O tratamento compensatório da Classe II e mordida aberta esquelética com bráquetes autoligados – relato de caso

Class II malocclusion can be dental, skeletal or a combination of both and is present in approximately 60% of patients seeking corrective orthodontic treatment. Facial Pattern II patient often needs dental decompensation associated with orthognathic surgery to correct the bone bases. With the increasing use of the self-ligating system in Orthodontics, the number of patients who were indicated for extraction as part of their treatment has decreased considerably. Compensatory treatment aims to minimize skeletal deformities with dento-alveolar movements. This paper reports through a clinical case, the efficiency of the self-ligating system in Pattern II patient without extractions with expansionist therapeutic goals in association with the use of Class II elastics. Due to the patient’s rejection of orthognathic surgery, the compensatory treatment resulted in the camouflage of the skeletal discrepancies through the self-ligating system. Despite the surgical indication, the compensatory treatment presented significant dental movements, resulting in treatment success with considerable facial improvement.

Treatment of Class III Malocclusion: Atypical Extraction Protocol

The treatment of Angle Class III malocclusion is rather challenging, because the patient’s growth pattern determines the success of long-term treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are still highly discussed issues in orthodontic literature. This type of early intervention has been indicated more frequently in order to eliminate primary etiological factors and prevent an already present malocclusion from becoming severe. However, when a patient is diagnosed in adulthood, manipulation of the bone bases becomes extremely limited, as there is no longer any potential for growth. Treatments are restricted to dental compensations when possible or orthognathic surgery. However, owing to the high cost and inherent risk of the surgical procedure, this treatment option is often denied by the patient; in such a case, the orthodontist has little choice but to perform, where possible, compensatory treatments to restore a functional occlusion and improve facial esthetics. This article reports a case of Class III malocclusion in a patient who opted for compensatory treatment with lower molar extraction that allowed for correction of the midline and the overjet. Good facial esthetics and functional normal occlusion were achieved at the end of the treatment.

From conventional to self-ligating bracket systems: Is it possible to aggregate the experience with the former to the use of the latter?

INTRODUCTION: Orthodontics, just as any other science, has undergone advances in technology that aim at improving treatment efficacy with a view to reducing treatment time, providing patients with comfort, and achieving the expected, yet hardly attained long-term stability. The current advances in orthodontic technology seem to represent a period of transition between conventional brackets (with elastic ligatures) and self-ligating brackets systems. Scientific evidence does not always confirm the clear clinical advantages of the self-ligating system, particularly with regard to reduced time required for alignment and leveling (a relatively simple protocol), greater comfort for patients, and higher chances of performing treatment without extractions - even though the number of extractions is more closely related to patient's facial morphological pattern, regardless of the technique of choice. Orthodontics has recently and brilliantly used bracket individualization in compensatory treatment with a view to improving treatment efficacy with lower biological costs and reduced treatment time. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims at presenting a well-defined protocol employed to produce a better treatment performance during this period of technological transition. It explores the advantages of each system, particularly with regards to reduced treatment time and increased compensatory tooth movement in adult patients. It particularly addresses compensable Class III malocclusions, comparing the system of self-ligating brackets, with which greater expansive and protrusive tooth movement (maxillary arch) is expected, with conventional brackets Capelozza Prescription III, with which maintaining the original form of the arch (mandibular arch) with as little changes as possible is key to yield the desired results.

Vertical control in the Class III compensatory treatment

INTRODUCTION: Compensatory orthodontic treatment, or simply orthodontic camouflage, consists in an important alternative to orthognathic surgery in the resolution of skeletal discrepancies in adult patients. It is important to point that, to be successfully performed, diagnosis must be detailed, to evaluate, specifically, dental and facial features, as well as the limitations imposed by the magnitude of the discrepancy. The main complaint, patient's treatment expectation, periodontal limits, facial pattern and vertical control are some of the items to be explored in the determination of the viability of a compensatory treatment. Hyperdivergent patients who carry a Class III skeletal discrepancy, associated with a vertical facial pattern, with the presence or tendency to anterior open bite, deserve special attention. In these cases, an efficient strategy of vertical control must be planned and executed. OBJECTIVE: The present article aims at illustrating the evolution of efficient alternatives of vertical control in hiperdivergent patients, from the use, in the recent past, of extra-oral appliances on the lower dental arch (J-hook), until nowadays, with the advent of skeletal anchorage. But for patients with a more balanced facial pattern, the conventional mechanics with Class III intermaxillary elastics, associated to an accentuated curve of Spee in the upper arch and a reverse Curve of Spee in the lower arch, and vertical elastics in the anterior region, continues to be an excellent alternative, if there is extreme collaboration in using the elastics.

Bracket/wire play: what to expect from tipping prescription on pre-adjusted appliances

INTRODUCTION: The opinion on the 'straight-wire' concept has been evolving since its origin, characterized by faithful followers or absolute skepticism. Currently, it seems reasonable to state that most professionals have a more realistic and critical viewpoint, with an attitude that reveals Orthodontics' maturity and greater knowledge on the technique. The most relevant criticisms refer to the impossibility of the both the Straight-Wire and the Standard systems to completely express the characteristics related to the brackets due to mechanical deficiencies, such as bracket/wire play. OBJECTIVES: A critical analysis of this relationship, which is unclear due to lack of studies, was the scope of this paper. METHODS: The compensatory treatment of two patients, using Capelozza's individualized brackets, works as the scenery for cephalometric evaluation of changes in incisor inclination produced by different dimensions of leveling archwires. RESULTS: The evaluation of these cases showed that, while the introduction of a 0.019 x 0.025-in stainless steel archwire in a 0.022 x 0.030-in slot did not produce significant changes in incisor inclination, the 0.021 x 0.025-in archwire was capable of changing it, mainly in mandibular incisors, and in the opposite direction to the compensation. CONCLUSION: Considering compensatory treatments, even when using an individualized prescription according to the malocclusion, the bracket/wire play seems to be a positive factor for malocclusion correction, without undesirable movements. Therefore, it seems reasonable to admit that, until a bracket system can have absolute individualization, the use of rectangular wires that still have a certain play with the bracket slot is advisable.

Dysphagia After Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Etiology, Clinical Presentation, and Efficacy of Current Treatments

After radiation therapy (RT) or chemoradiation (CRT) therapy for head and neck cancer, some patients develop significant swallowing problems. This complication is thought to be a result of radiation induced damage and chronic alteration of tissues whereby the body reacts to the radiation by producing fibrosis. In some persons, this healing process seems to go awry, thus causing excess fibrosis and dysphagia. The major problem faced by patients with dysphagia is stiffness of tissue and underlying muscle weakness, causing reduced bolus clearance; hence, food is much more problematic than liquids. In fact, aspiration is rare unless the dysphagia is severe. While compensatory treatment for dysphagia post C/RT is helpful, it is not rehabilitative. More permanent rehabilitative approaches use exercise regiments along with stretching. Massage, lymphedema therapy and electrical stimulation are sensory based or externally based treatments that also are employed, but less frequently. Unfortunately, the efficacy of most treatment approaches is limited, and randomized clinical trials urgently are needed to guide clinicians who work with this population.