• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.281-293
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• 2014

Objective: Esthetic improvements during orthodontic treatment are achieved by changes in positions of the lips and surrounding soft tissues. Facial soft-tissue movement has already been two-dimensionally evaluated by cephalometry. In this study, we aimed to three-dimensionally assess positional changes of the adult upper lip according to simulated maxillary anterior tooth movements by white light scanning. Methods: We measured changes in three-dimensional coordinates of labial landmarks in relation to maxillary incisor movements of normal adults simulated with films of varying thickness by using a white light scanner. Results: With increasing protraction, the upper lip moved forward and significantly upward. Labial movement was limited by the surrounding soft tissues. The extent of movement above the vermilion border was slightly less than half that of the teeth, showing strong correlation. Most changes were concentrated in the depression above the upper vermilion border. Labial movement toward the nose was reduced significantly. Conclusions: After adequately controlling several variables and using white light scanning with high reproducibility and accuracy, the coefficient of determination showed moderate values (0.40-0.77) and significant changes could be determined. This method would be useful to predict soft-tissue positional changes according to tooth movements.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.256-267
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• 2017

Objective: To evaluate transverse skeletal and dental changes, including those in the buccolingual dental axis, between patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry after bilateral intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy with and without presurgical orthodontic treatment. Methods: This retrospective study included 29 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry including menton deviation > 4 mm from the midsagittal plane. To evaluate changes in transverse skeletal and dental variables (i.e., buccolingual inclination of the upper and lower canines and first molars), the data for 16 patients who underwent conventional orthognathic surgery (CS) were compared with those for 13 patients who underwent preorthodontic orthognathic surgery (POGS), using three-dimensional computed tomography at initial examination, 1 month before surgery, and at 7 days and 1 year after surgery. Results: The 1-year postsurgical examination revealed no significant changes in the postoperative transverse dental axis in the CS group. In the POGS group, the upper first molar inclined lingually on both sides (deviated side, $-1.8^{\circ}{\pm}2.8^{\circ}$, p = 0.044; nondeviated side, $-3.7^{\circ}{\pm}3.3^{\circ}$, p = 0.001) and the lower canine inclined lingually on the nondeviated side ($4.0^{\circ}{\pm}5.4^{\circ}$, p = 0.022) during postsurgical orthodontic treatment. There were no significant differences in the skeletal and dental variables between the two groups at 1 year after surgery. Conclusions: POGS may be a clinically acceptable alternative to CS as a treatment to achieve stable transverse axes of the dentition in both arches in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.238-247
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare recycled and unused orthodontic miniscrews to determine the feasibility of reuse. The comparisons included both miniscrews with machined surfaces (MS), and those with etched surfaces (ES). Methods: Retrieved MS and ES were further divided into three subgroups according to the assigned recycling procedure: group A, air-water spray; group B, mechanical cleaning; and group C, mechanical and chemical cleaning. Unused screws were used as controls. Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, insertion time and maximum insertion torque measurements in artificial bone, and biological responses in the form of periotest values (PTV), bone-implant contact ratio (BIC), and bone volume ratio (BV) were assessed. Results: Morphological changes after recycling mainly occurred at the screw tip, and the cortical bone penetration success rate of recycled screws was lower than that of unused screws. Retrieved ES needed more thorough cleaning than retrieved MS to produce a surface composition similar to that of unused screws. There were no significant differences in PTV or BIC between recycled and unused screws, while the BV of the former was significantly lower than that of the latter (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate that reuse of recycled orthodontic miniscrews may not be feasible from the biomechanical aspect.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to establish the normative data of dentofacial transverse dimensions according to the skeletal maturation stage in Korean adolescents with good occlusion, assess gender differences and determine correlations between transverse variables. Methods: A total of 577 Korean subjects between ages 7 to 19 years and exhibiting skeletal Class I occlusion were categorized by skeletal maturation index (SMI) of Fishman using hand-wrist radiographs. Dentofacial transverse dimensions were assessed using posteroanterior cephalograms. Independent two-sample t-tests were used to analyze differences between genders. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between transverse measurements. Results: Dentofacial transverse norms relevant to skeletal maturation stages were established. The average maxillomandibular width difference and ratio at growth completion was 22.16 mm and 77.01% for males; 23.70 mm and 74.06% for females, respectively. Males had greater facial, maxillary and mandibular widths compared to females at every SMI stage. The maxillary and mandibular intermolar widths showed the strongest correlation for both sexes (r = 0.826 for males, r = 0.725 for females). Conclusions: Dentofacial transverse norms of Korean adolescents were established according to developmental stage. All dentofacial widths were greater in males at growth completion. Maxillary and mandibular intermolar widths were strongly correlated. This study may serve as a guideline for the assessment of dentofacial transverse growth according to skeletal maturation stage in Korean adolescents with good occlusion.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the analgesic effect of a single application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on spontaneous pain and pain on chewing after placement of initial archwires. Methods: Forty-two patients (26 women, 16 men) were randomly recruited for this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. Each patient received super-elastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) initial archwires (0.012, 0.014, 0.016, and 0.018-inch [in]) in the maxilla for leveling and alignment for an interval of 4 weeks between archwires. One side of the mouth was randomly designated as experimental, while the other side served as placebo. After insertion of each archwire, the experimental side was irradiated with a diode laser for 3 seconds each on 5 points facially and palatally per tooth, from the central incisor to first molar. On the placebo side, the laser device was held the same way but without laser application. A numerical rating scale was used to assess the intensity of spontaneous and masticatory pain for the following 7 days. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare pain scores between sides. Results: Patients in the LLLT group exhibited significantly lower mean scores for spontaneous pain after insertion of the initial two archwires (0.012-in and 0.014-in NiTi; p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for 0.016-in and 0.018-in wires between the LLLT and placebo groups. LLLT significantly reduced chewing pain scores (p < 0.05) for all archwires. Conclusions: A single dose of LLLT considerably lessened postoperative pain accompanying the placement of super-elastic NiTi wires for initial alignment and leveling.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution and displacement of various craniofacial structures after nonsurgical rapid palatal expansion (RPE) with conventional (C-RPE), bone-borne (B-RPE), and miniscrew-assisted (MARPE) expanders for young adults using three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA). Methods: Conventional, bone-borne, and miniscrew-assisted palatal expanders were designed to simulate expansion in a 3D FE model created from a 20-year-old human dry skull. Stress distribution and the displacement pattern for each circumaxillary suture and anchor tooth were calculated. Results: The results showed that C-RPE induced the greatest stress along the frontal process of the maxilla and around the anchor teeth, followed by the suture area, whereas B-RPE generated the greatest stress around the miniscrew, although the area was limited within the suture. Compared with the other appliances, MARPE caused relatively even stress distribution, decreased the stress on the buccal plate of the anchor teeth, and reduced tipping of the anchor teeth. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the incorporation of miniscrews in RPE devices may contribute to force delivery to the sutures and a decrease in excessive stress on the buccal plate. Thus, MARPE may serve as an effective modality for the nonsurgical treatment of transverse maxillary deficiency in young adults.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.304-313
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• 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of bimaxillary surgery involving bilateral intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy performed with or without presurgical miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) in adult patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion. Methods: A total of 40 adult patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion were retrospectively divided into two groups (n = 20 each) according to the use of MARPE for the correction of transverse maxillomandibular discrepancy during presurgical orthodontic treatment. Serial lateral cephalograms and dental casts were analyzed until 6 months after surgery. Results: Before presurgical orthodontic treatment, there was no significant differences in terms of sex and age between groups. However, the difference of approximately 3.1 mm in the maxillomandibular intermolar width was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Two days after surgery, the mandible had moved backward and upward without any significant intergroup difference. Six months after surgery, the maxillary intercanine (2.7 ± 2.1 mm), interpremolar (3.6 ± 2.4 mm), and intermolar (2.0 ± 1.3 mm) arch widths were significantly increased (p < 0.001) relative to the values before presurgical orthodontic treatment in the MARPE group; these widths were maintained or decreased in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in surgical changes and the postsurgical stability between the two groups. No significant correlations existed between the amount of maxillary expansion and postsurgical mandibular movement. Conclusions: MARPE is useful for stable and nonsurgical expansion of the maxilla in adult patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who are scheduled for bimaxillary surgery.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.314-323
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• 2020

