The Relationship between Orthodontic Treatment and Dental Caries

Orthodontic treatment is the main treatment procedure to achieve a well-aligned dental arch and an esthetic smile. For this purpose, various types of removable or fixed orthodontic appliances are designed. However, each has their specific disadvantages. The most important one is that orthodontic appliances especially the brackets and the ligation mode create new retention areas in addition to blocking plaque-removing shear forces arising from fluid flow and masticatory loads with a resultant undesired effect of accumulation of dental plaque. Increased amount of dental plaque containing cariogenic bacteria is the main etiologic factor in decalcification of enamel during orthodontic treatment. This demineralization of the tooth surfaces results in appearance of white spots or even caries. However, in the literature, there are conflicting results in the relationship between orthodontic treatment and development of dental caries. Many preventive methods such as topical fluoride application, using bonding materials releasing fluoride, using mouth rinse with sodium fluoride, applying chlorhexidine, and so on were defined. The general comment of the authors is that supplying an adequate oral hygiene has the main role in prevention of demineralization-caries during orthodontic treatment. In the light of the previous studies’ results, it can be concluded that professional application like a varnish can be provided for patients who have high caries incidence

Defining Dental Age for Chronological Age Determination

Dental age assessment is one of the most reliable methods of chronological age estimation used for criminal, forensic and anthropologic purposes. Visual, radiographic, chemical and histological techniques can be used for dental age estimation. Visual method is based on the sequence of eruption of the teeth and morphological changes that are caused due to function such as attrition, changes in color that are indicators of aging. Radiographs of the dentition can be used to determine the stage of dental development of the teeth from initial mineralization of a tooth, crown formation to root apex maturation. Histological methods require the preparation of the tissues for detailed microscopic examination. The chemical analysis of dental hard tissues determines alterations in ion levels with age, whereas the histological and chemical methods are invasive methods requiring extraction/sectioning of the tooth. In this chapter, the different techniques and considered studies were overviewed in conjunction with their advantages and disadvantages. It needs to be taken into consideration that rather than restricting on one age estimation technique, using the other available techniques additionally and performing repetitive measurements may be beneficial for accurate age estimation

Current Approaches in Orthodontics

This book provides information on the current technological developments and new concepts in orthodontic treatment procedures. The main concepts of the book are scope innovations in accelerated tooth movement, new developments such as corticotomy, microperforations (MOP), piezosicion, photobiostimulation, laser in orthodontics, chemical agents, as well as complications and risks. The book contains interdisciplinary managements involving surgery first, cleft lip and palate therapy, orthognathic surgery, and obstructive sleep apnea. This internationally-recognized specialty is continuing to experience advancements in technology, instrumentation, and treatment methods

Alveolar distraction osteogenesis applications in cleft lip and palate patients: a literature review

Distraction osteogenesis technique has been successfully applied in the craniofacial area for long time, and it is being applied increasingly more in cleft lip and palate patients also. Especially in large cleft palate cases, bone grafting or surgical procedures such as distraction osteogenesis can be applied in order to ensure a smooth alveolar arc. In this literature review, alveolar (segmental) distraction osteogenesis applications in patients with cleft lip and palate, indications of the technique, advantages and disadvantages, application methods and types of appliances used for this purpose have been evaluated. As conclusion, especially with the application of alveolar (segmental) distraction osteogenesis, successful outcome can be achieved in cleft lip and palate patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency, maxillary hypoplasia and maxillary crowding, and this technique may be an alternative to conventional osteotomies and extraoral distractions

Does Gender Have an Effect on Craniofacial Measurements?

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate craniofacial structures in terms of different sagittal relations and gender in adolescent individuals

Comparison of transverse dental changes induced by the palatally applied Frog appliance and buccally applied Karad's integrated distalizing system.

To compare the transverse dental changes induced by the palatally applied Frog appliance and buccally applied Karad's integrated distalizing system (KIDS)

Effects of combined rapid palatal expansion and face mask therapy on mandibular dentition

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined rapid maxillary expansion (RPE) and face mask (FM) application on the mandibular dentition. Materials and Method: In this retrospective study pre- and post-treatment cephalometric radiographs and orthodontic models of 25 patients (10 female, 15 male) with a mean skeletal age of 12 years and 1 month, being in permanent dentition, having skeletal Class 3 anomaly (ANB<0) accompanying with maxillary retrognathism and posterior crossbite who had been treated with a combined application of bonded Hyrax RPE and FM were evaluated. The mean duration for the RPE-FM application was 8.7 months. The lower arch intermolar and intercanine widths, arch depth and the amount of crowding between canines were evaluated using Littles’ Irregularity Index (LII) on the 3D images of the models utilizing the 3Shape OrthoAnalyzer 2013-1 program. Mandibular incisors’ inclination (IMPA degree) were determined on cephalometric radiographs. The statistical evaluation was done with paired t-test, and the statistical significance was set at p<0.01. Results: In the lower dental arch, a significant increase of 1.38 mm was found in the intermolar width (p<0.001). While no significant difference was observed in the intercanine width, there was a significant decrease in the arch depth (1.45 mm; p<0.001) and a significant increase in the LII value (1.46 mm; p<0.01). Besides, there was no significant difference in the IMPA degree. Conclusion: Combined RPE-FM application in the treatment of skeletal Class 3 malocclusion provides an increase in mandibular intermolar width that may increase the arch length. On the contrary, a decrease in the arch depth results in shortening of the arch length. Clinicians should be conscious of a mandibular anterior crowding during this type of combined therapy

Evaluation of the effects of modified bonded rapid maxillary expansion on occlusal force distribution: A pilot study.

To evaluate the effects of modified bonded rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on occlusal force distribution