For the past 6 years, I have been editor-in-chief of this journal, and this will be my last text in this position. Editorials are free texts, and after 33 of them focused on discussing scientific methodologies, explaining the need for changes1-3 and promoting the growth of this journal4 and of Brazilian Orthodontics, 5 I ask our readers to let me write a personal text. Gratitude is a reliable and precious asset. [...]

I got acquainted to Dr. Mario Polo a couple of years ago through Dr. Mucha, who forwarded me an e-mail of Dr. Polo in which he demonstrated interest in sharing his knowledge on Botox treatment for gummy smiles in São Paulo, on a trip where he was accompanying his son. I thought that was an invaluable opportunity and arranged together with the Brazilian Association of Orthodontics in São Paulo an adequate lecture opportunity for him, which unfortunately I could not attend to, but was extremely...

Rapid maxillary expansion improves hearing in patients with hearing loss. Miniscrew anchored Forsus does not have increased skeletal effect nor prevent lower incisores projection. Surgically-assisted maxillary dislocation promotes clockwise rotation and lateral displacement of the mandible. Cuts in the incisal of aligners change all their biomechanics. Oral rinses reduce the corrosion resistance of alloys containing titanium.

The relationship between maxillary lateral incisor anodontia and the palatal displacement of unerupted maxillary canines cannot be considered as a multiple tooth abnormality with defined genetic etiology in order to be regarded as a “syndrome”. Neither were the involved genes identified and located in the human genome, nor was it presumed on which chromosome the responsible gene would be located. The palatal maxillary canine displacement in cases of partial anodontia of the maxillary...

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare upper airway widths among skeletal Class I malocclusion subjects with different vertical facial patterns. Methods: The sample included a total of 99 lateral cephalograms of post pubertal individuals (18.19 ± 1.76 years old). The vertical facial pattern was determined by the Vert index. The McNamara method was used to quantify upper airway widths. ANOVA test and Student’s t test for independent groups were used, when normal distribution was not...

Objective: To assess, during rapid maxillary expansion, the plaque index (PI) and the gingival index (GI) of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate(UCLP) using Hyrax (HX) or inverted mini-Hyrax (IMHX) rapid maxillary expanders (RME) considering patients’ sex and age. Methods: PI (Quigley Index modified by Turesky et al) and GI (Löe and Silness) of 28 UCLP (11 females; 17 males: aged 8 to 15 years) submitted to daily RME activation were assessed before (T0) and 7 (T1), 28 (T2) and 90...

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of compensatory orthodontic treatment of patients with mild Class III malocclusion with two preadjusted bracket systems. Method: Fifty-six matched patients consecutively treated for mild Class III malocclusion through compensatory dentoalveolar movements were retrospectively evaluated after analysis of orthodontic records. The sample was divided into two groups according to the brackets used: Group 1 = non-Class III compensated...

Objective: The purposes of this investigation were to determine the horizontal distances between the mandibular posterior teeth and the WALA ridge in a sample of Peruvians with normal occlusion and to compare them by tooth type, sex, arch side, and age groups. Methods: 65 dental casts of subjects with normal occlusion were collected. Posterior teeth, except for third molars, were evaluated. The horizontal distances between the occluso-gingival midpoints of the buccal surfaces (FA points) of...

Objective: Evaluate changes in the force system of T-Loop Springs (TLS) preactivated by curvature, due to stress relaxation. Methods: Ninety TLSs measuring 6 x 10 mm, produced out with 0.017 x 0.025-in TMA® wire and preactived by gradual curvature, were randomly distributed into nine groups according to time point of evaluation. Group 1 was tested immediately after spring preactivation and stress relief, by trial activation. The other eight groups were tested after 24, 48 and 72 hours, 1, 2,...

Introduction: Plaster dental casts are routinely used during clinical practice to access maxillary dental arch form and assist on fabrication of individualized orthodontic archwires. Recently introduced, digital model technology may offer a limitation for the obtainment of a dental physical record. In this context, a tool for dental arch form assessment for chairside use is necessary when employing digital models. In this regard, paper print of the dental arch seems thus to be useful. Methods:...

This case report describes the treatment of a severe anterior and lateral open bite combined with multiple congenitally missing teeth. A 10-year-old girl presented with an open gonial angle, absence of lip sealing, and soft tissue pogonion retrusion. She had an open bite of 8.5 mm, agenesis of the upper right and left lateral incisors and the upper left first premolar, and transverse maxillary deficiency. Nonsurgical treatment was planned aiming at controlling the vertical pattern, establishing...

Skeletal Class III malocclusions are ideally treated with orthodontic-surgical approaches. However, if there are no significant soft tissue implications and the patient does not want to undergo orthognatic surgery, other treatment options may be considered. The current case report describes a compensatory alternative for Class III malocclusion treatment, by means of mandibular canine extractions. This treatment alternative provided facial profile and occlusal improvement, which remains stable...

Introduction: In dental practice, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) are mainly used for dental surgery and biostimulation therapy. Within the Orthodontic specialty, while LLLT has been widely used to treat pain associated with orthodontic movement, accelerate bone regeneration after rapid maxillary expansion, and enhance orthodontic tooth movement, HILT, in turn, has been seen as an alternative for addressing soft tissue complications associated to...