Assessment of available sites for palatal orthodontic mini-implants through cone-beam computed tomography

A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis on the Impact of Various Aligner Materials and Attachments on Orthodontic Tooth Movement

The majority of patients strongly favor the use of aligners in the present time, especially with the advancement in esthetic dentistry. Today's market is flooded with aligner companies, many of which share the same therapeutic ethos. We therefore carried out a systematic review and network meta-analysis to evaluate research that had looked at various aligner materials and attachments and their effect on orthodontic tooth movement in relevant studies. A total of 634 papers were discovered after a thorough search of online journals using keywords such as "Aligners", "Orthodontics", "Orthodontic attachments", "Orthodontic tooth movement", and "Polyethylene" across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane. The authors individually and in parallel carried out the database investigation, removal of duplicate studies, data extraction, and bias risk. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the type of aligner material had a significant impact on orthodontic tooth movement. The low level of heterogeneity and significant overall effect further support this finding. However, there was little effect of attachment size or shape on tooth mobility. The examined materials were primarily concerned with influencing the physical/physicochemical characteristics of the appliances and not tooth movement directly. Invisalign (Inv) had a higher mean value than the other types of materials that were analyzed, which suggested a potentially greater impact on orthodontic tooth movement. However, its variance value indicated that there was also greater uncertainty associated with the estimate compared to some of the other plastics. These findings could have important implications for orthodontic treatment planning and aligner material selection. Registration: This review protocol was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42022381466).

Evaluation of palate-related factors of the effectiveness of microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion in late adolescents and adults

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the factors of the effectiveness of microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) in late adolescents and adults, such as age, midpalatal suture maturation (MPSM) stage, palate length (PL), palatal index (PI), and midpalatal bone thickness (MBT), and at each microimplant position, the palate bone thickness (PBT), the nasal cortical bone thickness (CoTN), the cancellous bone thickness (CaT), and the palate cortical bone thickness (CoTP) were evaluated.

METHODS

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 50 patients (mean, 23.30 ± 7.03 years; range, 16-51 years) treated with MARPE were evaluated. Maxillary expansion ratio (MER) was used to assess the MARPE effectiveness and grouped patients into low and high MER groups according to the mean of MER. MER was the ratio of maxillary expansion width to MARPE screw expansion measured in CBCT images. The t-test was used to analyze the differences between the low and high MER groups. The Pearson correlation test was performed to investigate the correlation between MER and age, MPSM stage, PL, PI, MBT, PBT, CoTN, CaT, and CoTP.

RESULTS

Age, MPSM stage, and MBT in regions 18 mm and 21 mm behind the incisor foramen correlated negatively with MER ([Formula: see text], - 0.390, - 0.386, and - 0.335, respectively, all [Formula: see text]), whereas PBT and CoTN of anterior microimplant positions correlated positively with MER ([Formula: see text] and 0.418, respectively, all [Formula: see text]). No correlation was observed between other variables and MER.

CONCLUSIONS

MARPE effectiveness decreased as age and midpalatal suture maturation stage increased, respectively. Thinner midpalatal suture bone in regions 18 mm and 21 mm behind the incisor foramen, thicker palate bone, and nasal cortical bone of anterior microimplant positions were related to more effective MARPE.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

In patients with older chronological age and later MPSM stages, MARPE effectiveness might be unsatisfactory. Clinicians should carefully evaluate the palate bone thickness before MARPE treatment.

Future of Orthodontics-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Emerging Trends in This Field

Technology is rapidly evolving in the modern world, and the accompanying developments due to its influence are shaping each and every aspect of our life, with the field of orthodontics being no exception. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine such trends in orthodontics and hypothesize which ones would emerge and continue in the near future. After a thorough search of online journals using keywords such as "3D printing," "Aligners," "Artificial intelligence," "Future trends," "Orthodontics," and "Teleorthodontics" across databases of PubMed-MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus, a total of 634 papers were initially recovered. Technological advancements in 3D printing, Computer-aided design and Computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), biopolymers and Teleorthodontics were the most important categories of development seen across the 17 studies that we selected for our review. All the investigations selected for this systematic review depicted aspects of orthodontics that were influenced by rapid technological changes and could potentially become mainstream in the coming times. However, caution was sought to be observed in the usage/adoption of some of these trends, with social media usage amongst both patients as well as orthodontists being a prime example of this.

Dental arch changes after anterior open bite treatment in the mixed dentition produced by miniscrew-supported palatal crib vs conventional fixed palatal crib

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the dental arch changes produced by the miniscrew-supported palatal crib (MSPC) and the conventional fixed palatal crib (CFPC) after the treatment of patients with anterior open bite (AOB) attributed to the tongue-thrusting habit in the mixed dentition stage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 26 children aged 8 to 11 years with an AOB were randomly distributed into two equal groups; the MSPC group was treated using a palatal crib supported by two miniscrews inserted paramedially, whereas the CFPC group was treated using a conventional fixed palatal crib soldered to bands. Digital models were obtained pretreatment and after a follow-up duration of 9 months.

RESULTS

The MSPC group included 12 participants (9 girls and 3 boys; mean age, 9.4 ± 0.75 years), and the CFPC group included 12 participants (10 girls and 2 boys; mean age, 9.0 ± 0.73 years). The amount of AOB closure was similar in both groups: 3.97 ± 1.44 mm in the MSPC group and 3.97 ± 0.89 mm in the CFPC group. There was significant mesial movement of the maxillary first molar in the CFPC (-1.42 ± 0.99 mm) compared with the MSPC group (-0.53 ± 0.32 mm).

CONCLUSIONS

Both appliances resulted in similar improvement in the amount of AOB closure. There was significantly more mesial movement of the maxillary first molars in the CFPC group compared with the MSPC group.

