Ram S. Nanda

Evaluation of an intraoral maxillary molar distalization technique

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the pendulum appliance on distalization of maxillary molars and the reciprocal effects on the anchor premolars and maxillary incisors. Initial and follow-up cephalometric radiographs were obtained on 41 subjects (26 girls and 15 boys) who were treated with the pendulum appliance for bilateral distalization of the maxillary first molar teeth, for correction of the Class II molar relationship or for gaining space in the maxillary arch. Dental casts were available on 31 patients. Dental, skeletal, and soft tissue changes were determined. The mean maxillary first molar distalization was 3.37 mm, with a distal tipping of 8.36 degrees. The mean reciprocal mesial movement of the first premolar was 2.55 mm, with a mesial tipping of 1.29 degrees. The maxillary first molar position intruded 0.1 mm, whereas the first premolar extruded 1.7 mm. The transverse width between the mesiobuccal cusps of the first molars increased 1.40 mm. The maxillary second molars were also distalized 2.27 mm, tipped distally 11.99 degrees, and moved buccally 2.33 mm. The effect of distalization on the maxillary third molars was extremely variable. The eruption of maxillary second molars had minimal effect on distalization of first molars. The lower anterior face height increased by 2.79 mm. This increase was greater in patients with higher Frankfort-mandibular plane angle measurements. The pendulum appliance is an effective and reliable method for distalizing maxillary molars, provided the anchor unit is adequately reinforced. Its major advantages are minimal dependence on patient compliance, ease of fabrication, one-time activation, adjustment of the springs if necessary to correct minor transverse and vertical molar positions, and patient-acceptance.

Growth changes in the soft tissue facial profile

Longitudinal growth changes in the soft tissue profile of 40 caucasians between the ages of 7 and 18 were studied. The sample consisted of 17 males and 23 females who had Class I dentitions and balanced faces at age 7 and 18 years. None of the subjects received any orthodontic treatment. Cephalometric radiographs were available, as a rule, on a yearly basis. Soft tissue thickness, measured at the nose, upper lip, lower lip and chin, as well as the length of the upper and lower lip, all increased by varying amounts over the period of the study. Females acquired more growth as a percentage of their adult size (at age 18) than males in all variables except the angle of inclination of the skeletal chin which increased more in males. The largest increase in relative size was noted in the nose measurements. In males, the nose had not attained adult size even at age 18. Upper lip length growth, on the other hand, in both males and females was complete by the 15th year. The difference between male and female lip length growth was clinically significant; the average aggregate increase in upper and lower lips combined in males was 6.9 millimeters compared to 2.65 millimeters in females. The total gain in thickness at laberale superius was over four times as much in males as in females and continued to increase in males even at age 18. The change in thickness of the soft tissue at pogonion was not large, an average of 2.4 millimeters in males and 1.5 millimeters in females. The major contribution to the anterior growth of the chin was translatory, contributed largely by growth in the skeletal length from pogonion to pterygomaxillary plane.

The effect of a modified functional appliance on obstructive sleep apnea

This study combined the use of cephalometrics and overnight polysomnographic monitoring to analyze the effects of a modified functional appliance on airway, sleep, and respiratory variables in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Twelve patients without overt anatomic or pathologic evidence of obstruction were selected on the basis of an initial single night of polysomnographic monitoring, which confirmed the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The patients subsequently were fitted with a modified functional appliance designed to securely hold the mandible in an anterior-inferior position. A subsequent overnight polysomnographic study was obtained with each patient wearing the appliance. Lateral cephalometric radiographs with and without the appliance in place were also obtained. The mean vertical and horizontal changes in mandibular position while wearing the appliance were 8.49 mm and 2.28 mm, respectively. The findings indicate that 10 of the 12 patients had decreases in the rate of complete airway obstructions from a mean of 28.86 to 18.69 events per hour, and in the total apnea index from a mean of 53.81 to 35.99 events per hour. A reduction in the rate of obstructive events is attributed to the effect of the appliance on the oropharyngeal structures. Six cephalometric measurements are presented to provide a means of assessing effects of the appliance on the oropharynx and associated structures. The modified functional appliance is a conservative, successful treatment alternative that could benefit patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Analysis of factors affecting angle ANB.

