Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and anatomical factors: possible correlations.

Objectives: The following retrospective study was devised with the aim of evaluating the correlation between OSAS and various anatomical factors. Material and Methods: Thirty-seven patients over the age of 40 were analyzed, of which 19 were classified as OSAS cases and 18 as control cases. For each, 17 anatomical variables were identified and examined using Invivo Dental software on CBCT scans, WebCeph software on laterolateral teleradiographs, and Rhinoceros 6.0 software on dental casts. Results: A generalized linear model of all the anatomical factors identified only two statistically significant variables. Specifically, the total volume of the palate displayed a inverse correlation with OSAS, while the distance between the S point and the Go point (S-Go) exhibited a direct correlation with the disease. Conclusion: The likelihood of an individual having OSAS appears to decrease as the volume of the palate increases but increase as the lingual measure S-Go increases.

Long-term skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of hybrid rapid maxillary expansion and facemask treatment in growing skeletal Class III patients: a retrospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Regardless of the treatment protocol, stability in Class III patients always represents a major concern. The aim of this study was to assess the short and long-term skeletal and dentoalveolar modifications in a group of class III patients treated with hybrid rapid maxillary expander (RME) and facemask (FM). Indeed, no long-term studies have been conducted yet with the objective of evaluating the effects of this kind of approach when applied to patients who have already gone thought their peak of growth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 27 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion were treated using hybrid RME according to alternating rapid maxillary expansion and constriction (ALT-RAMEC) protocol, followed by 4 months of facemask therapy. After the orthopaedic phase, each patient underwent orthodontic treatment with fixed multibracket appliances. A mean follow-up of 7 years, 10 months was performed. Pre-treatment (TO), post-treatment (T1) and follow up (T2) cephalometric tracing were analysed, comparing dental and skeletal measurements. RESULTS: Point A advanced by a mean of 3.5 mm with respect to VerT, then relapsed by 0.7 in the post-facemask period, thereby yielding of a mean advancement of 2.7 at T2. The sagittal relationship significantly changed after RME + facemask protraction (3.8° of ANB and 5.189 mm of Wits). Although both Wits and ANB values worsened over time, the improvement from T0 is still appreciable at T2. CONCLUSION: Despite the physiological relapse due to mandibular growth, the long-term cephalometric follow-up confirms the maintenance of all positive outcomes of the previous orthopaedic treatment with hybrid RME and facemask.

Severe transverse discrepancy in adult Class III patient: Parallel rapid palatal expansion with a bone-borne tandem expansion screws (TSE) followed by lingual fixed appliance for a non-surgical treatment: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Midpalatal suture opening in young adults is often difficult to achieve, depending on the suture maturation stage. It has been suggested that it is possible to avoid surgery and still achieve a successful pure skeletal expansion if a bone-borne Miniscrew-Assisted Rapid Palatal Expander is chosen (MARPE). CASE PRESENTATION: The following case report describes the use of a pure bone-borne miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander followed by lingual fixed appliance to correct a severe transversal discrepancy in an adult patient characterized by a hyperdivergent mandibular skeletal pattern. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES: All treatment phases were digitally planned, starting with the miniscrews' insertion with a three-dimensionally printed surgical guided (Miniscrew Assisted Palatal Application: MAPA system) and Tandem Skeletal Expander (TSE) appliance, to the lingual indirect bonding. The final outcomes confirmed that this orthodontic approach represented a valid alternative to orthognathic surgery, with a significant improvement of the patient's occlusion and facial appearance. DISCUSSION: The Tandem Skeletal Expander (TSE) design and the expansion protocol applied allowed to obtain a significant and stable skeletal increase of transversal diameters by digital planning of the insertion of miniscrews, with lower risks and costs than other surgical approaches.

Class II subdivision with skeletal transverse maxillary deficit treated by single-sitting bone-borne appliance.

