A comprehensive evaluation of an OFDI syndrome from child to teenager.

Orofaciodigital syndrome (OFDS) is a collective term for a rare inherited disorder that displays a wide phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. The findings of diagnostic are the combination of the characteristic oral, facial and digital anomalies. In this heterogeneous group, the diagnosis of OFDI focuses on the association of the oro-dental, digital and cerebral malformations, polycystic kidney disease and several other manifestations. In this article, we report and discuss the case of a girl with OFDI syndrome, who presented as a peculiar phenotype on clinical examination. The present case was diagnosed at 24 months old and re-examined at 16 years old. The imagistic and cephalometric analyses were performed to investigate the alterations in the facial and skeletal bones and also neurological, renal and dental development. The differential diagnosis of this entity is discussed.

Assessment of orthodontic biomaterials' cytotoxicity: an in vitro study on cell culture.

OBJECTIVE: Orthodontists use various biomaterials such as molar bands, brackets, archwires, transpalatal archwires, facial masks and other auxiliary devices. One of the essential properties of these materials should be the biocompatibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of some orthodontic biomaterials like stainless steel archwires, brackets and NiTi (nickel-titanium alloy) coil springs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The studies were performed in vitro using human fibroblasts cultures on which the orthodontic materials were applied. The positive control was the copper amalgam. Readings of the cell reactions were performed at three and six days. RESULTS: It was observed that the materials used in the study cause cell alterations of variable intensity. The metallic brackets represent an important cell stress factor causing shape changes. For the metallic brackets, a preferential tropism for different areas of the bracket was also obvious. We observed a preferential tropism for the areas between the NiTi coil spring spirals. For the stainless steel archwires, we observed at six days a decay of cell density and also a higher amount of cells near the archwire areas on which bends were performed. CONCLUSIONS: All biomaterials analyzed in our study cause cellular changes of varying intensity without necessarily showing a cytotoxic character.