Effectiveness of low frequency vibration on the rate of canine retraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

To investigate the effectiveness of AcceleDent Aura vibrating device on the rate of canine retraction. Thirty-two patients requiring extraction of upper first premolars and canine retraction were randomly allocated with a 1:1 ratio into either no-appliance group or the AcceleDent Aura appliance group. Canine retraction was done applying 150gm of retraction force using NiTi coil springs on 16 × 22 stainless steel archwires. The duration of the study was 4 months. Models were collected and digitized directly after extraction of upper first premolars and at monthly intervals during canine retraction for recording the monthly as well as the total distance moved by the canine. Digitized models were superimposed on the initial model and data were statistically analyzed. Anchorage loss, rotation, tipping, torque and root condition were evaluated using cone beam computed tomography imaging. Pain was evaluated by visual analog scale. No patients were dropped-out during this study. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the total distance travelled by the canine (P = 0.436), as well as the rate of canine retraction per month (P = 0.17). Root condition was the same for the two groups. Regarding the pain level, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at day 0 (P = 0.721), after 24 h (P = 0.882), after 72 h (P = 0.378) and after 7 days (P = 0.964). AcceleDent Aura was not able to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. Pain level couldn't be reduced by vibrational force with an AcceleDent device during orthodontic treatment. Root condition was not affected by the vibrational forces.

Orthodontic management of a developing dentigerous cyst related to lower second molar: a case report.

The dentigerous cyst is a developmental odontogenic asymptomatic cyst, that is associated with the crown of an unerupted or impacted tooth. Early diagnosis is important to avoid any future complications and choose the best treatment option. The purpose of this case report is to describe the management of a dentigerous cyst related to lower second molar in a young female patient using orthodontic traction as a conservative treatment approach. This procedure helps to spare the patient an unnecessary surgical excision procedure and the associated excessive bone removal for a safety margin, stimulates bone healing and promotes the eruption of the cyst-associated tooth.

Does Presurgical Taping Change Nose and Lip Aesthetics in Infants with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of taping alone in changing nose and lip aesthetics in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate before and after surgical lip repair. METHODS: The study design was a prospective, balanced, randomized, parallel-group, single-blinded, controlled trial. All the steps were carried out in the Department of Orthodontics of Cairo University in Egypt. Thirty-one infants with nonsyndromic unilateral complete cleft lip and palate were randomly assigned to either no treatment (control) or taping groups. In the taping group, all infants received horizontal tape between the two labial segments, aiming to decrease the cleft gap. No other interventions were performed in this group. Standardized photographs and videos were taken of the infants in both groups at the beginning of the treatment (T1), directly before surgical lip repair (T2), and 2 weeks after surgical lip repair (T3). Photographs and shots from videos were calibrated and used for outcome assessment. Blinded assessors carried out all the measurements digitally on the standardized photographs at T1, T2, and T3 using computer software. RESULTS: Significant changes in all the measurements were recorded in the taping group at T2 before surgical lip repair in comparison with the control group. At T3, no differences were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Taping is a successful intervention in changing nose and lip aesthetics before surgical lip repair. After surgical lip repair, both groups had matching aesthetics. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, I.

Effectiveness of a Novel 3D-Printed Nasoalveolar Molding Appliance (D-NAM) on Improving the Maxillary Arch Dimensions in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to introduce and measure the effectiveness of a new 3D-printed nasoalveolar molding (D-NAM) appliance on improving the maxillary arch dimensions (MADs) in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) before surgical lip repair. DESIGN: A prospective, balanced, randomized, parallel groups, single-blinded, controlled trial. SETTING: All the steps of the current study were carried in the Department of Orthodontics, Cairo University in Egypt. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four, nonsyndromic infants with UCLP. INTERVENTIONS: The eligible infants were randomly assigned into either no-treatment (control) or to the new D-NAM groups. In D-NAM group, the maxillary models were 3D scanned into virtual models onto which segmentation and alveolar segments approximation were performed. Approximation movements were divided into 3 models representing 3 activation steps. On each of these models, virtual appliance construction was performed followed by 3D printing of the appliance. Nasal stent was added manually to the appliances of the second and third steps. Horizontal tapes were applied to infants in the D-NAM group only. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: A Blinded assessors carried all the MADs measurements virtually on digital models collected at the beginning (T1) and after (T2) treatment. RESULTS: Clinically and/or statistically significant improvements in all the measured MADs were recorded in D-NAM group at T2 before surgical lip repair in comparison to control group. CONCLUSIONS: The introduced D-NAM/3D-printed appliance is a simple and efficient technique to improve the MADs in infants with UCLP before surgical lip repair.

