Overcoming compact bone resistance to tooth movement

Digital setup accuracy for moderate crowding correction with fixed orthodontic appliances: a prospective study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the accuracy of a semi-automatic 3D digital setup process in predicting the orthodontic treatment outcome achieved by labial fixed appliances.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-five adult patients (18 to 24 years old) with class I malocclusion and moderate crowding were prospectively enrolled and received treatment on both jaws through the straight-wire technique. Prior to treatment commencement, a semi-automatic digital setup simulating the predicted treatment outcome was performed for each patient through Orthoanalyzer software (3Shape®, Copenhagen, Denmark) to obtain the prediction model. This was compared to the final outcome model through 3D superimposition methods. Metric variables and inspection of color-coded distance maps were used to detect how accurately the digital setup predicts the actual treatment outcome.

RESULTS

The mean absolute distances (MAD) between the superimposed dental arches of the predicted and the final models were: 0.77 ± 0.13 mm following superimposition on the palate, 0.52 ± 0.06 mm following superimposition on the maxillary dental arch, and 0.55 ± 0.15 mm following superimposition on the mandibular dental arch. The MAD at the palatal reference area was 0.09 ± 0.04 mm. Visualization of color-coded distance maps indicated that the digital setup accurately predicted the final teeth position in a few cases. Almost half of the cases had posteriorly wider upper and lower dental arches and palatally/lingually positioned or inclined anterior teeth, whereas the rest still showed errors within 2-3 mm, distributed over the entire dental arches with no distinct pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of semi-automatic prediction of the labial fixed appliance treatment outcome in Class I cases with moderate crowding is not yet sufficient. While average measures showed deviations less than 1 mm, examination of individual color-coded distance maps revealed significant disparities between the simulated and the actual results.

Evaluation´ of mandibular alveolar bone in patients with different vertical facial patterns : A cross-sectional CBCT study

PURPOSE

The study aimed to investigate the morphological and structural differences of mandibular alveolar bone between different vertical facial patterns (VFP).

METHODS

In all, 66 CBCT scans of patients were selected for the study: 24 were designated as hyperdivergent, 25 as normodivergent, and 17 as hypodivergent. Fractal values of the interdental alveolus were measured at the incisor, canine, premolar, and molar regions. The minimum trabecular bone width (MTBW) of the alveolus, the buccal and lingual cortical bone thicknesses, and the total alveolar width (AW) at the minimum trabecular bone level were measured. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used to compare the groups. The correlations between FMA (Frankfurt mandibular plane angle) and other measurements were analyzed by Pearson analysis.

RESULTS

No significant differences were detected in fractal values and buccal and lingual cortical bone thicknesses between the groups. The MTBW and AW of the hypodivergent individuals were found to be higher in the anterior and premolar interdental sites. FMA was found to be significantly correlated with MTBW and AW.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients with different VFPs did not exhibit significant differences in the trabecular complexity of the mandibular alveolus. Hypodivergent patients tend to have thicker trabecular and alveolar bone widths than normodivergent and hyperdivergent individuals.

Evaluation of cuspid cortical anchorage with different sagittal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

No studies have focused on cortical anchorage resistance in cuspids, this study aimed to characterize the cortical anchorage according to sagittal skeletal classes using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

CBCT images of 104 men and 104 women were divided into skeletal class I, II, and III malocclusion groups. Skeletal and dental evaluations were performed on the sagittal and axial cross-sections. One-way analysis of variance followed by least significant difference post-hoc tests was used for group differences. Multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between influential factors and cuspid cortical anchorage.

RESULTS

All cuspids were close to the labial bone cortex in different sagittal skeletal patterns and had different inclinations. There was a significant difference in the apical root position of cuspids in the alveolar bone; however, no significant difference in the middle or cervical portions of the root was found between different sagittal facial patterns. The middle of the cuspid root was embedded to the greatest extent in the labial bone cortex, with no significant difference between the sagittal patterns. For all sagittal patterns, 6.03 ± 4.41° (men) and 6.08 ± 4.45° (women) may be appropriate root control angles to keep maxillary cuspids' roots detached from the labial bone cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

Comparison of skeletal class I, II, and III malocclusion patients showed that dental compensation alleviated sagittal skeletal discrepancies in the cuspid positions of all patients, regardless of the malocclusion class. Detailed treatment procedures and clear treatment boundaries of cuspids with different skeletal patterns can improve the treatment time, periodontal bone remodeling, and post-treatment long-term stability. Future studies on cuspids with different dentofacial patterns and considering cuspid morphology and periodontal condition may provide more evidence for clinical treatment.

