Melina Koukou

Dr. Melina Koukou

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 January 2022 in Case Reports in Dentistry
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Journal Article
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MKMelina Koukou
Melina Koukou
GDGeorge Damanakis
George Damanakis
Apostolos TsolakisApostolos Tsolakis
Apostolos Tsolakis
The treatment of Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrognathia is one of the most common challenges met in orthodontic practice. When it comes to a growing patient, functional appliances are the optimal way to achieve growth modification by enhancing mandibular growth. Clear aligners have been part of the orthodontic treatment for several decades but until recently they were only used to correct mild malocclusions. In 2017, Align Technology introduced the Invisalign with Mandibular Advancement Feature (IMAF) which replicates the action of functional appliances. As this device is new to clinical practice, there is limited literature on its clinical efficiency. This case report describes the orthodontic management of a 12‐year‐old male patient having skeletal Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrognathia. As the patient was experiencing active growth, the IMAF appliance was chosen for his treatment. The IMAF appliance appears to be successful in the treatment of Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrognathism in a growing patient. As with all functional appliances, the correction of the malocclusion is a result of both skeletal and dental effects and the IMAF presents the advantage of producing less proclination of the lower incisors compared to other functional appliances.

16 October 2023 in Journal of Advanced Oral Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MKMelina Koukou
Melina Koukou
LJLuay Jabr
Luay Jabr
Fawad JavedFawad Javed
Fawad Javed
Dimitrios MichelogiannakisDimitrios Michelogiannakis
Dimitrios Michelogiannakis
Aim: Patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) often present with macroglossia and aberrant dentoskeletal features, which may increase the prevalence of malocclusion and complicate conventional orthodontic management (OM). The aim was to comprehensively review the available literature regarding the OM of patients with BWS. Materials and Methods: Indexed databases were searched until February 2023. Clinical studies that addressed the dentoskeletal manifestations and OM of patients with BWS were included. A literature search was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Results: Notably, 8 out of 2,664 initially-identified studies were included. Six of the studies were case reports/case series and two were retrospective clinical studies. A total of 35 patients with BWS who received orthodontic treatment (OT) were included. Common dentoskeletal and soft tissue traits included the presence of macroglossia, obtuse gonial angle, and anterior open bite. Some form of maxillary transverse discrepancy was found in nine patients. The OT modalities that were utilized included extraoral appliances, functional appliances, removable appliances, interarch elastics, and fixed appliances. The outcome of the OT was reported as successful in five studies. The follow-up, as reported by three studies, ranged from 8 months to 6 years, and the results of the OT were maintained. Adjunct interdisciplinary therapeutic procedures included glossectomy, oral physiotherapy, and orthognathic surgery. Conclusion: Based upon limited available evidence, OT in conjunction with tongue reduction surgery and/or myofunctional therapy can be successfully performed in children with BWS to manage various dentoskeletal discrepancies.