The early pioneers of orthodontics, like Angle, Kingsley and Farrar, devised appliances that have now evolved into what is known as the preadjusted edgewise appliance. With the introduction of preadjusted appliances, the focus has moved to customization of brackets to achieve specific and exact positioning of the dentition. These preprogramed features of the orthodontic bracket can be completely effective only if the bracket slot is accurate. Aims and objectives:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the slot size of eight different commercially available straight wire brackets of 0.018 inch slot and 0.022 inch slot with two different measuring devices. Materials and methods: Out of 80 straight wire brackets (Roth), 40 each of 0.018 inch slot and 0.022 inch slot from four commercially available manufacturers (3M Unitek, TP, Ortho Organizers and Ormco) were used for the study. Each bracket sample from all the eight groups was measured for its slot size at the top and the base of the slot using two different measuring devices namely Starrett profile projector and PrakaVision profile projector. Both the measuring devices give a digital read out to the accuracy of 0.001 mm. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results:The slot size for ortho organizer-0.018 inch slot brackets was very close to the standard, whereas the other brackets were either oversized or undersized as compared to the standard.

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Variability in crown root morphology of teeth is an important consideration in attainment of an esthetic, functional and stable Class I incisor relationship. The size and shape of the crowns of teeth appear to be under moderately strong genetic control. This holds overall crown diameters, crown structures, and crown components. In contrast, root form seems to be fairly susceptible to local environmental factors. Bryant et al. [1] pointed out that there are variations in morphology among maxillary central incisors. In a study by Harris et al. [2] on crown root relationship of maxillary central incisors concluded that normal collum angles (about 0°) are found in Class I, Class II Division 1 cases where eruptive path of upper incisors is guided into an appropriate overjet relationship by tongue pressure and the lower incisors on lingual surface and lip pressure on the buccal. Large collum angles are frequently found in two situations. One, in Class II Division 2 cases where enhanced lip pressure or some other imbalance causes the erupting central incisors to be linguoverted. In Class II

Introduction: Accurate determination of skeletal maturity and remaining growth is crucial to many orthodontic, orthognathic and dental implant timing decision. Cervical vertebral stages and hand-wrist radiographs are currently used to identify peak mandibular bone growth. These are highly subjective techniques that not only involve radiographic exposure but also lack the ability to determine the intensity of growth spurt and the end of the growth. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a circulating growth hormone-dependent factor whose level correlates with sexual maturity and is used to diagnose growth hormone deficiency and excess. IGF-I level was correlated with cervical skeletal maturity and would be highest at cervical stages that correspond to the greatest amount of facial growth. Materials and methods: Blood sample of 90 patients between the age group of 10 and 25 years of both sexes and their lateral cephalogram were taken. Results: The results showed that the IGF-I levels were low at prepubertal levels, (CS 1, CS 2, CS 3). It increased gradually, peaking during puberty, showing maximum values (CS 4, CS 5), which later dropped to reach prepubertal values (CS 6). Conclusion: Blood spot IGF-I correlates well with skeletal age as determined by radiographic techniques. IGF-I can act as a potential skeletal maturity indicator without the hazard of additional radiographic exposure.