Michel Limme

Localized Piezoelectric Alveolar Decortication for Orthodontic Treatment in Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the benefits and clinical outcomes of piezocision, which is a minimally invasive approach to corticotomy that is used in orthodontic treatments. Twenty-four adult patients presenting with mild overcrowdings were randomly allocated to either a control group that was treated with conventional orthodontics or a test group that received piezo-assisted orthodontics. The piezocisions were performed 1 wk week after the placement of the orthodontic appliances. Neither grafting material nor sutures were used. All patients were followed every 2 wk, and archwires were changed only when they were no longer active. The periods required for the completion of the overall orthodontic treatments were calculated, and the periodontal parameters were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the orthodontic treatment. Patient-centered outcomes were assessed with a visual analog scale; analgesic use following the procedures was also recorded. The patient characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. The overall treatment time was significantly reduced by 43% in the piezocision group as compared with the control group. In both groups, periodontal parameters (i.e., recession depth, pocket depth, plaque index, and papilla bleeding index) remained unchanged between the baseline and treatment completion time points. No increase in root resorption was observed in either group. Scars were observed in 50% of the patients in the piezocision group. Analgesic consumption was similar following orthodontic appliance placement and piezocision surgery. Patient satisfaction was significantly better in the piezocision group than in the control group. In these conditions, the piezocision technique seemed to be effective in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement. No gingival recessions were observed. The risk of residual scars might limit the indications for piezocision in patients with a high smile line (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02590835).

Contribution of postero-anterior cephalometry in obstructive sleep apnea.

Lateral cephalometry has been widely used to characterize facial and maxillary morphology in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. It is a useful tool to assess orthodontic and maxillofacial procedures, but transverse dimensions of the airway (e.g., nasal framework) have not been well described yet by cephalometry. We explored whether postero‐anterior cephalometry could refine the analysis of the facial morphology, with a special attention paid to nasal morphology. We validated cephalometric measurements relevant to the diagnosis of OSA.

Comparison between tongue volume from magnetic resonance images and tongue area from profile cephalograms

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to measure lingual volume and to correlate it with and predict it from the area of the radiographic shadow of the tongue as well as with demographic and biometric characteristics. In 70 healthy subjects (35 males and 35 females) aged between 20 and 37 years, tongue volume was determined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Volumes were correlated with the area of the tongue on the sagittal plane determined from the lingual shadow on profile cephalometric radiographs. Demographic and biometric characteristics were also available for each subject. The mean lingual volume was 79.5 +/- 14.2 cm(3) and was gender dependent. The mean lingual volume was 89.9 +/- 11.5 and 68.9 +/- 7.0 cm(3) in males and females, respectively. Correlations between tongue volume and body height, weight, and the body mass index (BMI) were highly significant. A strong correlation (r = 0.83, P < 0.001) was found between lingual volume measured using MRI and the radiographically determined area of the lingual shadow. The associated regression line allowed the area of the lingual shadow to be used to estimate the corresponding tongue volume in individual subjects. Multiple regression analysis showed that lingual volume was best predicted by the lingual shadow, gender, age, and BMI (R(2) = 0.80).

La fonction modèle la forme et la forme conditionne la fonction. Entretien avec Michel Limme

Le Pr Michel Limme est a la tete du departement d’Orthodontie et de Pedodontie a l’universite de Liege (Belgique). Il a publie de nombreux articles sur le developpement des arcades dentaires, l’interception des dysfonctions notamment ventilatoires et masticatoires. Son equipe s’implique depuis 25 ans dans l’approche du syndrome des apnees obstructives du sommeil pour une meilleure comprehension a la fois sur le plan diagnostique, etiopathogenique et therapeutique.