OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) position of the center of resistance of 4 mandibular anterior teeth, 6 mandibular anterior teeth, and the complete mandibular dentition by using 3D finite-element analysis. METHODS: Finite-element models included the complete mandibular dentition, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. The crowns of teeth in each group were fixed with buccal and lingual arch wires and lingual splint wires to minimize individual tooth movement and to evenly disperse the forces onto the teeth. Each group of teeth was subdivided into 0.5-mm intervals horizontally and vertically, and a force of 200 g was applied on each group. The center of resistance was defined as the point where the applied force induced parallel movement. RESULTS: The center of resistance of the 4 mandibular anterior teeth group was 13.0 mm apical and 6.0 mm posterior, that of the 6 mandibular anterior teeth group was 13.5 mm apical and 8.5 mm posterior, and that of the complete mandibular dentition group was 13.5 mm apical and 25.0 mm posterior to the incisal edge of the mandibular central incisors. CONCLUSIONS: Finite-element analysis was useful in determining the 3D position of the center of resistance of the 4 mandibular anterior teeth group, 6 mandibular anterior teeth group, and complete mandibular dentition group.
Crowns ; Dentition* ; Incisor ; Periodontal Ligament ; Splints ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

The purpose of this article is to introduce a simple appliance that uses a setup model and a nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) wire for correcting the mesial rotation and drift of the permanent maxillary first molar. The technique involves bonding a Ni-Ti wire to the proper position of the target tooth on a setup model, followed by the fabrication of the transfer cap for indirect bonding and its transfer to the patient's teeth. This appliance causes less discomfort and provides better oral hygiene for the patients than do conventional appliances such as the bracket, pendulum, and distal jet. The treatment time is also shorter with the new appliance than with full-fixed appliances. Moreover, the applicability of the new appliance can be expanded to many cases by using screws or splinting with adjacent teeth to improve anchorage.
Humans ; Molar* ; Oral Hygiene ; Splints ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

OBJECTIVE: Teeth discoloration is a rare orthodontic complication. The aim of this study was to report the clinical progression of discoloration during orthodontic treatment. METHODS: Discolored teeth, detected during orthodontic treatment between January 2003 and December 2012 by a single dentist using similar techniques and appliances, were analyzed. RESULTS: The total number of teeth that showed discoloration was 28. Progression of discoloration was evaluated in only 24 teeth that were observed without any treatment. During the observation period, the discoloration “improved” in 8 of the 24 teeth (33.3%) and was “maintained” in 16 (66.6%). The electric pulp test performed at the time of initial detection of discoloration showed 14.3% positivity, which improved to 21.4% at the final follow-up. None of the initial and final follow-up radiographic findings showed any abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: When teeth discoloration is detected during orthodontic treatment, observation as an initial management is recommended over immediate treatments.
Dentists ; Esthetics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Tooth*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the precision of three-dimensional (3D) images acquired using iTero(R) (Align Technology Inc., San Jose, CA, USA) and Trios(R) (3Shape Dental Systems, Copenhagen, Denmark) digital intraoral scanners, and to evaluate the effects of the severity of tooth irregularities and scanning sequence on precision. METHODS: Dental arch models were fabricated with differing degrees of tooth irregularity and divided into 2 groups based on scanning sequence. To assess their precision, images were superimposed and an optimized superimposition algorithm was employed to measure any 3D deviation. The t-test, paired t-test, and one-way ANOVA were performed (p < 0.05) for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The iTero(R) and Trios(R) systems showed no statistically significant difference in precision among models with differing degrees of tooth irregularity. However, there were statistically significant differences in the precision of the 2 scanners when the starting points of scanning were different. The iTero(R) scanner (mean deviation, 29.84 +/- 12.08 microm) proved to be less precise than the Trios(R) scanner (22.17 +/- 4.47 microm). CONCLUSIONS: The precision of 3D images differed according to the degree of tooth irregularity, scanning sequence, and scanner type. However, from a clinical standpoint, both scanners were highly accurate regardless of the degree of tooth irregularity.
Dental Arch ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional* ; Tooth*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze stress distributions in the roots, periodontal ligaments (PDLs), and bones around cylindrical and tapered miniscrews inserted at different angles using a finite element analysis. METHODS: We created a three-dimensional (3D) maxilla model of a dentition with extracted first premolars and used 2 types of miniscrews (tapered and cylindrical) with 1.45-mm diameters and 8-mm lengths. The miniscrews were inserted at 30°, 60°, and 90° angles with respect to the bone surface. A simulated horizontal orthodontic force of 2 N was applied to the miniscrew heads. Then, the stress distributions, magnitudes during miniscrew placement, and force applications were analyzed with a 3D finite element analysis. RESULTS: Stresses were primarily absorbed by cortical bone. Moreover, very little stress was transmitted to the roots, PDLs, and cancellous bone. During cylindrical miniscrew insertion, the maximum von Mises stress increased as insertion angle decreased. Tapered miniscrews exhibited greater maximum von Mises stress than cylindrical miniscrews. During force application, maximum von Mises stresses increased in both groups as insertion angles decreased. CONCLUSIONS: For both cylindrical and tapered miniscrew designs, placement as perpendicular to the bone surface as possible is recommended to reduce stress in the surrounding bone.
Bicuspid ; Dentition ; Finite Element Analysis ; Head ; Maxilla ; Periodontal Ligament

