A novel method for assessment of human midpalatal sutures using CBCT-based geometric morphometrics and complexity scores.

Introduction: Management of dentofacial deficiencies requires knowledge about sutural morphology and complexity. The present study assesses midpalatal sutural morphology based on human cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) using geometric morphometrics (GMM) and complexity scores. The study is the first to apply a sutural complexity score to human CBCT datasets and demonstrates the potential such a score has to improve objectiveness and comparability when analysing the midpalatal suture.

Prevalence of bullying in orthodontic patients and its impact on the desire for orthodontic therapy, treatment motivation, and expectations of treatment.

Purpose: This study aims at investigating the prevalence of bullying due to malocclusions in a sample of German orthodontic patients. Thereby, we analyzed the influence of self-reported bullying on initiation, desire and motivation, and expectations of orthodontic therapy.

Patients And Methods: Patients completed questionnaires by themselves in three orthodontic practices (n = 1020, mean age 11.

Periodontal conditions in patients with Marfan syndrome - a multicenter case control study.

Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a disorder of the connective tissues. Alterations of the elastic fibers may manifest in different tissues especially in the skeletal, cardiovascular and ocular system. Oral manifestations like orthodontic or skeletal anomalies and fragility of the temporomandibular joint have been well described by various authors.

Panoramic radiography: effects of head alignment on the vertical dimension of the mandibular ramus and condyle region.

The aim of this study was to assess whether it is possible to derive accurate vertical measurements of the mandibular ramus and condyle from panoramic radiographs. A human dry skull was positioned in a panoramic machine. The skull was displaced along the sagittal and transverse plane and rotated around the vertical and transverse axes.

Impulse debracketing compared to conventional debonding.

Objective: To evaluate impulse debonding compared to three conventional methods for bracket removal in relation to the damage caused to the enamel surface.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-six osteotomed third molars were randomly assigned to two study groups (n = 48) for bracket bonding with either a composite adhesive system (CAS) or a glass-ionomeric cement (GIC). These two groups were then each randomly divided into four subgroups (n = 12) according to the method of debonding using (1) bracket removal pliers, (2) a side-cutter, (3) a lift-off debracketing instrument, or (4) an air pressure pulse device.

A controlled evaluation of oral screen effects on intra-oral pressure curve characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of oral screen (OS) application on intra-oral pressure characteristics in three malocclusion groups. Fifty-six randomly recruited participants (26 males and 30 females) who met the inclusion criteria of either an Angle Class I occlusal relationships or Angle Class II1 or II2 malocclusions, were assigned by dentition to group I (n = 31), group II1 (n = 12), or group II2 (n = 13). Two 3 minute periods of intra-oral pressure monitoring were conducted on each participant, using two different oral end fittings connected to a piezo-resistive relative pressure sensor: (1) a flexible OS and (2) a small-dimensioned air-permeable end cap (EC), which was placed laterally in the premolar region, thus recording intra-oral pressure independent of the influence of the OS.

Effect of smoking on the failure rates of orthodontic miniscrews.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on the failure rates of orthodontic miniscrews.

Patients And Methods: Our cohort consisted of 88 patients with a total of 110 orthodontic miniscrews. Based on their smoking habits, the patients were divided into three groups: the light smokers (< or = 10 cigarettes/day), heavy smokers (> 10 cigarettes/ day), and non-smokers.

Influence of orthodontic extrusion on pulpal vitality of traumatized maxillary incisors.

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the effect of orthodontic extrusion on the pulpal vitality of maxillary incisors with a history of trauma.

Methods: Pulpal condition was examined clinically (rating of crown color and sensitivity testing with a cryogenic spray) and radiologically (periapical and panoramic radiographs) after orthodontic extrusion of previously traumatized (Orthodontics/Trauma group, n = 77) and nontraumatized teeth (Orthodontics group, n = 400) and after previous dental trauma without subsequent orthodontic treatment (Trauma group, n = 193). Dental traumata were divided into hard tissue injuries (fracture of enamel and enamel chipping, fracture of enamel-dentin without pulpal involvement, fracture of enamel-dentin with pulpal involvement, root fracture, crown-root fracture) and periodontal injuries (concussion, subluxation, intrusion, extrusion, lateral luxation, and avulsion).

Changes in incisor third-order inclination resulting from vertical variation in lingual bracket placement.

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that third-order measurements are not correlated to lingual incisor features seen on radiographs.

Material And Methods: The lateral headfilms of 38 untreated, norm-occlusion subjects without incisor abrasions or restorations were used for third-order measurements of upper and lower central incisors and assessment of the inclination of four sites suitable for lingual bracket placement with reference to the occlusal plane perpendicular. Lingual sections were determined by the tangents at the incisal fossa (S1), at the transition plateau between incisal fossa and the cingulum (S2), by a constructed line reaching from the incisal tip to the cingulum (S3), and by a tangent at the cingulum convexity (S4).

Geometric influence of the sagittal and vertical apical base relationship on the ANB angle.

Objective: The objective of this study consisted in determining the variability of the ANB angle in relation to the position of the A- and B-points in the sagittal vertical plane.

Materials And Methods: Using a theoretical model, we varied the position of the cephalometric points A and B in the sagittal vertical plane while its sagittal relationship was kept constant (Wits value = 0 mm). For this purpose, seven lines were erected perpendicular to the occlusal plane on a lateral cephalogram.

Influence of insertion site on the failure rates of orthodontic miniscrews.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of various insertion sites on the failure rates of orthodontic miniscrews.

Patients And Methods: 76 orthodontic miniscrews were inserted in 59 patients: 20 in the buccal and 18 in the palatal side of the maxilla, and 38 in the buccal side of the mandible. We attempted to insert all the screws at a minimum depth of at least 5 mm.

