TEMPORARY ANCHORAGE DEVICES AND GUMMY SMILE
Mohamed Mahfud Alaty
Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Benghazi
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Abstract

Aim was to evaluate the usability of mini-screw (Temporary Anchorage Devices TADs), as an anchor unit (units), in the treatment of gummy smile associated with deep over-bite. The sample was made up of 15 adult gummy smile patients (2males and 13 females).
Materials and Methods All patients suffered from increased anterior facial height. Pre-treatment and post-intrusion gingival smile line (GSL), which is the distance between cervical gingival margins of maxillary central incisors and the lower border of the upper lip during smiling, was measured in millimetres using a digital calliper. Four TADs were used for each patient: two anterior TADs that were inserted between the roots of lateral incisors and canines; and the other two TADs were inserted posteriorly, between the roots of 2nd premolars and 1st molars. The anterior TADs were used as anchor units for the intrusion of upper anterior teeth, while posterior TADs were used for en-mass retraction. Pre-treatment and post intrusion lateral cephalometric radiographic measurements were taken for statistical inferences. Statistical analyses were carried out using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Statistical analyses revealed significant reduction in GSL and overbite.
Results Radiographically, there were significant changes in the vertical and antro-posterior positions of upper anterior teeth, but no significant changes have been noticed in the vertical position of upper or lower posterior teeth.
Conclusions The findings of the present study indicate that gummy smile which is mainly due to maxillary dentoalveolar overgrowth can be treated effectively with intrusion using anterior TADs, particularly in case of divergent face. The findings also indicate that anterior and posterior TAD scan provide absolute anchorage for treatment of deep overbite, and increased overjet.

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