Skeletal expansion using a miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion in a 50-year-old patient.

This case report illustrates a nonsurgical treatment plan using a miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander (MARPE) in a 50-year-old patient with maxillary transverse deficiency. The MARPE appliance consisted of a conventional Hyrax expander anchored to 4 orthodontic miniscrews. The exact locations of the miniscrews were determined with virtual planning software. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were superimposed on the maxillary digital model, and 3-dimensional-printed surgical guides were used to accurately position the mini-implants. A slow expansion protocol was used, and the appliance was held in place during the entire treatment (almost 20 months). Pretreatment, postexpansion, and posttreatment CBCT scans show the parallel expansion obtained without dental torque compensation or bite opening. The posttreatment scan showed that a long period is required to complete the midpalatal suture mineralization. MARPE has proven effective in correcting transverse discrepancies, even in adults. However, posttreatment CBCT imaging showed incomplete ossification of the midpalatal suture, demonstrating that the retention period should be extended in some adult patients.

Insertion torque values and success rates for paramedian insertion of orthodontic mini-implants : A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) are a reliable method to provide temporary orthodontic anchorage. We hypothesized that there is an optimal insertion torque (<10 Ncm) that can be used to ensure the success of self-drilling OMIs in the paramedian region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Included were 40 (26 females, 14 males) consecutive patients requiring palatal skeletal anchorage. Mean age was 17.3 years (range 11.0-44.6 years) for female patients and 15.7 years (range 10.6-36.9 years) for male patients. A total of 22 patients received a Beneslider according to Wilmes for the distalization of maxillary first molars, 10 patients received a Mesialslider for the mesialization of maxillary first molars, and 8 patients received a bone-borne rapid palatal expansion (RPE) appliance. Torque values of 10-15 Ncm were recorded in 46.3% of the OMIs and 15-20 Ncm in 35% of OMIs. OMIs that endured the orthodontic force applied for ≥6 months were considered as success. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 98.8%. No significant differences were found between insertion torque values with respect to the right and left sides, Jarabak's ratio, facial axis, and Frankfort to mandibular plane angle. There were no significant differences in the OMIs insertion torques with regard to the different appliances. No association was found between insertion torque and vertical skeletal morphology. CONCLUSION: With an overall success rate of 98.8%, the study hypothesis that greater insertion torque (>10 Ncm) will decrease the success rate and increase palatal OMI failure was rejected.

Prevalence of static and dynamic dental malocclusion features in subgroups of temporomandibular disorder patients: Implications for the epidemiology of the TMD-occlusion association.

OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis that dental malocclusions may be a risk factor for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has been greatly debated in the literature. Whilst the association between features of dental occlusion and TMD has been proven weak, if existing, it seems that the transfer of such knowledge into clinical practice is yet to be completed. This study evaluated the prevalence of static and dynamic malocclusion features in a population of TMD patients and compared it with literature data on the general population. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 625 consecutive TMD patients (75% female; aged 34.2 ± 6.7 years, range 25-44 years) were examined and were clustered into four groups on the basis of pain absence (ie, disk displacement and/or arthrosis without pain), or pain presence within the muscles and/or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). As for the occlusal features, posterior crossbite, excessive overbite, anterior open bite, excessive overjet, and molar and canine asymmetry were recorded as static malocclusion findings. Medio-/laterotrusive interferences and slide length from retruded contact position (RCP) to maximum intercuspation (MI) ≥ 2 mm were also recorded as dynamic malocclusion findings. The ɸ correlation coefficient assessed the strength of the correlation between each occlusal feature and the presence of pain-related TMD condition. RESULTS: No significant correlation was seen between the various malocclusion findings and the presence of any pain-related TMD condition, with ɸ values ranging from -0.081 to +0.043 for molar asymmetry and laterotrusive interferences, respectively. The prevalence findings in this TMD population were within the range reported from general population studies. CONCLUSIONS: In adult subjects, static or dynamic malocclusion findings show similar prevalence irrespective of the presence of any specific pain-related TMD condition. Also, the prevalence values are similar to the available data at general population level. Based on the above, general practitioners should note that occlusal features may not be considered a discriminant factor for TMD.

Dentition phase and chronological age in relation to gingival crevicular fluid alkaline phosphatase activity in growing subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of skeletal maturation phases is of primary importance in terms of individual responsiveness to nearly all dentofacial orthopaedic treatments. In this regard, dentition phase and chronological age are still widely used to define the timing of and responsiveness to orthodontic treatments. Recently, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity has been shown to be a reliable biomarker of skeletal maturation in growing subjects. Here, for the first time, circumpubertal dentition phases and chronological age were evaluated for correlations with GCF ALP activity, as a biomarker of skeletal maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five healthy growing subjects (51 females, 34 males; mean age, 11.7±2.3 years) were enrolled into this double-blind, prospective, cross-sectional-design study. Samples of GCF were collected from each subject at the mesial and distal sites of both of the central incisors, at the maxillary and mandibular arches. Their dentition phases were recorded as intermediate mixed, late mixed, or permanent. GCF ALP enzymatic activity was determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: The dentition phases showed median GCF ALP activities from 42.0 to 67.5 mU/sample. Although these were slightly greater for the permanent dentition, no significant differences were seen. Also, the chronological age did not correlate significantly with GCF ALP activity, and no significant differences were seen between maxillary and mandibular sites in any of the comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment for treatment timing of dentofacial disharmonies in individual patients that require monitoring of their skeletal maturation phases should not rely on their circumpubertal dentition phase and chronological age.