This case report describes orthodontic treatment including both skeletal maxillary expansion and unilateral distalization by means of a single bone-borne appliance followed by clear aligner therapy in a young adult patient. A surgical guide was digitally designed and three-dimensionally printed to facilitate the placement of four miniscrews in the palatal vault. The miniscrews were fitted and the bone-borne appliance was delivered in a single clinical appointment. The postexpansion photographic records and models demonstrate the opening of the palatal median suture, the pure skeletal expansion, and the resolution of the left crossbite after 40 activations. Specifically, left molar Class I was obtained in about 5 months without any loss of anterior anchorage, and the subsequent aligner phase achieved all of the objectives established in the treatment plan. This case report shows clearly how careful digital planning of miniscrew insertion and the delivery of a pure bone-borne appliance in a single sitting enabled good clinical outcomes to be achieved in an acceptable timeframe, without side effects, even in a young adult patient.

Assessment of stiffness and load deflection of orthodontic miniscrews used for palatal anchorage: An in vitro biomechanical study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of miniscrews of 5 different lengths, 2 different diameters, and different combinations of insertion used for palatal skeletal anchorage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four different combinations of a total of 120 miniscrews of two different diameters (2.0mm and 2.3mm) and five different lengths (9mm, 11mm, 13mm and 15mm) were tested at different angles of insertion (90° and 45°) and distances from a synthetic bone block (3mm, 5mm, 7mm). Samples were fixed in an Instron Universal Testing Machine and a load was applied in single cantilever mode to the neck of each miniscrew. The stiffness and maximum load before permanent deformation were recorded. Model-based recursive partitioning testing (CART) was used to evaluate differences between groups. RESULTS: Significantly higher forces were necessary to deform miniscrews of diameter 2.3mm than those of 2.0mm, those inserted at an angle of 45° with respect to 90°, and at smaller distances between the miniscrew neck and block; in addition, the maximum load and stiffness increased with increasing screw length. CONCLUSION: This in vitro experimental study showed strong correlations between deformation load and miniscrew geometry, insertion angle and distance from the synthetic block, results that should be considered when planning miniscrew insertion in order to reduce the risk of unwanted fracture.

Class II treatment by palatal miniscrew-system appliance: A case report.

This case shows that using a rapid palatal expander (RPE) and then a pendulum appliance anchored to palatal miniscrews is an option for improving treatment management in a noncompliant patient requiring maxillary expansion and molar distalization in the late mixed dentition. First, an RPE was used to expand the maxillary arch. Then, a modified pendulum appliance was used to distalize the maxillary first permanent molars. Optimal positioning of two palatal miniscrews enabled both appliances to be supported by skeletal anchorage. Treatment was finished using multibracket fixed appliances, and after 2 years, skeletal Class I as well as dental Class I canine and molar relationships were achieved.

Class III malocclusion and bilateral cross-bite in an adult patient treated with miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander and aligners.

This case report describes the use of a miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander and aligners to correct bilateral cross-bite and crowding in an adult patient with a Class III skeletal pattern. A digitally designed surgical guide was three-dimensionally printed and used to accurately insert four miniscrews into the palate; these were employed to anchor a novel miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander appliance without any dental anchorage. Cone-beam computed tomograms before and after miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expander treatment demonstrated the orthopedic expansion of the maxilla without dental tipping. The patient was then fitted with aligners to correct crowding and malocclusion. This case report demonstrates the successful treatment of an adult patient with a narrow maxilla and bilateral cross-bite using a nonsurgical, conservative treatment.

Skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of hybrid rapid palatal expansion and facemask treatment in growing skeletal Class III patients.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to describe the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes in a group of growing skeletal Class III patients treated with hybrid rapid palatal expansion and facemask. METHODS: Twenty-eight growing patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion were treated using a rapid maxillary expander with hybrid anchorage according to the ALT-Ramec protocol (SKAR III; E.P.), followed by 4 months of facemask therapy. Palatal miniscrew placement was accomplished via digital planning and the construction of a high-precision, individualized surgical guide. Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric tracings were analyzed, comparing dental and skeletal measurements. RESULTS: Point A advanced by a mean of 3.4 mm with respect to the reference plane Vert-T. The mandibular plane rotated clockwise, improving the ANB (+3.41°) and the Wits appraisal (+4.92 mm). The maxillary molar had slight extrusion (0.42 mm) and mesialization (0.87 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a hybrid-anchorage expander followed by 4 months of facemask treatment improves the skeletal Class III relationship with minimal dental effects, even in older patients (mean age, 11 years 4 months, ± 2.5 years).