Subjective facial analysis and its correlation with dental relationships.

INTRODUCTION:: Subjective facial analysis is a diagnostic method that provides morphological analysis of the face. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare the facial and dental diagnoses and investigate their relationship. METHODS:: This sample consisted of 151 children (7 to 13 years old), without previous orthodontic treatment, analyzed by an orthodontist. Standardized extraoral and intraoral photographs were taken for the subjective facial classification according to Facial Pattern classification and occlusal analyses. It has been researched the occurrence of different Facial Patterns, the relationship between Facial Pattern classification in frontal and profile views, the relationship between Facial Patterns and Angle classification, and between anterior open bite and Long Face Pattern. RESULTS:: Facial Pattern I was verified in 64.24% of the children, Pattern II in 21.29%, Pattern III in 6.62%, Long Face Pattern in 5.96% and Short Face Pattern in 1.99%. A substantial strength of agreement of approximately 84% between frontal and profile classification of Facial Pattern was observed (Kappa = 0.69). Agreement between the Angle classification and the Facial Pattern was seen in approximately 63% of the cases (Kappa = 0.27). Long Face Pattern did not present more open bite prevalence. CONCLUSION:: Facial Patterns I and II were the most prevalent in children and the less prevalent was the Short Face Pattern. A significant concordance was observed between profile and frontal subjective facial analysis. There was slight concordance between the Facial Pattern and the sagittal dental relationships. The anterior open bite (AOB) was not significantly prevalent in any Facial Pattern.

Subjective facial analysis and its correlation with dental relationships

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Subjective facial analysis is a diagnostic method that provides morphological analysis of the face. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare the facial and dental diagnoses and investigate their relationship. METHODS: This sample consisted of 151 children (7 to 13 years old), without previous orthodontic treatment, analyzed by an orthodontist. Standardized extraoral and intraoral photographs were taken for the subjective facial classification according to Facial Pattern classification and occlusal analyses. It has been researched the occurrence of different Facial Patterns, the relationship between Facial Pattern classification in frontal and profile views, the relationship between Facial Patterns and Angle classification, and between anterior open bite and Long Face Pattern. RESULTS: Facial Pattern I was verified in 64.24% of the children, Pattern II in 21.29%, Pattern III in 6.62%, Long Face Pattern in 5.96% and Short Face Pattern in 1.99%. A substantial strength of agreement of approximately 84% between frontal and profile classification of Facial Pattern was observed (Kappa = 0.69). Agreement between the Angle classification and the Facial Pattern was seen in approximately 63% of the cases (Kappa = 0.27). Long Face Pattern did not present more open bite prevalence. CONCLUSION: Facial Patterns I and II were the most prevalent in children and the less prevalent was the Short Face Pattern. A significant concordance was observed between profile and frontal subjective facial analysis. There was slight concordance between the Facial Pattern and the sagittal dental relationships. The anterior open bite (AOB) was not significantly prevalent in any Facial Pattern.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: a análise facial subjetiva é um método diagnóstico que privilegia a avaliação morfológica da face; assim, o principal objetivo do presente trabalho foi comparar os diagnósticos faciais e dentários e investigar a correlação entre eles. MÉTODOS: a amostra consistiu de 151 crianças (7 a 13 anos de idade), sem nenhum tratamento ortodôntico prévio, analisadas por um ortodontista. Foram realizadas fotografias padronizadas extrabucais e intrabucais, para a classificação subjetiva dos Padrões Faciais e das relações dentárias segundo a classificação de Angle. Investigou-se a ocorrência de diferentes tipos de Padrões Faciais, em vistas frontal e de perfil; a relação entre os Padrões Faciais e as relações dentárias de Classe e, também, entre a má oclusão de mordida aberta anterior e o Padrão Face Longa. RESULTADOS: o Padrão Facial I (PF I) esteve presente em 64,24% das crianças; o PF II, em 21,29%; o PF III, em 6,62%; o PF Face Longa, em 5,96% e o PF Face Curta, em 1,99%. Observou-se concordância substancial entre a avaliação do PF na vista frontal e na de perfil, igual a 84% (Kappa = 0,69). Houve concordância entre a avaliação da relação dentária de Classe e do PF em 63% da amostra (Kappa = 0,27). O PF Face Longa não demonstrou maior prevalência da má oclusão de mordida aberta. CONCLUSÃO: os Padrões Faciais I e II foram os mais prevalentes em crianças, enquanto o menos prevalente foi o Padrão Face Curta. Verificou-se concordância significativa entre as análises faciais frontal e de perfil. Existe uma ligeira concordância entre o Padrão Facial e a relação sagital dentária. A mordida aberta anterior não se apresentou mais prevalente em nenhum tipo de Padrão Facial.