OBJECTIVE: Orthodontic mini-implants (OMI) generate various horizontal and vertical force vectors and moments according to their insertion positions. This study aimed to help select ideal biomechanics during maxillary incisor retraction by varying the length in the anterior retraction hook (ARH) and OMI position. METHODS: Two extraction models were constructed to analyze the three-dimentional finite element: a first premolar extraction model (Model 1, M1) and a residual 1-mm space post-extraction model (Model 2, M2). The OMI position was set at a height of 8 mm from the arch wire between the second maxillary premolar and the first molar (low OMI traction) or at a 12-mm height in the mesial second maxillary premolar (high OMI traction). Retraction force vectors of 200 g from the ARH (-1, +1, +3, and +6 mm) at low or high OMI traction were resolved into X-, Y-, and Z-axis components. RESULTS: In M1 (low and high OMI traction) and M2 (low OMI traction), the maxillary incisor tip was extruded, but the apex was intruded, and the occlusal plane was rotated clockwise. Significant intrusion and counter-clockwise rotation in the occlusal plane were observed under high OMI traction and -1 mm ARH in M2. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed orthodontic tooth movement according to the OMI position and ARH height, and M2 under high OMI traction with short ARH showed retraction with maxillary incisor intrusion.
Bicuspid ; Dental Occlusion ; Finite Element Analysis* ; Incisor* ; Molar ; Tooth Movement ; Traction

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in occlusal force after loss of the lower first molar depending on the inclination and extrusion of the adjacent and opposing teeth by using a strain gauge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anatomic teeth were used to reconstruct the normal dental arch with loss of the lower right first molar. A uniformly thick layer of silicone was applied to the root to mimic the periodontal ligament. Four stages of dies with varying degrees of inclination and extrusion of the adjacent and opposing teeth were constructed and attached to master model interchangeably by using a CAD/CAM fabricated customized die system. The strain gauges were attached to teeth and a universal testing machine was used to determine the changes in occlusal force. An independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were performed (α = .05). RESULTS: While simulating chewing food, the upper first, second premolar and lower second molar showed greater occlusal force than before extraction. When the change of adjacent teeth's occlusal force with their progressive movement after molar loss was evaluated, the difference among four die models was significant and was in the decreasing aspect (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: When the lower first molar was lost and the adjacent teeth did not move yet, the occlusal force in adjacent teeth was higher than that when the lower first molar still existed. In addition, the occlusal force in the upper premolars and lower second molar decreased significantly with the progressive movement of adjacent teeth.
Bicuspid ; Bite Force* ; Dental Arch ; Mastication ; Molar* ; Periodontal Ligament ; Silicon ; Silicones ; Tooth*

