Orthodontics Treatment

Are outreach orthodontic clinics effective?

• Yes. Travel costs and appointment length were slightly less in outreach clinics and more consumers preferred to attend appointments in outreach clinics. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract. 
  

Do functional appliances enhance mandibular growth in the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusions?

• Yes. But only for the groups treated for articulare-pogonion and articulare-gnathion when compared to the control group. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.
  

Does orthodontic treatment increase the prevalence of temporomandibular disorder?

• No. Of the 31 studies reviewed, none indicated that traditional orthodontic treatment increased the prevalence of TMD. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.
  

Is the Jones Jig more effective in distalizing upper first permanent molars than an upper removable appliance (URA)?

• No. Both the Jones Jig and the URA resulted in a distal movement of approximately 1mm. (Evidence level 2). Read the abstract.
  

Is a pre-adolescent, two-phase treatment for Class II maloclussion more effective than an adolescent, single-phase treatment?

• No. Pre-adolescent combination headgear or a modified bionator provided no additional long-term benefit. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.
  

Is the twin-block orthodontic appliance effective in early treatment of developing class II division 1 malocclusion?

• Yes. Early treatment with the twin-block appliance showed a reduction in overjet of 64% and severity of malocclusions of 42%. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.
  

Do precoated brackets offer a clinical advantage over non-precoated brackets?

• No. There was no difference in the time required to place precoated brackets or bond failure rate compared with non-precoated brackets in the first 6 months. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.
  

Does the Herbst appliance have any effect on temporomandibular joint morphology?

• Unknown. Additional MRI and tomography studies studies are needed to establish short- and long-term effects of Herbst treatment on TMJ morphology. (Evidence level 2). Read the abstract.
  

Is there a “best method” for stabilizing tooth position after orthodontic treatment?

• No. Results were weak and unreliable.  There is an urgent need for high-quality studies in this area. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.

Does rapid palatal expansion make maxillary protraction with a face mask more effective in treating developing class III malocclusions?

• No. In the absence of a transverse discrepancy/crossbite, palatal expansion results in no difference in clinical outcomes or cephalometric variables. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.

Does the use of topical fluoride prevent decalcification around orthodontic appliances?

• Yes. The use of topical fluoride together with the use of fluoride toothpaste reduces the incidence of decalcification. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.

Are resorbable fixation systems as effective as titanium plate systems in orthognathic surgery?

• Yes. The bioresorbable fixation devices were functionally equivalent to titanium plate systems and did not increase clinical morbidities. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.

Do long-term dental arch changes after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) affect patients with constricted arches?   

• Yes. Adolescents gained 6mm in maxillary and 4.5mm in the mandibular arch perimeter. (Evidence level 2). Read the abstract.

Is early treatment of unilateral posterior crossbite effective?   

• Yes. Occlusal adjustment is effective for the primary dentition.  Quad-helix (QH), expansion plates and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) are effective in the early mixed dentition. There is, however, no evidence available showing which of these is the most effective. (Evidence level 2). Read the abstract.

Does orthodontic treatment affect external apical root resorbtion of maxillary incisors?   

• Yes. Root resorbtion increases with both distance moved and reduction of treatment duration. (Evidence level 3). Read the abstract.

What are the best drugs for conscious sedation of pediatric patients?   

• Unknown. Existing evidence is not sufficiently rigorous to identify the most effective drug or method of sedation. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.

Are there retention procedures that are effective in maintaining tooth position after orthodontic treatment? 

• Unknown. Based on one modest study, stability may be increased when circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy is used in conjuncture with a Hawley retainer. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.
  

Is one adhesive more effective than another for attaching bands to teeth for fixed appliance treatment? 

• No.  There is insufficient evidence to determine the most effective adhesive when comparing chemically cured zinc phosphate, chemically cured glass ionomer, light-cured compomer, and chemically cured glass phosphonate.  (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.

Is early treatment of skeletal open-bite malocclusion effective? 

• Unknown.  Randomized control trials of sufficient sample size are still needed to determine which treatment is the most effective. However, two modest trials suggest headgear and functional appliances may be effective. (Evidence level 1). Read the abstract.