Biomechanical features of the periodontium: an experimental pilot study in vivo.

INTRODUCTION: The orthodontic application of a force or moment leads to a strain distribution in the periodontal ligament. The corresponding local deformation at the interface periodontal ligament-alveolar bone causes a distribution of normal and shearing tension that is thought to be the local stimulus for bone remodeling leading to orthodontic tooth movement. Although researchers have examined initial tooth movement and the biomechanical properties of the periodontal ligament, few have reported human, in-vivo studies. For such examinations, very small tooth displacements must be measured with extremely high resolution and accuracy. METHODS: By a highly sensitive goniometer (resolution <0.001 degrees ), rotations of premolars in 22 subjects with natural spacing and 14 subjects with pronounced anterior crowding were measured in vivo. The rotations followed sets of pure moment-time functions starting at zero and reaching specified final values within +/- 1.43 Ncm. RESULTS: Usually, thresholds were seen that had to be overcome by moment to produce measurable rotations of the tooth in the mesial or distal direction. The subjects with pronounced anterior crowding showed distinct asymmetry: Thresholds for rotations to the distal direction were significantly higher than for those to the mesial direction. CONCLUSIONS: The cases of symmetric thresholds indicated a shear thinning viscosity in the periodontium under increasing moment. In the case of asymmetric thresholds, the findings suggested a mesially directed pretension of the gingival fiber apparatus that might be connected with the mesial drift.

The retention catalogue: an instrument for quality management.

UNLABELLED: GOAL AND MATERIAL: We evaluated the clinical use of the "retention catalogue" employing a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: Statistical evaluation of the standardized questionnaire demonstrated that the retention catalogue (RC) is an effective method in daily practice for orthodontists to convey patient information on the causes and prevention of relapses in crowding. CONCLUSIONS: Routine utilization of the retention catalogue is recommended. It both contributes to successful retention management and offers the orthodontist a certain degree of legal protection. CONCLUSIONS: Routine utilization of the retention catalogue is recommended. It both contributes to successful retention management and offers the orthodontist a certain degree of legal protection.

An experimental method for in vivo analysis of biomechanical asymmetries of the periodontium.

For analysis of the initial tooth movement in vivo, an optical measuring apparatus with a resolution of 0.001 degree for rotation or 0.5 micron for translation respectively has been developed. Its design is described in detail. Because of its high sensitivity it is experimentally feasible to investigate the biomechanical properties of the periodontium under force application and to determine if it makes any difference whether a tooth is rotated mesially or distally out of its neutral position. For that purpose moments with defined time responses are buccally applied to premolars by means of a cardan shaft and the corresponding rotational angle-time characteristics are recorded. As expected, first measurements show sign symmetry for widely spaced teeth. In the case of pronounced anterior crowding, however, asymmetry seems to occur in such a manner that the force system has to overcome a threshold in order to rotate the tooth distally. Additionally, the periodontium may be subject to a sign-dependent rigidity. In all cases, the movement is limited to some degree.