Dilemmas in Treatment of Recurrent Recalcitrant Dental Anterior Open Bite.

An anterior open bite is one of the most difficult occlusal abnormalities to treat. Quite often this aberration entails dental component and/or skeletal component. The skeletal open bite will require intrusion of the posterior sextants with the assistance of bite blocks, temporary anchorage devices, high pull headgear, and as a last resort - orthognathic surgery. The orthodontic treatment should be augmented with the orofacial myofunctional therapy. In this article, the author describes 3 different variations of treatment of the dental anterior open bite, first on acrylic models, and then on the actual patients. Consideration should be given to patients with a 'short upper lip," and in this case, surgical correction should be entertained.

Deficient cytokine control modulates temporomandibular joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim was to investigate how endogenous cytokine control of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) influences temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain in relation to the role of anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Twenty-six consecutive patients with TMJ RA were included. Temporomandibular joint pain intensity was assessed at rest, on maximum mouth opening, on chewing, and on palpation. Mandibular movement capacity and degree of anterior open bite (a clinical sign of structural destruction of TMJ tissues) were also assessed. Systemic inflammatory activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) for rheumatoid arthritis. Samples of TMJ synovial fluid and blood were obtained and analyzed for TNF, its soluble receptor, soluble TNF receptor II (TNFsRII), and ACPA. A high concentration of TNF in relation to the concentration of TNFsRII in TMJ synovial fluid was associated with TMJ pain on posterior palpation on maximum mouth opening. The ACPA concentration correlated significantly to the TNF concentration, but not to the TNFsRII concentration, indicating that increased inflammatory activity is mainly caused by an insufficient increase in anti-inflammatory mediators. This study indicates that TMJ pain on palpation in patients with RA is related to a deficiency in local cytokine control that contributes to increased inflammatory activity, including sensitization to mechanical stimuli over the TMJ.

A randomized controlled trial comparing two techniques for unilateral cleft lip and palate: Growth and speech outcomes during mixed dentition.

OBJECTIVE: To study the growth and speech outcomes in children who were operated on for unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) by a single surgeon using two different treatment protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 200 consecutive patients with nonsyndromic UCLP were randomly allocated to two different treatment protocols. Of the 200 patients, 179 completed the protocol. However, only 85 patients presented for follow-up during the mixed dentition period (7-10 years of age). The following treatment protocol was followed. Protocol 1 consisted of the vomer flap (VF), whereby patients underwent primary lip nose repair and vomer flap for hard palate single-layer closure, followed by soft palate repair 6 months later; Protocol 2 consisted of the two-flap technique (TF), whereby the cleft palate (CP) was repaired by two-flap technique after primary lip and nose repair. GOSLON Yardstick scores for dental arch relation, and speech outcomes based on universal reporting parameters, were noted. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients in the VF group and 45 in the TF group completed the treatment protocols. The GOSLON scores showed marginally better outcomes in the VF group compared to the TF group. Statistically significant differences were found only in two speech parameters, with better outcomes in the TF group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed marginally better growth outcome in the VF group compared to the TF group. However, the speech outcomes were better in the TF group.

Anterior open bite--simplified non surgical technique to correct in adults.

Skeletal Anterior open bite abnormality in adults is probably the most difficult to correct in orthodontics just behind Skeletal Class III abnormality. Literature research shows various techniques to correct this problem, often via orthognathic surgery, but it was difficult to find in the literatures a simplified non-surgical technique. This author propose, a simplified, non-surgical technique to correct skeletal anterior open bite in adults using non-ligating, frictionless brackets and vertical elastics. Some indications and contra-indications will be discussed

