Evaluation of maxillary buccal alveolar bone before and after orthodontic alignment without extractions: A cone beam computed tomographic study.

OBJECTIVES:: To assess the changes in the maxillary buccal alveolar bone during alignment without extractions. Secondarily, to evaluate the changes in arch dimensions and buccolingual inclinations of teeth and to identify risk factors for bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS:: Twenty-two adolescents with crowded permanent dentitions were treated without extractions with Damon 3MX brackets. Cone beam computed tomographic scans were taken before treatment (T0) and after alignment (T1). Bone thickness (BT) and height from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar crest (BH) were evaluated at the maxillary central incisors, second premolars, and buccal roots of first molars. Changes in all variables from T0 to T1 were assessed. Correlations between bone changes and initial bone thickness, initial arch widths, initial crowding, amount of expansion, amount of tipping, and amount of molar rotation were calculated. RESULTS:: BT decreased and BH increased significantly for the incisors and mesiobuccal root of the first molars. Arch dimensions generally increased together with tipping. Bone loss was correlated with crowding and amount of expansion in the premolar region. Initially thinner BT was correlated with greater apical migration of bone for the incisors. CONCLUSIONS:: Nonextraction alignment with self-ligating brackets led to arch expansion associated with tipping of teeth. Expansion related to alignment resulted in horizontal and vertical bone loss at the incisors and mesiobuccal root of the first molars. Thinner BTs and more severe crowding before treatment increased the risk for buccal bone loss.

Smile attractiveness in patients with Class II division 1 subdivision malocclusions treated with different tooth extraction protocols.

The aim of this study was to compare smile attractiveness between one, three, and four premolar extraction protocols in patients with Class II division 1 subdivision malocclusions and to analyse the aesthetic influence of buccal and posterior corridor widths on smile attractiveness. The sample consisted of posed smile photographs obtained from 66 subjects, divided into three groups according to the treatment-extraction protocol. Group 1 was treated with one maxillary premolar extraction included 23 subjects, group 2 was treated with four premolar extractions included 23 subjects, and 20 patients in group 3 were treated with three premolar extractions. Buccal and posterior corridor widths of each photograph were measured in proportion to the smile width. To rate the posed smile photographs, panels of 70 orthodontists and 46 laypeople used a 10-point scale. There were no significant differences in smile attractiveness scores between the three groups and between orthodontists and laypeople. Also buccal and posterior corridor widths did not differ between the groups and they did not influence the aesthetic scores. It was concluded that smile attractiveness is similar in treatment protocols of one, three, and four premolar extractions and that widths of buccal and posterior corridors do not influence smile attractiveness in these groups.

A genética e os seguros: correlação e analogia ao estudo do genoma humano: [revisão] / Genetics and insurance companies: correlationship and analogy with human genome studies: [revision]

O mapeamento genético possibilitou a detecção de alterações que provocam o aparecimento de certas doenças, mesmo antes do aparecimento dos sintomas, e a otimização das terapêuticas de algumas patologias e prevenção de doenças multifatoriais. Com os avanços na tecnologia genética, aumentaram também as discussões sobre o fato de que as seguradoras podem usar os testes genéticos para o estabelecimento de taxas. Também existe a possibilidade das seguradoras conduzirem seus próprios testes ou questionar o consumidor sobre a sua história genética. Isso representa um possível conflito entre interesses do consumidor e das seguradoras. Casos de discriminação genética têm sido documentados em muitos países e, conseqüentemente, leis têm sido criadas no sentido de se frear o uso abusivo das informações do mapeamento genético pelas seguradoras. No entanto, no Brasil, esse assunto tem sido pouco discutido pelas autoridades e desconhecido pela maioria da população. Dessa forma, já que a saúde é um direito de todos, uma informação genética não deveria influenciar no pagamento e na disponibilidade de emprego e de assistência médica. Aexigência do conhecimento do conteúdo genético de um cidadão, por uma seguradora, é de ordem discriminatória, invade a privacidade, além de contrariar os princípios éticos.

The genetic mapping enabled some detections of changes that trigger some diseases, even before the symptoms appear. Moreover, it provided therapeutics optimization and prevention of some multifactorialdiseases. The advances of genetic technology also increased discussions about the fact that insurance companies can use the genetic tests to establish their fees. They may also provide their own tests or ask the clients their own genetic history. This represents a possible conflict between the client’s interest and the insurance company. Cases of genetics discrimination has been registered in several countries. Consequently, laws that reduce information on the genetic mapping have been launched. However, in Brazil, this issue hasbeen little discussed by official government, and it is also unknown by most of the population. Thus, since health is a right of all citizens, some genetic information should not influence the fee payment, the job availability and medical care. The right to know the citizens´genetic content by an insurance company canbe considered discrimination, invading their privacy, moreover, going against the ethical principles.