Ahmet Keles

The Use of Skeletal Anchorage in Open Bite Treatment: A Cephalometric Evaluation

The aims of the present study were to assess the effectiveness of skeletal anchorage for intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth, to correct open bite malocclusion, and to evaluate the usage of titanium miniplates for orthodontic anchorage. Anterior open bite is one of the most difficult malocclusions to treat orthodontically. Currently, surgical impaction of the maxillary posterior segment is considered to be the most effective treatment option in adult patients. Various studies have reported the use of implants as anchorage units at different sites of midfacial bones for orthodontic tooth movement. The zygomatic buttress area could be a valuable anchorage site to achieve intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth. Ten patients, 17 to 23 years old and characterized with an anterior open bite and excessive maxillary posterior growth, were included in this preliminary study. Titanium miniplates were fixed bilaterally to the zygomatic buttress area, and a force was applied bilaterally with nine mm Ni-Ti coil springs between the vertical extension of the miniplate and the first molar buccal tube. The results showed that, with the help of skeletal anchorage, maxillary posterior teeth were intruded effectively. As compared with an osteotomy, this minimally invasive surgical procedure eased treatment and reduced treatment time and did not require headgear wear or anterior box elastics for anterior open bite correction. In conclusion, the zygomatic area was found to be a useful anchorage site for intrusion of the molars in a short period of time.

Bodily Distalization of Molars with Absolute Anchorage

Palatal implants have been used over the last two decades to eliminate headgear wear and to establish stationary anchorage. In this case report, the stability of a palatal implant for distalization of molars bodily and for anchorage maintenance was assessed. The implant was a stepped screw titanium (4.5 mm diameter x 8 mm length), and it was placed in the palatal region for orthodontic purposes. A surgical template containing a metal drill housing was prepared. Angulation of the drill housing was controlled according to the radiologic tracing of the maxilla transferred to a plaster cast section in the paramedian plane. The implant was placed using a noninvasive technique (incision, flap, and suture elimination) and left transmucosally to facilitate the surgical procedure and to reduce the number of operations. The paramedian region was selected (1) to avoid the connective tissues of the palatine suture and (2) because it is considered to be a suitable host site for implant placement. After three months of healing, the implant was osseointegrated and orthodontic treatment was initiated. For molar distalization, the Keles Slider appliance was modified and, instead of a Nance button, a palatal implant was used for anchorage. The results showed that the molars were distalized bodily at five months, and no anchorage loss was observed. At the end of the treatment, the smile was improved, and an ideal Class I molar and canine relationship, an ideal overbite, and an ideal overjet were all achieved. In conclusion, palatal implants can be used effectively for anchorage maintenance and in space-gaining procedures. Use of a three-dimensional surgical template eliminated implant placement errors, reduced chair time, minimized trauma to the tissues, and enhanced osseointegration. This method can be used effectively to achieve distalization of molars bodily without anchorage loss.

A new approach in maxillary molar distalization: Intraoral bodily molar distalizer

The objectives of our study were to achieve bodily molar distalization, avoid distal tipping of molars, eliminate the need for patient cooperation (no headgear, no elastics, and no esthetic and social concern), and finally to minimize the treatment period and maximize the treatment efficiency. The study was carried out on 5 males and 10 females, a total of 15 patients. Mean age for the study group was 13.53 years. Dentally, all the patients had Class II molar relationship on both sides. The patients were in permanent dentition, second molars were erupted, and the lower dental arch was well aligned. Patients showed normal or sagittally directed growth pattern. Lateral cephalograms and study models were taken and analyzed before and after molar distalization. In the present study, in order to achieve maxillary molar distalization, a new intraoral appliance was developed. The intraoral bodily molar distalizer (IBMB) was composed of 2 parts: the anchorage unit and the distalizing unit. The anchorage unit was a wide Nance button, and the active unit consisted of distalizing springs. The springs had 2 components: the distalizer section of the spring applied a crown tipping force, while the uprighting section of the spring applied a root uprighting force on the first molars. A total of 230 g of distalizing force was used on both sides. After the distal movement of the first molars, the cephalometric results of 15 patients showed the following. Maxillary first molars were moved distally by an average of 5.23 mm (P <.001) without tipping or extrusion. Maxillary first premolars were moved 4.33 mm mesially (P <.001), tipped 2.73 degrees distally (P <.05), and extruded by 3.33 mm (P <.001). Maxillary central incisors were proclined by an average of 4.7 mm (P <.001) and tipped 6.73 degrees labially (P <.01). Model analysis showed that maxillary first molars were not rotated, and intermolar distance did not change after distal movement of molars. In conclusion, unlike most of the other molar distalization mechanics, this newly developed device achieved (1) bodily distal movement of maxillary molars and (2) eliminated dependence on patient cooperation and did not require headgear wear for molar root uprighting.

