Radiation dosimetry analyses of radiographic imaging systems used for orthodontic treatment: comparison among child, adolescent, and adult patients

Effects of alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions procedures on root development compared to rapid maxillary expansion during orthodontic face mask treatment

BACKGROUND

To compare the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions (Alt-RAMEC) protocols on tooth root development in patients with Class III skeletal malocclusion treated with a face mask (FM).

METHODS

This retrospective clinical study included 40 patients with Class III skeletal malocclusions treated with Petit-type FMs. The first group comprised 20 patients (6 females and 14 males) treated with the RME protocol and a FM (RME/FM). The second group comprised 20 patients (9 females and 11 males) treated with the Alt-RAMEC protocol and a FM (Alt-RAMEC/FM). The root lengths of maxillary and mandibular canines, premolars, and first molars were measured using dental panoramic radiographs before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The RME/FM group showed significant length increases in the upper right second premolars and all mandibular premolars. The Alt-RAMEC/FM group showed significant length increases in the mandibular and maxillary premolars. Intergroup comparisons showed that the lengths of the maxillary second premolars and right first premolars were significantly shorter in the RME/FM group than in the Alt-RAMEC/FM group.

CONCLUSION

In both protocols, no significant negative effects depend on the expansion procedures applied to the maxilla on root development was observed. Although the amount of root development of some teeth differed between the groups, it can be said that the effects of RME and Alt-RAMEC protocols on root development were clinically similar when the patients' ages and individual differences are taken into consideration.

CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER

Not applicable.

Evaluation of associations between condylar morphology, ramus height, and mandibular plane angle in various vertical skeletal patterns: a digital radiographic study

Background

To evaluate condylar morphology, ramus height, and asymmetry indexes in patients with different vertical skeletal patterns and to determine the association between condylar and ramal measurements with the mandibular plane angle.

Methods

Dental panoramic radiographs of 60 patients with different skeletal patterns were evaluated. According to the cranial base (Sella-Nasion)-mandibular plane (SN-MP) angle, the patients were divided into three groups: normal angle (NA), low angle (LA), and high angle (HA). The condylar area, condylar perimeter, condylar heights, and ramus height were measured, and the asymmetry index value of each measurement was calculated. A one-way analysis of variance as well as a post hoc Tukey and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to determine intergroup differences. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between all measurements and SN-MP.

Results

The intergroup comparison of condylar area, condylar perimeter, condylar heights, and ramus height measurements showed that the patients in the LA group have statistically significantly greater values compared to those in the HA group. A statistically significant difference was detected between the NA and LA groups only in the condylar area measurements. There was no statistical difference only in the ramus height measurements between the NA and HA groups. Asymmetry index values of the groups were similar. The negative correlations were found between all measurements and the SN-MP angle.

Conclusion

HA individuals have lower ramus heights and smaller condylar morphologies than NA and LA individuals. In addition, as the SN-MP angle increases, the condyle dimensions and ramus height decrease, and this is a clinically important finding.