months. Wilcoxon's test was used for intragroup comparisons and the Mann-Whitney U-test for intergroup comparisons. A significant increase occurred in the maxillary forward position. Mandibular forward movement and downward and backward rotation were inhibited. In addition, the upper incisors were proclined (P < 0.001), and the lower incisors were significantly retroclined (P < 0.05). When the treatment and control groups were compared, the upper airway linear measurements (pns-ad1, pns-ad2, APW-PPW, APW'-PPW') and the nasopharyngeal area had increased in the treatment group. These results demonstrated that maxillary expansion together with protraction of the maxilla improved naso- and oropharyngeal airway dimensions in the short term.

Ectodermal dysplasia: Retrospective study of fifteen cases.

The aim of this article is to review possible cranio-maxillofacial deformative consequences associated with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and embryonic malformations, which include dental ageneses, and describe the oral habilitation. Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia patients had a clinical examination and underwent radiographic and Steiner's analyses and a respiratory capability test before assessment and treatment. Fifteen patients (eight males and seven females, aged 5-45 years) had tooth ageneses (from hypodontia to anodontia) associated with cutaneous dyshydrosis and hair and nail dystrophy. Most patients had sparse or absent hair, a short face with an unusual facial concavity, a maxillary retrusion and a relative mandibular protrusion. Dentists must conduct a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to these patients in order to improve their dental, masticatory, growth and orthognathic conditions.