Long-term stability of miniscrew anchored maxillary molar distalization in Class II treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate treatment stability of miniscrew-anchored maxillary distalization in Class II malocclusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included a distalization (n = 19) and a control (n = 19) group; a patient group with minor corrections served the control. Lateral cephalograms of 38 adult patients were taken before (T0), immediately after (T1), and 3-4 years after (T2) treatment. Horizontal and vertical movement and tipping of the maxillary first molars (U6) and central incisors (U1) were measured along with skeletal craniofacial parameters at three time points to compare the two groups regarding the achieved treatment effects and their stability. RESULTS: Total arch distalization therapy led to 4.2 mm of distal movement of U6 without distal crown tipping (0.6° of axis change) and 3.3° of occlusal plane steepening. Over an average retention period of 42 months, maxillary total arch distalization provided high stability of treatment results, showing the same amount of mesial movement (0.7 mm) as the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In Class II treatment, miniscrew-anchored maxillary total arch distalization can provide stable distal movement of the maxillary first molars and central incisors.

Effects of soft tissue grafting prior to orthodontic treatment on preventing gingival recession in dogs.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of prophylactic gingival grafting in the mandibular anterior labial area for preventing orthodontically induced gingival recession. METHODS: Eight mongrel dogs received gingival graft surgery at the first (I1) and third (I3) mandibular incisors on both sides based on the following group allocation: AT group (autogenous connective tissue graft on I1), AT-control group (contralateral side in the AT group), CM group (xenogeneic cross-linked collagen matrix graft on I3) and CM-control group (contralateral side in the CM group). At 4 weeks after surgery, 6 incisors were splinted and proclined for 4 weeks, followed by 16 weeks of retention. At 24 weeks after surgery, casts were made and compared with those made before surgery, and radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed. RESULTS: Despite the proclination of the incisal tip (by approximately 3 mm), labial gingival recession did not occur. The labial gingiva was thicker in the AT group (1.85±0.50 mm vs. 1.76±0.45 mm, P>0.05) and CM group (1.90±0.33 mm vs. 1.79±0.20 mm, P>0.05) than in their respective control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The level of the labial gingival margin did not change following labial proclination of incisors in dogs. Both the AT and CM groups showed enhanced gingival thickness.

Prediction of mandibular movement and its center of rotation for nonsurgical correction of anterior open bite via maxillary molar intrusion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate quantitatively the relationship between molar intrusion (change [Δ] maxillary first molar [U6]-palatal plane [PP]) and changes in vertical and sagittal cephalometric parameters and to determine the center of mandibular autorotation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients diagnosed with anterior open bite and successfully treated with molar intrusion (overbite [OB] > 0 mm) were retrospectively enrolled. Lateral cephalograms taken before and after molar intrusion were used to measure changes in vertical and sagittal cephalometric parameters. The center of mandibular autorotation was calculated by measuring displacement of gonion (Go) and pogonion (Pog). Paired t-tests were used to compare variables, and linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between ΔU6-PP and other variables. RESULTS: The mandible exhibited counterclockwise rotation after maxillary molar intrusion, which led to closure of anterior open bite. Strong linear relationships, in descending order, between ΔU6-PP and ΔOB, Δanterior facial height (AFH), Δvertical reference plane (Pog), and Δsella-nasion to Go-menton (SN-GoMe), were observed. When the maxillary molar was intruded 1 mm, OB increased by 2.6 mm, AFH decreased by 1.7 mm, Pog moved forward by 2.3 mm, and SN-GoMe decreased by 2°. The center of mandibular autorotation was located 7.4 mm behind and 16.9 mm below condylion after molar intrusion. CONCLUSIONS: The mandible exhibited counterclockwise rotation after maxillary molar intrusion; the center of mandibular autorotation was located behind and below condylion with individual variations.