Longitudinal growth changes in subjects with open-bite tendency: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: This study was a cephalometric evaluation of the growth changes in untreated subjects with minimal overbite at 4 time points during 4 developmental stages from the early mixed dentition to the permanent dentition, as well as from the prepubertal phase to young adulthood. METHODS: A sample of 24 untreated subjects with minimal overbite (<1.5 mm) was selected retrospectively from the University of Michigan Growth Study and the Denver Child Growth Study. The sample was followed longitudinally from about 9 years of age through 17 years of age. Dentofacial changes at the 4 times (T1-T4), defined by the cervical vertebral maturation method, were analyzed on lateral cephalograms. Nonparametric statistical analysis was used for comparisons. RESULTS: Overbite on average increased by 2.3 mm during the overall observation period. Improvement occurred during the prepubertal interval (T1-T2; 2.4 mm), whereas no significant changes occurred in the pubertal and postpubertal stages. From prepubertal ages to young adulthood, the open-bite tendency improved in 91% of the subjects, with self-correction in 75%. Logistic regression analysis on the cephalometric variables at T1 with the value of overbite at T4 did not show a statistically significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with an open-bite tendency show improvement of their occlusal condition during the prepubertal stage, but there is no significant improvement after this. These results provide useful indications for appropriate orthodontic treatment timing for patients with an open-bite tendency.

Skeletal and dental outcomes of a new magnetic functional appliance, the Sydney Magnoglide, in Class II correction.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the dentoskeletal effects of a new magnetic functional appliance, the Sydney Magnoglide (Macono Orthodontic Lab, Sydney, Australia), after both active treatment with the appliance and comprehensive fixed appliance therapy, compared with a group of untreated Class II controls. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutively treated Class II Division 1 patients treated with the Sydney Magnoglide followed by fixed appliances were compared with 30 untreated Class II controls with the same initial dentoskeletal Class II features and matched for age and sex. Lateral cephalograms were taken before treatment, immediately after functional appliance therapy, and after comprehensive fixed appliance therapy. Cephalometric analyses included the Pancherz analysis and linear and angular measurements. The comparisons were made with Student t tests (P <0.05). There were 3 dropouts, for a final sample for statistical analysis of 31 subjects. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the treated and control groups before treatment. Treatment with the Sydney Magnoglide and comprehensive fixed appliance therapy normalized the overjet and corrected the Class II relationship in all treated subjects. The ANB angle showed a reduction of 1.0°, as opposed to an increase of 0.3° in the untreated controls, and was associated with a statically significant improvement in the SNB angle (P <0.05). There was a significant gain of 2.3 mm in mandibular length in the treated group compared with the control group (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of this prospective study demonstrate that the compliance-free Sydney Magnoglide is an effective functional appliance for Class II correction.

The force-distance properties of attracting magnetic attachments for tooth movement in combination with clear sequential aligners.

BACKGROUND: The demand for clear sequential aligner therapy has increased dramatically in recent years. An improved system utilising small neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnetic attachments has been proposed to enhance appliance capabilities. AIM: The aim of the investigation was to analyse the force system diagrams produced by small attracting NdFeB magnets to determine, 1) whether the force levels were sufficient to induce tooth movement, 2) the effect of magnet morphology on force characteristics and, 3) the most appropriate magnet dimensions that could be utilised for this application. METHODS: Twenty-nine NdFeB rectangular magnets of varying dimensions were tested. A Mach-1 universal testing machine (Biosyntech Inc, Quebec, Canada) was used to measure the attractive force of pairs of magnets. Measurements commenced with a magnetic pair in contact and subsequently vertically separated a distance of 10 mm at a speed of 12 mm/minute. For all magnetic configurations four repeat measurements were performed on five magnetic pairs of the same size. RESULTS: The force-distance diagrams for all magnet configurations demonstrated a dramatic decrease in force with increasing magnet separation. Rather than a suggested inverse square law, the experimental data followed an inverse fourth law when an offset determined by a regression analysis was applied to the distance. For the majority of magnets, insignificant forces were attained beyond 2 mm of separation. Magnets with large pole face areas and longer magnetic axes provided the greatest force. CONCLUSIONS: A select range of magnet configurations exhibited suitable and reliable attractive forces and therefore could be advocated for prescribed clinical application.