Orthodontics, as well as other branches of science, completely adores arithmetic mean. We can routinely go on stating that orthodontic treatment lasts for 24 months by using mean to speak the truth. However, in some cases, this parameter should not be assessed in isolation or not even employed at all. The mean is a measure of central tendency near of which most data are gathered. Nevertheless, using it to state what happens with most patients requires compliance with a few requirements....

Many options are available on the market of esthetic orthodontic appliances, among which lingual appliances, aligners and ceramic brackets are highlighted. The latter are the most popular due to following the same principle of buccally positioned metallic brackets; however, patients wearing them are frustrated when they find out the orthodontic wire inserted into the slot is a metallic one. With a view to solving such an issue, the industry of orthodontic material developed esthetic...

Cases in which teeth have only the cervical third remaining from orthodontically induced external root resorption, cast the following doubts: 1) What care should be taken to keep these teeth in mouth with the least risk possible? 2) What care should be taken with regards to reading of imaging exams, particularly in terms of accurately determining cervical root and bone loss? 3) Why is not endodontic treatment recommended in these cases? The present study aims at shedding light on the...

Clinical decision-making is complex and based upon accurate evaluation of clinical findings using diagnostic tests and reference standard data. Given that many aspects of dental examination are not direct measures, but rely on indirect measures, it is important for clinicians to understand the basic principles and terms used to assess the accuracy of diagnostic tests and to appropriately evaluate published literature regarding these tests. Luckily, there is a variety of readily available...

I met Arno Locks in the 80s when he was my undergraduate professor. However, he will always be my professor; not only in Orthodontics, but also in ethics and fi ght for the causes of Dentistry. He loves what he does. And those who love, also care, listen and get involved. As undergraduate students, we were aware that a forward-thinking professional who devoted special attention to his students was right in front of us. As his colleague, I fondly remember when he invited me to join the...

Introduction: This in vivo study assessed accuracy and reliability of tooth length measurements obtained from conventional panoramic radiographs and CBCT panoramic reconstructions to that of a digital caliper (gold standard). Methods: The sample consisted of subjects who had CBCT and conventional panoramic radiographic imaging and who required maxillary premolar extraction for routine orthodontic treatment. A total of 48 teeth extracted from 26 subjects were measured directly with digital...

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the standards of facial height in 30 young (14-year-old) Japanese- Brazilian descendants with normal occlusion, and assess whether sexual dimorphism is evident. Methods: The cephalometric measurements used followed the analyses by Wylie-Johnson, Siriwat-Jarabak, Gebeck, Merrifield and Horn. Results: Results showed dimorphism for total anterior facial height (TAFH), lower anterior facial height (LAFH), anterior facial height (AFH), total...

Objective: To assess the occurrence of bruxism in deciduous dentition and a potential association between the habit and the presence or absence of posterior crossbite. Methods: A total of 940 patient files were assessed. They were gathered from the archives of University of São Paulo City - UNICID; however, 67 patient files were dismissed for not meeting the inclusion criteria. Therefore, 873 children, males and females, comprised the study sample. They were aged between 2-6 years old and...

Objective: By means of a photoelastic model, this study analyzed the stress caused on conventional and self-ligating brackets with expanded arch wires. Method: Standard brackets were adhered to artificial teeth and a photoelastic model was prepared using the Interlandi 19/12 diagram as base. Successive activations were made with 0.014-in and 0.018-in rounded cross section Nickel-Titanium wires (NiTi) and 0.019 x 0.025-in rectangular stainless steel wires all of which made on 22/14 Interlandi...

The aim of this study was to assess by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans the transverse effects on the nasomaxillary complex in patients submitted to rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using Haas expander in comparison to untreated individuals. This prospective controlled clinical study assessed 30 subjects (18 boys and 12 girls) with mixed dentition and during pubertal growth. The treated group was submitted to RME with Haas expander, retention for six months and a six-month...

Introduction: This study aims to develop a method to assess the changes in palatal and lingual cross-sectional areas in patients submitted to rapid maxillary expansion (RME). Methods: The sample comprised 31 Class I malocclusion individuals submitted to RME and divided into two groups treated with Haas (17 patients) and Hyrax (14 patients) expanders. Cone-beam computed tomography scans were acquired at T0 (before expansion ) and T1 (six months after screw stabilization). Maxillary and...

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between initial alveolar bone density of upper central incisors (ABD-UI) and external apical root resorption (EARR) after 12 months of orthodontic movement in cases without extraction. Methods: A total of 47 orthodontic patients 11 years old or older were submitted to periapical radiography of upper incisors prior to treatment (T1) and after 12 months of treatment (T2). ABD-UI and EARR were measured by means of...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the prevalence of anterior open bite among five-year-old Brazilian children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken using data from the National Survey of Oral Health (SB Brazil 2010). The outcome variable was anterior open bite classified as present or absent. The independent variables were classified by individual, sociodemographic and clinical factors. Data were analyzed through bivariate and multivariate...

Objective: To assess the level of knowledge of primary school teachers in the public school network of Northeastern Brazil with respect to management of dental trauma and its relationship with prognosis. Methods: A questionnaire was applied to 195 school teachers of public schools in Northeastern Brazil. The questionnaire comprised 12 objective questions about dental trauma and methods for its prevention and management. Data were submitted to chi-square test and Poisson regression test (P...

Introduction: This study aims to determine the shape and dimension of dental arches from a lingual perspective, and determine shape and size of a straight archwire used for lingual Orthodontics. Methods: The study sample comprised 70 Caucasian Brazilian individuals with normal occlusion and at least four of Andrew’s six keys. Maxillary and mandibular dental casts were digitized (3D) and the images were analyzed by Delcam Power SHAPET 2010 software. Landmarks on the lingual surface of teeth...

Early Class III malocclusion treatment may not have long-term stability due to mandibular growth. Although some features of this malocclusion point to a better prognosis, it is practically impossible for the orthodontist to foresee cases that require new intervention. Many patients need retreatment, whether compensatory or orthodontic-surgical. The present study reports the case of a Class III patient treated at the end of the mixed dentition with the use of a face mask followed by conventional...

This article aims to discuss current evidence and recommendations for cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in Orthodontics. In comparison to conventional radiograph, CBCT has higher radiation doses and, for this reason, is not a standard method of diagnosis in Orthodontics. Routine use of CBCT in substitution to conventional radiograph is considered an unaccepted practice. CBCT should be indicated with criteria only after clinical examination has been performed and when the benefits for...