Palatoscopy and Palatal Rugae Pattern among Adolescents of Southeastern Kosovo

Background: Palatal rugae are elevations found on the anterior part of the hard palate and are the most stable features in the mouth. Our study aimed to analyze the palatal rugae pattern among an adolescent sample of the Albanian population in southeastern Kosovo. Methods and Results: A total of 100 adolescents (50 females and 50 males) aged from 12 to 18 were selected from schools in southeastern Kosovo. Palatal impressions were taken with elastomers, and models of the upper jaw were poured into stone casts for further examination. The rugae patterns were classified according to the Thomas and Kotze classification. The current study indicates that the predominant rugae pattern among the young population in southeastern Kosovo is the straight rugae. The predominant rugae pattern among female subjects is straight rugae and among males, wavy rugae; the frequency of various rugae patterns differed significantly between men and women. The total number of palatal rugae in men was significantly higher than in women. At the same time, there is no significant difference in the number of palatal rugae on the left and right sides between male and female subjects

Prophylaxis in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

The quote in medicine Prevention is better than cure , undoubtedly has a special value in orthopedics of the jaw. Prophylaxis in dentistry mostly means prophylactic measures against caries and periodontopathy, while prophylaxis in orthopedics of the jaws means preventing the development of anomalies, reducing them, and early detection of them for efficient treatment. In this presentation will be described some of the prophylactic measures I have used during my professional work in Dentofacial Orthopedics. Not all congenital anomalies are inherited, and we can definitely prevent them from occurring. Premature loss of deciduous teeth leaves consequences in the development of permanent teeth and jaws, may lose the supporting areas of deciduous teeth, and develop orthodontic anomalies such as: Retention of permanent teeth, lack of place for permanent teeth development, teeth crowding, and jaw abnormalities. Permanent tooth loss can also cause abnormalities such as interdental diastema, tooth migration, inclination, rotation, etc. Prophylaxis is of particular importance in pregnant women, children with deciduous, mixed, and permanent dentition. Prophylaxis includes the removal of bad habits such as: Lip sucking (upper or lower lip), thumb sucking, tongue interposition between teeth, nail biting, breathing through the mouth, etc. Removing the soothing pacifier or pacifier after the age of twelve months prevents early childhood caries, open bites, and other orthodontic abnormalities. In the case of premature loss of deciduous teeth, a space maintainer must be applied for normal development of permanent teeth. The use of the vestibular plate prevents the development of open bites also in deciduous dentition. Based on the cases treated in my clinic, I conclude that the application of these prophylactic measures is very successful in preventing dentofacial abnormalities. Through these measures, even congenital skeletal abnormalities can be better managed, utilizing the forces of growth and development of the jaws and teeth

The use of the lingual technique in correcting orthodontic abnormalities

The number of adult patients requiring orthodontic treatment is increasing and the lingual braces compared to braces on the vestibular side of teeth fulfills more their requirements. The aim of this paper is a presentation of the lingual technique application to patients with midline diastema (diastema mediana) and teeth infraposition, as well as presentation of personal experience and guidance of therapy with this technique by presenting data before and after therapy. Patients with significant aesthetic problems like midline diastema, frontal tooth infraposition and frontal tooth protrusion have been treated. In these cases was used the direct method of lingual technique with Forestadent 2D and 3D braces. Patients had no difficulty during the therapy. After treatment, have been achieved very good functional and aesthetic results, and compared to the orthodontic apparatus placed on the vestibular surfaces of the teeth, have been used weaker elastic forces. The use of the lingual technique has shown success in this type of orthodontic abnormalities and is much more convenient for the patient, as this technique does not interfere with aesthetics, hygiene can be maintained easier, there will be no roughness or loss of brightness of the vestibular surfaces of teeth that often occurs in the fixated apparatus on the vestibular side of the teeth. Some patients have reported mild speech obstacles that disappeared within two weeks

Combined Orthodontic-Prosthetic Treatment in Patients with Bruxism

Orthodontic treatment in some cases alleviates or is a necessity for successful prosthetic treatment. The aim of the study is to present orthodontic-prosthetic treatment in third degree bruxism patients and the relationship between orthodontics and prosthetics. The 47-year-old patient is treated with a fixed appliance in the lower jaw (aesthetic braces) and teeth splint (Erkodur 2 mm) in the upper jaw. The reverse occlusion in the frontal region is corrected with the intrusion and the retrusion of the frontal teeth of the lower jaw. After orthodontic treatment, frontal teeth of the lower jaw 33 to 43 are fixed with Reteiner then the prosthetic compensation of the missing teeth in the both jaws are done with Zirconia crowns and bridges with CAD-CAM technique. Aesthetics and function after orthodontic-prosthetic treatment of bruxism has been very satisfying. The reverse occlusion is corrected and teeth abraded surfaces from bruxism were compensated. At the end of the treatment, occlusion and ideal articulation is achieved and the patient has no longer expressed bruxism. Based on patient examination, model analysis, OPG and photos before and after treatment, we can conclude that the treatment has been very successful. In the presented case, occlusal disorder and missing teeth could have been the cause of bruxism. Achieved success is stable even 9 years after treatment

Orthodontic Treatment of Maxillary Protrusion in Adults

Orthodontic treatment in adults from the age of 21 and older, according to Moyers, is belated treatment; according to German group of authors, the end of age 18 and higher is the border line for Belated Treatment. This rule does not apply for all abnormalities, e.g. accentuated sceletal abnormalities, in which a belated orthodontic treatment could be even in the age of 12. Definitions: Adult treatment and Belated treatment all the same are not identic but launching a therapy in short-fall of growth and development is valid for both mentioned. In this case will be presented an orthodontic treatment in adult with maxillary protrusion and increased overjet. Fixed (Edgewise technique) treatment was used - with Headgear and Quadhelix as orthodontic aids. Due to processes of bone destruction, growth and remodeling in parodontium is slower in adults, continued elastic forces should be applied in lower intensity compared on that used in adolescents. In this case, after clinic examination and orthodontic analysis, it was decided to extract first maxillary premolars. Based on comparison of models, photographs, and cephalometrics analysis before and after treatment, we can conclude that results were good enough, maxillary frontal teeth were retruted, occlusal relationship improved, and esthethics is improved. The treatment has lasted 12 to 15 months whereas retention phase has lasted more than in young patients