Evaluation of Optimal Sites for the Insertion of Orthodontic Mini Implants at Mandibular Symphysis Region through Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

This study aims to evaluate the overall bone thickness (OBT) and cortical bone thickness (CBT) of mandibular symphysis and to determine the optimal sites for the insertion of orthodontic mini implants. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 32 patients were included in this study. The sample was further categorized into three facial types: low-, average-, and high-angle. OBT and CBT were measured at the mandibular symphysis region. All measurements were performed at six different heights from the cementoenamel junction [CEJ] and at seven different angles to the occlusal plane. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for statistical comparison and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Our results revealed that neither OBT nor CBT was influenced by age or sex, except for the observation that CBT was significantly greater in adults than in adolescents. OBT and CBT were significantly greater in low-angle cases than in average- and high-angle cases. Both OBT and CBT were significantly influenced by insertion locations, heights and angles, and their interactions. CBT and OBT were greatest at the location between two lower central incisors, and became greater with increases in insertion height and angle. Both recommended and optimal insertion sites were mapped. The mandibular symphysis region was suitable for the placement of orthodontic mini implants. The optimal insertion site was 6–10 mm apical to the CEJ between two lower central incisors, with an insertion angle being 0–60 degrees to the occlusal plane.

Custom fabrication of cast splint microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion appliances for treatment of maxillary deficiency in young adults

Background:

The objective of this article was to illustrate the process in the fabrication of a custom cast splint Microimplant-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion (MARPE) appliance for treatment of maxillary deficiency in young adults.

Findings:

The fabrication of a custom-made MARPE appliance allows the casting base to design according to the shape of the patient’s palate close to the palatal mucosa. In this new design, one end consists of a casting body, inserting hole, and teeth retention device (circumferential rings) connected to the other end by a jackscrew. Connection of all parts in the integral casting unit increases the strength of the expansion appliance and avoids distortion, deformation, or damage to the palatal mucosa due to increased resistance from the oromaxillofacial area.

Conclusion:

This custom design can improve the clinical outcome of maxillary expansion, especially in patients with narrow and high-arched palates.

Quantitative cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of hard and soft tissue thicknesses in the midpalatal suture region to facilitate orthodontic mini-implant placement

Objective

To identify the most favorable sites that optimize the initial stability and survival rate of orthodontic mini-implants, this study measured hard and soft tissue thicknesses in the median and paramedian regions of the palate using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and determined possible sexand age-related differences in these thicknesses.

Methods

The study sample comprised CBCT images of 189 healthy subjects. The sample was divided into four groups according to age. A grid area was set for the measurement of hard and soft tissue thicknesses in the palate. Vertical lines were marked at intervals of 0, 1.5, and 3.0 mm lateral to the midpalatal suture, while horizontal lines were marked at 2-mm intervals up to 24 mm from the posterior margin of the incisive foramen. Measurements were made at 65 points of intersection between the horizontal and vertical lines.

Results

The palatal hard tissue thickness decreased from the anterior to the posterior region, with a decrease in the medial-to-lateral direction in the middle and posterior regions. While the soft tissue was rather thick around the lateral aspects of the palatal arch, it formed a constant layer that was only 1-2-mm thick throughout the palate. Statistically significant differences were observed according to sex and age.

Conclusions

The anterolateral palate as well as the midpalatal suture seem to be the most favorable sites for insertion of orthodontic mini-implants. The thickness of the palate differed by age and sex; these differences should be considered while planning the placement of orthodontic mini-implants.

Determination of sex dimorphisms of the thickness of the hard palate in adolescence using computed tomography: Pilot study

BACKGROUND

In addition to traditional craniometric techniques, computer craniometry has been used in recent decades, including stereometric methods, which make it possible to determine the microanatomical spatial relationships and dimensional features of various structures of the skull, in particular the thickness of the inert palate of the maxilla.

AIM

Determination of the gender-specific variability of the thickness of the bony palate at the age of 18-20 years using CT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The material of the pilot study were 40 computed tomograms of young males and females aged 18-20 years. The method of computer craniometry was used to measure the thickness of the bony palate in sagittal projection taking into account the gender. A graphic raster map was created to identify the palatal areas, then analyze their thickness and determine the safe zones for the mini dental implants.

RESULTS

In young males and females (18-20 years) the thickness of the bony palate decreases at different levels from front to back and from the median suture to the alveolar process. The greatest thickness of the bony palate corresponds to its anterior third and reliably predominates in young males at all levels compared to young females. In the middle and posterior third palate, the averages do not show gender differences and their variation is insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

The greatest thickness of the bony palate can be used as the most favorable zone for the fixation of orthodontic mini dental implants. The variability in the thickness of the bony palate should be considered when selecting the most optimal zones and depth of mini-implant placement.

A Review on Current Trends of Polymers in Orthodontics: BPA-Free and Smart Materials

Polymeric materials have always established an edge over other classes of materials due to their potential applications in various fields of biomedical engineering. Orthodontics is an emerging field in which polymers have attracted the enormous attention of researchers. In particular, thermoplastic materials have a great future utility in orthodontics, both as aligners and as retainer appliances. In recent years, the use of polycarbonate brackets and base monomers bisphenol A glycerolate dimethacrylate (bis-GMA) has been associated with the potential release of bisphenol A (BPA) in the oral environment. BPA is a toxic compound that acts as an endocrine disruptor that can affect human health. Therefore, there is a continuous search for non-BPA materials with satisfactory mechanical properties and an esthetic appearance as an alternative to polycarbonate brackets and conventional bis-GMA compounds. This study aims to review the recent developments of BPA-free monomers in the application of resin dental composites and adhesives. The most promising polymeric smart materials are also discussed for their relevance to future orthodontic applications.