Is Taping Alone an Efficient Presurgical Infant Orthopedic Approach in Infants With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to assess the effectiveness of taping alone in changing the maxillary arch dimensions (MADs) in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) before surgical lip repair. DESIGN: A prospective, balanced, randomized, parallel-group, single-blinded, controlled trial. SETTING: All the steps of the current study were carried in the Department of Orthodontics, Cairo University in Egypt. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-one, nonsyndromic infants with UCLP. INTERVENTIONS: The eligible infants were randomly assigned to either no-treatment (control) or taping groups. In the taping group, all the infants received horizontal tape between the 2 labial segments aiming to decrease the cleft gap. No other interventions were performed to infants included in this group. Rubber base impressions were made to all the included infants in both groups at the beginning of the treatment (T1) and directly before surgical lip repair (T2). All the produced models were scanned using a desktop scanner producing digital models for outcome assessment. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: A blinded assessor carried out all the MAD measurements virtually on the produced digital models at the beginning (T1) and after (T2) treatment. RESULTS: Clinically and/or statistically significant changes in all the measured MADs were recorded in the taping group at T2 before surgical lip repair in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that taping alone is an efficient tool in changing the MADs before surgical lip repair in infants with UCLP.

Using a single cone-beam computed tomography scan to obtain full occlusal details, with the mandible in centric relation and maximum intercuspation.

INTRODUCTION: One obstacle with the implementation of digital technology in orthodontics is the acquisition of occlusal details while maintaining the mandible in the full interdigitation position. With 1 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of the patient and 1 digital scan of the patient's dental models in occlusion, it might be possible to obtain full occlusal details and generate 2 volumes, with the mandible in centric relation and maximum intercuspation positions. The purpose of this article was to describe the technique. METHODS: Orthodontic models of enrolled subjects were digitized in maximum intercuspation. They wore splints that were initially 2 mm thick before CBCT imaging. On the CBCT volume, the mandible is separated from the rest of the skull, and the digitized dental model in maximum intercuspation is registered on the skull volume. The separated mandibular volume is then registered on the mandibular dentition using the tooth surfaces as a guide. RESULTS: Two CBCT volumes are rendered: original scan with teeth in minimal disclusion and the constructed one with teeth in maximum interdigitation. CONCLUSIONS: Mobilizing digital technology in orthodontics allows the acquisition of crucial occlusal details while sparing patients an extra radiation dose from the CBCT.

Revisiting the Factors Underlying Maxillary Midline Diastema.

Aim. The aim of this study is to analyze the etiological factors underlying the presence of maxillary midline diastema in a sample of orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods. One hundred patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria were selected from 1355 patients seeking orthodontic treatment. The pretreatment orthodontic records were analyzed. The width of the maxillary midline diastema was measured clinically with a digital caliper at two levels: the mesioincisal angles of the central incisors and five millimeters from the incisal edge. The two measurements were averaged, and patients with diastema of more than 0.5 millimeter in width were enrolled. Results. Diastema is a multifactorial clinical finding with more than one underlying etiological cause. The interrelationship between the familial pattern of midline diastema and the microdontia, macroglossia, labial frenum, and alveolar cleft conforms was clear. The effect of a mesiodens and the upper lateral incisor whether bilaterally missing, unerupted, or peg shaped was minimal. Conclusion. Etiological factors underlying maxillary midline diastema are interconnected. Using a checklist as a guide during handling maxillary midline diastema is important in the different stages of treatment.

Accuracy and reliability of cone-beam computed tomography measurements: Influence of head orientation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this research is to determine the accuracy and reliability of measurements obtained from 3-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for different head orientations. METHODS: Stainless steel wires were fixed to a dry skull at different places. The skull was scanned by using CBCT in the centered and 5 other positions. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability tests were performed by using 6 landmarks identified on the virtual 3D skulls by 2 operators. Two methods were used to determine the accuracy of measurements on the virtual 3D skull scanned in different positions. In the first method, 12 linear distances were compared on the physical skull and the 3D virtual skull in the centered and the other scanning positions. In the second method, registration of each of the 5 positions on the centered position was done separately, and coordinates of 11 landmarks were identified in each position and compared with the centered position. Data gathered from the 2 methods were compared statistically. RESULTS: Concordance correlation and Pearson correlation coefficients values were almost 0.9999 in all the comparisons denoting: (1) high intraobserver and interobserver reliability; (2) very high concordance between the physical skull and the CBCT centered-position measurements; (3) very high concordance between measurements of the centered position in relation to those obtained from the different skull positions; and (4) registration of the skulls in the different positions showed high concordance, with the highest values between the centered and off-centered positions, and the lowest with the complex position. CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy and reliability of CBCT measurements are not affected by changing the skull orientation. Thus, the upper-lip and chin rests should not be considered absolute requirements during CBCT imaging if a stable head position is ensured.

