No abstract

Introduction: Considering the large number of fixed functional appliances, choosing the best device for your patient is not an easy task. Objective: To describe the development of fixed functional appliances as well as our 20-year experience working with them. Methods: Fixed functional appliances are grouped into flexible, rigid and hybrid. They are different appliances, whose action is described here. Four clinical cases will be reported with a view to illustrating the different appliances. Conclusions: Rigid fixed functional appliances provide better skeletal results than flexible and hybrid ones. Flexible and hybrid appliances have similar effects to those produced by Class II elastics. They ultimately correct Class II with dentoalveolar changes. From a biomechanical standpoint, fixed functional appliances are more recommended to treat Class II in dolichofacial patients, in comparison to Class II elastics.

Ankylosed teeth may have a significant esthetic and functional impact especially at the anterior segment of the upper arch. Treatment of ankylosed teeth is challenging. The objective of this case report is to describe a clinical case in which an ankylosed tooth was treated with the use of osteogenic distraction associated with simplified orthodontic biomechanics. A 17-year-old female Caucasian patient presented with a Class II malocclusion, severe maxillary dental crowding, moderate mandibular dental crowding, anterior open bite, upper midline deviation to the right, and upper right central incisor in infraocclusion due to ankylosis. Treatment involved the use of the ankylosed tooth as anchorage for the distalization of the right upper segment to correct the Class II malocclusion and to create space prior to surgery. After one week of surgical osteotomy, traction of the tooth and bone segment was initiated with the use of intermaxillary elastics. The ankylosed tooth was moved to the desired position. Bone formation and mucogingival tissue adaptation were observed. Thus, esthetic and functional improvement was achieved. Osteogenic distraction associated with simplified orthodontic biomechanics is an alternative to the treatment of ankylosed teeth which can replace the use of distractor screws, making treatment simpler and more accessible.

Introduction: Endodontic treatment of teeth with open apex requires a non-conventional approach and the goals new therapies are to allow root's complete development differently from what happens with traditional apexification technique. Objective: This study aimed to review the literature on the most recent regenerative endodontic procedures. Literature review: Regenerative endodontics goal is to obtain pulp vitality. Some case reports on donor-obtained dental stem cells show promising results. Other types of laboratory-based dental stem cell therapies are under development. Conclusion: Dentin-pulp complex shows regenerative capacity, but the literature lacks evidence to validate the regenerative therapies in endodontic practice.

Objectives To explore the association between genetic polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor (VDR), vitamin D serum levels, and variability in dental age. Material and methods This cross-sectional study was based on an oral examination, panoramic radiograph analysis, and genotype analysis from biological samples. Dental age was evaluated using two different methods: Demirjian et al. (Hum Biol 45:211–227, 1973) and Hofmann et al. (J Orofac Orthop.78:97–111, 2017). The genetic polymorphisms BglI (rs739837) and FokI (rs2228570) in VDR were genotyped through real-time PCR. The vitamin D level was also measured in the serum. Delta (dental age–chronological age) was compared among genotypes in VDR in the co-dominant model. Multiple linear regression analysis was also performed. An established alpha of 5% was used. Results Genotype distributions of BglI and FokI were not associated with dental maturity (p > 0.05). In the logistic regression analyses, genotypes in BglI and FokI and vitamin D levels were not associated with variability in dental age (p > 0.05). Conclusions The genetic polymorphisms BglI and FokI in VDR and the vitamin D levels were not associated with variability in dental age. Clinical relevance To unravel the factors involved in dental maturity can improve dental treatment planning in pediatric and orthodontic practice.