Qamruddin I, et al. Korean J Orthod. 2018 Mar;48(2):90-97. https://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2018.48.2.90

Background: The analysis of skeletal relationships of jaws in the sagittal plane is of utmost importance in orthodontic diagnosis for which numerous lateral cephalometric analyses have emerged. None of the analyses is without flaws. Current study compares ANB, Wits appraisal, Beta angle, Yen angle and W angle for their validity and reliability in diagnosis of skeletal classes. Methods: Pretreatment cephalograph of 209 orthodontic patients comprised of 92 males and 117 females were selected from orthodontic archives. Radiographs were traced for ANB, Wits appraisal, Beta angle, W angle and Yen angle measurements. Patients were divided into three skeletal classes i.e. class I, II and III based on measurements and incisor classification and profile recorded from their files. ANOVA was applied to check the validity of performed analyses and Cramer’s correlation was performed to find out the correlation between analyses and skeletal classes. Results: All performed analyses showed statistically significant difference in the values for all three skeletal classes p < .05. All measured analyses were found equally reliable in diagnosis of skeletal discrepancies. Conclusion: All five-skeletal cephalometric sagittal analyses are reliable and can be used in orthodontic diagnosis as alternative to each other.

Objective. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a noninvasive modality to stimulate bone remodeling (BR) and the healing of hard and soft tissues. This research evaluates the biostimulatory effect of LIPUS on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and associated pain, when applied at 3-week intervals. Methods. Twenty-two patients (11 males and 11 females; mean age 19.18 ± 2.00 years) having Angle’s Class II division 1 malocclusion needing bilateral extractions of maxillary first bicuspids were recruited for this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. After the initial stage of alignment and leveling with contemporary edgewise MBT (McLaughlin–Bennett–Trevisi) prescription brackets (Ortho Organizers, Carlsbad, Calif) of 22 mil, followed by extractions of premolars bilaterally, 6 mm nickel-titanium spring was used to retract the canines separately by applying 150 g force on 0.019 × 0.025-in stainless steel working archwires. LIPUS (1.1 MHz frequency and 30 mW/cm² intensity output) was applied for 20 minutes extraorally and reapplied after 3 weeks for 2 more successive visits over the root of maxillary canine on the experimental side whereas the other side was placebo. A numerical rating scale- (NRS-) based questionnaire was given to the patients on each visit to record their weekly pain experience. Impressions were also made at each visit before the application of LIPUS (T1, T2, and T3). Models were scanned with a CAD/CAM scanner (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland). Mann–Whitney U test was applied for comparison of canine movement and pain intensity between both the groups. Results. No significant difference in the rate of canine movement was found among the experimental (0.90 mm ± 0.33 mm) and placebo groups (0.81 mm ± 0.32 mm). There was no difference in pain reduction between experimental and placebo groups ( ). Conclusion. Single-dose application of LIPUS at 3-week intervals is ineffective in stimulating the OTM and reducing associated treatment pain.

Objective. To assess the effect of low-level laser applied at 3 weeks intervals on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and pain using conventional brackets (CB). Materials and Methods. Twenty patients with Angle’s class II div 1 (10 males and 10 females; aged 20.25 ± 3.88 years) needing bilateral extractions of maxillary first bicuspids were recruited. Conventional brackets MBT of 0.022 in slot (McLaughlin Bennett Trevisi) prescription braces (Ortho Organizers, Carlsbad, Calif) were bonded. After alignment and levelling phase, cuspid retraction began with nitinol closed coil spring on 19 × 25 stainless steel archwire, wielding 150 gram force. 7.5 J/cm² energy was applied on 10 points (5 buccal and 5 palatal) on the canine roots on the investigational side using gallium-aluminum-arsenic diode laser (940 nm wavelength, iLase™ Biolase, Irvine, USA) in a continuous mode. Target tissues were irradiated once in three weeks for 9 weeks at a stretch (T0, T1, and T2). Patients were given a feedback form based on the numeric rating scale (NRS) to record the pain intensity for a week. Silicon impressions preceded the coil activation at each visit (T0, T1, T2, and T3), and the casts obtained were scanned with the Planmeca CAD/CAM™ (Helsinki, Finland) scanner. Results. The regimen effectively accelerated (1.55 ± 0.25 mm) tooth movement with a significant reduction in distress on the investigational side as compared to the placebo side (94 ± 0.25 mm) ( ). Conclusions. This study reveals that the thrice-weekly LLLT application can accelerate OTM and reduce the associated pain.