Multidisciplinary management of a fused maxillary central incisor moved through the midpalatal suture: A case report.

Fusion of teeth is a developmental anomaly. It occurs at the stage of tooth formation, which determines the shape and size of the tooth crown, when one or more teeth fuse at the dentin level during the morphodifferentiation of the dental germs. Such teeth show macrodontia and may cause crowding, as well as esthetic and endodontic problems. In this article, we report a rare case of a maxillary central incisor fused to a supernumerary tooth showing labial and palatal talon cusps, which was orthodontically moved across the midpalatal suture. A 13-year-old Caucasian boy sought treatment for the unesthetic appearance of his maxillary central incisor and anterior crowding. He was rehabilitated successfully via a multidisciplinary approach involving orthodontic, nonsurgical endodontic, periodontal, and prosthodontic treatments. After a 26-month treatment period, the patient's macroesthetics and microesthetics were improved. The overall improvement of this macrodontic tooth and its surrounding tissues through multidisciplinary treatment was documented using cone-beam computed tomography.

Comparison of stepwise vs single-step advancement with the Functional Mandibular Advancer in Class II division 1 treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two groups of subjects at the peak of the pubertal growth period treated with the Functional Mandibular Advancer (FMA; Forestadent, Pforzheim, Germany) appliance using either single-step or stepwise mandibular advancement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 34 Class II division 1 malocclusion subjects at or just before the peak phase of pubertal growth as assessed by hand-wrist radiographs. Subjects were assigned to two groups of mandibular advancement, using matched randomization. Both groups were treated with the FMA. While the mandible was advanced to a super Class I molar relation in the single-step advancement group (SSG), patients in the stepwise mandibular advancement group (SWG) had a 4-mm initial bite advancement and subsequent 2-mm advancements at bimonthly intervals. The material consisted of lateral cephalograms taken before treatment and after 10 months of FMA treatment. Data were analyzed by means paired t-tests and an independent t-test. RESULTS: There were statistically significant changes in SNB, Pg horizontal, ANB, Co-Gn, and Co-Go measurements in both groups (P < .001); these changes were greater in the SWG with the exception of Co-Go (P < .05). While significant differences were found in U1-SN, IMPA, L6 horizontal, overjet, and overbite appraisals in each group (P < .001), these changes were comparable (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Because of the higher rates of sagittal mandibular skeletal changes, FMA using stepwise advancement of the mandible might be the appliance of choice for treating Class II division 1 malocclusions.

Class II subdivision treatment with the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device vs intermaxillary elastics.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of comprehensive fixed appliance treatments implemented in combination with Forsus or intermaxillary elastics in Class II subdivision subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight Class II subdivision patients were allocated to two groups using matched randomization: Forsus group (mean age, 14.19 ± 1.02 years) and elastics group (mean age, 13.75 ± 1.16 years). Patients received fixed appliance therapy in combination with either Forsus or intermaxillary elastics. The study was conducted on lateral cephalograms and digital models acquired before orthodontic treatment and 10-12 weeks after the fixed appliances were removed. RESULTS: The treatment phase comprising the use of Forsus (4.53 ± 0.91 months) was significantly shorter compared with elastics application (6.85 ± 1.08 months). This was also true for comparing duration of overall comprehensive treatment in both groups. Extrusion and palatal tipping of maxillary incisors and clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane were greater in the elastics group (P < .05). The mandibular incisors were proclined in both groups (P < .001), but no significant difference was observed between groups (P > .05). The mandibular incisors showed intrusion in the Forsus group and extrusion in the elastics group; the difference between groups was significant (P < .05). Overbite was decreased in both groups (P < .001) in similar amounts. Improvement in overjet, mandibular midline deviation, and correction of molar relationship on the Class II side were greater in the Forsus group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Forsus is more effective for correcting Class II subdivision malocclusion in a shorter treatment period with minimal patient compliance required.

Upper airway changes following single-step or stepwise advancement using the Functional Mandibular Advancer.

OBJECTIVES: Purpose of the present study was to determine and compare possible changes in the dimensions of the pharyngeal airway, morphology of the soft palate, and position of the tongue and hyoid bone after single-step or stepwise mandibular advancement using the Functional Mandibular Advancer (FMA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample included 51 peak-pubertal Class II subjects. In all, 34 patients were allocated to two groups using matched randomization: a single-step mandibular advancement group (SSG) and a stepwise mandibular advancement group (SWG). Both groups were treated with FMA followed by fixed appliance therapy; the remaining 17 subjects who underwent only fixed appliance therapy constituted the control group (CG). The study was conducted using pre- and posttreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs. Data were analyzed by paired t test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULT: In the SWG and SSG, although increases in nasopharyngeal airway dimensions were not significant compared with those in the CG, enlargements in the oropharyngeal airway dimensions at the level of the soft palate tip and behind the tongue, and decreases in soft palate angulation, were significant. Tongue height increased significantly only in the SWG. Compared with the CG, while forward movement of the hyoid was more prominent in SSG and SWG, the change in the vertical movement of the hyoid was not significant. No significant difference between SWG and SSG was observed in pharyngeal airway, soft palate, tongue or hyoid measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The mode of mandibular advancement in FMA treatment did not significantly affect changes in the pharyngeal airway, soft palate, tongue, and hyoid bone.

Survey on Retention Protocols Among Turkish Orthodontists.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify general retention protocols practiced by Turkish orthodontist and to compare the results obtained with those of similar studies in Western countries. METHODS: The Web-based survey consisted of 29 questions: 3 to identify the demographic characteristics of the participants and 26 to examine how orthodontists manage the retention phase. Data was interpreted by descriptive statistical methods such as the median test, the Mann-Whitney U-test and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The survey return rate was 73.8%. Pretreatment malocclusion status (87%), oral hygiene status (78%), and presence of third molars (63%) were reported to be the most important factors in determining the type of retainer. Bonded retainers, either alone (29% in maxilla and 34% in mandible) or supplemented with vacuum-formed retainers (27% in maxilla and 32% in mandible) were the most commonly used type of retainer. The preference for lifelong retention varied from 7% to 19%. Female orthodontists scheduled the first appointment after debonding sooner than male orthodontists (p<0.05). Orthodontists working in universities scheduled first appointments later than orthodontists working in private practices (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Turkish orthodontists still give importance to the third molars in their retention protocols, contrary to what is suggested in the current literature, and lifetime retention is rarely preferred as compared to other countries.