Introduction: Accurate determination of skeletal maturity and remaining growth is crucial to many orthodontic, orthognathic and dental implant timing decision. Cervical vertebral stages and hand-wrist radiographs are currently used to identify peak mandibular bone growth. These are highly subjective techniques that not only involve radiographic exposure but also lack the ability to determine the intensity of growth spurt and the end of the growth. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a circulating growth hormone-dependent factor whose level correlates with sexual maturity and is used to diagnose growth hormone deficiency and excess. IGF-I level was correlated with cervical skeletal maturity and would be highest at cervical stages that correspond to the greatest amount of facial growth. Materials and methods: Blood sample of 90 patients between the age group of 10 and 25 years of both sexes and their lateral cephalogram were taken. Results: The results showed that the IGF-I levels were low at prepubertal levels, (CS 1, CS 2, CS 3). It increased gradually, peaking during puberty, showing maximum values (CS 4, CS 5), which later dropped to reach prepubertal values (CS 6). Conclusion: Blood spot IGF-I correlates well with skeletal age as determined by radiographic techniques. IGF-I can act as a potential skeletal maturity indicator without the hazard of additional radiographic exposure.

Aim: To evaluate the possible cytotoxic damage to the oral mucosal cells in healthy patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. Materials & Methods: 20 patients who required orthodontic treatment were chosen. The rst set of aligners were fabricated for each patient using a PETG material. Patients were instructed to wear the aligners for 22 hours a day for 15 days. Buccal mucosal cells were sampled at two time intervals T0- pre treatment and T1- after 15 days and were immediately smeared onto a clean glass slide. The smears were immediately xed in isopropyl alcohol, following which the slides were hydrated with distilled water, stained with the Papanicolaou method and subjected to cytomorphometric analysis. The two samples obtained at T0 and T1 for each patient were compared to check for an increase in number of micronucleated cells. Student Paired t Test was used to compare the mean micronuclei count between pre and post treatment. Results: The mean Micro Nuclei count in the post treatment period was signicantly higher (4.50 ± 1.96) as compared to pretreatment period (3.10 ± 1.73) with a mean difference of -1.40 at P=0.007. Conclusion: Within the experimental limits of this study the PETG material used for fabrication of aligners resulted in a change in the nature of buccal mucosal cells with an increase in the number of micronuclei which is an indicator for cytotoxicity. The PETG material may have a cytotoxic effect on the cells of the oral mucosa.

Study models accurately represent the teeth, their supporting tissues and the relationship between upper and lower teeth in centric occlusion. They contribute greatly to diagnosis and treatment planning, to compare pre-and post-treatment changes and are valuable instructional and illustrative aids during consultation with patients. [1] Accurate trimming of orthodontic study models facilitates proper diagnosis and treatment planning. Well-trimmed, esthetically pleasing models, reflect the practitioner's attention to detail and are a part of the patient's legal treatment record. [2,3] American board of orthodontics prescribes certain specifications for plaster study models for universal acceptance. [4]

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