Diagnostic model of anterior open bite--a new way to predict skeletal type: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine a differential diagnostic model for anterior open bite (AOB) in children in order to predict evolution with growth in cases of skeletal or dysfunctional dysplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample was composed of 128 subjects divided into 2 groups according to overbite values: a control group with normal occlusion and 2.5 ± 1mm overbite, and an AOB group with a negative overbite. Measurements of hyoid bone position, gonial angle, SN/Go-Gn, FMA, height of alveolar processes, upper lip height, height of the anterior nasal spine to stomion superior, upper incisor and menton, antegonial notch, symphysis anatomy, condyle anatomy, convexity, facial axis, lower oropharyngeal area and curve of Spee were obtained for all subjects, based on lateral cephalometric radiographs and lateral photos. All data were analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression was applied. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated for the models obtained by logistic regression, in order to evaluate them. Statistical analysis was performed in IBM(®) SPSS(®) Statistics version 21.0. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the AOB model was capable of predicting skeletal anterior open bite with an accuracy of 93%. The seven variables selected were: lower face height (LFH), height of mandibular alveolar process, antegonial notch, symphysis direction, symphysis thickness, gonial angle and facial axis. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of facial morphology made it possible to construct a model able to differentiate, with a small margin of error, between the two distinct forms of AOB: skeletal and dysfunctional.

An index of orthognathic functional treatment need (IOFTN).

OBJECTIVE: To design a new index categorizing the functional need for orthognathic treatment. DESIGN: Laboratory-based study. SETTING: Records were obtained from two UK hospital-based orthodontic departments. PARTICIPANTS: A panel of four consultant orthodontists, experienced in providing orthognathic care, devised a new index of Orthognathic Functional Treatment Need (IOFTN) with the aid of the membership of the British Orthodontic Society Consultant Orthodontists Group (COG). Twenty-three consultants and post-CCST level specialists took part in the study as raters to test the validity and reliability of the new index. METHODS: A total of 163 start study models of patients who had previously undergone orthognathic treatment were assessed by the panel of four consultant orthodontists using the new index (IOFTN) and the agreed category was set as the 'gold standard'. Twenty-one consultants and post-CCST level specialists then scored the models on one occasion and two scored 50 sets of models twice to determine the test-re-test reliability. RESULTS: Kappa scores for inter-rater agreement with the expert panel for the major categories (1-5) demonstrated good to very good agreement (kappa: 0·64-0·89) for all raters. The percentage agreement ranged from 68·1 to 92% in all cases. Intra-rater agreement for the major categories was moderate to good (kappa: 0·53-0·80). CONCLUSIONS: A new index, the IOFTN, has been developed to help in the prioritization of severe malocclusions not amenable to orthodontic treatment alone. It demonstrates good content validity and good inter-rater and moderate to good intra-rater reliability. As a result of being an evolution of the IOTN, the familiar format should make it easy to determine functional treatment need within daily orthognathic practice.

Relationship between pretreatment case complexity and orthodontic clinical outcomes determined by the American Board of Orthodontics criteria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between pretreatment case complexity and orthodontic treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total sample contained 1693 cases (853 females and 840 males, mean age  =  16.3 years) from the archives of postgraduate orthodontic clinics. The complexity of each case was evaluated using the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Discrepancy Index (DI), and orthodontic clinical outcomes were evaluated using the ABO Objective Grading System (OGS). Only one investigator evaluated all cases. Multivariate analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and multiple variable regression analysis were used for statistical evaluation (P < .05 as significant). RESULTS: The mean total DI score was 16.2, and the mean total OGS score was 18. No significant correlation was found between the total DI and the total OGS scores. However, pretreatment overbite, lateral open bite, crowding, buccal posterior crossbite, and other components affected the total OGS score significantly. The highest percentage of passing OGS values was found for cases of medium-level complexity. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study of university clinical records showed that the posttreatment clinical outcomes were significantly affected from pretreatment case complexity. Posttreatment alignment was affected significantly from pretreatment buccal posterior crossbite and cephalometric values. Similarly, posttreatment buccolingual inclination was affected from pretreatment anterior open bite, occlusion, and other factors. Occlusal contacts were affected significantly from pretreatment lingual posterior crossbite and other factors. In addition, we determined that posttreatment root angulations were affected significantly from pretreatment crowding values.

