Editorial

It has been documented that there is a tendency for skeletal relapse after orthognathic surgery. This relapse occurs more often following mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy setbacks. The possible causes for lack of postsurgical stability as well as the clinical recommendations to manage the relapse are presented. Among these recommendations is the creation of Iowa Spaces.

We have reviewed our retrospective research about rapid maxillary expansion performed in the early mixed dentition to summarize the results of different studies regarding maxillary dental arch width variation and crowding improvement in light of contemporary literature. The aim is to define the effects of treatments followed until the end of dental arch growth. In all studies, a Haas expander anchored to the deciduous dentition was used. The samples consisted of treated patients with and without a lateral crossbite and homogeneous untreated individuals as controls. Two additional control groups of adolescents and adults in dental Class 1 were also compared. As a result of the analysis, rapid maxillary expansion with anchorage to the deciduous dentition was found to be effective in increasing transverse width in intermolar and intercanine areas, and the change was preserved until the full permanent dentition stage. When performed before maxillary lateral incisors have fully erupted, this procedure allows for a rapid increase in the arch length in the anterior area and consequently, in the space available for permanent incisors with a stable reduction in crowding over time.

Class III malocclusions are considered to be one of the most difficult problems to treat. For us, the complex of these cases is the esthetic of the face and the smile because the treatment of the malocclusions without surgery produces a more retrusive face. We present a case report of an adult male patient with skeletal Class III malocclusion with compression in the maxilla and mandibular asymmetry, who has treated the orthosurgical approach. The result is acceptable in terms of occlusion-function, esthetic of the smile, and facial esthetics.

The extraction of single mandibular incisor has always led to debate regarding midline and smile esthetics. The current case report describes the effect of mesiodens in worsening the Class II Division 1 malocclusion and its correction by extraction of mesiodens, upper first premolars, and single mandibular incisor. Satisfactory functional and esthetic results were achieved with well-settled Class II molar, Class I canine relationship, ideal overjet, and overbite. Two years postretention records show stable results.

The aim of this study was to analyze and simulate the heat transfer in the human tooth undergoing fixed orthodontic appliances and food intake. An in vivo representative mathematic model of a layered thermographic profile was developed during the LED curing of Gemini bracket 0.022 in slot (conventional ligating system) and Transbond XT adhesive. The characterization of the layered thermic response allowed to identify if during the LED curing process, according to manufacturer’s specification (light curing unit, adhesive) can induce pulpar necrosis. The profile’s thermographic model was the simulation basis of many conditions such as food intake, due to in vivo metrology is affected by the impossibility of a correct apparatus position and the physiologic function of the oral cavity which is exposed to uncontrollable temperature changes. The metrology was carried out with a T-440 thermographic camera during LED curing bracket, using a LED curing light (Elipar S10) placed at 3 ± 1 mm for 5 s at each mesial and distal surface. The thermography outcomes were analyzed in the FLIR Tools Software, Microsoft Excel 2013 and SPSS 22. To adjust the mathematic model error, in vitro studies were performed on third molars for the purpose of realizing extreme exposition temperature condition tests caused by the LED curing unit without jeopardizing the human tooth vitality as would it be on in vivo experimentation. The bracket curing results according to manufacturer’s conditions reached 39°C in vivo temperatures and 47°C on in vitro tests, which does not jeopardize human tooth vitality as said by previous researches, although, an LED curing precise protocol established by the manufacturer’s LED curing light is sustained.

Background Understanding facial development requires sound knowledge of growth at different stages. Although studies in the past have established the relationship between prenatal and postnatal growth, little research has been done using noninvasive ultrasound. The purpose of this study is to evaluate correlation between prenatal and postnatal growths using ultrasound as a fetal growth assessment tool. Study Settings: It is a hospital-based study where prenatal growth is measured at different intervals of gestational period and compared with the growth at birth. Materials and Methods: Ten subjects with normal pregnancy were studied using ultrasound. Cephalocaudal growth gradient, body proportions of the fetus were assessed and compared at different stages. Growth was also evaluated at birth and compared with the predicted growth. Results The growth rate of estimated fetal weight is at maximum between the 28th and 32nd week of the fetal life (P = 0.001). The growth rate of head circumference, occipitofrontal diameter, and femur length is maximum between the 20th and 28th week of the fetal life (P < 0.001). Cephalocaudal growth gradient decreases with increased age of the fetus. Conclusions Prenatal growth is correlated with postnatal growth. Ultrasound can be used as a tool for the measurement and prediction of prenatal and postnatal growths.

Objective To evaluate changes in the anchor molar position (horizontal, vertical) after retraction in bimaxillary protrusion maximum anchorage cases. Materials And Methods Thirty patients requiring maximum anchorage after extraction of the first premolars were selected for this study. The second molars were banded in both arches along with trans-palatal arch in the maxillary arch and lingual arch in the mandibular arch. En mass retraction was done using sliding mechanics. Horizontal and vertical positions of the anchor first molars were evaluated cephalometrically before and after orthodontic retraction. Results In the horizontal plane, maxillary first molars showed net mesial movement of 1.72 mm, and there was a statistical difference between the pre- and post-values (P < 0.001). The mandibular molars showed a net horizontal movement of 2.26 mm, and there was a statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-values (P < 0.001). In the vertical plane, there was vertical movement of the maxillary anchor molars by a net value of 0.95 mm which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mandibular anchor molars moved vertically by a net value of 0.45 mm. This difference was statistically not significant. Conclusion There was anchorage loss seen in both the planes (horizontal, vertical) of the maxillary anchor molars. In the mandibular anchor molars, there was anchorage loss seen only in the horizontal plane. No anchorage loss was seen in the vertical plane.

Transverse maxillary deficiency may be associated with sagittal or vertical problems of the maxilla or mandible. It may contribute to unilateral or bilateral posterior crossbite, anterior dental crowding, and unesthetic black buccal corridors on smiling. An adequate transverse dimension is important for stable and proper functional occlusion. Surgically, assisted rapid palatal expansion has been the treatment of choice to resolve posterior crossbite in skeletally mature patients. The following case report presents an adult Class III skeletal patient with an anterior open bite and bilateral posterior crossbite which was treated by surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion with satisfactory outcomes.

High mandibular plane angle cases with anterior cross-bite and cases with over erupted molars require occlusal bite blocks for its correction. On removal of fixed bite blocks, adhesive remnants inadvertently left over on the tooth structure requires meticulous clean-up and equilibration of occlusal tooth surface morphology. Stainless steel band material, light curable acrylic resin material, lingual sheath, 0.7 mm stainless steel wire, tungsten carbide bur are utilized for fabrication of hygienic bite blocks. After treatment of malocclusion, on removal of hygienic bite blocks the tooth surface is rendered free from any adhesive remnant. Hygienic bite blocks are amenable to oral hygiene care procedures and on its removal, leaves behind no adhesive remnants thereby saving clinician’s chair-side time.