No abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the association of hypodontia patterns and variations in craniofacial morphology in Japanese orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 girls with hypodontia (the total group) were selected and categorized into anterior, posterior, and anterior-posterior groups according to the location of the congenitally missing teeth. By using the lateral cephalograms of each subject, 28 angular and 37 linear measurements were made. The cephalometric data were statistically analyzed and compared among the groups and with the Japanese cephalometric standards from 36 age-matched female subjects without hypodontia or malocclusion (the control group). Results: Every hypodontia group showed shorter anterior and overall cranial base lengths, shorter maxillary length, greater retroclination and elongation of mandibular incisors, and a larger interincisal angle than the control group. The total and anterior-posterior groups especially exhibited a significantly more prognathic mandible, larger retroclination of maxillary incisors, and a more counterclockwise-rotated occlusal plane. Furthermore, these skeletal and dental deviations were more remarkable in the anterior-posterior group than in either the anterior or the posterior group. Anterior hypodontia exerted as much influence on craniofacial morphology as posterior hypodontia. Conclusions: When orthodontic treatment is performed on patients with hypodontia, not only the number but also the distribution of missing teeth should be taken into consideration, though there was no significant difference in craniofacial morphology between anterior hypodontia and posterior hypodontia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of advanced hypodontia on craniofacial morphology in Japanese patients. We defined advanced hypodontia as a congenital absence of four or more permanent teeth, excluding the third molars. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 20 female orthodontic patients (age range, 8.5 to 19 years; mean age, 13.9 years) were examined. Twentyeight angular and 37 linear measurements were taken from each cephalogram, and these cephalometric data were statistically analyzed and compared with the Japanese cephalometric standards. The most frequently missing teeth were the mandibular and maxillary second premolars, followed by the maxillary first premolars and the maxillary first molars, in that order. Compared with the Japanese standards, a smaller cranial base length and angle, a shorter maxillary length, a slightly prognathic and upward-rotated mandible, and retroclination of the upper and lower incisors were found in the patients studied.These craniofacial anomalies should be taken into consideration in treatment planning and mechanotherapy.

Objective: To explore the association between congenital absence of permanent mandibular incisors and craniofacial and mandibular symphysis morphology in Japanese orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 27 girls with one or two congenitally absent mandibular incisors (group M) were selected and divided into group 1M (16 girls with the absence of one incisor) and group 2M (11 girls with the absence of two incisors). In addition, 20 other Japanese girls without hypodontia and with little or no mandibular incisor crowding were enrolled as a control (group C). Using the lateral cephalogram of each subject, 17 angular, 8 linear, and 3 area measurements were made for evaluation of craniofacial and mandibular symphysis morphology. The cephalometric data thus obtained were statistically analyzed and compared between the groups. Results: A significantly greater retroclination of the retained mandibular incisors was found in group 1M than in group C. Groups 1M and M showed a significantly greater retroclination of mandibular alveolar bone than group C. Groups 2M and M exhibited a significantly smaller mandibular symphysis area than group C. Conclusion: The retroclination of the mandibular incisors and alveolar bone and the reduced mandibular alveolar bone area should be taken into consideration in planning orthodontic treatment on patients with congenitally missing permanent mandibular incisors.

The fluoride-releasing and -recharging adhesive system with the self-etching primer (Beauty Ortho Bond) had clinically sufficient shear bond strength in repeated bracket bonding; this finding can help orthodontists to decrease the risk of damage to enamel at debonding.