Cervical vertebral column morphology and head posture in preorthodontic patients with anterior open bite.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical vertebral column morphology and head posture were examined and related to craniofacial morphology in preorthodontic children and adolescents with anterior open bite. METHODS: One hundred eleven patients (ages, 6-18 years) with an anterior open bite of more than 0 mm were divided into 2 groups of skeletal or dentoalveolar open bite. The skeletal open-bite group comprised 38 subjects (19 girls, 19 boys). The dentoalveolar open-bite group comprised 73 subjects (43 girls, 30 boys). Visual assessment of the cervical column and measurements of craniofacial morphology and head posture were made on profile radiographs. RESULTS: Deviations in the cervical vertebral column morphology occurred in 23.7% of the subjects in the skeletal open-bite group and in 19.2% in the dentoalveolar open-bite group, but the difference was not significant. Head posture was significantly more extended in the skeletal open-bite group compared with the dentoalveolar open-bite group (craniovertical angle [Mx/VER], P <0.05; craniocervical angles [Mx/OPT, Mx/CVT], P <0.01. Only head posture was associated with craniofacial morphology: extended posture was associated with a large cranial base angle (P <0.01, P <0.001), large vertical craniofacial dimensions (P <0.05; P <0.01; P <0.001), and retrognathia of the jaws (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical column morphology is described for the first time in children and adolescents with open bite. No significant differences in the cervical vertebral column's morphologic deviations were found between the skeletal and the dentoalveolar open-bite groups. Significant differences were found in head posture between the groups and with regard to associations with craniofacial dimensions. This might indicate a respiratory etiologic component in children with anterior open bite.

Hemimandibular hyperplasia: classification and treatment algorithm revisited.

Hemimandibular hyperplasia (HH) is a developmental asymmetry characterized by three-dimensional enlargement of one half of the mandible. The hyperplastic side usually involves the condyle, condylar neck, ramus, and body, with the anomaly terminating abruptly at the symphysis. The malformation results in the clinical presentation of ipsilateral enlargement of the mandible and tilted occlusal plane, associated with a deviated chin to the contralateral side. Since the first case report of HH in the English literature in 1836, various terminology and classifications were used. In this study, the authors classified the patients into typical and atypical types of HH on the basis of clinical and radiologic observations in an effort to achieve a simplified and efficient surgical management on the basis of the severity of deformity. Accordingly, surgical treatments are designed respectively on the basis of the authors' classification and treatment algorithm. In addition, in view of potential complications arising from condylectomy, none of the patients had undergone condylectomy as part of the surgical treatment. The authors present their experience on the basis of this proposed classification and treatment algorithm with functional and aesthetic outcomes as the end points of this study.

Association between breastfeeding duration, non-nutritive sucking habits and dental arch dimensions in deciduous dentition: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted to determine association between breastfeeding duration, non-nutritive sucking habits, dental arch transverse diameters, posterior crossbite and anterior open bite in deciduous dentition. METHODS: 415 children (228 males and 187 females), 4 to 6 years old, from a mixed Indian population were clinically examined. Based on written questionnaire answered by parents, children were divided into two groups: group 1 (breastfed for <6 months (n = 158)) and group 2 (breastfed for ≥6 months (n = 257)). The associations were analysed using chi-square test (P < 0.05 taken as statistically significant). Odds ratio (OR) was calculated to determine the strength of associations tested. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done for obtaining independent predictors of posterior crossbite and maxillary and mandibular IMD (Inter-molar distance) and ICD (Inter-canine distance). RESULTS: Non-nutritive sucking (NNS) was present in 15.18% children (20.3% in group 1 as compared to 12.1% in group 2 (P = 0.024)). The average ICD and IMD in maxilla and average IMD in mandible were significantly higher among group 2 as compared to group 1 (P < 0.01). In mandible, average ICD did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.342). The distribution of anterior open bite did not differ significantly between the two groups (P = 0.865). The distribution of posterior crossbite was significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.001). OR assessment (OR = 1.852) revealed that group 1 had almost twofold higher prevalence of NNS habits than group 2. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the first group had independently fourfold increased risk of developing crossbite compared to the second group (OR = 4.3). Multivariate linear regression analysis also revealed that age and breastfeeding duration were the most significant determinants of ICD and IMD. CONCLUSIONS: An increased prevalence of NNS in the first group suggests that NNS is a dominant variable in the association between breastfeeding duration and reduced intra-arch transverse diameters which leads to increased prevalence of posterior crossbites as seen in our study. Mandibular inter-canine width is however unaffected due to a lowered tongue posture seen in these children.

Magnetic resonance imaging-verified temporomandibular joint disk displacement in relation to sagittal and vertical jaw deformities.

