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The purpose of this study was to investigate immediate changes in the mandibular dentition after maxillary molar distalization using headgear in non-growing patients. Sixteen patients (mean age, 18.9 ± 2.0 years) with Class II molar relationship and crowding were included in the present study. To correct the molar relationship, headgear was used for maxillary molar distalization. Cone-beam computed tomography-generated half-cephalograms (CG Cephs) and dental casts were used to evaluate dental changes for each subject before and immediately after molar distalization using headgear. The mean duration that subjects wore the headgear was 6.3 months. CG Cephs showed that the first maxillary molars were distalized 4.2 ± 1.6 mm with 9.7° ± 6.1° of distal angulation. The intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar widths of the mandible increased after maxillary molar distalization. The present study's results suggest that maxillary molar distalization using headgear induces a spontaneous response in the untreated mandibular dentition of non-growing patients.

Objective: To investigate the dimensional accuracy of digital dental models obtained from the dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of alginate impressions according to the time elapse when the impressions are stored under ambient conditions. Methods: Alginate impressions were obtained from 20 adults using 3 different alginate materials, 2 traditional alginate materials (Alginoplast and Cavex Impressional) and 1 extended-pour alginate material (Cavex ColorChange). The impressions were stored under ambient conditions, and scanned by CBCT immediately after the impressions were taken, and then at 1 hour intervals for 6 hours. After reconstructing three-dimensional digital dental models, the models were measured and the data were analyzed to determine dimensional changes according to the elapsed time. The changes within the measurement error were regarded as clinically acceptable in this study. Results: All measurements showed a decreasing tendency with an increase in the elapsed time after the impressions. Although the extended-pour alginate exhibited a less decreasing tendency than the other 2 materials, there were no statistically significant differences between the materials. Changes above the measurement error occurred between the time points of 3 and 4 hours after the impressions. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that digital dental models can be obtained simply from a CBCT scan of alginate impressions without sending them to a remote laboratory. However, when the impressions are not stored under special conditions, they should be scanned immediately, or at least within 2 to 3 hours after the impressions are taken.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of Reference Ear Plug (REP) during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan for the generation of lateral cephalograms from CBCT scan data. Methods: Two CBCT scans were obtained from 33 adults. One CBCT scan was acquired using conventional methods, and the other scan was acquired with the use of REP. Virtual lateral cephalograms created from each CBCT image were traced and compared with tracings of the real cephalograms obtained from the same subject. Results: CBCT scan with REP resulted in a smaller discrepancy between real and virtual cephalograms. In comparing the real and virtual cephalograms, no measurements significantly differed from real cephalogram values in case of CBCT scan with REP, whereas many measurements significantly differed in the case of CBCT scan without REP. Conclusion: Measurements from CBCTgenerated cephalograms are more similar to those from real cephalograms when REP are used during CBCT scan. Thus, the use of REP is suggested during CBCT scan to generate accurate virtual cephalograms from CBCT scan data. [Korean J Orthod 2013;43(2):54-61]

Objective To identify the right and left difference of the facial soft tissue landmarks three-dimensionally from the subjects of normal occlusion individuals. Materials and Methods Cone-beam computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained in 48 normal occlusion adults (24 men, 24 women), and reconstructed into 3-dimensional (3D) models by using a 3D image soft ware. 3D position of 27 soft tissue landmarks, 9 midline and 9 pairs of bilateral landmarks, were identified in 3D coordination system, and their right and left differences were calculated and analyzed. Results The right and left difference values derived from the study ranged from 0.6 to 4.6 mm indicating a high variability according to the landmarks. In general, the values showed a tendency to increase according to the lower and lateral positioning of the landmarks in the face. Overall differences were determined not only by transverse differences but also by sagittal and vertical differences, indicating that 3D evaluation would be essential in the facial soft tissue analysis. Conclusions Means and standard deviations of the right and left difference of facial soft tissue landmarks derived from this study can be used as the diagnostic standard values for the evaluation of facial asymmetry.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in tooth mobility following orthodontic treatment and to obtain information regarding the guideline of retainer wear duration during the post-treatment period. Methods: The sample consisted of twenty patients who had been treated with edgewise appliances. The mobility of the maxillary teeth from the central incisor to the first molar was measured bilaterally by way of the Periotestⓡ, a non-invasive, electronic device that provides an objective measurement of the reaction of the periodontium to a defined impact load. Tooth mobility was monitored at the time of the removal of the orthodontic appliances and subsequently at three-month intervals during the two years following appliance removal. Results: Tooth mobility decreased rapidly for the first six months and then decreased at a slower rate during the next six months; no statistically significant decrease in mobility was observed during the second year following appliance removal. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that adequate tooth stabilization is critical during the first six months following appliance removal and that continued wearing of retainers is recommended at least until twelve months after the completion of orthodontic treatment.

Objective: To examine the differences in lateral cephalometric characteristics between patients with dental protrusion and crowding in order to determine what factors affect dental protrusion or crowding while both malocclusion types are caused by large tooth size. Methods: Twenty nine individuals with dental protrusion and 22 individuals with dental crowding were enrolled in this study. All subjects had larger teeth than average and Class I molar relationships. Craniofacial characteristics and hyoid bone positions were determined from lateral cephalograms and compared between the two groups. Results: In the comparisons of craniofacial characteristics, the measurements indicating maxillary length and facial convexity showed greater values in the protrusion group than in the crowding group. Comparisons of hyoid bone positions showed that the hyoid bone was positioned more anteriorly and superiorly in the protrusion group than in the crowding group. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that some craniofacial characteristics and tongue position may affect the development of dental protrusion or crowding; when an individual has large teeth, dental protrusion or crowding might be determined according to maxillary growth and tongue position. (Korean J Orthod 2009;39(5):330-336)