Dilemmas in Treatment of Recurrent Recalcitrant Dental Anterior Open Bite.

An anterior open bite is one of the most difficult occlusal abnormalities to treat. Quite often this aberration entails dental component and/or skeletal component. The skeletal open bite will require intrusion of the posterior sextants with the assistance of bite blocks, temporary anchorage devices, high pull headgear, and as a last resort - orthognathic surgery. The orthodontic treatment should be augmented with the orofacial myofunctional therapy. In this article, the author describes 3 different variations of treatment of the dental anterior open bite, first on acrylic models, and then on the actual patients. Consideration should be given to patients with a 'short upper lip," and in this case, surgical correction should be entertained.

Molar distalization with the assistance of Temporary Anchorage Devices.

This article describes efficient techniques for distalization of maxillary and mandibular molars with the assistance of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs). There are numerous occasions where the distalization of molars is required in lieu of the odontectomy of bicuspids. In the past, extra-oral force has been used, (i.e. Cervical or Combination Head Gear, or intra-oral force, i.e. Posterior Sagittal Appliance, Modified Greenfield Appliance, Williams DMJ 20001, CD Distalizer, Magill Sagittal, Pendulum Appliance, etc.). All the intra-oral appliances have a common denominator the orthodontic clinician has to deal with, the undesirable expression of the Third Law of Newton. The utilization of TADs allows us to circumvent this shortcoming, establishing an absolute anchorage, and thus completely negate the expression of the Third Law of Newton.

Rondeau Seminars amalgamated mid-sagittal (lateral) cephalometric analysis.

The author presents a comprehensive International Association for Orthodontics--Rondeau Seminars Amalgamated Mid-sagittal (Lateral) Cephalometric Analysis. Norms on the Cephalometric Data Sheet are age and gender specific for the Caucasian population and the postings are color coded for visual attraction. If the patient is ofa different ethnic group, the Norms should be adjusted accordingly. This Cephalometric Analysis is comprised often Sections, in alphabetical order and twenty nine Factors. The author expanded Rondeau Seminars Cephalometric Analysis by only six Factors, thus fulfilling the requirement for the case presentation for the Fellow of the IAO and the Diplomate ofthe IBO.

Fifth alternative for replacement of maxillary first molar.

There are occasions when the patient is missing only one first molar or the first molar is slated for an odontectomy (extraction). Most of the time, there are only four common avenues for replacement: partial removable prosthesis, Maryland bridge, ceramic or ceramic to metal fixed prosthesis and osseo-integrated implant supported crown. In this article, the author discusses the least common avenue for replacement of missing maxillary first molar--an orthodontic closure. He discusses and demonstrates; Maximum, Medium and Minimum Anchorage strategies on acrylic models. Preserving the anchorage is necessary for successful execution of this orthodontic procedure. This demonstration is followed by presentation of the actual case.

Intrusion and uprighting teeth for fixed prosthesis with temporary anchorage device.

The mandibular first permanent molar is usually first to erupt around the age of six. Therefore, if the oral hygiene is not impeccable, it is usually also the first permanent tooth decayed in a child's mouth. A plethora of circumstances may lead to pulpal involvement, periapical pathosis, and endodontic treatment and in unfortunate situations, removal of this tooth. If this tooth is not replaced, or the extraction space is not retained for a considerable amount of time, the posterior occlusion will collapse. The most common occurrence is tipping of teeth in juxtaposition to the extraction site and extrusion of at least one opposing tooth. This article will describe efficient uprighting and intrusion of offending teeth prior to placement of fixed prosthesis. The author will explain the procedure step by step, first on acrylic models and then on the actual patient.

Distalization of maxillary molars with Modified Greenfield Appliance and Modified Nance Appliance as applied to specific case.

This article describes an efficient method for distalizing maxillary molars using fixed intra-arch Nickel Titanium open coil spring loaded appliance--the Modified Greenfield Appliance. After adequate space has been created, the Modified Nance Anchorage Appliance is cemented to prevent any loss of the gained space. The author's Case Study guides the reader step by step to a successful result of the difficult orthodontic case.