Evaluation of pharyngeal airway space after orthodontic extraction treatment in class II malocclusion integrating with the subjective sleep quality assessment.

Orthodontic treatment with premolar extractions is typically used to relieve dental crowding and retract anterior teeth for lip profile improvement. The aim of the study is to compare the changes in regional pharyngeal airway space (PAS) after orthodontic treatment with Class II malocclusion and to identify the correlations between questionnaire results and PAS dimensions after orthodontic treatment. In this retrospective cohort study, 79 consecutive patients were divided into normodivergent nonextraction, normodivergent extraction, and hyperdivergent extraction groups. Serial lateral cephalograms were used to evaluate the patients' PASs and hyoid bone positions. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and STOP-Bang questionnaire were used for sleep quality evaluation and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk assessment, respectively, after treatment. The greatest airway reduction was observed in hyperdivergent extraction group. However, the changes in PAS and hyoid positions did not differ significantly among three groups. According to questionnaire results, all three groups had high sleep quality and low risk of OSA, with no significant intergroup differences. Moreover, pretreatment-to-posttreatment changes in PAS were not correlated with sleep quality or risk of OSA. Orthodontic retraction with premolar extractions nither exhibit significant reduction in airway dimensions nor increase their risk of OSA.

Surgical Treatment of a Borderline Skeletal Class III Patient: an Interdisciplinary Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Class III malocclusion is considered the most challenging discrepancies in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. It is often difficult to classify borderline cases as surgical or non-surgical. The following case report is of a borderline Class III case with several missing maxillary premolars treated via an interdisciplinary approach. AIM: This clinical case highlights the importance of meticulous diagnosis to obtain optimal results in borderline Class III cases. The significance of an interdisciplinary approach in complex adult orthodontic cases was also discussed. CASE REPORT: Given the complexity of the case, the treatment required a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach with the intervention of multiple specialties including periodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery. The presurgical orthodontic stage was achieved in preparation for LeFort I maxillary advancement. Third molars extractions along with implant placement were implemented. Finally, crown placement and connective tissue graft were completed to achieve an optimal result. Total treatment time was 1.7 years (20 months). Patient's profile and facial appearance were dramatically enhanced, and a stable functional Class II occlusion was attained despite the preexisting skeletal Class III. CONCLUSION: Borderline adult Class III cases require a delicate diagnostic approach to be able to distinguish a surgical from a non-surgical approach. Complex adult orthodontic cases require a diplomatic interdisciplinary approach from all required specialties in order to attain the most favorable results.

Supernumerary and Supplementary Teeth in a Non-syndromic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Irregularities in the number of teeth can also occur in deciduous and in permanent dentition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to report the case of a seven years old child and a 27 years old male patient affected by a numeric dental anomaly. METHODS: This paper has shown the pathologic condition characterized by the presence of supernumerary tooth (mesiodens) and supernumerary canine as well as supplementary premolars in a non-syndromic patients. Clinical and instrumental examinations were made to perform a correct orthodontic examination and diagnosis. A young patient was affected by numeric dental anomaly in the upper jaw. An adult patient was affected by numeric anomaly in both jaws, supplementary premolars in lower jaw and a supernumerary canine in lower and upper jaw. DISCUSSION: The aim of surgical-orthodontic treatment was extraction of the erupted supernumerary teeth to obtain the physiologic eruption and placement of the permanent ones. CONCLUSION: Therapy of supernumerary/ supplementary teeth is the extraction. But also, an excess tooth in the dentition can be left as a replacement tooth, due to a previously lost permanent tooth from the dentition, if its biological value and potential is sufficient to complete the dentition both functionally and aesthetically.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of The Effects of Orthodontic or Functional Orthopaedic Treatment on Masseter Muscles: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This review investigated the effects of orthodontic or functional orthopedic therapy on masseter muscle thickness through the use of ultrasonography (US) in growing subjects when compared with untreated subjects. Materials and Methods: This review systematically assessed studies that investigated growing subjects undergoing orthopedic therapy for the correction of malocclusion of vertical, sagittal and transversal plane. Electronic databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE-PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched up to February 2019, including available RCTs and CCTs, without language restrictions. The primary outcome was the effect of orthopedic or functional treatment on masseter muscle thickness. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale with the aim of defining their methodological quality. A random-effects meta-analysis analyzing mean differences with 95% confidence intervals was used for quantitative analysis. Results: The search retrieved 749 titles, but the studies selection resulted in a final sample of 5 CCTs. The studies retrieved data from 233 children (age range: 5-22 years) and were conducted at university dental clinics. Children were treated for Class II malocclusion, increased vertical dimension or lateral cross-bite variably with rapid or slow maxillary expansion, twin block, bite block, mandibular activators, quad helix, alone or in combination. Risk of bias was assessed as medium for three studies, low for one and high for another. The meta-analysis determined that at the end of orthopedic or functional treatment masseter muscle thickness, measured through the use of US, is significantly reduced (MD -0.79 mm; 95% CI -1.28 to -0.31). The reduction in muscle thickness, therefore, could be considered an indicator for the evaluation of the success of therapy with orthodontic appliances. Conclusions: Although the meta-analysis revealed that US could be considered a less invasive and effective method to evaluate the masseter muscle thickness, single-blinded RCTs, are required to confirm US reliability in this field of application. This review was registered on PROSPERO with the following registration number: CRD42018068402.

A randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slot orthodontic bracket systems: part 2-quality of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of orthodontic treatment between 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slot bracket systems. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eligible participants aged 12 years or over were allocated to the 0.018-inch or 0.022-inch slot MBT appliance (3M-Unitek, Monrovia, California, USA) using block randomization in groups of 10. Outcome measures included: 1. ABO cast-radiograph evaluation (CR-EVAL), 2. peer assessment rating (PAR) scores, 3. incisor inclination, and 4. patient perception using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need aesthetic component (IOTN AC) and three validated questionnaires before, during and after treatment. Parametric tests [independent samples t-test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)] and non-parametric tests (chi-square with Fisher's exact tests and Mann-Whitney U-test) assessed differences between groups (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Of the 187 participants randomized (1:1 ratio), 34 withdrew or were excluded (protocol deviations or poor cooperation). There were 77 patients in the 0.018-inch slot group and 76 patients in the 0.022-inch slot group (overall mean age: 19.1 years). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups (P > 0.05). The mean total ABO CR-EVAL scores were 34.7 and 34.5; mean percentage PAR score reduction 74.1 per cent and 77.1 per cent; mean change for maxillary incisor inclination 2.9 degrees and 1.6 degrees and for mandibular incisor inclination 2.7 degrees and 1.4 degrees for the 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch groups, respectively. Improvement in patient perception of aesthetics after treatment was statistically significant for both groups (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups for ABO CR-EVAL, percentage PAR score reduction, incisor inclination, and patient perception of treatment (P > 0.05). No adverse events were observed during treatment. LIMITATIONS: It was impossible to blind clinicians or patients to allocation and oral hygiene and periodontal outcomes were not assessed. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically or clinically significant differences in the quality of occlusal outcomes, incisor inclination and patient perception of treatment between 0.018-inch and 0.022-inch slot bracket systems. REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on 5 March 2014, registration number: NCT02080338. PROTOCOL: The protocol was published at DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-389.

Effectiveness of the American Board of Orthodontics Discrepancy Index in predicting Treatment Time.

AIM: This study was aimed to explore the effect of pretreatment severity of malocclusion on the duration of the treatment using The American Board of Orthodontics discrepancy index (ABO-DI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical retrospective study consisted of orthodontics records of 37 patients who were treated with comprehensive fixed orthodontic appliance from 2011 to 2013. The sample of the study was collected so as to exclude, to the maximum possible, the patient cooperation variability by reviewing all patient chart entries. The DI measurements were used to gather the information of the pretreatment and relate it to the time duration of the treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The average treatment time was 24.5 months. The DI scores mean for class I and II was 14.30 and 20.15 respectively. Age and sex did not significantly influence the treatment duration (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the ABO-DI could be a useful tool to predict orthodontic treatment time. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The ABO-DI can significantly aid in orthodontic treatment time planning.

[The smile: a challenge in the treatment of class III]. / Le sourire : un enjeu dans la décision thérapeutique des classes III.

INTRODUCTION: The smile poses a challenge in the treatment of class III. Untreated, the class III patient presents excessive maxillary torque and a predominant display of the mandibular incisors, a sign that becomes more visible with age. Functional orthopedics restores the aesthetic appearance of the smile by maxillary protraction (sometimes temporarily because 20% of cases will still need surgery). Depending on the initial severity of the case (-4.5 mm AoBo would be the threshold value), the options are compensation or surgical correction. In both cases, the profile is improved but without normalising the cephalometric values. In recent years, the number of published cases treated by compensations (often using skeletal anchorage) has multiplied with broader indications, particularly for Asian patients in whom Le Fort I surgery gives questionable aesthetic results. Attention must be focused on the occlusal plane rotation which alters the smile by displaying the mandibular incisors. Nevertheless, surgery can handle the most severe cases with a greater degree of improvement. AIM: The aim of this article is to determine the cephalometric cut-off values for an acceptable smile in Class III patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a search on Pubmed using the following keywords: Class III, anterior cross bite, smile, camouflage, orthognathic surgery; then secondarily, using references supplied by the articles found. We then analysed the data. RESULTS: The ortho-surgical protocol associated with extractions of maxillary first premolars appears to be the way to obtain the best results in terms of the smile (versus surgery without extractions and versus orthodontic compensations) because it is, in fact, the only way to restore the normal position and torque of the maxillary incisors, thus increasing their display during smiling.