This retrospective study was designed to analyze the relationships between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk displacement and skeletal deformities in orthodontic patients. Subjects consisted of 460 adult patients. Before treatment, lateral cephalograms and TMJ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were recorded. Subjects were divided into six groups based on TMJ MRI according to increasing severity of TMJ disk displacement, in the following order: bilateral normal TMJs, unilateral disk displacement with reduction (DDR) and contralateral normal, bilateral DDR, unilateral disk displacement without reduction (DDNR) and contralateral normal, unilateral DDR and contralateral DDNR, and bilateral DDNR. Subjects were subdivided sagittally into skeletal Class I, II, and III deformities based on the ANB (point A, nasion, point B) angle and subdivided vertically into hypodivergent, normodivergent, and hyperdivergent deformities based on the facial height ratio. Linear trends between severity of TMJ disk displacement and sagittal or vertical deformities were analyzed by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. The severity of TMJ disk displacement increased as the sagittal skeletal classification changed from skeletal Class III to skeletal Class II and the vertical skeletal classification changed from hypodivergent to hyperdivergent. There were no significant differences in the linear trend of TMJ disk displacement severity between the sexes according to the skeletal deformities. This study suggests that subjects with skeletal Class II and/or hyperdivergent deformities have a high possibility of severe TMJ disk displacement, regardless of sex.

Application of the dental aesthetic index in the prioritisation of orthodontic service needs.

OBJECTIVE: The provision of orthodontic treatment to patients in government funded training institutions is a major challenge due to constrained budget and resource allocation. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) has been used to estimate orthodontic treatment need and as a screening tool to determine treatment priority. The DAI focuses on aesthetics and therefore omits other malocclusion traits that might require orthodontic treatment. The aim of the study was to compare the application of the DAI with the influence other malocclusion traits not included in the DAI might have on the determination of the prioritisation of orthodontic service need. METHODS: Hundred-and-twenty pretreatment study models of orthodontic patients in the permanent dentition stage were selected from the archived records of the Department of Orthodontics, University of Limpopo, using a systematic sampling method. The study casts were assessed using the DAI. Other malocclusion traits not included in the DAI were also recorded. Descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient, Chi-square values and t-tests were employed to analyse the data. P values less than or equal to 0,05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean DAI score was 35.2. Normal or minor malocclusion was found in 19.1% of the sample, whilst 17.5% had definitive malocclusion, 21.7% severe malocclusion, and 41.7% showed handicapping malocclusion. Other malocclusion traits not included in the DAI were identified and these traits accounted for 21.6% of all traits recorded in the study (DAI malocclusion traits accounted for 78.4%). Two thirds of other malocclusion traits were accounted for in categories which the DAI had already prioritised for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the DAI can be used to prioritise orthodontic service needs and could be applied in government funded institutions.

Sex differences in the uptake of orthodontic services among adolescents in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to test whether girls are treated orthodontically for milder occlusal issues than are boys, thus accounting for the greater uptake of orthodontic services among girls compared with boys. METHODS: The dental aesthetic index (DAI) was used to score the severity of esthetic occlusal issues in 357 white adolescents. Half of the subjects were from private practices; the others were from a university specialty clinic. RESULTS: Average DAI scores were statistically significantly lower (milder) in girls than boys in both venues; this confirms the assumption that the actual uptake of services is greater in girls because of heightened concern for their esthetic occlusal issues. Average DAI scores predictably were higher in the teaching setting because of selection for more complex cases, but the sex difference was still evident statistically. There was no association between DAI score and age at the start of treatment among these adolescents. Spacing and incisor irregularity showed the greatest sex differences among the DAI variables, possibly because girls are more attuned to these esthetic issues. CONCLUSIONS: These results complement studies that have recorded adolescents' perceptions of orthodontic need. The actual uptake of orthodontic treatment is greater in girls because they (and their parents) seek treatment for milder occlusal issues.

Relapse of anterior open bites treated with orthodontic appliances with and without orofacial myofunctional therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Closure and long-term retention of anterior open bites are significant concerns for orthodontists and their patients. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) for maintaining closure of open bites in conjunction with orthodontic treatment. METHODS: The sample included 76 subjects with dental anterior open bites referred for OMT before, during, or after relapse of orthodontic treatment. The experimental cohort consisted of 27 subjects who received OMT and orthodontic treatment or retreatment. The control cohort comprised 49 subjects who had a history of orthodontic treatment with open-bite relapse. Overbite was evaluated by an OMT professional or orthodontist 2 months to 23 years after removal of the fixed appliances. Measurements were compared with t tests. RESULTS: Overbite relapse means were 0.5 mm (range, 0.0-4.0 mm) in the experimental group and 3.4 mm (range, 1.0-7.0 mm) in the control group, a difference that was clinically and statistically significant (P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that OMT in conjunction with orthodontic treatment was highly effective in maintaining closure of anterior open bites compared with orthodontic treatment alone.

