ResumoA análise cefalométrica é um dos exames utilizados para o diagnóstico e planejamento de um tratamento ortodôntico. Com o objetivo de avaliar o uso que os profissionais fazem da cefalometria, foram enviados questionários a todos os especialistas em Ortodontia e Ortopedia Facial do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os resultados mostram que a maioria dos profissionais (96,4%) solicita o exame ao início de todos os tratamentos ortodônticos, apenas a metade (50,4%) solicita-o no final. Ainda, que a maioria (88,3%) valoriza mais o perfil do paciente no estabelecimento do plano de tratamento e apenas 19,2% dos profissionais declararam conferir os cefalogramas recebidos das clínicas. A partir dos resultados conclui-se que a maioria dos especialistas em Ortodontia e Ortopedia Facial no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul solicita a análise cefalométrica computadorizada Padrão USP ao início de todos os tratamentos ortodônticos, considera o perfil do paciente determinante para a escolha da conduta a ser seguida e não questiona os cefalogramas enviados pelas clínicas de radiologia. Palavras-chave: Cefalometria. AbstractCephalometric analysis is one of the approaches employed to diagnose and plan orthodontic treatment. Aiming to assess the manner orthodentists utilize cephalometry, questionnaires were sent to all specialists on Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics working in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south Brazil. The results show that the exam is requested by the majority of the professionals (96.4%) as of the beginning of orthodontic treatments, and by only half (50.4%) at the end of treatment. Also, most orthodontists (88.3%) put great value to the patient profile in defining treatment strategies and only 19,2% reported checking the cephalograms they receive. The results afforded to conclude that most specialists on Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics working in Rio Grande do Sul request computerized cephalometric analysis according to the USP standard at the beginning of all orthodontic treatments, and considers patient profile as a determining factor in the choice of the approach to the treatment. Moreover, cephalograms produced by radiography centers are not mistrusted.

The objective of this study was to determine the reproducibility of a positioning device and a method for measuring the area of alveolar bone loss (ABL) in hemi mandibles of mice. Mucoperiosteal flaps were raised in CF1 Mus domesticus mice (n = 10) on the buccal aspects of the left side of the mandibles. Twenty-one days after surgery, the animals were sacrificed, and the mandibles were resected and stained with 1% toluidine blue. Two positioning devices, one for the buccal and the other for lingual aspect, were fabricated to keep the hemi mandibles in a standard position. The reliabilities of the positioning device and the method for measuring ABL area were analyzed using two series of pictures. The photographs were digitized and ABL measured as the exposed root area. Measurements were performed by two blinded examiners using image analysis software. Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of the positioning method ranged from -1.5 to +1.33 mm, while intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility of the measurement technique ranged from -3.37 to 14.70. Our results indicate that, due to the small variation observed in ABL area assessment, the positioning device and method for measuring ABL area represent useful techniques for evaluating ABL in mice.