[Periodontal optimization of the smile: choosing the right moment to achieve a maximum esthetic result]. / Optimisation parodontale du sourire : adresser au bon moment pour un réel bénéfice esthétique.

INTRODUCTION: Today, esthetic enhancement is one of the main reasons why patients seek orthodontic treatment. Governed by the canons of beauty dictated by our society, the smile is a key component in this quest for perfect beauty. Hence, the orthodontist is often the first specialist to be consulted by adolescents, but also, more and more, by adults as well. Using simple tools, the practitioner must be able to make a precise analysis of the patient combining both orthodontic and periodontal examinations with an esthetic periodontal diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: Using this analysis, the orthodontist must be able to identify his/her patient's periodontal morphotype and assess whether there is a risk of complications during treatment. One of the main complications that may arise is periodontal recession, which can both impact the esthetic result and give rise to patient anxiety, very soon leaving the orthodontist at a loss. If in doubt, it is essential to refer one's patient to the general dentist or to the periodontist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this paper, the authors will describe a didactic decision-making tree, which will assist practitioners in learning how to manage their patients. DISCUSSION: A synergistic approach to global patient management will ensure an optimal outcome by providing the patient with an appropriate and individualized treatment procedure.

Effects of Case Western Reserve University's transverse analysis on the quality of orthodontic treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of using the transverse analysis developed at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio. The hypotheses were based on the following: (1) Does following CWRU's transverse analysis improve the orthodontic results? (2) Does following CWRU's transverse analysis minimize the active treatment duration? METHODS: A retrospective cohort research study was conducted on a randomly selected sample of 100 subjects. The sample had CWRU's analysis performed retrospectively, and the sample was divided according to whether the subjects followed what CWRU's transverse analysis would have suggested. The American Board of Orthodontics discrepancy index was used to assess the pretreatment records, and quality of the result was evaluated using the American Board of Orthodontics cast/radiograph evaluation. The Mann-Whitney test was used for the comparison. RESULTS: CWRU's transverse analysis significantly improved the total cast/radiograph evaluation scores (P = 0.041), especially the buccolingual inclination component (P = 0.001). However, it did not significantly affect treatment duration (P = 0.106). CONCLUSIONS: CWRU's transverse analysis significantly improves the orthodontic results but does not have significant effects on treatment duration.

[Possibilities and limits of orthodontico-surgical treatments in case of macrodontia]. / Possibilités et limites du traitement de la dysharmonie dents-arcades par chirurgie maxillo-faciale.

INTRODUCTION: Tooth-arch discrepancy is a disproportion between dental volume and bone base. Extraction therapy can be a solution in case of excessive tooth volume and insufficient basal bone length. Techniques including bone distraction popularized by Ilizarov in the fifties allow the increase of the basal arch length in the maxilla as well as in the mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We will describe the procedure of this dental arch length augmentation since the reflection about the therapeutic plan until the sufficient arch length is obtained and describe the indications of this orthodontic and surgical treatment in case of dental crowding, buccal and labial inclination and functional problems. DISCUSSION: Distraction is an interesting technique to be considered for the management of macrodontia that allows to get enough basal bone lenght to reach the therapeutic goal.

Quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of phase 1 orthodontic treatment using the American Board of Orthodontics Discrepancy Index.

INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study included a sample of 300 randomly selected patients from the archived records of Saint Louis University's graduate orthodontic clinic, St. Louis, Mo, from 1990 to 2012. The objective of this study was to quantify the changes obtained in phase 1 of orthodontic treatment and determine how much improvement, if any, has occurred before the initiation of the second phase. METHODS: For the purpose of this study, prephase 1 and prephase 2 records of 300 subjects were gathered. All were measured using the American Board of Ortodontics Discrepancy Index (DI), and a score was given for each phase. The difference of the 2 scores indicated the quantitative change of the complexity of the treatment. Paired t tests were used to compare the scores. Additionally, the sample was categorized into 3 groups according to the Angle classifications, and the same statistics were used to identify significant changes between the 2 scores. Analysis of variance was applied to compare the 3 groups and determine which had the most change. Percentages of change were calculated for the significant scores. RESULTS: The total DI score overall and the scores of all 3 groups were significantly reduced from before to after phase 1. Overall, 42% improvement was observed. The Class I group showed 49.3% improvement, the Class II group 34.5% and the Class III group 58.5%. Most components of the DI improved significantly, but a few showed negative changes. CONCLUSIONS: Significant reductions of DI scores were observed in the total sample and in all Angle classification groups. This indicates that early treatment reduces the complexity of the malocclusions. Only 2 components of the DI showed statistically significant negative changes.

