Effects of the sander bite jumping appliance in patients with class ii malocclusion before growth peak.

Sander bite jumping appliance (BJA) is a functional appliance used to correct Class II malocclusion in growing patients. The aim of this study was to identify the dento-skeletal effects in patients treated with BJA before growth peak and to compare these effects with the ones obtained in a similar group treated with the Andresen activator (AA). Twenty subjects with class II relationship of the skeletal bases and cervical vertebrae maturation stage 1 or 2 were enrolled in the study and treated with BJA. This group were compared to 14 subjects treated with AA. Cephalometric analyses were carried out using landmarks derived from the analyses of Pancherz, Ricketts, Tweed and Steiner. After treatment with BJA Pg/OLp increase was 7.40±3.81 mm (P<0.001); Pg/OLp+Co/OLp significantly heightened from T0 to T1 (T0: 82.20±4.65 mm vs T1: 89.62±4.27, P<0.001). Overjet (is/OLp - ii/OLp) significantly decreased from T0 to T1 (T0: 7.40±2.31 mm vs T1: 3.05±1.34 mm, P<0.001). Molar relationship improved passing from 1.46±1.68 mm at T0 to -3.56±2.04 mm at T1 (P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between BJA and AA groups at T0 and T1. BJA treatment determined a Class II malocclusion correction in all patients. The correction of molar relationship was mainly due to the increase in mandibular length; the correction of the overjet was due to the increase in mandibular length, to the slight pro-inclination of the lower incisors and the mild retro-inclination of the upper incisors. No significant differences were found in effectiveness between BJA and AA.

Efficacy of the Andresen activator before peak growth in class II patients.

Andresen activator (AA) is a functional appliance used to correct Class II malocclusion in growing patients. It corrects the malocclusion stimulating mandibular growth and determining a palatoversion of the upper incisors and a vestibularization of the lower incisors. The aim of this study was to analyze the treatment efficacy of class II malocclusion due to mandibular hypodevelopment before peak growth. Fourteen subjects with class II relationship of the skeletal bases and cervical vertebrae maturation stage 1 or 2 were enrolled in the study. Cephalometric analyses were carried out using landmarks derived from the analyses of Pancherz, Ricketts, Tweed and Steiner. A significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in ANB angle was found (-2.29±3.05°) after treatment, which was expression of an improvement in maxillo-mandibular sagittal skeletal relationships. There was also a significant reduction of OJ after treatment (-4.44±2.36 mm; P less than 0.001), indicating a vestibularization of the mandibular incisors and a palatoversion of the maxillary incisors, and a correction of the molar relationship. The favorable effects of the Andresen activator for the correction of the mandibular defect can be found even prior to peak growth; the achieved class I relationship maintains a correct mandible position in time, ensuring a proper skeletal growth. .

Tooth agenesis: part 2. Orthodontic treatment and prosthetic possibilities.

Dental agenesis has a great clinical significance due to its frequency during daily practice and the therapeutic problems that can arise from it. This paper will explore all the aspects to consider in order creating a proper multidisciplinary treatment plan: in particular, orthodontic, prosthetic and implantologic therapeutic alternatives are described for the rehabilitation of the different areas of the dental arches. In fact, dental agenesis is a problem that often requires the intervention of specialists from the different fields of dentistry and its treatment must meet aesthetics needs, stomatognathic function and patient satisfaction.

Guidelines for achieving the best implants survival rates in the rehabilitation of the atrophic posterior maxilla.

The first option in the rehabilitation of the posterior atrophic maxilla is the sinus lift. The aim of this study is to highlight the characteristics that a sinus lift should have to maximize the subsequent implant survival rate. 33 systematic reviews regarding sinus lift procedures, implants success and survival rates were identified through scientific archives and analysed. The obtained results indicated that a heterogeneity of sinus lift procedures are described in the literature. The sinus lift should be performed through the apposition of particulate xenograft materials, in at least 4mm residual bone. Implants should have a rough surface and the patient should be non-smoker.

An overview of socket preservation.

