Longitudinal shape changes of the nasal dorsum.

This investigation quantifies childhood and adolescent growth changes of the upper and lower nasal dorsum and evaluates various aspects of the persons' morphology that relate to shape changes of the dorsum. A longitudinal sample of 37 French-Canadian girls, each having cephalograms at 6, 10, and 14 years of age, was evaluated. The 6- to 10-year interval was chosen to represent childhood growth; the 10- to 14-year interval represented adolescent growth. The upper dorsum rotates upward and forward (counterclockwise) approximately 10 degrees between 6 to 14 years of age. The lower dorsum shows both downward and backward (clockwise) and upward and forward (counterclockwise) rotation average childhood and adolescent changes in angulation were not significant. The results clearly indicate that changes in the nasal dorsum are most closely related to angulation changes of the lower dorsum, particularly during adolescence. The lower dorsum rotates downward and backward in persons who show greater vertical and less horizontal growth changes. Rotational changes of the lower dorsum are most closely related with vertical changes at pronasale.

Failure mode analysis of ceramic brackets bonded to enamel.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the failure pattern of ceramic brackets bonded to enamel with a light-cured orthodontic adhesive. Five types of ceramic brackets and 125 incisors were used in the study. The brackets were bonded onto enamel with a light-cured orthodontic adhesive. After 1 week storage and thermal cycling, the samples were debonded by one operator according to the individual technique for each bracket group proposed by each manufacturer. The fracture surfaces were examined under a stereomicroscope to reveal the type of failures. The effect of the debonding procedure on enamel structure was significantly affected by the various bonding mechanisms of the bracket bases. Cohesive enamel fractures were detected from brackets that provided a bonding mechanism of micromechanical retention and chemical adhesion. The brackets that combined mechanical retention and chemical adhesion, presented both cohesive resin fractures and fractures located at the bracket resin or the resin enamel interface. The higher frequency of cohesive bracket fractures was obtained from a monocrystalline bracket.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) evaluation of clinical failures of single crystal ceramic brackets.

The objective of this work was to perform failure analysis on Starfire brackets that failed in clinical use. The failed brackets were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to obtain micrographs at magnifications of 20, 50, 100, and other magnifications, whenever necessary. With the aid of the micrographs, the fracture origin and the probable defect that initiated the fracture were identified. The percentages of failure origins for each area of the bracket were arch wire slot 36.0%, tie wing slot 22.0%, undetermined 11.0%, saddle 9.0%, impact 9.0%, during removal 7.5%, and parting area 5.5%. By observing the micrographs pertaining to each field failure, the primary causes of failure were internal defects 47.5%, machining interference 42.5%, and undetermined 10.0%.

Current concepts in education and research in orthodontics.

The science of dentistry is quickly advancing toward the 21st century. The constant innovations in dental material development, along with the ever-new concepts that are emerging in basic science and clinical research, are helping dentists to design methods of practice that have a more biologic and preventive substrate and a less restorative aim. As a result, all specialties of dentistry are undergoing constant changes in an effort to conform and manage the need of an educated, modern society. This report highlights some current concepts in orthodontic education and clinical research that are shaping the way that the specialty of orthodontics is taught and practiced.

Enamel fluoride uptake from an experimental fluoride-releasing orthodontic adhesive.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the fluoride uptake by enamel from an experimental visible light-cured orthodontic adhesive (VP-862) based on YbF3 filler. Sixteen contralateral premolars were extracted from 10 orthodontic patients and were classified in four groups (A, B, C, D) of four buccal surfaces each. Standardized enamel areas located on these surfaces were acid etched and were subjected to the following adhesive treatments: (A) VP-862; (B) Heliosit Orthodontic; (C) Heliobond + VP 862; and (D) Heliobond + Heliosit Orthodontic. Groups B and D were used as a reference. After 9 months in vivo, the teeth were extracted and cross-sectioned, and the enamel-adhesive interfaces were studied by combined wavelength-energy dispersive electron probe microanalysis. According to the results, the cumulative fluoride uptake by enamel from the experimental adhesive was not statistically different from the fluoride detected in the reference groups. No effect of the liquid resin, Heliobond, on the fluoride uptake gradients of enamel could be differentiated.