Marcos Roberto de Freitas

Rapid Maxillary Expansion—Tooth Tissue-Borne Versus Tooth-Borne Expanders: A Computed Tomography Evaluation of Dentoskeletal Effects

This study evaluated rapid maxillary expansion (RME) dentoskeletal effects by means of computed tomography (CT), comparing tooth tissue-borne and tooth-borne expanders. The sample comprised eight girls aged 11 to 14 years presenting Class I or II malocclusions with posterior unilateral or bilateral crossbite that were randomly divided into two treatment groups, palatal acrylic (Haas-type) and hygienic (Hyrax) expanders. All appliances were activated up to the full seven mm capacity of the expansion screw. The patients were subjected to a spiral CT scan before expansion and after a three-month retention period when the expander was removed. One-millimeter-thick axial sections were scanned parallel to the palatal plane, comprising the dentoalveolar area and the base of the maxilla up to the inferior third of the nasal cavity. Multiplanar reconstruction was used to measure maxillary transverse dimensions and posterior teeth inclination by means of a computerized method. The results showed that RME produced a significant increase in all measured transverse linear dimensions, decreasing in magnitude from dental arch to basal bone. The transverse increase at the level of the nasal floor corresponded to one-third of the amount of screw activation. Tooth-borne (Hyrax) and tooth tissue-borne (Haas-type) expanders tended to produce similar orthopedic effects. In both methods, RME led to buccal movement of the maxillary posterior teeth, by tipping and bodily translation. The second premolars displayed more buccal tipping than the appliance-supporting teeth. The tooth tissue-borne expander produced a greater change in the axial inclination of appliance-supporting teeth, especially first premolars, compared with the tooth-borne expander.

Nickel hypersensitivity reaction before, during, and after orthodontic therapy

Nickel is a strong biological sensitizer and consequently may induce a delayed hypersensitivity reaction (type IV immune response). Because nickel is a component of the majority of the orthodontic alloys, the objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the prevalence of nickel hypersensitivity reaction before, during, and after orthodontic therapy with conventional stainless steel brackets and wires; to evidence the induction of this reaction by the orthodontic appliances; and to characterize the nickel hypersensitive persons. Nickel patch tests and a questionnaire were used to evaluate the hypersensitivity to this metal. The total sample consisted of 170 patients, 105 females and 65 males, from the orthodontic department at Bauru Dental School, University of São Paulo. They were divided into three groups as follows: A (n = 60), patients before the beginning of orthodontic therapy; B (n = 66), patients currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, and C (n = 44), patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment previously. The chi-square test (chi2) showed an allergic reaction in 28.3% of the total sample with 23% female and 5.3% male. This indicated a gender difference (chi2 = 10.75, p < 0.001). There was a positive association between nickel hypersensitivity and previous personal allergic history to metals (chi2 = 34.88, p < 0.0001) as well as with the daily use of metal objects (chi2 = 11.95, p < 0.0005). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of contact dermatitis among the three groups (chi2 = 0.39, p = 0.848). This suggests that orthodontic therapy with conventional stainless steel appliances does not initiate or aggravate a nickel hypersensitivity reaction.

Stability of anterior open bite nonextraction treatment in the permanent dentition

This study cephalometrically evaluated the long-term stability of anterior open bite nonextraction treatment in the permanent dentition after a mean period of 5 years. The experimental group consisted of 21 patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances from whom cephalometric headfilms were obtained at the pretreatment, posttreatment, and postretention stages. Two control groups were used. The first, with ages comparable with the experimental group before treatment, was used only to characterize it. The second control group, with normal occlusion, was longitudinally followed for a period comparable with the posttretention period and was used to compare the changes between groups during this period. The differences between the observation stages in the experimental group were analyzed with paired t tests, and the postretention changes were compared with the changes of the second control group with independent t tests. A statistically significant decrease of the obtained anterior overbite was demonstrated at the end of the postretention period. The primary factor that contributed to the overbite decrease was the smaller vertical development of the maxillary and mandibular incisors in the postretention period. Neither the pretreatment anterior open bite amount nor the magnitude of correction was associated with the long-term overbite decrease. However, 61.9% of the sample had a clinically stable open bite correction.

