BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between dental arch form and the vertical facial pattern determined by the angle between the mandibular plane and the anterior cranial base (Sella-nasion/mandibular plane angle (SN-MP)) in skeletal class II untreated patients.MethodsA sample of 73 Caucasians patients with untreated skeletal class II in permanent dentition was divided into three groups according to the values of the angle SN-MP. An evaluation of the arch form was performed by angular and linear relation values on each patient. Regression analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of the relationships between SN-MP angle and dental arch form. The differences among the three groups were analyzed for significance using a variance analysis.ResultsA decrease of the upper arch transversal diameters in high SN-MP angle patients and an increase in low angle SN-MP ones (P < 0.05) were shown. Result analysis showed a change in upper arch shape, with a smaller intercanine width in patients with high SN-MP angle and a greater one in low angle patients. As SN-MP angle increased, the upper arch form tended to be narrower. No statistically significant difference in mandibular arch form among the three groups was found, except the angle value related to incisors position.ConclusionsThe results showed the association between the upper dental arch form and the vertical facial pattern. On the contrary, the lower arch form was not related to the mandibular divergence.

Aim: The aim of this study was to test an experimental approach involving the remote monitoring of orthodontic patients through the use of their smartphones. Background: Due to the COVID-19 emergency, dental offices were asked to stop elective treatments; suddenly orthodontic patients found themselves isolated at home, without the possibility of monitoring by their orthodontists. The use of telemonitoring via smartphones can be a quick way to recover the orthodontist-patient relationship, monitor and continue the treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to propose an innovative, simple and reliable approach for the remote management of orthodontic patients. Methods: 137 patients were contacted verbally by phone and via WhatsApp®; they were asked to send a set of photographs taken with their smartphone. They were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach. Descriptive statistics (frequency with percent) of questionnaire results and the presence of procedural errors while taking pictures were calculated. Correlations between different questionnaire answers were analyzed with the Chi-Square test. Variables with p < 0:05 were declared as significant. Results: The majority of patients considered that this approach was positive and they did not feel abandoned. Difficulties emerged from a technical point of view, that is, in terms of photoshoot, and part of the patients expressed perplexity regarding the fact that telemonitoring can replace completely an outpatient visit. Conclusion: The use of telemonitoring managed to recreate a relationship with the orthodontist, especially in emergency periods.

Purpose This study aims to verify the validity of the radiographic image and the most effective radiological techniques for the diagnosis of root resorption to prevent, cure, and reduce it and to verify if radiological images can be helpful in medical and legal situations. Methods 19 dental elements without root resorption extracted from several patients were examined: endooral and panoramic radiographs were performed, with traditional and digital methods. Then the root of each tooth was dipped into 3-4 mm of 10% nitric acid for 24 hours to simulate the resorption of the root and later submitted again to radiological examinations and measurements using the same criteria and methods. Results For teeth with root resorption the real measurements and the values obtained with endooral techniques and digital sensors are almost the same, while image values obtained by panoramic radiographs are more distorted than the real ones. Conclusions Panoramic radiographs are not useful for the diagnosis of root resorption. The endooral examination is, in medical and legal fields, the most valid and objective instrument to detect root resorption. Although the literature suggests that CBCT is a reliable tool in detecting root resorption defects, the increased radiation dosage and expense and the limited availability of CBCT in most clinical settings accentuate the outcome of this study.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was the comparison of male and female upper and lower dental arch form in untreated Italian patients by 3D analysis, to find differences in shape, in transversal and longitudinal diameters between sexes, and to give a representative set of population’s dental arch to clinicians in order to provide suitable orthodontic treatment.MethodsThe sample consisted of 3D scans of dental casts deriving from 104 Italian untreated patients (Male = 35, Female = 69) in permanent dentition. An evaluation of the arch form was performed by angular and linear values on every patient using a 3D software (SolidWorks®). A Student’s two-tailed t test was used to determine if the differences in measurements between the male and female groups were significant and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsStatistically significant differences in upper and lower transversal and longitudinal diameters were found. Male arch widths were significantly larger than those of females. Male intercanine, intermolar, and interpremolar diameters were significantly greater than females. Dental arch depth was significantly smaller in the female group. Anterior upper dental arch form was flatter, wider, and less sharp in the female group.ConclusionsBasing on the anatomical arches differences found between sexes concerning Italian patients, it is suggested to have regard to each patient pre-treatment arch form, width, and depth during orthodontic treatment according to gender.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40510-018-0233-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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