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Objective: To evaluate the timing of spontaneous maxillary canine eruption in relation to stages of mandibular second molar maturation. Potential confounding effects from such factors as age, growth phase, and facial features were also explored. Subjects and Methods: A sample of 106 healthy subjects (48 females and 58 males; age range, 9.4–14.3 years) with both permanent maxillary canines during the final phase of intraoral eruption were included. Mandibular second molar maturation (stages E to H) was assessed according to the method of Demirjian. Skeletal maturity was determined using the cervical vertebral maturational (CVM) method. Facial vertical and sagittal relationships were evaluated by recording the Sella-Nasion/mandibular plane (SN/MP) angle and the ANB angle. An ordered multiple logistic regression was run to evaluate adjusted correlation of each parameter with the mandibular second molar maturational stage. Results: Overall, the prevalence of the different second molar maturational stages was 36.8%, 37.8%, and 27.4% for stages E, F and G, respectively. According to the regression model, this relation was not influenced by sex, CVM stage, SN/MP angle, and ANB angle. Conclusions: Irrespective of sex, growth phase, and facial features, the maturational stage of the mandibular second molar may be a reliable indicator for the timing of spontaneous eruption of the maxillary canine.

Anchorage is one of the most important elements for successful orthodontic treatment. Traditionally, orthodontics employed teeth and extraoral or intraoral appliances for anchorage, often relying on the patient compliance for its effectiveness. Osseointegrated dental implants were introduced to strengthen anchorage (Wehrbein and Merz, 1998; Wehrbein et al ., 1999; Chen et al ., 2005; Wehrbein and Gollner, 2007), but these implants present with a number of disadvantages that limit routine use. More recently, different types of skeletal anchorage devices have been introduced, offering potential advantages compared with osseointegrated implants, including: smaller size, which in turn allows more versatile use and reduces amount of surgical intervention necessary, resulting in less patient discomfort; the possibility of immediate loading; lower costs; and ease of removal. Mini-implants are derived from endosseous implants. They have a conical shape with a head that emerges from the mucosa and that allows connection with orthodontic appliances; mini-implants also contain a smooth transmucosal neck and an endosseous threaded body that can be manufactured with different thread designs and body shapes. Length and diameter vary widely between makes, and the surface is generally smooth, which limits osseointegration. Mini-plates that are used for orthodontic anchorage are very similar to maxillofacial plates, consisting of a base-plate and fixation screws made of titanium. The shape and size can differ, and the number of fixations can vary from two to five screws. Mini-screws are made of titanium and are specifically designed for orthodontic anchorage. Their shape is similar to that of mini-implants, but mini-screws are usually smaller (less than 2mm in diameter) and sometimes more tapered. The thread can be self-drilling to allow direct insertion without the use of pre-drilling, which simplifies the insertion technique. To encompass all of the above-mentioned devices in one definition, we decided to use the term …

The present meta-analysis initially evaluates the reliability of dental maturation in the identification of the circumpubertal growth phases, essentially for determining treatment timing in orthodontics. A literature survey was performed using the Medline, LILACS and SciELO databases, and the Cochrane Library (2000 to 2011). Studies of the correlation between dental and cervical vertebral maturation methods were considered. The mandibular canine, the first and second premolars, and the second molar were investigated. After the selection, six articles qualified for the final analysis. The overall correlation coefficients were all significant, ranging from 0.57 to 0.73. Five of these studies suggested the use of dental maturation as an indicator of the growth phase. However, the diagnostic performance analysis uncovered limited reliability only for the identification of the pre-pubertal growth phase. The determination of dental maturity for the assessment of treatment timing in orthodontics is not recommended. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/2196-1042-14-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.