In vitro comparison of the retention capacity of new aesthetic brackets. (1/345)

Tensile bond strength and bond failure location were evaluated in vitro for two types of aesthetic brackets (non-silanated ceramic, polycarbonate) and one stainless steel bracket, using bovine teeth as the substrate and diacrylate resin as the adhesive. The results show that metallic bracket had the highest bond strength (13.21 N) followed by the new plastic bracket (12.01 N), which does not require the use of a primer. The non-silanated ceramic bracket produced the lowest bond strength (8.88 N). Bond failures occurred mainly between bracket and cement, although a small percentage occurred between the enamel-cement interface with the metal and plastic brackets and within the cement for the plastic bracket. With the ceramic bracket all the failures occurred at the bracket-cement interface. This suggests that the problems of enamel lesions produced by this type of bracket may have been eliminated. The results also show that the enamel/adhesive bond is stronger than the adhesive/bracket bond in this in vitro study.  (+info)

The functional shift of the mandible in unilateral posterior crossbite and the adaptation of the temporomandibular joints: a pilot study. (2/345)

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. (3/345)

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)

Influence of archwire and bracket dimensions on sliding mechanics: derivations and determinations of the critical contact angles for binding. (4/345)

There is every indication that classical friction controls sliding mechanics below some critical contact angle, theta c. Once that angle is exceeded, however, binding and notching phenomena increasingly restrict sliding mechanics. Using geometric archwire and bracket parameters, the theta c is calculated as the boundary between classical frictional behaviour and binding-related phenomena. What these equations predict is independent of practitioner or technique. From these derivations two dimensionless numbers are also identified as the bracket and the engagement index. The first shows how the width of a bracket compares to its Slot; the second indicates how completely the wire fills the Slot. When nominal wire and bracket dimensions are calculated for both standard Slots, the maximum theta c theoretically equals 3.7 degrees. Thus, knowledge of the archwire or bracket alone is insufficient; knowledge of the archwire-bracket combination is necessary for theta c to be calculated. Once calculated, sliding mechanics should be initiated only after the contact angle, theta, approaches the characteristic value of theta c for the particular archwire-bracket combination of choice--that is, when theta approximately theta c.  (+info)

A modification to enable controlled progressive advancement of the Twin Block appliance. (5/345)

A modification of the Twin block appliance has been developed to facilitate controlled gradual advancement of the mandibular position during the treatment of Class II division I malocclusions. This features the incorporation of stainless steel screws with conical heads into the blocks of the upper appliance to provide the inclined plane effect. Advancement is by the addition of polyacetal spacers between the screw heads and the upper blocks. The system is designed to improve the clinical flexibility of the appliance and to enhance patient acceptance in cases where mandibular protrusion is limited initially. Another possible application is gradual reactivation for Class III correction. Other advantages are reduced laboratory and clinical time during reactivation of the appliance, and perhaps a more physiological response to the growth modification process. The design and construction of the advancement system is illustrated, and its clinical use discussed.  (+info)

Rare earth magnets in orthodontics: an overview. (6/345)

Magnets have been used in dentistry for many years. They can be made to push or pull teeth. The force they deliver can be directed, and they can exert their force through mucosa and bone, as well as within the mouth. In orthodontics they are used for intrusion of teeth, tooth movement along archwires, expansion, retention, in functional appliances, and in the treatment of impacted teeth. New 'high energy' magnets are capable of producing very high forces relative to their size. Although magnets are potentially very useful there are a number of problems that severely affect their performance; the force produced between any two magnets falls dramatically with distance, significant irreversible loss in force is seen if the magnets are heated and a dramatic reduction in force is seen if the magnets are not ideally aligned to one another. In addition, magnets corrode badly in the mouth and a robust coating is required to protect them. This paper outlines the background to high energy magnets used in orthodontics, discusses the relevant physical and biological properties of them, and reviews their applications.  (+info)

Bone response to orthodontic loading of endosseous implants in the rabbit calvaria: early continuous distalizing forces. (7/345)

The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of early orthodontic loading on the stability and bone-implant interface of titanium implants in a rabbit model. Twenty-four short threaded titanium fixtures were inserted in the calvarial mid-sagittal suture of 10 rabbits. Two weeks following insertion, 20 implants (test group) were subjected to continuous distalization forces of 150 g for a period of 8 weeks. The remaining four implants (control group) were left unloaded for the same follow-up interval. Clinically, all implants except for one test fixture were stable, and exhibited no mobility or displacement throughout the experimental loading period. Histologically, all stable implants were well-integrated into bone. No differences could be found between the pressure and tension surfaces of the test implants relative to bone quality and density within a range of 1000 microns from the fixture surface. Similarly, qualitative differences were not observed between the apical and coronal portions of test fixtures. Morphometrically, a mean percentage bone-to-implant contact of 76.00 +/- 18.73 per cent was found at the test pressure sides, 75.00 +/- 11.54 per cent at the test tension sides, and 68.00 +/- 15.55 per cent at the control unloaded surfaces. No statistically significant differences in the percentage of bone-to-metal contact length fraction were found between test pressure surfaces, test tension surfaces, and unloaded control surfaces. Marginal bone resorption around the implant collar or immediately beneath it was found in roughly the same percentage of analysed sites in the test and control fixtures. In contrast, slight bone apposition was demonstrated at the implant collar of the test pressure surfaces, while no apposition or resorption were observed in the test tension zones. This study suggests that short endosseous implants can be used as anchoring units for orthodontic tooth movement early in the post-insertion healing period.  (+info)

Elastic activator for treatment of open bite. (8/345)

This article presents a modified activator for treatment of open bite cases. The intermaxillary acrylic of the lateral occlusal zones is replaced by elastic rubber tubes. By stimulating orthopaedic gymnastics (chewing gum effect), the elastic activator intrudes upper and lower posterior teeth. A noticeable counterclockwise rotation of the mandible was accomplished by a decrease of the gonial angle. Besides the simple fabrication of the device and uncomplicated replacement of the elastic rubber tubes, treatment can be started even in mixed dentition when affixing plates may be difficult.  (+info)