The Dilemma of the Open Gingival Embrasure Between Maxillary Central Incisors

Aim: The aim of this report is to present the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment planning strategy in the presence of an open gingival embrasure between the maxillary central incisors. Background: The open gingival embrasure or “black triangle” is a visible triangular space in the cervical region of the maxillary incisors. It appears when the gingival papilla does not completely fill in the interdental space. The space may occur due to: (1) disease or surgery with periodontal attachment loss resulting in gingival recession; (2) severely malaligned maxillary incisors; (3) divergent roots; or (4) triangular-shaped crowns associated with or without periodontal problems and alveolar bone resorptions. Report: The post-treatment prevalence in adult orthodontic patients is estimated to be around 40% compromising the esthetic result. Conclusion: Several methods of managing patients with open gingival embrasure exist, but the interdisciplinary aspects of treatment must be emphasized to achieve the best possible result. The orthodontist can play a significant role in helping to manage these cases

Understanding the basis of space closure in Orthodontics for a more efficient orthodontic treatment

ABSTRACT Introduction: Space closure is one of the most challenging processes in Orthodontics and requires a solid comprehension of biomechanics in order to avoid undesirable side effects. Understanding the biomechanical basis of space closure better enables clinicians to determine anchorage and treatment options. In spite of the variety of appliance designs, space closure can be performed by means of friction or frictionless mechanics, and each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. Friction mechanics or sliding mechanics is attractive because of its simplicity; the space site is closed by means of elastics or coil springs to provide force, and the brackets slide on the orthodontic archwire. On the other hand, frictionless mechanics uses loop bends to generate force to close the space site, allowing differential moments in the active and reactive units, leading to a less or more anchorage control, depending on the situation. Objective: This article will discuss various theoretical aspects and methods of space closure based on biomechanical concepts

Mordida cruzada posterior: uma classificação mais didática

O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar uma nova classificação de mordida cruzada posterior, sendo esta mais didática e de fácil entendimento, diferindo das demais em sua nomenclatura, preservando, no entanto, os princípios fundamentais que regem a Ortodontia. Essa classificação torna o processo de diagnóstico da mordida cruzada posterior sistematizado, tornando-o mais preciso, auxiliando o clínico na elaboração de um plano de tratamento adequado e, como conseqüência, levando a um prognóstico mais favorável dessa má oclusão.The aim of this work is to present a new posterior crossbite classification, being this more didactic and of easy understanding, differing from the others in your nomenclature, preserving, however, the basic principles that govern the Orthodontics. This new classification makes the posterior crossbite diagnosis process systematized and accurate, assisting the clinician in the elaboration of a suitable treatment plan and as consequence, leading to more favorable prognostic of this malocclusion