Editorial

The 21st century has witnessed a slow but sure incorporation of lingual orthodontic protocols into the orthodontic mainstream. Extraction mechanics with lingual orthodontic appliance poses challenges to even the most experienced clinician. This article is a case series of three cases treated by extraction mechanics in a detailed and sequential manner.

Separation is necessary for the placement of bands on tooth. Sometimes, it is difficult in the placement and adjustment. This article provides a quick and easy method for separation of teeth with a single device and avoids many problems associated with other separators.

Purpose The quality of orthopantogram (OPG) images is primarily a function of patient positioning during image capture. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the quality of digital panoral radiographic images obtained by using the same imaging device in a large dental treatment center on the basis of the radiography technician operator securing the image. Materials And Methods Three hundred OPGs radiographs taken on a Kodak 8000C Digital Panoramic and Cephalometric System device in a large dental treatment center comprised the sample. The most recent OPGs beginning at May 2010 through 2007 were selected for three radiography technicians until subgroups of 100 OPGs per technician were obtained. Each panoral was evaluated by two investigators for 21 OPG image errors. Results Mean panoral total score was 14.71 and mean grade was 2.41 for the entire sample indicating a “good” quality. Significant differences were found among technicians for 3 of 21 panoral fault variables. The relative contribution to inferior OPG quality was greatest for the following positioning faults in rank order: Gazebo effect (11.3%), condyles pushed out (11.0%), unclear nasal structures (10.0%), airspace over U6s (9.5%), and condyles image top (9.0%). Conclusions There were no significant differences among technicians for overall quality indicators (total score and grade). However, statistically significant differences among the three technicians were found for image error wide anterior teeth, Gazebo effect, and unclear nasal structures.

Asian Pacific Orthodontic Society (APOS) was developed in Tokyo on October 1, 2001. Currently, APOS has grown up to a scientific association specified to orthodontics with 18 affiliated societies. However, the status of orthodontic professionals in each society remains unclear beyond our understanding. To this end, I have recently conducted an internet interview to the representatives of affiliated societies. The questionnaire includes the educational system for dentists and orthodontists, the number of orthodontic departments with post-graduate programs, the number of orthodontists or members of each society, orthodontic treatment fee on average, the prevalence of CLP and the treatment, orthodontic treatment for jaw deformity patients, current status of orthodontic treatment with lingual appliances and TADs, important issues for orthodontic specialists, future plans of each society. It is hopefully anticipated that the current status of orthodontic professionals in the Asian Pacific region are well understood by all the APOS members and will become a great benefit for the development of all the affiliate societies.

Introduction Aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the loss of tooth enamel after acid etching using a custom made profile projector (×100). Materials And Methods Twenty human extracted maxillary and mandibular premolars were collected, and each tooth was mounted on an acrylic block (2 cm × 1 cm) along with a 0.8 mm stainless steel wire partially embedded in acrylic in front of the buccal surface of the teeth. The 0.8 mm wire was used for reference; the image appeared on the projection screen was 80 mm implying that magnification ×100 has been achieved. Fabrication of custom made profile projector followed the principles of optics. Two projections of each sample before and after etching were projected. The projection was recorded using tracing paper. The difference between the two tracings before and after etching was measured using a millimeter scale. This reading was converted into microns, i.e., 1 mm = 10 µ. Results The statistical method used for this study is a measure of central tendency. The research shows that the average enamel loss was around 15.25 microns. The median is a value at the midpoint of the group, and median for enamel loss is 15 µ Mode for enamel loss is 15 µ that means most frequent or most repetitive enamel loss is 15 µ. The maximum enamel loss was 25 µ, and minimum of that was 10 µ. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that etching enamel with 37% phosphoric acid for 30 s loses 15 µ of surface enamel using an economical and efficient custom made profile projector.

Background Literature evidence suggests that root resorption, an adverse side effect of orthodontic therapy, may be decreased under conditions of alveolar osteopenia, a condition characterized by diminished bone density and created secondary to alveolar corticotomy (Cort) surgery. Purpose To compare root resorption of the maxillary central incisors following nonextraction orthodontic therapy with and without Cort surgery. Materials And Methods The sample comprised two groups, with and without Cort and was matched by age and gender: Cort-facilitated nonextraction orthodontics with 27 subjects, 53 central incisors of mean age 24.8 ± 10.2 years, and conventional (Conv) nonextraction orthodontics with 27 subjects, 54 incisors with mean age of 19.6 ± 8.8 years. All periapical radiographs were taken with the paralleling technique; total tooth lengths of the right and left central incisors were measured by projecting and enlarging the periapical radiographs exactly 8 times. Results t-tests revealed a significant decrease in treatment time in the Cort group (6.3 ± 8.0 vs. 17.4 ± 20.2 months,P = 0.000). Pretreatment root lengths were not significantly different (P = 0.11), but Conv had significantly shorter roots at posttreatment when compared with Cort (P = 0.03). Significant root resorption (P < 0.01) occurred in both Cort (0.3 mm) and Conv (0.7 mm), but the increment of change was significantly greater in Conv (P < 0.03). The variable SNA increased significantly in the Cort (P = 0.001) group and decreased significantly in the Conv group (P < 0.001). Conclusions Based on the conditions of this study, it may be concluded that Cort-facilitated nonextraction orthodontic therapy results in less root resorption and enhanced alveolar support within a significantly reduced clinical service delivery time frame. Rapid orthodontic treatment and reduced apical root resorption are probably due to the transient osteopenia induced by the Cort surgery and inspired by regional acceleratory phenomenon.

Two cases of anterior crowding, both Skeletal Class I and Angle Class I maloclussion, one being low angle and the other high angle respectively, respectively, were treated and evaluated to ascertain whether or not there is a relationship among disproportionate mesial axial angulation of the maxillary lateral teeth and the Frankfurt Horizontal- Functional Occlusal plane, therefore generating maxillary anterior crowding. Both cases were Japanese boys, the first one aged 9 years 10 months with chief complaint being anterior crowding and the second case aged 7 years and 8 months complaining of inadequate space for satisfying canine eruption. During and after the second stage of orthodontic treatment on both cases, several radiographic analysis were performed to assess treatment progress and retention; from these radiographs, it was noticed among other findings that in the high-angle case, the axial angulations of the maxillary lateral incisors were markedly smaller than in the low-angle case, thus indicating mesial tipping in the upper dental arch. This decreased mesial axial angulation of the lateral teeth observed at high angles may potentially cause maxillary space deficiency.

Functional appliance is an effective way of treating skeletal Class II malocclusion in children and adolescents. A 12 months stepwise mandibular advancement protocol with Herbst appliance has been proved to enhance condylar growth and improve mandibular prognathism. The present case report documents a 12-year-old boy presenting with Angle’s Class II, division 1 malocclusion associated with excessive overjet (11 mm), 100% deep bite, and retrognathic mandible. He was treated by a phase I growth modification therapy using twin block appliance with lip pads in a stepwise mandibular advancement protocol followed by a phase II preadjusted Edgewise appliance therapy.