Cephalometric analyses based on angular and linear measurements have obvious fallacies, which have been discussed in detail by Moyers and Bookstein. However, the clinical application of such an analysis by the orthodontic profession in treatment planning is widely accepted. Variations of angle ANB are commonly used to determine relative jaw relationships in most of the cephalometric evaluations. Several authors, including points A and B influences angle ANB, as does rotational growth of the upper and lower jaws. In addition, the authors point out that growth in a vertical direction (distance N to B) and an increase of the dental height (distance A to B) may contribute to changes in angle ANB. For a Class I relation (Wits = 0 mm), a mathematical formula has been developed which enables the authors to study the geometric influence of angle ANB caused by the following four effects: (1) rotation of the jaws and/or occlusal plane relative to the anterior cranial base; (2) anteroposterior position of N relative to point B, (3) vertical growth (distance N to B); (4) increase in dental height (distance A to B). It was observed that, contrary to the common belief that an ANB angle of 2 +/- 3.0 degrees is considered normal for a skeletal Class I relation, the calculated values of angle ANB will vary widely with changes in these four controlling factors under the same skeletal Class I conditions (Wits = 0 mm). Therefore, in a case under consideration, angle ANB must be corrected for these geometric effects in order to get a proper perspective of the skeletal discrepancy. This is facilitated by comparing the measured ANB angle with the corresponding ANB angle calculated by a formula for a Class I relationship. The corresponding calculated angle ANB can be taken from the tables which are based upon the formula using the same values for SNB, omega (angle between occlusal plane and anterior cranial base), b (which is distance N to B) and a (dental height measured as perpendicular distance A to occlusal plane plus perpendicular distance occlusal plane to B). The difference between actual and calculated angle ANB is a measurement of the severity of the skeletal discrepancy. This leads to a new definition of what denotes skeletal Class II and III relationships, since and angle ANB calculated for a skeletal Class I (Wits = 0 mm) can vary widely and can be either negative or positive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Tomographic assessment of temporomandibular joints in patients with malocclusion

There is a paucity of information on the morphological assessment of the temporomandibular joint in relation to varying skeletal and dental relationships. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic relationship of the condyle and fossa in patients with different malocclusions and skeletal relationships. Pretreatment records of 232 orthodontic patients, 95 males and 137 females, of Caucasian descent and ranging in age from 9 years 4 months to 42 years 6 months, were examined. Records included dental casts, lateral cephalometric radiographs, hand-wrist radiographs, and corrected tomograms of right and left TM joints. Nonconcentricity and mild asymmetry of the condyle-fossa relationship were commonly observed. The left condyle was found to be more anteriorly positioned than the right, with the mean percentage of joint space being 6.93% on the left side and -1.24% on the right. Skeletal and dental Class III patients demonstrated significantly more anteriorly positioned condyles (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in condylar position between Class I and Class II groups based on ANB or Angles classification. Further, no significant difference in condylar position was observed between groups based on overbite or crossbite.

Cephalometric Study of the Dentofacial Complex of North Indians

Abstract No Abstract Available. * From a thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Dental Surgery, Lucknow University, Lucknow. The research was supported by a grant received from the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.

