Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two interceptive approaches to palatally displaced canines (PDCs), ie, extraction of the deciduous canines alone and in association with the use of a cervical pull headgear. The prospective longitudinal design of the investigation included 46 subjects with PDC (62 maxillary canines) who were randomly assigned to one of three groups (1) a group that underwent the extraction of the deciduous canine only, (2) a group that received in addition the use of a cervical pull headgear, and (3) an untreated control group. Panoramic radiographs were evaluated at initial observation (T1) and after an average period of 18 months (T2). Cervical vertebral maturation was assessed on lateral cephalograms at T1. Successful or unsuccessful canine eruption was assessed 48 months after T1. The between-group statistical comparisons were performed on the T1–T2 changes in the diagnostic parameters on panoramic radiographs, the prevalence rates of successful canine eruption, and the amount of time for canine eruption. The removal of the deciduous canine as an isolated measure to intercept palatal displacement of maxillary canines showed a prevalence rate of 50% success, which was not significantly greater than the success rate in untreated controls. The use of a headgear in addition to the extraction of the deciduous canine induced successful eruption in 80% of the cases, with a significant improvement in the measures for intraosseous canine position. There was no significant difference between the two interceptive approaches in the time required for canine eruption.

Abstract

This study determined the accuracy of a camera system capable of recording three-dimensional facial images. A Rainbow 3D Camera Model 250 system (Genex Technologies Inc, Kensington, Md) was used to capture images of specific models: (1) a precalibrated precision model and (2) a mannequin model that served to simulate the human condition. To assess the accuracy of the camera system, repeated images of both models were recorded at two time points, one week apart. Repeated measurements of specific distances were recorded directly on the models and from each image. Means and standard deviations were calculated for all the repeated measurements at each time point. A two-tailed t-test was used to test for significant differences between (1) each distance measured directly on the precision model and the same distance measured on the images of the precision model, (2) each distance measured directly on the mannequin and the same distance measured on the images of the mannequin, and (3) the mean differences between the same distances measured at the two times. The findings showed that substantial image distortion occurred when images of sharp angles (90°) were captured. Also, those images captured from the frontal perspective ±15° were the most accurate.

Abstract

This study assessed the stability of the headgear-activator combination treatment, followed by edgewise mechanotherapy, 5.75 years after treatment. The experimental group consisted of 23 patients who were evaluated during treatment and after treatment. Two compatible control groups consisting of 15 Class II, division 1 patients and 24 normal occlusion individuals were used. This enabled us to evaluate the changes during treatment and after treatment, respectively. Results showed that the anteroposterior dentoalveolar changes and the maxillary and the mandibular positions remained stable in the long term. However, there was a slight relapse of the maxillomandibular relationship probably because the maxilla resumed its normal development and the mandibular growth rate was smaller than in the control group. The overbite demonstrated a statistically significant relapse that was directly proportional to the amount of its correction. There were low but significant inverse correlations between the changes in Go-Gn during and after treatment. These included the uprighting of the maxillary incisors, labial tipping of the mandibular incisors, and the amount of molar relationship correction during treatment and their stability. Active retention time, length of posttreatment period, initial Class II malocclusion severity (ANB and Wits), and initial molar relationship did not present any correlation with molar relationship and overjet relapse. However, the initial overjet presented a low but statistically significant correlation with molar relationship relapse and overjet relapse.

To: Editor, The Angle Orthodontist

Re: Gidarakou IK, et al. Comparison of Skeletal and Dental Morphology in Asymptomatic Volunteers and Symptomatic Patients with Bilateral Degenerative Joint Disease. Angle Orthod. 2003;73:71–78.

I read with interest the article published in The Angle Orthodontist by Gidarakou et al.1 This is an excellent study demonstrating the possible relationship between degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and skeletal changes within the skull base and the maxillofacial complex. TMJ-related orthodontic research within the last two decades was focused on understanding the relationship between the prevalence of