Relationship Between Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders and Orthodontic Treatment: A Cross-sectional Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in individuals before and after orthodontic treatment. The sample comprised 200 individuals divided into four groups according to the type of malocclusion (class I or II) and the orthodontic treatment accomplished. An anamnestic questionnaire, comprising questions regarding the most frequent symptoms of TMD, was used to classify the sample according to the TMD presence and severity. A clinical examination, including TMJ and muscle palpation, mandibular range of motion, and joint noise analysis was performed. Based on the anamnestic questionnaire, 34% of the sample was considered as having mild TMD, whereas 3.5% had moderate TMD. A higher TMD prevalence was found in females. Joint noises (15.5%) followed by headache (13%) constituted the most frequent reported symptoms. The presence and severity of TMD have not shown any relationship with either the type of orthodontic mechanics or extraction protocols. On the other hand, a positive association was found between TMD and parafunctional habits and reported emotional tension. Orthodontic treatment is not associated with the presence of signs and symptoms of TMD.

Comparative radiographic evaluation of the alveolar bone crest after orthodontic treatment.

This study evaluated and compared the heights of the alveolar bone crests (AC) among orthodontic patients treated with either the simplified standard edgewise technique (group 1, n = 30), the edgewise straight-wire system (group 2, n = 30), or bioefficient therapy (group 3, n = 26). These 3 groups were compared with an untreated control group (group 4, n = 30). A comparison by sex of AC height was also conducted. The first premolars were extracted in every treated patient, and measurements were performed on bitewing radiographs taken after a mean posttreatment period of 2.17 years. The distances from the AC to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) on the mesial and distal surfaces of the first molars and second premolars and on the distal surface of the canines were measured; the larger the distance, the greater the alveolar bone loss. The data were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance and the Newman-Keuls test (P <.05) for comparison among the groups. Sex differences of the AC height were evaluated with the t test. All treated groups had larger, statistically significant CEJ-AC distances than the untreated group, primarily at the extraction areas. There were no consistent statistically significant differences in the areas among the treated groups. Mean distances of the CEJ-AC in boys were larger than or similar to those in girls. The patients in the treated groups showed a greater number of proximal surfaces with statistically significant differences between sexes, compared with the control subjects.

Class II subdivision treatment success rate with symmetric and asymmetric extraction protocols.

The purpose of this study was to compare the success rates of Class II subdivision malocclusion patients treated with either symmetric or asymmetric extractions. The sample consisted of 51 patients with Class II subdivision malocclusion. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 28 patients who were treated with 4 premolar extractions. The 23 patients in group 2 were treated with 3 premolar extractions (2 maxillary premolars and 1 mandibular premolar on the Class I side). The initial and final study models were evaluated by means of Graingers treatment priority index (TPI). Individual evaluations of improvements in maxillary-to-mandibular dental midline deviation, overjet, and overbite were also made. The final mean TPI and the mean improvement in TPI and in the other variables of each group were compared with independent t tests. The results showed a statistically significant difference only for the improvement in maxillary-to-mandibular dental midline deviation of the groups. The 3-premolar-extraction group had a greater improvement of the initial interdental midline deviation. There is a tendency for a slightly better treatment success rate when Class II subdivision patients are treated with asymmetric extraction of 3 premolars, compared with extraction of 4 premolars.

