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Introduction: Esthetic considerations play an increasingly important role in patient care, and clinicians need a methodology that includes imaging techniques to capture the dynamic nature of the smile. Photographs of the posed smile are routinely used to guide diagnosis and treatment, but there is no standardized and validated method for recording the dynamic smile. The purposes of this study were to (1) determine whether a posed smile is reproducible, (2) compare visual and verbal cues in eliciting a smile, and (3) compare the diagnostic value of videography and photography in evaluating a patient's smile., Methods: The smiles of 22 subjects were simultaneously photographed and videotaped on 2 separate occasions. For objective comparisons, measurements of the smile were obtained from 8 × 10 color still photographs and selected digitized video images. A panel consisting of a layperson, an oral surgeon, an orthodontist, and a prosthodontist subjectively assessed the reproducibility of the smile, posed vs spontaneous smiles, and the diagnostic value of video vs still images., Results: Objective measurements showed that the posed smile can be reliably reproduced, whether captured by videography or still photography. However, subjectively, the panel members detected differences between the posed smiles taken on different days 80% of the time. The clinician panel members expressed a strong preference for videography over photography and for the spontaneous over the posed smiles., Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need to continue to investigate and standardize the methods of eliciting and recording a smile of diagnostic quality., (Copyright © 2013 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Previously, we reported fluctuation of the levels of the inflammatory mediators interleukin-1beta (IotaL-1beta) and beta-glucuronidase (betaG) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from the maxillary first molars in adolescents undergoing rapid palatal expansion. In this study, we compared the responses of IL-1beta and betaG in the GCF of the maxillary first molars, first premolars, and central incisors during palatal expansion at the same patients., Methods: Nine patients requiring palatal expansion were selected at the postdoctoral orthodontic clinic at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. Each patient received periodontal prophylaxis and instructions in proper home care including rinsing with chlorhexidine. Four weeks after periodontal prophylaxis, a modified hyrax appliance was placed. The jackscrew was activated twice daily until the appropriate expansion was achieved. GCF samples were collected before and after periodontal prophylaxis and during passive wearing of the appliance, active orthodontic treatment, and retention. Fluid samples were collected with filter paper strips and analyzed by ELISA and time-dependent fluorometry for IL-1beta and betaG, respectively. The values recorded after periodontal prophylaxis were used as the baseline. Paired t tests were used to compare mediator levels at baseline with the levels obtained at each subsequent observation., Results: The results validate that IL-1beta and betaG are present in the GCF of adolescents, and, although their level decreases after a strict regimen of plaque control, it increases during orthodontic or orthopedic movement. Moreover, this study demonstrates that both heavy and light forces evoke increased levels of IL-1beta and betaG, stronger forces cause higher levels of inflammatory mediators, and both IL-1beta and betaG respond to direct and indirect application of mechanical force to teeth., Conclusions: This investigation corroborates previous findings that an inflammatory process occurs during application of mechanical force to teeth. Although this inflammation is considered relatively aseptic, additional inflammation, such as that induced by plaque accumulation, must be avoided during orthodontic or orthopedic treatment.

Measuring plaster models by hand is the traditional method of assessing malocclusion. Recent technologic advances now allow the models to be digitized, measured with software tools, stored electronically, and retrieved with a computer. OrthoCAD (Cadent, Fairview, NJ) performs this service. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the OrthoCAD system. Two independent examiners measured tooth size, overbite, and overjet on both digital and plaster models. The results were compared, and interexaminer reliability was assessed. The study sample consisted of 76 randomly selected pretreatment patients. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups for tooth size and overbite, with the digital measurements smaller than the manual measurements. However, the magnitude of these differences ranged from 0.16 mm to 0.49 mm and can be considered clinically not relevant. No difference was found between the 2 groups in the measurement of overjet. Interexaminer reliability was consistent for both the plaster and the digital models.