Socket preservation is a surgical procedure whose aim is to limit the physiological resorption of the alveolar ridge that occurs after a dental extraction, in order to have sufficient bone to perform an implant placement. 16 articles regarding socket preservation procedures were identified through scientific archives and analysed. The biological rationale, the graft materials and the predictive factors are identified to help the clinicians in their practice. Socket preservation is an effective treatment to prevent bone resorption if performed after an atraumatic extraction with the use of biomaterials and membranes. It is also important not to forget local and systemic predictive factors.

An overview of guided bone regeneration.

TGuided bone regeneration (GBR) is a surgical procedure whose purpose is to obtain, new bone, new cementum and a new periodontal attachment around a periodontally compromised tooth. In this work, an overview of the literature was performed to analyze the state of the art concerning GBR in order to draw useful conclusions for clinical practice. Twenty-nine articles regarding GBR procedures were identified through scientific archives and analyzed. The biological rationale, the graft materials and the predictive factors were identified to help the clinicians in their practice. GBR is an effective treatment to prevent tooth loss if performed in adequate bone defects and it is also important to keep in mind predictive factors.

Agenesis: pilot case report by 2.9 mm implant.

The agenesis of the upper lateral incisor is one of the most frequent aesthetic-functional problems in dentistry. The reported case concerns a 49 years old male patient with bilateral agenesis of teeth 1.2-2.2 and a root stump of tooth 5.2 temporarily rehabilitated through a Maryland bridge. Without orthodontic treatment, the only solution for implant-prosthetic rehabilitation of tooth 1.2 results therefore in the use of a 2.9 mm diameter implant. The clinical and radiographic control of the implant and the gingival stability at a distance of 1 year gives a positive result both clinically and radiographically. The use of the implant with a 2.9 mm diameter is therefore indicated in extreme cases of limited bone availability.

Tooth agenesis: part 1. Incidence and diagnosis in orthodontics.

Dental agenesis has a great clinical significance due to its frequency during daily practice and the therapeutic problems that can arise from it. This paper will explore the incidence of dental agenesis, its diagnosis and how this anomaly affects the teeth differently. The second subsequent paper will look at its treatment and management.

Evaluation of bacterial flora composition on teeth and periodontal tissues in patients in treatment with rapid palatal expander.

Patients in treatment with rapid palatal expander (RPE) require professional assistance and more meticulous instructions on oral hygiene, since this appliance predisposes to gingivitis and caries. The aim of this work is to analyse the variability of the oral microbial flora found in patients in treatment with RPE with occlusal acrylic splint. It was also investigated whether the association of an antimicrobial mouthwash was useful during orthodontic treatment or whether regular and specific home oral hygiene manoeuvres were sufficient to maintain a good plaque control. The last goal was to highlight which of the different mouthwashes was the most effective in reducing the bacterial load. The patients were divided into 3 test groups and each one of them had a different mouthwash (chlorhexidine and sodium fluoride, fluorine, essential oils) randomly assigned. There was also a control group. Plaque samples were analysed through cultural analysis and PCR from T0 to T4 (8 months). Chlorhexidine mouthwash reduces the bacterial count by 96.08%, the fluorine by 94.50% and the essential oils by 95.74%. The results of the three mouthwashes are superimposable and although chlorhexidine gives the highest rate of bacteria reduction, its side effects lead the authors to prefer the essential oils.

Short-term in vivo evaluation of cellular DNA damage induced by fixed orthodontic appliances.

Metal ions accumulate inside the epithelial cells of the oral mucosa and damage the DNA. The aim of this study was to analyze whether DNA damage and/or apoptosis also occurs after a short-term exposure to the metals of fixed orthodontic appliances. 23 subjects were enrolled in the test group and 8 patients in the control group. Analyses performed on samples of oral mucosa were cell count, cellular viability, quantification of intracellular metal concentration, comet and micronuclei tests and quantification of intracellular Glutathione (GSH). The obtained results indicated that orthodontic appliances release metal ions, especially chromium, that cause inflammatory processes leading to DNA damages. These phenomenon are visible only after 30 days from application of fixed orthodontic appliances.