Comparative distalization effects of Jones jig and pendulum appliances

INTRODUCTION In this study, we compared the dentoalveolar changes of Class II patients treated with Jones jig and pendulum appliances. METHODS The experimental group comprised 40 Class II malocclusion subjects, divided into 2 groups: group 1 consisted of 20 patients (11 boys, 9 girls) at a mean pretreatment age of 13.17 years, treated with the Jones jig appliance for 0.91 years; group 2 comprised 20 patients (8 boys, 12 girls) at a mean pretreatment age of 13.98 years, treated with the pendulum appliance for 1.18 years. Only active treatment time of molar distalization was evaluated in the predistalization and postdistalization lateral cephalograms. Molar, second premolar, and incisor angular and linear variables were obtained. The intergroup treatment changes in these variables were compared with independent t tests. RESULTS The maxillary second premolars showed greater mesial tipping and extrusion in the Jones jig group, indicating more anchorage loss during molar distalization with this appliance. The amounts and the monthly rates of molar distalization were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The Jones jig group showed greater mesial tipping and extrusion of the maxillary second premolars. The mean amounts and the monthly rates of first molar distalization were similar in both groups.

Correction of Class II malocclusion with Class II elastics: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION Although Class II elastics have been widely used in the correction of Class II malocclusions, there is still a belief that their side effects override the intended objectives. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the true effects of Class II elastics in Class II malocclusion treatment. METHODS A search was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases, complemented by a hand search. Study eligibility criteria were the application of Class II elastics in Class II malocclusion treatment and the presentation of dental or skeletal outcomes of treatment. All age groups were included. RESULTS The search identified 417 articles, of which 11 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Four studied the isolated effects of Class II elastics, and 7 were comparisons between a single use of elastics and another method for Class II malocclusion correction. Because of the differences in treatment modalities in these articles, a meta-analysis was not possible. CONCLUSIONS Based on the current literature, we can state that Class II elastics are effective in correcting Class II malocclusions, and their effects are primarily dentoalveolar. Therefore, they are similar to the effects of fixed functional appliances in the long term, placing these 2 methods close to each other when evaluating treatment effectiveness. Little attention has been given to the effects of Class II elastics on the soft tissues in Class II malocclusion treatment.

Treatment stability in patients with Class II malocclusion treated with 2 maxillary premolar extractions or without extractions

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to compare the occlusal stability of Class II malocclusion treatment with and without extraction of 2 maxillary premolars. METHODS A sample of 59 records from patients with complete Class II malocclusion was used. This sample was divided into 2 groups with the following characteristics: group 1, comprising 29 patients treated without extractions, and group 2, comprising 30 patients treated with extraction of 2 maxillary premolars. Dental cast measurements were obtained before and after treatment and at a minimum of 2.4 years after treatment. The pretreatment, posttreatment, and postretention occlusal statuses were evaluated with the peer assesment rating index. The occlusal indexes at the postretention stage and the posttreatment changes and percentages of posttreatment changes were compared with t tests. RESULTS The nonextraction and the 2 maxillary premolar extraction treatment protocols of complete Class II malocclusions had no statistically significant differences in occlusal stability. CONCLUSIONS Finishing Class II malocclusion treatment with the molars in a Class II relationship has similar occlusal stability as finishing with the molars in a Class I relationship.

A comparison of skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue characteristics in white and black Brazilian subjects

Objective This study aimed to compare skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue characteristics in white and black Brazilian subjects presenting normal occlusions. Material and Methods The sample comprised the lateral cephalograms of 106 untreated Brazilian subjects with normal occlusion, divided into two groups: Group 1- 50 white subjects (25 of each gender), at a mean age of 13.17 years (standard deviation 1.07); and Group 2- 56 black subjects (28 of each gender), at a mean age of 13.24 years (standard deviation 0.56). Variables studied were obtained from several cephalometric analyses. Independent t tests were used for intergroup comparison and to determine sexual dimorphism. Results black subjects presented a more protruded maxilla and mandible, a smaller chin prominence and a greater maxillomandibular discrepancy than white subjects. Blacks presented a more horizontal craniofacial growth pattern than whites. Maxillary and mandibular incisors presented more protruded and proclined in black subjects. The nasolabial angle was larger in whites. Upper and lower lips were more protruded in blacks than in whites. Conclusions The present study found a bimaxillary skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue protrusion in black Brazilian subjects compared to white Brazilian subjects, both groups with normal occlusion. Upper and lower lips showed to be more protruded in blacks, but lip thickness was similar in both groups.