Effect of behavior modification on patient compliance in orthodontics.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a reward system for improving patient compliance in orthodontic treatment. The sample consisted of 144 orthodontic patients (63 male, 81 female, average age 12.8 years), 6 to 12 months into their treatment. The sample was divided into above-average and below-average compliers, based on the orthodontic patient cooperation scale (OPCS). Each group was further divided into three subgroups: (a) a control group, which received only standard instructions; (b) an award group, which received compliance instructions and a written evaluation of compliance; and (c) a reward group, which received compliance instructions, a report card, and eligibility to receive rewards for adherent behavior. Two measurements of patient compliance were used: (1) the OPCS, which divided the sample into high and low compliers and was used to compare compliance before and after the 6-month experimental period; and (2) a clinical evaluation of compliance that was based on oral hygiene, appointment punctuality, appliance wear, and appliance maintenance. Evaluations were completed at each monthly appointment. Average compliance scores of above-average compliers showed no significant improvement with rewards. The average scores of patients with below-average compliance did not improve significantly. Only oral hygiene scores in the low compliance reward group were better than in the low compliance control group. Academic performance in school was found to be correlated (p < 0.001) with compliance. Above-average compliers remained above average in their compliance. The award/reward system may help motivate below-average compliers to comply with prescribed instructions.

Assessment of the stability of mandibular setback procedures with rigid fixation

The postsurgical changes associated with sagittal ramus osteotomy and mandibular setback stabilized with rigid fixation were evaluated. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 25 individuals (11 males and 14 females) with a mean age of 23.4 years were evaluated presurgery, immediate postsurgery, and after a follow-up period of 7 to 42 months. The mean amount of surgical setback was 5.1 +/- 3.0 mm and the mean amount of postsurgical anterior movement was 0.51 +/- 1.04 mm, representing a 10% relapse of the original surgical correction. The postsurgical relapse of the mandible was not found to be related to the amount of surgical movement. Sixteen of the 18 cases that demonstrated anterior relapse moved forward between 0.5 and 1.5 mm. The amount of relapse was consistent and statistically significant (P less than .05), but small enough that it was not considered to be clinically significant. The findings of this study indicate that mandibular setback with a sagittal ramus osteotomy and its stabilization with rigid fixation appears to be a stable clinical procedure.

A 3-year evaluation of skeletal stability of mandibular advancement with rigid fixation

The postsurgical changes associated with mandibular advancements using the sagittal ramus osteotomy and rigid fixation were evaluated. This retrospective study was based on examination of lateral cephalometric radiographs of 19 individuals (16 females and 3 males) with a mean age of 26.6 years. These radiographs were evaluated presurgically, immediately postsurgery, and 3 years postsurgically (2 years, 9 months to 4 years, 5 months). The mean amount of sagittal surgical advancement was 6.7 +/- 2.3 mm, and the mean amount of postsurgical relapse was 1.3 +/- 2.0 mm, representing a 14% relapse of the original surgical advancement. However, individual variation in the amount and direction of movement of the mandible was found during the follow-up period. Postsurgical relapse was found to be related to the amount of surgical advancement. Linear-regression analysis between these two variables resulted in an R2 value of 0.448. Fourteen of the subjects relapsed in the posterior direction, with 2 relapsing more than 50% of the surgical advancement. Five of the subjects moved further anteriorly, with 1 advancing as much as 50% more than the original advancement. The findings of this study suggest that mandibular advancement with the sagittal ramus osteotomy and rigid fixation does not provide consistently stable postsurgical results. However, when compared with previously reported relapse studies using nonrigid fixation techniques, rigid fixation yielded superior results.

The longitudinal effects of growth on the Wits appraisal.

The longitudinal changes occurring between the ages of 4 and 24 years in the Wits appraisal and its component parts were evaluated in 40 persons. Contrary to what may have been believed previously, the Wits appraisal was not found to remain stable throughout the growth period. When the findings of the Wits appraisal were studied in individual subjects, there was a wide range of variation. Real changes in the Wits appraisal were found to be disguised clinically by the differential sagittal growth of pogonion in relation to B point, especially in male subjects. Furthermore, the appraisal was found to be affected profoundly by changes occurring in the angulation of the occlusal plane. It was concluded that if the Wits appraisal is to be used, it should be used in conjunction with other methods of assessment of apical base discrepancies and with due regard for the likely effects of changes in its component parts.