Undergraduate orthodontic teaching in the new millennium--the Newcastle model.

This paper identifies the main factors which have influenced the nature of the undergraduate orthodontic curriculum presently taught at Newcastle University. It also outlines the philosophy that underpins the teaching, states the professional aims of the tutors and spells out the clinical objectives set for the students.

The interdisciplinary management of hypodontia: the relationship between an interdisciplinary team and the general dental practitioner.

This paper will illustrate how the general dental practitioner can provide care for patients with hypodontia. It will demonstrate how an interdisciplinary team works for hypodontia patients and, in particular, for those with severe hypodontia.

The interdisciplinary management of hypodontia: restorative dentistry.

This paper considers the role of restorative dentistry in the management of hypodontia. The paper describes the general restorative considerations common to patients with hypodontia and illustrates the variety of restorative techniques available in the restorative management of hypodontia and oligodontia.

The interdisciplinary management of hypodontia: background and role of paediatric dentistry.

This paper is the first of a series on the comprehensive management of young people with hypodontia. The paper looks at the background to the condition, the possible aetiological factors, the prevalence of hypodontia and other related conditions. Lastly there is consideration of the role of the paediatric dentist in interdisciplinary management of the affected child and adolescent patient.

An analysis of the skeletal relationships in a group of young people with hypodontia.

The objective of this investigation was to examine the dentofacial features of a group of patients with hypodontia, in particular assessing whether cephalometric analysis confirmed the clinical assumption of a reduced lower face height, and to determine the relationship of these facial features with different numbers of missing teeth. It took the form of a cephalometric study, undertaken in a dedicated Dental Hospital clinic for patients with hypodontia. The study group comprised 59 patients seen on the Hypodontia Clinic: 32 females, 27 males, mean age 13.1+/-3.1 years (range 6-23 years). The average number of missing teeth was 7 (SD 5), ranging from 1 to 21. The mean SNA, SNB, and MMA angles were within normal limits, but there was a statistically significant reduction in the MMA when more than one tooth type was missing (P = 0.007) and the ANB angle decreased as the number of missing tooth types increased (P = 0.034). The mean values for the whole sample were within the normal range and did not demonstrate any feature specific to the group, but patients with more severe hypodontia showed tendencies to a Class III skeletal relationship and a reduced maxillary-mandibular planes angle.

The diagnostic value of routine intra-oral premaxillary radiographs in orthodontic assessment.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant dental abnormalities are likely to be overlooked in the anterior region of the maxilla if, in the absence of any clinical indication for further views, the only radiograph used during an initial orthodontic assessment is a good-quality orthopantomogram (OPT). SAMPLE AND METHODS: Two orthodontists examined, retrospectively, the written and radiographic dental hospital records of 1169 consecutive, new, young patients who on their first visit to a dental teaching hospital underwent radiographic examination comprising an OPT and one or more supplementary radiographs of the anterior maxilla. RESULTS: In five cases (0.43%) significant findings would have been overlooked if the intra-oral views had not been taken. These included periapical lesions and supernumerary teeth, but in three of the cases the image quality of the OPT was poor. CONCLUSIONS: If the OPT is not routinely supplemented by intra-oral views, the chances of completely missing significant findings in the anterior maxilla are small, provided a thorough history and clinical examination have been completed and the image quality of the OPT is good.

Problems of root resorption in relation to orthodontic treatment planning: a report of three cases.

Three cases are described illustrating problems of root resorption related to orthodontic treatment. In the first case the short roots of many of the teeth made it inappropriate to carry out orthodontic treatment. In the second case there were no signs of root resorption initially, but, following retraction of maxillary incisors with a removable appliance, root resorption was noted affecting molar and premolar teeth, but not the maxillary incisors. In the third case several teeth had short roots, and further shortening of roots occurred during fixed appliance therapy. These cases illustrate the unpredictable nature of root resorption.

The effect of sandblasting on the retention of first molar orthodontic bands cemented with glass ionomer cement.

This study examined the effect of sandblasting, in vitro, on the bond strength and survival time of first molar orthodontic bands. Survival time was assessed following simulated mechanical fatigue in a ball mill. The amount of cement left attached to the band after debanding was also assessed. In addition, the effect of sandblasting on the failure rate of 320 first molar bands cemented in 107 patients was examined in a half-mouth trial. Ketac-cem, mixed according to manufacturers' instructions was used as the luting agent for both laboratory and clinical trials. In vitro, sandblasting increased bond strength by 27 per cent (P < 0.01) and produced a three-fold increase in the median survival time relative to the untreated sample (P < 0.001) in the ball mill experiment. Sandblasting resulted in more cement remaining on the band rather than on the tooth enamel after band removal. In vivo, sandblasting reduced the clinical failure rate of the first molar bands (P < 0.001).

Orthodontic treatment in adults with periodontally involved labial segments.

During the last two decades notable advances have been made in the management of periodontal diseases. A better understanding of the basic biological principles of periodontal wound healing has provided a sound foundation for placing greater emphasis on conservative treatment regimes, including non-surgical treatments, less radical surgical techniques and the use of guided regenerative procedures to restore connective tissue attachment lost during disease progression. The consequence of these advances is that, even in cases of severely advanced periodontitis, careful planning and execution of treatment ensures that the disease does not continue to progress and the integrity of the dentition is maintained.

The hydrochloric acid-pumice microabrasion technique in the treatment of post-orthodontic decalcification.

A significant number of patients exhibit white spots of enamel decalcification after orthodontic treatment, despite the use of preventive regimes. The hydrochloric acid-pumice micro-abrasion technique offers a method for improving the appearance of these lesions where they are cosmetically unacceptable. The clinical procedure is described and the effects of the technique upon the dental structures are discussed.

Bimaxillary proclination in patients of Afro-Caribbean origin.

The facial morphology of the Afro-Caribbean Negro is reviewed and the aims of treatment for bimaxillary proclination and its subsequent stability are discussed. Treatment approaches to various clinical situations are described, together with their known limitations.

First premolar extractions and fixed appliances in the Class II division 1 malocclusion.

This cephalometric study investigates the changes in the facial skeleton and dento-alveolar structures which occur during orthodontic treatment of the Class II Division 1 malocclusion by extraction of four first premolars followed by fixed appliances. The Begg and edgewise appliances are compared, and both are contrasted with a group of untreated Class II Division 1 subjects. The main effects of treatment were in the dento-alveolar structures, the changes in the overall facial pattern being small and largely due to extrusion of the molars during overbite reduction. Molar extrusion tended to interrupt forward growth rotation of the mandible, temporarily making it more backwards in direction, and increasing the lower anterior face height. An increase in the posterior lower face height was also noted in the edgewise group. Whilst SN A, and therefore AN B, reduced significantly during treatment, this was probably the result of palatal root torque to the upper incisors. The Begg appliance was more successful than edgewise in this respect.

Dentofacial changes in untreated Class II division 1 subjects.

Basic descriptive cephalometric data are presented for 30 individuals with untreated Class II Division 1 malocclusions, 15 males and 15 females. Two radiographs of each subject were examined, the mean age for the first being 12 years one month, and for the second 17 years five months, thus spanning the period during which orthodontic treatment is usually carried out. Mean values for 38 bony and dentoalveolar parameters were calculated, and the male and female groups were compared. There was a tendency on average to a mild skeletal II pattern, with mild mandibular retrognathism. The mean increase in many of the linear measurements in the males was up to three times that seen in the females, and the females had a more downwards and backwards pattern of mandibular growth rotation than the males.