Smart distalization of the upper arch with an easy, efficient and no-compliance procedure.

In conventional Class II treatment, distalisation of the maxillary arch usually requires multiple phases of tooth movement during which anchorage loss can occur. In order to solve this issue, a rational and simple technique has been developed. Instead of using intraoral distalisers along with palatal mini-implants, Ni-Ti superelastic loops are used to obtain molar distalisation while buccal interradicular miniscrews (BIM), preferably placed between the roots of upper premolars, supply the necessary anchorage. Once the distalisation of molars and second premolars is performed, miniscrews are placed between the roots of first molars and second premolars after removing the previous miniscrews. Elastic chains or tie-backs, which go from the new miniscrews to the hooks of a 0.019×0.025-inch stainless-steel archwire, produce the retraction of incisors, canines and first premolars with optimal control of anchorage. Clinical cases are shown to illustrate the technique.

A hybrid straightwire technique.

An original straightwire appliance was developed in order to easily adapt force and friction to the different stages and needs of treatment. The appliance features: (1) conventional brackets with a 0.020×0.030″ slot in the anterior area, passive self-ligating brackets with a 0.022×0.030″ slot in the lateral area, and tubes with a 0.022×0.030″ slot in the molar area; (2) archwires which adapt to the different stages of treatment and increase their section and stiffness progressively, starting with 0.014″ superelastic NiTi, passing through 0.016×0.025″ and 0.019×0.025″ heat-activated NiTi and reaching 0.019×0.025″ stainless steel working archwires; (3) use of several ligation systems which progressively increase their binding (low-friction ligatures, "O"- or "8"-shape elastomeric ligatures). Clinical cases are shown to illustrate the technique.

Uprighting of mandibular second molars with the sectional modified Loca system.

A new way to upright the mandibular second molar is described. The principles of the Loca system, originally used for molar distalization, are employed in the mandibular arch.

Assessment of mandibular growth and response to functional appliance treatment in prepubertal patients with different auxologic categories.

OBJECTIVE: To assess mandibular growth and response to functional appliance treatment in different Petrovic's auxologic categories and to investigate diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the Lavergne-Petrovic's flow diagram. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with class II malocclusion (ANB>/=4 degrees , dental class II) were selected and divided into 4 groups according to the auxologic categories. Category 2 group had 4 patients, category 3 group had 5, category 4 group had 5 and category 5 group had 4. In order to obtain patient's growth curves and detect the correct treatment time, patient's height was measured every 3 months. This method was supported by the cervical vertebral maturation method for the assessment of mandibular growth. Functional appliance and/or class II elastics, during the fixed appliance phase, were used to correct skeletal and dental relationships. Average treatment time was 31 months (Range 28-36 months). CoGn and ANB were detected in pre-treatment and post-treatment radiographs in order to assess mandibular growth. RESULTS: The highest growth was in category 5, the lowest in category 2. Rotational type improvement was generally observed. CONCLUSIONS: In prepubertal class II patients, treatment success not only depends on appliance choice, clinician's ability and correct treatment time, but also on individual growth potential and facial type. Therefore Lavergne-Petrovic's flow diagram could become a great diagnostic and prognostic aid for the orthodontist.

Long-term outcome in a patient with a dentoskeletal open-bite malocclusion treated without extraction.

This case report describes the treatment of a patient with a Class II malocclusion with an anterior open bite. The patient, a girl 16 years of age, had a significant anteroposterior discrepancy and a high-angle tendency. Her face was convex, with competent lips. Intraorally she had an anterior open bite of 3 mm, space in the mandibular arch, and an overjet of 2 mm. High-pull headgear, anterior intermaxillary elastics, and appropriate wire bending were used to close the bite and to correct the anteroposterior dental relationship. Modification of a tongue thrust habit helped to correct this significant malocclusion and provided stability at 11 years posttreatment.

Palatally impacted canines: the double traction technique.

When closed eruption is used to recover palatally impacted canines, patients risk a second surgical operation because the traction attachment could come off or the wire ligature, which is connected to the attachment, could break. In order to reduce this risk, a new simple technique has been developed. Instead of the classic single one, two attachments are bonded to the impacted canine. During the orthodontic finishing, the technique includes a mandibular premolar bracket bonded to the ectopic canine. This device should produce a more negative torque (Torque -17 degrees rather than -7 degrees) over the root, which usually remains in palatal position soon after the performed crown recovery.