Objectives To investigate the influence of micro-osteoperforation (MOP) on rate of orthodontic tooth movement and pain perception with fixed appliances. Design 2 arm parallel randomized controlled trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Setting The outpatient department of a dental college. Participants 105 patients were screened, out of which 60 met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate; consisting of 33 females and 27 males requiring en-masse retraction following first premolar extractions. Methods The experimental group consisted of patients bonded with a fixed appliance (Gemini 3M) who received MOP distal to canines throughout the period of retraction every 28 days. These were compared with a control group treated with identical brackets without MOP and were assessed for rate of tooth movement (canine retraction) and pain perception using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 10 mm. Results Prior to commencement, all baseline parameters were matched between the two groups (p>0.05). A statistically significant increase in rate of tooth movement in the MOP group (p<0.05). Conclusion MOP appears to enhance the rate of tooth movement with no differences in pain perception.

Supernumerary teeth are common in the general population and occur more frequently in-patients with family history of such teeth. Multiple supernumerary teeth are associated with cleidocranial dyplasia and Gardner syndrome. However it is rare to find multiple supernumeraries in individuals with no other associated disease or syndrome. We describe the occurrence of multiple supernumerary teeth in a family occurring as a non-syndromal trait. The autosomal dominant transmission of non-syndromal multiple supernumerary teeth is new.

Delayed hard palate closure as practiced in Goteborg since 1979 has produced the best GOSLON Yardstick ratings in a consecutive series of patients ever recorded worldwide, since the Yardstick was first used in 1983. However, it is noteworthy that a new protocol has been introduced in Goteborg since 1994, in which hard palate closure is done at 3 years due to concerns regarding speech.

Although use of the Goslon yardstick at 5 years has demonstrated some inherent flaws in its use at that age, these drawbacks are fewer than those when the 5-year index is used at 5 years of age.

Aims. Delayed eruption of teeth may be caused by the presence of one or more supernumerary teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate findings, predisposing factors and differentiate different techniques used that affect the outcome following removal of supernumerary teeth. A comprehensive literature review was also undertaken. Methods.A longitudinal retrospective study was carried out at the Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital. A total of 120 patients were identified from the general anesthesia records that had supernumeraries extracted. Only 43 cases had delayed eruption of teeth caused by supernumeraries. The pre and post extraction record data collected were the gender, radiographic assessment, position of the supernumerary, age at time of referral and extraction of the supernumerary, age at time of eruption of the impacted tooth and the orthodontic and surgical management. Results. The mean age of referral was 9.1 years with a male to female ratio of 4.4:1. There was a greater predilection for supernumeraries to be on the left side and be positioned palatally.Tuberculate type supernumeraries were the most frequent followed by the conical type. Spontaneous eruption of the impacted tooth occurred in 49% of cases. Eruption of the impacted tooth within eighteen months following removal of the supernumerary was observed in 91% of cases. The chronological age and space availability were the two factors that were critical in determining if eruption was spontaneous following removal of the supernumerary. Conclusions. The findings of this study reiterates the fact that given early referral, sufficient space and time, the majority of teeth prevented from erupting by a supernumerary tooth would erupt spontaneously following removal of the supernumerary alone. Randomized multi-centre prospective studies are suggested.