Mandibular shape and skeletal divergency. (1/246)

Pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of 41 skeletal Class I girls aged 11 to 15 were divided according to MP-SN angle: lower than 28 degrees (hypodivergent, 10 girls), between 31 and 34 degrees (normodivergent, 18 girls), or larger than 37 degrees (hyperdivergent, 13 girls). The mandibular outlines were traced and digitized, and differences in shape were quantified using the elliptic Fourier series. Size differences were measured from the areas enclosed by the mandibular outlines. Shape differences were assessed by calculating a morphological distance (MD) between the size-independent mean mathematical reconstructions of the mandibular outlines of the three divergency classes. Mandibular shape was different in the three classes: large variations were found in hyperdivergent girls versus normodivergent girls (MD = 4.61), while smaller differences were observed in hypodivergent girls (MD versus normodivergent 2.91). Mean size-independent mandibular shapes were superimposed on an axis passing through the centres of gravity of the condyle and of the chin. Normodivergent and hyperdivergent mandibles differed mostly at gonion, the coronoid process, sigmoid notch, alveolar process, posterior border of the ramus, and along the mandibular plane. A significant size effect was also found, with smaller mandibles in the hyperdivergent girls.  (+info)

The functional shift of the mandible in unilateral posterior crossbite and the adaptation of the temporomandibular joints: a pilot study. (2/246)

Changes in the functional shift of the mandibular midline and the condyles were studied during treatment of unilateral posterior crossbite in six children, aged 7-11 years. An expansion plate with covered occlusal surfaces was used as a reflex-releasing stabilizing splint during an initial diagnostic phase (I) in order to determine the structural (i.e. non-guided) position of the mandible. The same plate was used for expansion and retention (phase II), followed by a post-retention phase (III) without the appliance. Before and after each phase, the functional shift was determined kinesiographically and on transcranial radiographs by concurrent recordings with and without the splint. Transverse mandibular position was also recorded on cephalometric radiographs. Prior to phase I, the mandibular midline deviated more than 2 mm and, in occlusion (ICP), the condyles showed normally centred positions in the sagittal plane. With the splint, the condyle on the crossbite side was displaced 2.4 mm (P < 0.05) forwards compared with the ICP, while the position of the condyle on the non-crossbite side was unaltered. After phase III, the deviation of the midline had been eliminated. Sagittal condylar positions in the ICP still did not deviate from the normal, and the splint position was now obtained by symmetrical forward movement of both condyles (1.3 and 1.4 mm). These findings suggest that the TMJs adapted to displacements of the mandible by condylar growth or surface modelling of the fossa. The rest position remained directly caudal to the ICP during treatment. Thus, the splint position, rather than the rest position should be used to determine the therapeutic position of the mandible.  (+info)

A comparison of sagittal and vertical effects between bonded rapid and slow maxillary expansion procedures. (3/246)

The purpose of this study was to determine the vertical and sagittal effects of bonded rapid maxillary expansion (RME), and bonded slow maxillary expansion (SME) procedures, and to compare these effects between the groups. Subjects with maxillary bilateral crossbites were selected and two treatment groups with 12 patients in each were constructed. The Hyrax screw in the RME treatment group and the spring of the Minne-Expander in the SME treatment group were embedded in the posterior bite planes, which had a thickness of 1 mm. At the end of active treatment these appliances were worn for retention for an additional 3 months. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken at the beginning and end of treatment, and at the end of the retention period. The maxilla showed anterior displacement in both groups. The mandible significantly rotated downward and backward only in the RME group. The inter-incisal angle and overjet increased in both groups. No significant differences were observed for the net changes between the two groups.  (+info)

Linear and angular changes in dento-facial dimensions in the third decade. (4/246)

The object of the study was to examine changes in dento-facial dimensions and relationships during the third decade of life, and consisted of a prospective cephalometric study. The data used consisted of 90 degree left lateral cephalometric radiographs of 21 males and 26 females at ages 18 years (T1) and 21 years (T2), and for 15 of the males and 22 of the females at 28 years (T3). Various dimensions representative of dento-facial morphology were measured and the changes in dimensions over time were calculated and tested for significance with the one sample t-test. In general, skeletal and dental relationships remained relatively stable. Face height and jaw length dimensions increased by small amounts.  (+info)

The effects of increasing the reverse curve of Spee in a lower archwire examined using a dynamic photo-elastic gelatine model. (5/246)

