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The appropriate treatment of pediatric mandibular condyle fractures is subject to much debate and concern among surgeons, with improper treatment potentially resulting in a number of adverse outcomes. Such outcomes include the disruption of mandible growth, decreased posterior facial height, facial asymmetry, and temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Several surgical and nonsurgical approaches to these fractures have been described in the literature; however, each one carries its own risk of various complications. In this study, the authors illustrate a new atraumatic approach for mild to moderately displaced subcondylar fractures, with least possible complications and unexpected outcomes. In this study, 6 patients (2 female and 4 male) with unilateral medially displaced condylar base and neck fractures, angulated between 30 and 45 degrees, were treated using a novel intraoral approach. The follow-up period varied from 12 to 18 months. All patients achieved normal occlusion and had painless functioning of the temporomandibular joint with proper mouth opening (>35 mm) without any recurrence at long term follow up. This minimally invasive approach could eliminate the possibility of major complications and be considered a safe and feasible surgical technique for certain cases of pediatric mandibular condyle fracture.

Background/purpose: The rapid maxillary expansion is accepted as the gold standard for the treatment of unilateral posterior crossbite in growing children. This study used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the effects of a modified asymmetric rapid maxillary expansion (ARME) appliance on the upper airway volumes. Materials and methods: A modified ARME appliance was used on 12 adolescent male patients (mean age: 13.92 ± 0.82 years) with a class I skeletal relationship and posterior unilateral crossbite. Lateral cephalometric measurements and upper airway volume were evaluated using CBCT images. The posterior airway volumes of the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways were measured. Results: Cephalometric measurements showed significant (P

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using plaque-disclosing tablets (PDTs) on the plaque and gingival index scores of patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. METHODS: In group A (n=16), the subjects were motivated by conventional oral hygiene instructions, including verbal information about tooth brushing. The patients in group B (n=17) were motivated using PDTs used in the dentists’ office to show the locations of biofilms in addition to the instructions given to group A. Both the chairside demonstration performed in group B and the at-home use of disclosing tablets were undertaken by those in group C (n=15). The periodontal parameters were recorded before applying the fixed appliance (T0) and after the first (T1) and third (T2) months. RESULTS: The plaque index (PI) scores of group C were significantly lower (p0.05) were found between groups A and B. The gingival status of group C did not change significantly (p>0.05) over the three months and was statistically lower when compared to groups A and B. CONCLUSION: The use of PDTs at home may enhance the plaque removal efficiency and gingival health stability, by facilitating self-examination.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic molar tubes bonded to amalgam restorations and enamel with four different area ratios, with and without the use of various metal primers. One hundred and fifty-six sound lower first molars were divided into five groups; control group (CG;n = 12) then divided into three subgroups: A, B, and C. Class V buccal amalgam restorations consisting of 25%(G1), 50%(G2), 75%(G3), and 100%(G4) of the basal areas of the molar tubes. Transbond XT Primer (TXTP;subgroup A), Alloy Primer (AP;subgroup B) and Reliance Metal Primer (RMP;subgroup C) (n = 12). Transbond XT was used as an adhesive material in all groups. Thermocycling was as 5 –55 °C, 1000 cycles. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA and post hoc least significant difference tests (p