Miniscrew implant-supported maxillary canine retraction with and without corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate miniscrew implant-supported maxillary canine retraction with corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics. METHODS: The sample consisted of 13 adult patients (5 men, 8 women; mean age, 19 years) exhibiting Class II Division 1 malocclusion with increased overjet requiring the therapeutic extraction of the maxillary first premolars, with subsequent retraction of the maxillary canines. Corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics was randomly assigned to 1 side of the maxillary arch at the canine-premolar region, and the other side served as the control. By using miniscrews as anchorage, canine retraction was initiated via closed nickel-titanium coil springs applying 150 g of force per side. The following variables were examined over a 4-month follow-up period: rate of tooth movement, molar anchorage loss, plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, attachment loss, and gingival recession. RESULTS: The average daily rate of canine retraction was significantly higher on the corticotomy than the control side by 2 times during the first 2 months after the corticotomy surgery. This rate of tooth movement declined to only 1.6 times higher in the third month and 1.06 times higher by the end of the fourth month. No molar anchorage loss occurred during canine retraction on either the operated or the nonoperated side. There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative measurements of plaque index, probing depth, attachment loss, and gingival recession. CONCLUSIONS: Corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics can be a feasible treatment modality for adults seeking orthodontic treatment with reduced treatment times.

Four curious cases of cone-beam computed tomography.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has become popular, and its many inherent advantages are indisputable. Nevertheless, CBCT is prescribed cautiously because the radiation dosage is higher than that of conventional radiography. When and to what extent should CBCT be prescribed for orthodontic patients? The purpose of this article is to present 4 curious cases in which a considerable discrepancy was found between the conventional panoramic radiograph and the CBCT view. Is it time to spare patients an unnecessary conventional panoramic radiograph and shift to CBCT for all patients?

Three-dimensional dental measurements: An alternative to plaster models.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of dental measurements taken with calipers on plaster dental casts and those from computed tomography scans of the dentition with a dental measurement program. METHODS: The sample consisted of plaster dental models of 34 orthodontic subjects. Dental arch measurements, including mesiodistal widths of teeth, arch widths, arch lengths, arch perimeters, and palatal depths were made with the calipers. The patients were also scanned with computed tomography, and measurements were made digitally with a 3-dimensional-based dental measurements program (3DD, Biodent, Cairo, Egypt). RESULTS: The results showed strong agreement in most measurements between the conventional method and the 3DD in the 3 planes of space. The mesiodistal measurements of the maxillary right and left second premolars, left central incisor, and right first molar, and the mandibular left and right central incisors, right canine, and left first premolar had fair agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent agreement between the measurements with the conventional and 3DD methods in the 3 planes of space was found; 3DD can be an alternative to conventional stone dental models.

Methods for managing 3-dimensional volumes.

The introduction of 3-dimensional (3D) volumetric technology and the massive amount of information that can be obtained from it compels the introduction of new methods and new technology for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. In this article, methods and tools are introduced for managing 3D images of orthodontic patients. These tools enable the creation of a virtual model and automatic localization of landmarks on the 3D volumes. They allow the user to isolate a targeted region such as the mandible or the maxilla, manipulate it, and then reattach it to the 3D model. For an integrated protocol, these procedures are followed by registration of the 3D volumes to evaluate the amount of work accomplished. This paves the way for the prospective treatment analysis approach, analysis of the end result, subtraction analysis, and treatment analysis.

Loss of anchorage of miniscrews: a 3-dimensional assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Miniscrews have exponentially empowered the orthodontic anchorage armamentarium. However, the behavior of miniscrews under loading has not yet been fully investigated. METHODS: Forty miniscrews were used for retraction of the maxillary and mandibular canines into the spaces of extracted first premolars. After a healing period of 2 weeks, a loading force was applied between 150 and 250 g for 6 months. The displacement of the miniscrews, their placement angles, and their implanted percentages into the bone were assessed by using superimposed 3-dimensional volumes of the maxilla and the mandible before and after 6 months of loading of the miniscrews. RESULTS: Miniscrews were displaced in the direction of orthodontic loading. The displacement was experienced in the movement of the head and tail, and extrusion of the miniscrews. These movements were not correlated with the placement angle or the length of miniscrews in the bone. CONCLUSIONS: Movement of miniscrews is to be expected during orthodontic loading. This phenomenon should be considered when determining their dimensions and placement angles to provide the maximum range of action for orthodontic mechanics without midtreatment replacement of miniscrews.

Do alveolar bone defects merit orthodontists' respect?

AIM: To investigate the incidence and distribution of alveolar bony defects in the mandibular anterior area. METHODS: A flap procedure was performed to expose the labial alveolar bone of the mandibular anterior area of 32 patients. The presence of alveolar defects including dehiscences and fenestrations were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent (25) of the examined patients had at least one tooth with an alveolar bony defect. Dehiscences were found to be most commonly associated with the midline of the labial surface of mandibular left and right canines followed by the mesiolabial line of the same teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The structure and topography of alveolar bone should be considered prior to the treatment planning and tooth movement. Moreover, there is a tremendous need to develop a noninvasive precise method for diagnosing alveolar defects.