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OBJECTIVE: To develop a model of gradually induced backward movement of the mandible under normal masticatory action and to examine morphological changes in the mandible and condylar cartilage in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The newly developed Twin Inclined Plane Device (TIPD) was composed of upper and lower posterior metal crowns with a long inclined plane on both sides separately and was applied in experimental groups of 6-week-old male Wister rats. After 3, 14, 30, and 60 days, the rats were euthanatized and samples were collected. Various measurements and hematoxylin-and-eosin stains were performed. RESULTS: From day 30 on, the length of the condylar process was shorter in the TIPD groups than in the control groups (P < .05). The angulation of the condylar process axis to the mandibular plane was greater in the TIPD groups (P < .01). The thickness of the condylar cartilage in the posterior part of the posterior region was thinner in the TIPD groups (P < .05) on day 30 and even thinner (P < .01) on day 60; from day 30 on, the thickness in the anterior part of the posterior region was thicker in the TIPD groups (P < .01). CONCLUSION: TIPD can successfully induce backward movement of the mandible under normal masticatory action. TIPD can cause region-specific changes in condylar cartilage and leads to a continuous remodeling.

The aim of this investigation was to compare root resorption in the same individual after application of continuous intrusive and extrusive forces. In nine patients (mean age 15.3 years), the maxillary first premolars were randomly intruded or extruded with a continuous force of 100 cN for eight weeks. Eleven maxillary first premolars from six randomly selected orthodontic patients served as controls. Root resorption was determined using scanning electron microscopy. Quantitative assessment of the percentage of resorbed area of the total root surface was performed on composite micrographs. The severity of root resorption was also assessed by visual scoring of the roots. Root resorption mainly occurred at the apical part of the roots in both experimental groups. A significant difference in root resorption was found between the intruded and the control teeth (P = .006) but not between the extruded and the control teeth. However, the mesial and distal root surfaces showed resorption on 5.78 +/- 3.86% of the root surface of the intruded teeth and 1.28 +/- 1.24% of the root surface of the extruded teeth, and this difference was significant (P = .004). In addition, a large individual variation was found. From this study, it can be concluded that intrusion of teeth causes about four times more root resorption than extrusion. Because the amount of root resorption due to intrusion or extrusion in the same patient is correlated, every clinician should be aware that the extrusion of teeth might also cause root resorption in susceptible patients.

A hexagonal onplant of 7.7 mm diameter was placed on the palatal bone of the maxilla in an 1-year five-month-old female patient with a Class III malocclusion and midface deficiency. Elastic traction (400 g per side) was applied from a facemask to the onplant at 30 degrees to the occlusal plane 12 hours per day for 12 months. The maxilla was found to have displaced forward and downward by 2.9 mm. The mandible was rotated downward and backward. There was a 3 degrees increase in mandibular plane angle and an increase in the lower face height. Clinically, there was a significant improvement in midface esthetics, noted by an increase in fullness of the infraorbital region and correction of the skeletal discrepancy between the maxillary and mandibular jaw relationship. Contrary to the reports that use teeth rather than onplants as anchorage, there was no forward movement of the maxillary molars and minimal extrusion of the maxillary molars. These results suggest that onplants can be used as an extremely stable anchorage for maxillary orthopedic facemask treatment.