Objective: To identify the available evidence on the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with three-dimensional imaging and provide meta-analytic data from studies assessing the outcomes using computed tomography. Methods: Eleven electronic databases were searched, and prospective case series were selected. Two authors screened all titles and abstracts and assessed full texts of the remaining articles. Seventeen case series were included in the quantitative synthesis. Seven outcomes were investigated: nasal cavity width, maxillary basal bone width, alveolar buccal crest width, alveolar palatal crest width, inter-molar crown width, inter-molar root apex width, and buccopalatal molar inclination. The outcomes were investigated at two-time points: post-expansion (2-6 weeks) and post-retention (4-8 months). Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were used to summarize and combine the data. Results: All the investigated outcomes showed significant differences post-expansion (maxillary basal bone width, +2.46 mm; nasal cavity width, +1.95 mm; alveolar buccal crest width, +3.90 mm; alveolar palatal crest width, +3.09 mm; intermolar crown width, +5.69 mm; inter-molar root apex width, +2.85 mm; and dental tipping, +3.75°) and post-retention (maxillary basal bone width, +2.21 mm; nasal cavity width, +1.55 mm; alveolar buccal crest width, +3.57 mm; alveolar palatal crest width, +3.32 mm; inter-molar crown width, +5.43 mm; inter-molar root apex width, +4.75 mm; and dental tipping, 2.22°) compared to pre-expansion. Conclusions: After RME, skeletal expansion of the nasomaxillary complex was greater in most caudal structures. Maxillary basal bone showed 10% post-retention relapse. During retention period, uprighting of maxillary molars occurred.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.431-439
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• 2011

Objective: To determine whether there is any difference between the cleft and non-cleft sides of the mandible in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients, or the right and left sides in control patients; and to determine if there is any difference between the mandibular asymmetry of UCLP patients and that of control patients. Methods: We examined cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 15 patients with UCLP and 15 age- and gender-matched control patients. We evaluated 8 linear, 3 surface, and 3 volumetric measurements and compared the cleft/non-cleft sides of UCLP patients and the right/left sides of controls. Results: There were no statistically significant gender differences in any linear, surface, or volumetric measurement. The single significant side-to-side difference in UCLP patients was a longer coronoid unit on the cleft side than on the non-cleft side ($p$ = 0.046). Body volume was significantly lower in the UCLP group than in the control group ($p$ = 0.008). Conclusions: In general, UCLP patients have symmetrical mandibles, although the coronoid unit length is significantly longer on the cleft side than on the non-cleft side. UCLP patients and controls differed only in body volume.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 2015

Objective: To investigate skeletal and dental changes after application of a mandibular setback surgery-first orthodontic treatment approach in cases of skeletal Class III malocclusion. Methods: A retrospective study of 34 patients (23 men, 11 women; mean age, $26.2{\pm}6.6years$) with skeletal Class III deformities, who underwent surgery-first orthodontic treatment, was conducted. Skeletal landmarks in the maxilla and mandible at three time points, pre-treatment (T0), immediate-postoperative (T1), and post-treatment (T2), were analyzed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-generated half-cephalograms. Results: The significant T0 to T1 mandibular changes occurred $-9.24{\pm}3.97mm$ horizontally. From T1 to T2, the mandible tended to move forward $1.22{\pm}2.02mm$, while the condylar position (Cd to Po-perpendicular plane) shifted backward, and the coronoid process (Cp to FH plane) moved vertically. Between T1 and T2, the vertical dimension changed significantly (p < 0.05). Changes in the vertical dimension were significantly correlated to T1 to T2 changes in the Cd to Po-perpendicular plane (r = -0.671, p = 0.034), and in the Cp to FH plane (r = 0.733, p = 0.016), as well as to T0 to T1 changes in the Cp to Po-perpendicular plane (r = 0.758, p = 0.011). Conclusions: Greater alterations in the vertical dimension caused larger post-treatment (T2) stage skeletal changes. Studying the mandibular position in relation to the post-surgical vertical dimension emphasized the integral importance of vertical dimension control and proximal segment management to the success of surgery-first orthodontic treatment.