Dental aesthetic index: applicability in Indian population: a retrospective study.

A variety of indices have been developed to assist professionals in categorizing malocclusion according to treatment needs. Dental aesthetic index (DAI) is one such index. DAI quantifies the normal variations usually seen and the dentofacial anomalies. A retrospective study on hundred available and treated cases was carried out on the casts. This survey was mainly carried out to determine the role of pedodontist in early identification of dental anomalies using DAI and sound referral of the patient to the orthodontist for better comprehensive care during the growth period in children. The materials used to collect data included periodontal probe with millimeter markings, ruler, calipers, pencil, and eraser. The results showed that when grouped according to various malocclusion severity levels by DAI, 3% had no or minor malocclusion indicating no or slight need of treatment, 15% had definite malocclusion and the treatment needed was elective, 27% had severe malocclusion and treatment was highly desirable, and remaining 55% of the casts had very severe or handicapping malocclusion and the treatment was mandatory. This study shows that DAI can be effectively used to evaluate and recognize the orthodontic needs of Indian children with permanent dentition and treated at an early stage so that the treatment is more effective.

Severe dental malocclusion: a rare and insidious complication of mandibular advancement devices for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Severe dental malocclusion resulting from mandibular advancement devices (MADs) for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is extremely rare. Reporting of such situations is therefore useful for clinicians managing OSAS. STUDY DESIGN: We report the unusual cases of 4 patients who developed a severe circular dental open bite related to the use of a MAD. These bite changes were related to molar extrusion in two patients, whereas in the other two patients no obvious etiology was found. RESULTS: In all patients, the MAD was immediately discontinued as early as the malocclusion was detected and continuous positive airway pressure proposed. CONCLUSION: Mandibular advancement devices may be associated with a severe dental malocclusion. Failure to recognize and promptly treat this complication may lead to irreversible dentoskeletal changes. Therefore, follow-up to survey dental occlusion is mandatory in all patients wearing a MAD.

Masticatory muscle activity in children with a skeletal or dentoalveolar open bite.

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of masticatory muscles in children with either a skeletal or dentoalveolar open bite, compared with a control group (CG). Forty-five children (31 boys and 14 girls), aged 6-11 years, were included in the study, 15 with a skeletal anterior open bite (SAOB), 15 with a dentoalveolar anterior open bite (DAOB), and 15 with a normal occlusion (CG), defined by clinical evaluation and lateral cephalograms. EMG recordings of the temporal and masseter muscles were performed under maximal voluntary clenching and during chewing. Analysis of variance was used for inter-group analysis, followed by the Tukey post hoc test. A Student's t-test for paired data was used for intra-group analysis. There were statistically significant differences among the three groups (P < 0.05), with the mean EMG being highest in the CG and lowest in children with a SAOB. The percentage EMG activity during chewing in relation to that during maximal voluntary clenching was more than 100 per cent in the SAOB group. The CG and DAOB groups presented higher EMG activity during clenching compared with chewing (P < 0.001), as well as a greater difference between tasks. In the SAOB group, the neuromuscular system appeared to have a lower capacity to produce EMG activity according to the task, while that in the DAOB group suggests that their functional capacity during growth should also be carefully observed.

[Open bite and and therapeutic strategy]. / Béance antérieure et attitude thérapeutique.

Anterior open bites can be divided into two categories: skeletal and dento-alveolar. The etiology, basically affecting dento-alveolar structures, is functional or mechanical such as the rotation of the first higher molars, the exaggerated curve of Spee and the incisor supraclusion and the simple orthodontic treatment can bring a therapeutic success but functional rehabilitation remains the guaranty of such a stability of our treatment. The purpose of this work is to make a teaching article which puts the point on the interest of the elements of the diagnosis and the orthodontic treatment indicated in certain clinical situations of anterior open-bite; this by detailing biomechanics of correction of this anomaly requiring various therapeutic strategies. Functional rehabilitation remains always the guaranty of such a therapeutic stability. For the teaching aspect, we want to attach stereotypic forms and also to present clinical cases treated in the service of consultation and dental treatment in order to answer such a request.