Objective method for evaluating orthodontic treatment from the lay perspective: An eye-tracking study.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, few methods are available to measure orthodontic treatment need and treatment outcome from the lay perspective. The objective of this study was to explore the function of an eye-tracking method to evaluate orthodontic treatment need and treatment outcome from the lay perspective as a novel and objective way when compared with traditional assessments. METHODS: The scanpaths of 88 laypersons observing the repose and smiling photographs of normal subjects and pretreatment and posttreatment malocclusion patients were recorded by an eye-tracking device. The total fixation time and the first fixation time on the areas of interest (eyes, nose, and mouth) for each group of faces were compared and analyzed using mixed-effects linear regression and a support vector machine. The aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need was used to categorize treatment need and outcome levels to determine the accuracy of the support vector machine in identifying these variables. RESULTS: Significant deviations in the scanpaths of laypersons viewing pretreatment smiling faces were noted, with less fixation time (P <0.05) and later attention capture (P <0.05) on the eyes, and more fixation time (P <0.05) and earlier attention capture (P <0.05) on the mouth than for the scanpaths of laypersons viewing normal smiling subjects. The same results were obtained when comparing posttreatment smiling patients, with less fixation time (P <0.05) and later attention capture on the eyes (P <0.05), and more fixation time (P <0.05) and earlier attention capture on the mouth (P <0.05). The pretreatment repose faces exhibited an earlier attention capture on the mouth than did the normal subjects (P <0.05) and posttreatment patients (P <0.05). Linear support vector machine classification showed accuracies of 97.2% and 93.4% in distinguishing pretreatment patients from normal subjects (treatment need), and pretreatment patients from posttreatment patients (treatment outcome), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The eye-tracking device was able to objectively quantify the effect of malocclusion on facial perception and the impact of orthodontic treatment on malocclusion from the lay perspective. The support vector machine for classification of selected features achieved high accuracy of judging treatment need and treatment outcome. This approach may represent a new method for objectively evaluating orthodontic treatment need and treatment outcome from the perspective of laypersons.

Does a true knowledge of dental crowding affect orthodontic treatment decisions?

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether a true knowledge of crowding alters treatment decisions compared with estimates of crowding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six orthodontists were asked to estimate crowding using visualization on eight mandibular arch study models and to indicate possible extraction choices. For each model, the intermolar widths, intercanine widths, and clinical scenarios were identical, but the true crowding varied from 0.2 to 8.4mm as to a lesser extent did the curve of Spee. Eleven orthodontists repeated the visualization exercise after 2 weeks to assess reliability. All 36 of the orthodontists were asked to repeat the treatment planning exercise on the same models, but this time was provided with the true amount of crowding in each case. RESULTS: When the 36 orthodontists used direct visualization of the models to assess crowding, the range of their estimates of crowding increased as the crowding increased. As might be expected, they also tended to move towards extraction treatments as the crowding increased (P = 0.013, odds ratio = 3). Although the reliability of the repeat estimates of crowding were moderate, the mean estimates were greater than the true crowding for each model. When orthodontists were presented with the true amount of crowding, rather than their estimate of crowding, it had a significant effect on the decision to extract, with fewer orthodontists recommending extractions. LIMITATIONS: The principal limitation of this study is that it was a laboratory-based study and utilized just the mandibular arch model for estimation and treatment planning. CONCLUSIONS: Direct visualization may overestimate the amount of crowding present. When the true amount of crowding is known, it can lead to more consistent treatment planning, with the decision to extract fewer teeth in the borderline cases. A formal space analysis is likely to assist with treatment planning.

Factors associated with patient and parent satisfaction after orthodontic treatment: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to identify factors associated with orthodontic treatment satisfaction of patients and their caregivers, when applicable. METHODS: MEDLINE via Ovid, PubMed, EBM Reviews and EMBASE via OVIDSP, LILACS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched electronically. Reference lists of included articles were also screened for potential relevant studies missed during the electronic searches. Studies evaluating the satisfaction levels of patients or caregivers after orthodontic treatment were considered. Methodologic quality of the included studies was assessed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Eighteen studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, representing 2891 patients and 464 parents. The risk of bias was moderate in 13 and low in 4 of the included articles. The studies used different questionnaires and timings to assess postorthodontic treatment satisfaction. Based on the available limited evidence, satisfaction was associated with perceived esthetic outcomes, psychological benefits, and quality of care. The latter was specifically linked to dentist-staff-patient interactions. Dissatisfaction was associated with treatment duration, pain levels and discomfort, and the use of retention appliances. When both assessments were available, the patient's and the parent's satisfaction levels were strongly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited available evidence with moderate risk of bias, we identified factors that appear to be more commonly associated with a high or low level of satisfaction. Consideration of these factors could be important for practitioners attempting to set realistic expectations of their patients and caregivers regarding orthodontic treatment outcomes.