Introduction: The most common method of resolving substantial tooth size-arch length discrepancies (TSALD) is extraction of premolars followed by space closure that involves distal movement of anterior teeth, mesial movement of posterior teeth, or a combination of both. The palate is an important area to describe change during premolar extractions, especially the palatal rugae due to their supposed uniqueness and overall stability The aim of this study was to measure changes in the positions of the incisors and molars, relative to the palatal rugae, and the changes in arch width relative to the mid palatine raphe. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective study of 90 treated cases, 30 cases each of three different types of malocclusion from the Department of Orthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, and Manipal University. Measurements from the dental study models were compared to the values obtained from the lateral cephalograms after digitizing with View box software. Arch width changes were also assessed. Conclusion: First premolar extraction spaces were used up approximately 50% by anterior retraction and buccal segment advancement, respectively. Retraction of teeth measured from the study models was comparable to that on the lateral cephalogram. So superimposition of progressive study models can be used to assess antero posterior tooth movements as with maxillary cephalometric superimpositions.

Aim : The aim of this study to examine the differences between cranial base measurements and different skeletal malocclusion patterns in patients with Turkish cephalometric norms, data that will be useful in diagnosis and orthodontic and jaw surgery treatment planning. Materials and Methods : Cranial base measurements were made on lateral cephalometric radiographs of 90 healthy orthodontic patients with different skeletal malocclusions (Class I: 30 subjects, Class II: 30 subjects, Class III: 30 subjects) with a normal vertical growth pattern. Cranial base flexure measurements, anterior and posterior cranial base inclinations, and linear measurements for the assessment of cranial base dimensions were analyzed. For statistical evaluation, one-way analysis of variance test was performed. Least significant differences test was used to determine the individual differences. Results : Both anterior (SN) and posterior (SBa) cranial base lengths, N-SBa cranial base flexure angle and posterior cranial base inclination angle (SBa-FH) did not show statistically significant differences between the three groups studied. Anterior cranial base inclination (SN-FH) was increased significantly in the Class II group compared to Class I and Class III groups. N-S-Ar cranial base flexure angle was also increased significantly in the Class II group compared to Class III. Conclusions : Cranial base morphology differences among skeletal malocclusions were observed for the N-S-Ar and SN-FH angles in Class II group.

Introduction: Orthodontic therapy causes significant pain for a large percentage of patients. It is one of the main reasons that discourage patients from seeking orthodontic treatment. Pain during orthodontic treatment may have a negative influence on cooperation and can also reduce the compliance. This study assessed the effectiveness of a single dose of preoperative Piroxicam in reducing the incidence and severity of pain after orthodontic separator placement when compared to ibuprofen. Materials and Methods: The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-arm study. Sixty eight patients were recruited for this study and were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental groups: 1. 20 mg of Piroxicam followed by two doses of multivitamin placebo (n = 30); 2. 400 mg of Ibuprofen in three doses (n = 20) and 3. A multivitamin placebo (n = 18). All the three groups were administered the first dose of the respective medication one hour prior to separator placement, the successive two doses were given at 3 hours and 7 hours after separator placement. The pain experienced by the patient was assessed at the time intervals 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, bedtime, on awakening the following day and 24 hours after administration using a visual analogue scale. Results: A comparison of pain perception between all three groups with the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a comparison of pain perception between the first and second group using the Student t test revealed that preemptive Piroxicam therapy significantly lower pain levels experienced at all-time intervals starting from 2 hours after separator placement till 24 hours after placement. Conclusion: A single dose of Piroxicam taken 60 minutes before separator placement reduces pain due to separator placement experienced in the first 24 hours following separator placement.

Objective: To determine the incidence of malocclusion characteristics and chief motivational factor for treatment in orthodontic patients from Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: The present study was based on the examination of dental casts of pretreatment records of 560 orthodontic patients (319 females and 241 males). The relationship of the first upper and lower molars according to the Angle's classification was examined. Crowding, spacing, crossbite, overjet, overbite were recorded. The chief complaint of the patients was recorded from their history proformas. Results: The study demonstrated that Class I malocclusion was found in 275, Class II Division 1 in 195, Class II Division 2 in 58 and Class III malocclusion in 32 subjects. Crossbite was observed in 62 (11.07%), an increased overjet in 346 (61.7%) and spacing was detected in 82 (14.6%) patients. Esthetics was found to be the ruling chief complaint of patients seeking orthodontic treatment.

Aim: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the prevalence and distribution of dental anomalies in the pre-treatment records of orthodontic patients at a rural dental OPD in Western Maharashtra, India. Materials and Methods: Retrospective examination was done of 220 panoramic radiographs, study models, and pre-orthodontic records. Dental anomalies were recorded using panoramic radiographs and study models and reported as descriptive statistics. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive analyses-using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 9.0)-were used. Results: Patients were between 8 and 14 years of age (mean 11.6 years). The patient types included: Class I: 123 (55.9%), Class II: 94 (42.7%), Class III: 17 (7.7%), and Superclass I: 6 (2.7%). Crowding and spacing were found in 162 (73.6%) and 40 (18.1%) of patients, respectively. It was found that 27.7% of patients had at least one dental anomaly: hypodontia being the most common 23 (10.4%), followed by microdontia 17 (7.7%), hyperdontia 14 (6.3%), transposition 9 (4.1%), root dilaceration 9 (4.1%), macrodontia 7 (3.2%), Talon's cusp 3 (1.4%), and fusion 2 (0.9%). Conclusions: The present study investigating the prevalence of various dental anomalies in orthodontic patients found that 27.7% of the patients showed at least one dental anomaly. No significant association between the occurrences of dental anomalies was found in the study. Prevalence and distribution of some dental anomalies in rural Indian orthodontic patients differed from other studies. Careful prior detection of dental anomalies would simplify orthodontic treatment plan and reduce complications.

An increasing number of adult patients are seeking orthodontic treatment to improve their smile or their masticatory function. One of the biggest challenges an adult orthodontic patient faces is the time spent wearing brackets because time and esthetics have become increasingly important in this time. Over the years, several surgical techniques have been developed to address this issue and reduce overall treatment time. Although very effective, these techniques have proven to be quite invasive. A new, minimally invasive surgical procedure [piezocision] is presented in this case report that combines microincisions and localized piezoelectric surgery to achieve similar results rapidly and with minimal trauma.

Four miniscrews were placed into the available inter-root area, two in the posterior and the other two in the anterior region in the maxilla as skeletal anchorage for facemask protraction in a girl 11 years and 11 months old with maxillary retrusion. No tooth support was used for the protraction of the maxilla. Applying orthopedic forces directly to the maxilla resulted in a 2 mm maxillary advancement. Undesired skeletal and dental effects of facemask therapy were eliminated with this new technique. Skeletodental changes in response to the miniscrew-anchored facemask treatment are reported in the present case.