This paper describes the development and testing of a dynamic in vitro photo-elastic model for evaluating the effects of orthodontic mechanics on an entire arch of teeth. A model of a mandibular arch was made and the teeth were embedded in a gelatine material with a high level of mechanical creep which permitted tooth movement in response to orthodontic forces. The excellent photo-elastic properties of this material also facilitated the analysis of the stress distribution around the roots of the teeth. The model of a mandibular arch was used to investigate the tooth movements and stress distributions produced by increasing the reverse curve of Spee in a 0.018 x 0.025-inch stainless steel archwire. The results revealed that a 1-mm reverse curve of Spee increased the arch length by 1.6 mm, but increasing the reverse curve of Spee to 5 mm did not increase arch length further. Photo-elastic analysis showed an increased stress distribution around the roots of the incisors and molars as the reverse curve of Spee was increased in the archwire.  (+info)

The influence of maxillary incisor inclination on arch length. (6/246)

This ex vivo study was designed to investigate Andrews' hypothesis that there is a space implication when incisors are torqued correctly. A working model was constructed to allow acrylic typodont incisors of varying known values of inclination to be substituted into the model. The arch lengths of the various 'set-ups' were measured using a reflex microscope linked to a PC. In order to quantify the space requirement of clinical relevance for adequate incisor torque, the method was repeated by substituting replicas of patients' 'natural' incisors. For both acrylic and natural incisors it was found that, as the inclination of the teeth increased, there was an increase in all arch lengths, this being greater for the natural incisors. This larger increase for the natural incisors was related not only to their increased size, but was also dependent on the morphology of the incisor. Those incisors which were parallel-sided showed the greatest increase in arch length, whereas the incisors that were relatively triangular in shape showed the smallest increase. When the inclination of an 'average' set of 21/12 is increased by 5 degrees, an increase in the arch length of approximately 1 mm may be expected.  (+info)

Breathing obstruction in relation to craniofacial and dental arch morphology in 4-year-old children. (7/246)

The prevalence of breathing obstruction was determined in a cohort of 4-year-old children. Craniofacial morphology was studied in obstructed children and compared with data from a control group of 4-year-old children with ideal occlusion. Dental arch morphology was compared in obstructed and non-obstructed children in the group. Parents of 95.5 per cent of the study base of 644 children answered a questionnaire concerning their child's nocturnal behaviour and related questions. The 48 children who, based on parental report, snored every night or stopped breathing when snoring (the 'snoring group'), showed a higher rate of disturbed sleep, mouth-breathing, and a history of throat infections as compared with the rest of the cohort. These children were examined by both an orthodontist and an otorhinolaryngologist and, when indicated, they were also monitored in a sleep laboratory. Twenty-eight of the children were diagnosed as having a breathing obstruction (4.3 per cent of the cohort) and six children (0.9 per cent) had sleep apnoea (mean apnoea-hypopnoea index of 17.3), using the same definition as that for adults. Cephalometric values among the obstructed children differed from those of a Swedish sample of the same age with ideal occlusion. Thy had a smaller cranial base angle and a lower ratio of posterior/anterior total face height. Small, but not significant differences were seen for NSL-ML and NL-ML. Compared with 48 asymptomatic children from the same cohort, the obstructed children had a narrower maxilla, a deeper palatal height, and a shorter lower dental arch. In addition, the prevalence of lateral crossbite was significantly higher among the obstructed children.  (+info)

Longitudinal post-eruptive mandibular tooth movements of males and females. (8/246)

Unbiased estimates of post-eruptive eruption and migration of the mandibular teeth for large representative samples are presently unavailable. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pure tooth movements of untreated children and adolescents longitudinally. Lateral cephalograms of 214 French-Canadians, followed bi-annually between 8 and 15 years of age, were traced, and the positions of the mandibular permanent central incisors and first molars were digitized. Temporal changes in tooth position were evaluated relative to naturally stable mandibular reference structures, using the mandibular reference line for orientation. The statistical analyses included t-tests to assess gender differences and Pearson product-moment correlations to evaluate associations. The results showed that the incisors proclined significantly more for males (6 degrees) than females (3 degrees). The incisor tips displayed early mesial movements that were countered by later distal movements. The incisor apex showed a consistent pattern of distal migration between 8 and 15 years. Mandibular arch length decreased over the 7-year observation period. Rates of mesial molar migration accelerated until 11 years of age and then decelerated. There was no significant change in the mandibular occlusal plane angle between 8 and 15 years of age. Incisor eruption showed the greatest rates during adolescence, attaining peaks at approximately 12 years for females and 14 years for males. The molars erupted approximately 5 mm between 8 and 15 years of age. The greatest gender differences occurred at the older ages, with males showing greater eruption potential than females. It was concluded that the mandibular teeth show significant migration and eruption during childhood and adolescence, with gender differences in the amount, direction, and timing of movement.  (+info)