The measuring technique studied is superior to the usual methods, particularly with regard to force analysis per tooth. The level of accuracy is acceptable and no interference arising from change of foil or repeated measuring was detected. The method presented in this study therefore enhances routine diagnostics with marking foils. A combination of this method with marking foils would be ideal because the pressure-sensitive foils in this system do not produce any contact markings intraorally. This combination enables the contacts depicted on the computer to be assigned intraorally with even greater precision.

Five recommendations are proposed for the orofacial examination of patients with JIA to improve the clinical practice and aid standardized data collection for future studies. The task force has formulated a future research program based on the proposed recommendations.

Despite a relatively high specificity, clinical examination alone does not seem sufficiently sensitive to adequately detect TMJ arthritis. Thus, a relatively high number of cases will be missed or overdiagnosed, potentially leading to undertreatment or overtreatment. Gd-MRI may support correct diagnosis, thereby helping to prevent undertreatment or overtreatment.

A novel TMJ MRI scoring system was developed by consensus. Further iterative refinements and reliability testing are warranted in upcoming studies.

No abstract

Background: Advanced digital workflows in orthodontics and dentistry often require a combination of different software solutions to create patient appliances, which may be a complex and time-consuming process. The main objective of this technical note is to discuss treatment of craniofacial anomalies using digital technologies. We present a fully digital, linear workflow for manufacturing palatal plates for infants with craniofacial anomalies based on intraoral scanning. Switching to intraoral scanning in infant care is advantageous as taking conventional impressions carries the risk of impression material aspiration and/or infections caused by material remaining in the oronasal cavity. Material and methods: The fully digital linear workflow presented in this technical note can be used to design and manufacture palatal plates for cleft palate patients as well as infants with functional disorders. We describe the workflow implemented in an infant with trisomy 21. The maxilla was registered using a digital scanner and a stimulation plate was created using dental CAD software and an individual impression tray module on a virtual model. Plates were manufactured using both additive and subtractive methods. Methacrylate based light curing resin and Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone were the materials used. Results: The palatal area was successfully scanned to create a virtual model. The plates fitted well onto the palatal area. Manual post-processing was necessary to optimize a functional ridge along the vestibular fold and remove support structures from the additively manufactured plate as well as the milled plate produced from a blank. The additively manufactured plate fitted better than the milled one. Conclusion: Implementing a fully digital linear workflow into clinical routine for treatment of neonates and infants with craniofacial disorders is feasible. The software solution presented here is suitable for this purpose and does not require additional software for the design. This is the key advantage of this workflow, which makes digital treatment accessible to all clinicians who want to deal with digital technology. Whether additive or subtractive manufacturing is preferred depends on the appliance material of choice and influences the fit of the appliance.

Objective: To investigate the upper airways for anteroposterior width against different growth patterns and for alterations during various Class II treatments. Materials and Methods: Cephalograms from three treatment groups (headgear, activator, and bite-jumping appliance) were evaluated by a single investigator at baseline and at the end of orthodontic treatment. Cephalograms were used to determine upper airway width at different levels in the anteroposterior plane. Patients in the headgear group were additionally divided into six subsets on the basis of y-axis values to assess the influence of different growth patterns. Results: Small increases in pharyngeal width were noted at all vertical level segments, both at baseline and during orthodontic treatments. No significant differences in these small increases were noted across various treatment modalities and growth patterns. Conclusion: Upper airway changes did not significantly vary with the different treatment modalities investigated in the present study. Nevertheless, reductions in pharyngeal width potentially triggering or exacerbating obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are always possible in the headgear phase. (Angle Orthod. 2011;81:440-446.)

Our data contradict the theory of a simultaneous or even increase in occlusion as the norm. Our detailed analysis of occlusion over time demonstrates that it is the central incisors that usually tend to come into initial contact, perhaps as the result of a guiding function. Over time, the force distribution shifts to the posterior.