Three-dimensional surgical management of a patient with Pruzansky I hemifacial microsomia and severe facial asymmetry: A 4-year follow-up

Treatment of hemifacial microsomia is challenging and often requires multiple interventions to restore function and facial esthetics. In this article, the combined orthodontic-surgical treatment of a young patient exhibiting Pruzansky I hemifacial microsomia is reported. The patient was aged 15 years, but his bone age was determined to be 18 years. His facial asymmetry was severe, with the nose and a retrusive chin deviated to the left side and a canted smile. The presurgical phase was aimed at centering the mandibular midline to the center of the chin through the distal movement of the mandibular left buccal dentition. The surgery was planned with 3-dimensional computer-aided surgical simulation and included a LeFort I and unilateral sagittal split osteotomies combined with a genioplasty. This report illustrates the therapeutic stages and a 4-year follow-up of a unique and complex orthognathic surgical approach, chosen among other alternatives and leading to improved function and appearance and stable results.

Three-dimensional evaluation of the effects of injectable platelet rich fibrin (i-PRF) on alveolar bone and root length during orthodontic treatment: a randomized split mouth trial

Background

The role of injectable platelet rich fibrin (i-PRF) in orthodontic treatment has not been investigated with focus on its effect on dental and bony periodontal elements.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of i-PRF in bone preservation and prevention of root resorption.

Methods

A randomized split-mouth controlled trial included 21 patients aged 16–28 years (20.85 ± 3.85), who were treated for Class II malocclusion with the extraction of the maxillary first premolars. Right and left sides were randomly allocated to either experimental treated with i-PRF or control sides. After the leveling and alignment phase, the canines were retracted with 150gm forces. The i-PRF was prepared from the blood of each patient following a precise protocol, then injected immediately before canine retraction on the buccal and palatal aspects of the extraction sites. Localized maxillary cone beam computed tomography scans were taken before and after canine retraction to measure alveolar bone height and thickness and canine root length (indicative of root resorption), and the presence of dehiscence and fenestration. Paired sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare the changes between groups.

Results

No statistically significant differences in bone height, bone thickness were found between sides and between pre- and post-retraction period. However, root length was reduced post retraction but did not differ between sides. In both groups, postoperative dehiscence was observed buccally and palatally and fenestrations were recorded on only the buccal aspect.

Conclusions

I-PRF did not affect bone quality during canine retraction or prevent canine root resorption. I-PRF did not reduce the prevalence of dehiscence and fenestration.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier number: NCT 03399760. 16/01/2018).

Potential and limitations of orthodontic biomechanics: recognizing the gaps between knowledge and practice

The perennial goals of efficient biomechanics are to obtain more controlled and faster movement and using more discrete appliances. The most recent technological advances have buttressed these goals. Temporary anchorage devices have revolutionized orthodontic practice and loom as a solid cornerstone of orthodontic science, along with the use of light forces, facilitated by "smart" archwires for optimal tooth movement. Accelerated tooth movement with decortication has been successful because of decreasing the resistance of cortical bone but micro-osteoperforation has not matched the same results. Clear aligners and preprogrammed regular or lingual appliances reflect the importance of three-dimensional technology in appliance design based on treatment outcome. These mechanical developments have inched the science closer to the traditional goals, but advances lack regarding their enhancement by biomaterials in a system where the physical stimulus is exerted on the teeth but the expression of tooth displacement is through the biological processes within the surrounding tissues. In this article, present tenets, applications, and advances are explored along with the gaps between knowledge and practice and the possibilities to bridge them. Anchorage control remains the major widely used development but slower is the development of faster noninvasive treatment.