OBJECTIVE: This study compared occlusal contact areas of ideally planned set-up and accomplished final models against the initial in class I and II molar relationships at finishing. METHODS: Evaluations were performed for 41 post-orthodontic treatment cases, of which 22 were clinically diagnosed as class I and the remainder were diagnosed as full cusp class II. Class I cases had four first premolars extracted, while class II cases had maxillary first premolars extracted. Occlusal contact areas were measured using a three-dimensional scanner and RapidForm 2004. Independent t-tests were used to validate comparison values between class I and II finishings. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare initial, set up, and final models. RESULTS: Molars from cases in the class I finishing for the set-up model showed significantly greater contact areas than those from class II finishing (p < 0.05). The final model class I finishing showed significantly larger contact areas for the second molars (p < 0.05). The first molars of the class I finishing for the final model showed a tendency to have larger contact areas than those of class II finishing, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.078). CONCLUSIONS: In set-up models, posterior occlusal contact was better in class I than in class II finishing. In final models, class I finishing tended to have larger occlusal contact areas than class II finishing.
Bicuspid ; Molar* ; Tooth Movement

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to observe stress distribution and displacement patterns of the entire maxillary arch with regard to distalizing force vectors applied from interdental miniscrews. METHODS: A standard three-dimensional finite element model was constructed to simulate the maxillary teeth, periodontal ligament, and alveolar process. The displacement of each tooth was calculated on x, y, and z axes, and the von Mises stress distribution was visualized using color-coded scales. RESULTS: A single distalizing force at the archwire level induced lingual inclination of the anterior segment, and slight intrusive distal tipping of the posterior segment. In contrast, force at the high level of the retraction hook resulted in lingual root movement of the anterior segment, and extrusive distal translation of the posterior segment. As the force application point was located posteriorly along the archwire, the likelihood of extrusive lingual inclination of the anterior segment increased, and the vertical component of the force led to intrusion and buccal tipping of the posterior segment. Rotation of the occlusal plane was dependent on the relationship between the line of force and the possible center of resistance of the entire arch. CONCLUSIONS: Displacement of the entire arch may be dictated by a direct relationship between the center of resistance of the whole arch and the line of action generated between the miniscrews and force application points at the archwire, which makes the total arch movement highly predictable.
Alveolar Process ; Dental Occlusion ; Dentition* ; Periodontal Ligament ; Tooth ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate if 2D analysis method is applicable to analysis of CBCT by comparing measuring points of CBCT with those of Adjusted 2D Lateral Cephalogram (Adj-Ceph) with magnification adjusted to 100% and finding out at which landmarks the difference in position appear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT data and Adj-Ceph (100% magnification) data from 50 adult patients have been extracted as research objects, and the horizontal (Y axis) and vertical (Z axis) coordinates of landmarks were compared. Landmarks have been categorized into 4 groups by the position and whether they are bilaterally overlapped. Paired t-test was used to compare differences between Adj-Ceph and CBCT. RESULTS: Significant difference was found at 11 landmarks including Group B (S, Ar, Ba, PNS), Group C (Po, Or, Hinge axis, Go) and Group D (U1RP, U6CP, L6CP) in the horizontal (Y) axis while all the landmarks in vertical (Z) axis showed significant difference (P<.05). As a result of landmark difference analysis, a meaningful difference with more than 1 mm at 13 landmarks were indentifed in the horizontal axis. In the vertical axis, significant difference over 1 mm was detected from every landmark except Sella. CONCLUSION: Using the conventional lateral cephalometric measurements on CBCT is insufficient. A new 3D analysis or a modified 2D analysis adjusted on 19 landmarks of the vertical axis and 13 of the horizontal axis are needed when implementing CBCT diagnosis.
Adult ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Diagnosis ; Humans