Influence of overjet and lip coverage on the prevalence and severity of incisor trauma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of overjet size and lip coverage on the prevalence and severity of incisor trauma.

Patients And Methods: Dental records made on presentation of 1,367 patients were examined for data concerning the prevalence, type and severity of incisor trauma. Original overjet was measured on the pre-treatment study models and divided into two categories: normal overjet (0-3.

Pulp vitality in teeth suffering trauma during orthodontic therapy.

Objective: To examine pulpal vitality in teeth suffering dental trauma during orthodontic therapy with fixed appliances.

Materials And Methods: Pulpal condition was evaluated in 59 teeth that had suffered dental trauma during orthodontic treatment (TO-group), in 800 orthodontically treated teeth without previous dental trauma (O-group), and in 193 orthodontically untreated teeth with previous dental trauma (T-group). Pulpal vitality was examined clinically and with radiographs.

Evaluation of tooth position, occlusion, and interproximal contacts after transplantation of immature third molars.

The aim of the present investigation was to examine position, occlusion, and interproximal contacts of 139 transplanted third molars in 136 patients (94 females, 42 males) with a mean age of 17.6 years at the time of transplantation. Ninety-two teeth were placed directly into favourable positions and left to erupt spontaneously.

Prevalence of pulp calcifications in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of pulp calcifications in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Study Design: The prevalence of pulp stones and pulp obliteration was evaluated on bitewing radiographs in 21 subjects with Marfan syndrome and in 100 healthy controls.

Results: Subjects with Marfan syndrome older than 30 years of age showed a significantly higher prevalence of pulp stones (P = .

Influence of orthodontic intrusion on pulpal vitality of previously traumatized maxillary permanent incisors.

Introduction: Dental trauma seems to increase a patient's susceptibility to complications during orthodontic treatment. However, no previous investigation has examined the influence of orthodontic intrusion on pulpal vitality of traumatized maxillary permanent incisors.

Methods: Pulpal condition was examined clinically and radiologically after orthodontic intrusion of previously traumatized (OT group) and nontraumatized teeth (O group), and after previous dental trauma without orthodontic treatment (T group).

Effect of additional surgical procedures on root development of transplanted immature third molars.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of additional surgical procedures on the root development of transplanted teeth. The study sample consisted of 90 immature third molars transplanted in 88 patients. All transplanted teeth were at root development stages 3 to 4.

Root development of immature third molars transplanted to surgically created sockets.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare root development after transplantation of teeth into surgically created sockets or into fresh extraction sites.

Patients And Methods: The sample consisted of 62 patients with a total of 64 transplanted immature third molars. All transplants were at root development stages 3 to 4.

The effect of pulp obliteration on pulpal vitality of orthodontically intruded traumatized teeth.

Limited information exists on the impact of pulp obliteration on pulpal vitality of orthodontically treated traumatized teeth. Pulpal condition was examined in 269 traumatized maxillary incisors after orthodontic intrusion (OT group) and in 193 traumatized maxillary incisors without subsequent orthodontic treatment (C group). According to the degree of initial pulp obliteration, the teeth were divided into three categories: teeth without, teeth with partial, and teeth with total pulp obliteration.

Effect of different splinting methods and fixation periods on root development of autotransplanted immature third molars.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of suture splinting for 1 week or rigid fixation for 4 weeks on final root length, root length increment, and mobility of autotransplanted immature third molars.

Patients And Methods: The sample consisted of 63 patients with a total of 65 transplanted immature third molars. All transplants had reached one-half (n = 29) to three-fourths (n = 36) of their expected root length.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction in Marfan syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction in persons with Marfan syndrome.

Study Design: A questionnaire was distributed to 350 patients with Marfan syndrome. Twenty-one patients were additionally subjected to a clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the TMJ.

Influence of orthodontic derotation and extrusion on pulpal and periodontal condition of autotransplanted immature third molars.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of orthodontic treatment on the pulpal and periodontal condition of 91 transplanted immature third molars. In patients with atrophy of the alveolar process or unfavorable root morphology, transplants had to be placed in extreme rotated or infraoccluded positions. After 3 to 6 months, these transplants were derotated (45 degrees to 90 degrees) to a correct position in the dental arch (derotation group; n = 28) or extruded to the occlusal plane (extrusion group; n = 21).

Prevalence of traumatic injuries to the permanent incisors in candidates for orthodontic treatment.

The dental records made on presentation of 1367 consecutive patients (731 females and 636 males) for orthodontic treatment at a private orthodontic practice between 1998 and 2002 were examined for data relating to trauma to the permanent incisors. The results showed that 10.3% of these patients had suffered from dental trauma before the onset of orthodontic treatment.

Influence of orthodontic movement on root length of autotransplanted immature third molars.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of orthodontic extrusion or derotation on final root length and root length increment in 75 autotransplanted immature third molars. Depending on the condition of the recipient site and the root morphology, transplants had to be placed in extreme rotated or infra-occluded position. Three to six months after transplantation, these transplants were derotated to a correct position in the dental arch (derotation group, n = 19) or extruded to the occlusal plane (extrusion group, n=18).

Torque deformation characteristics of plastic brackets: a comparative study.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the torque deformation characteristics of seven commercially available plastic brackets, both amongst each other and with stainless steel brackets.

Material And Methods: Ten brackets each of (1) pure polycarbonate, (2) ceramic reinforced polycarbonate, (3) fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate, (4) ceramic reinforced polycarbonate with metal slot, (5) fiberglass reinforced polycarbonate with metal slot, (6) polyurethane, and (7) polyurethane with metal slot were exposed to torsion in a torquemeter, following an aging process according to ISO 10477. Ten stainless steel brackets served as a control group.