The effects of a modified protraction headgear on maxilla

Protraction headgears are commonly used in the treatment of Class III malocclusion characterized by maxillary retrognathism. The upward and forward rotation of the maxilla during protraction is a major unwanted side effect. The aim of this study was to eliminate the upward and forward rotation of maxilla while protracting. Seventeen patients with Class III malocclusion as a result of maxillary retrognathism were treated for 3 months; their average age was 12.81 years. A full coverage acrylic cap splint-type rapid maxillary expansion appliance was cemented and activated twice a day for 5 days. After sutural separation, a maxillary modified protraction headgear was worn and 750 g of force was applied. Wilcoxon signed rank test was carried out to evaluate 42 parameters measured on cephalometric radiographs. The maxilla was displaced anteriorly by downward and backward rotation. The mandible was displaced downward and backward due to anterior elongation of the maxilla. Extrusion and lingual tipping of the upper incisors and intrusion of upper molars and downward and backward rotation of functional occlusal plane were observed. The aim of our study was achieved, which was to avoid upward and forward rotation while protracting the maxilla. In conclusion, maxillary modified protraction headgear (MMPH) can be used effectively in Class III patients with retrognathic maxilla and anterior open bite tendency.

Effect of Varying the Force Direction on Maxillary Orthopedic Protraction

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of varying the force direction on maxillary protraction. A total of 20 patients with class III maxillary retrognathism were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 was comprised of nine patients with a mean age of 8.58 years, and group 2 was composed of 11 patients with a mean age of 8.51 years. Both groups received a cap splint-type rapid palatal expander and the screw was activated twice a day for 10 days. After the expansion procedure the face mask protraction procedure was initiated. In group 1, we applied the force intraorally from the canine region with a forward and downward direction at a 30 degrees angle to the occlusal plane. In group 2, the force was applied extraorally 20 mm above the maxillary occlusal plane. In both groups a unilateral 500 g force was applied and the patients were instructed to wear the face mask for 16 h/d for the first three months and 12 h/d for the next three months. The Wilcoxon sign rank test was used to evaluate the effect of the two different face masks, and a Mann-Whitney U-test was carried out to evaluate the differences between the two groups. The results showed that both force systems were equally effective to protract the maxilla; however, in group I we observed that the maxilla advanced forward with a counter-clockwise rotation. In group 2 we observed an anterior translation of maxilla without rotation. The dental effects of both methods were also different. The maxillary occlusal plane did not rotate in group 1, in contrast to the clockwise rotation in group 2. The maxillary incisors were proclined slightly in group 1, but in contrast they were retroclined and extruded in group 2. In conclusion, the force application from near the center of resistance of the maxilla was an effective method to prevent the unwanted side effects, such as counter-clockwise rotation of the maxilla, in group 1. The group 2 results suggest that this method can be used effectively on patients who present as class III combined with an anterior open bite.

Postoperative Outcomes of Plasmakinetic Transurethral Resection of the Prostate Compared to Monopolar Transurethral Resection of the Prostate in Patients With Comorbidities

OBJECTIVE To compare the 12-month postoperative clinical data in patients with comorbidities undergoing plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PK-TURP) and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (M-TURP) for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS The data of 165 patients undergoing either PK-TURP or M-TURP from September 2006 to December 2010 were retrospectively evaluated in terms of erectile function. Decrease in Hb level at 24-hour follow-up, variations in serum Na(+) at 2-hour follow-up, and 12 month postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Q(max.), postoperative International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores and urethral stricture rates were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 85 patients underwent M-TURP and 80 patients PK-TURP. In all, 62 patients in M-TURP group and 71 patients in PK-TURP group had one or more comorbidities (P = .01). The operative times were 59.8 ± 17.8 versus 60.3 ± 23.8 (P = 0.539). The postoperative 12-month IIEF scores of PK-TURP patients were significantly higher than those of M-TURP patients (M-TURP; 14.5 ± 6.9, PK-TURP; 17.4 ± 8.9, P = .04). IPSS and Q(max.) were similar in both the M-TURP and PK-TURP treatment arms (10.9 ± 8.1 versus 9 ± 7.9, P = .187 and 18.9 ± 4.8 versus 18.8 ± 6.4, P = .905). Urethral stricture rate was 3/62 in M-TURP versus 8/71 in PK-TURP treatment arm, P = .171). CONCLUSION Both modalities yielded similar results with respect to IPSS and Q(max.). The postoperative IIEF in BPH patients with comorbidities appeared to be significantly higher in the PK-TURP group. Although urethral stricture rates seemed higher in the PK-TURP arm, the difference was not statistically significant.

Noncompliance unilateral maxillary molar distalization

The aim of this prospective study was the three-dimensional (3-D) analysis of tooth movements after unilateral upper molar distalization by means of a noncompliance intraoral appliance, the Keles slider. This appliance exerts a distalizing force of 150 g at approximately the level of the center of resistance of the upper first molar. Twelve patients (six girls and six boys with a mean age of 13.1 years) with a unilateral Class II molar relationship participated in the study. Dental casts were taken immediately before placement and after removal of the appliance. The casts were digitized using a 3-D surface laser scanner and superimposed on a predefined area of the palate. The average unilateral upper first molar distal movement was 3.1 mm (range: 2.4 to 5.3 mm). Anchorage loss was expressed by a 2.1 mm (range: 0.8 to 3.8 mm) proclination of the central incisors and a 6.1 degrees mesial inclination of the ipsilateral first premolar (range: 1.7 degrees to 12.3 degrees ). There was approximately 1 mm of midline deviation toward the contralateral side and a 1.6 mm (range: 0.8 to 2.3 mm) buccal displacement of the contralateral first premolar. A substantial variation was observed among patients. Noncompliance unilateral upper molar distalization was an efficient treatment approach. There was, however, a substantial anchorage loss. Case selection is strongly recommended because significant anterior crowding, ectopic canines, or spacing can lead to significant anchorage loss.