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Objective: To evaluate the expression of an activator of nuclear factor-kappa (RANK), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteopontin (OPN), and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-B1) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of teeth subjected to orthodontic forces. Materials and Methods: A randomized, pilot clinical trial including 10 healthy volunteers was conducted using a split-mouth design. Orthodontic elastic separators were placed between the second premolar and first molar, with the contralateral quadrant serving as a control. The GCF samples were collected from the tension and compression sites at baseline, 24 hours, and 7 days after the placement of separators. The GCF sample volumes were measured using a Periotron 8000, and total protein concentrations were determined. Levels of RANK, OPG, OPN, and TGF-B1 were also analyzed using a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The control sites remained unchanged throughout the study. In contrast, the concentration of OPG significantly decreased at the compression site by 24 hours, and the amount and concentration of RANK differed significantly between the control, compression, and tension sites after 7 days. A significant increase in absolute TGF-β1 levels was also detected at the compression site versus the control and tension sites after 7 days. Conclusion: Bone metabolism is affected by application of force to the teeth by elastic separators. Both increased expression of bone resorptive mediators (eg, RANK and TGF-β1) and decreased expression of a bone-forming mediator (eg, OPG) on the compression side were detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A longitudinal study was performed to evaluate the jaw muscle activity and mandibular kinematics after Teuscher activator treatment and at 2 years after orthodontic treatment completion., Material and Methods: Twenty-seven children with Class II division 1 malocclusion were evaluated before treatment (T0; mean: 11.6 years), after functional treatment (T1; mean: 12.8 years), and 2 years after orthodontic treatment (T2; mean: 18 years). Bilateral surface electromyographic activities of the anterior temporalis, posterior temporalis, masseter, and suprahyoid muscle areas were analyzed at rest and during clenching, swallowing, and mastication. Kinematic recordings of the mandibular maximum opening, lateral shift, right and left lateral excursions, and protrusion were evaluated., Results: Compared to T0, the left masseter activity during clenching was decreased at T1 but increased at T2, similar to the other evaluated muscles. The suprahyoid activity during swallowing was increased at T1 but decreased at T2. The masseter activity during mastication was increased at T1 and further increased at T2. The left and right lateral excursions and protrusion did not show significant changes throughout the experiment., Conclusions: Teuscher activator and subsequent fixed orthodontic treatment improved jaw muscle function; however, a long period was needed to attain complete neuromuscular adaptation.

Objective: To analyse the changes in nasal air flow and school grades after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in oral breathing children with maxillary constriction., Material and Methods: Forty-four oral breathing children (mean age 10.57 y) underwent orthodontic RME with a Hyrax screw. Forty-four age-matched children (mean age 10.64 y) with nasal physiological breathing and adequate transverse maxillary dimensions served as the control group. The maxillary widths, nasal air flow assessed via peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), and school grades were recorded at baseline, and 6 months and one year following RME., Results: After RME, there were significant increases in all the maxillary widths in the study group. PNIF was reduced in the study group (60.91±13.13 l/min) compared to the control group (94.50±9.89 l/min) (P<0.000) at the beginning of the study. Six months after RME, a significant improvement of PNIF was observed in the study group (36.43±22.61). School grades were lower in the study group (85.52±5.74) than in the control group (89.77±4.44) (P<0.05) at the baseline, but it increased six months after RME (2.77±3.90) (P<0.001) and one year later (5.02±15.23) (P<0.05)., Conclusions: Nasal air flow improved in oral breathing children six months and one year after RME. School grades also improved, but not high enough to be academically significant.

Dentinogenesis imperfecta, also known as hereditary opalescent dentin, is a dentin development disorder with autosomal dominant transmission that affects both the primary and permanent dentition. A case is reported of a family in which the mother and her 6- and 20-year-old children were diagnosed with dentinogenesis imperfecta type II. The mouths of these patients illustrate the progressive deterioration of affected teeth if not adequately treated. The treatment of the 6-year-old son is described, and therapeutic approaches to this disorder in primary and permanent dentition are reviewed. This family exemplifies the need for the earliest possible diagnosis and treatment of dentinogenesis imperfecta to prevent extensive deterioration of the dentition and occlusion.