INTRODUCTION: Missing lateral incisors represent a common condition that normally requires specific anchorage conditions to be treated with space closure mechanics to protract upper teeth creating a proper occlusal relationship. CASE PRESENTATION: Two cases showing Class II malocclusion with missing lateral incisors in developing age are presented, both treated with the same approach of maximum anterior anchorage applied using the Bidimensional Technique system. Long-term follow-up of 10 years is shown. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: Bidimensional technique is a modified edgewise technique that uses sliding mechanics for protraction of the posterior segments by placing vertically slotted brackets of different sizes on the anterior (.018” x 0.025”) and posterior teeth (.022” x 0.028”). When a .018” x .022” wire is inserted in the .018” x .025” brackets slot on the incisors, third-order control is created in the incisor segment while the wire is undersized in the rest of the arch. Lateral brackets have been positioned on the canines, while the canine brackets have been positioned on the first premolars respecting a differential bonding height able to produce canine extrusion and first premolars intrusion and proper torque expression. Full Class II molar relationship and Class I substituted canine relationship has been reached in both cases and kept stable in the long-term follow-up (10 years). DISCUSSION: The described approach provided anterior anchorage with more simple mechanics expressing the anterior torque with a full engagement concept and adding few auxiliaries (uprighting springs) which do not require compliance.

The treatment of Angle Class I malocclusion by atypical extraction is rather challenging. The extraction of four first premolars often manages it. However, in cases of compromised and non-restorable teeth, the extraction decision may be altered, making the anchorage and the treatment mechanics more challenging. This article reports the clinical case of a 16-year-old patient from Sudan who presented with a chief complaint “My teeth are crooked and sticking out.” He had Angle Class I malocclusion with a bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion. He had severe crowding in both arches and localized marginal gingivitis related to an ectopically erupted upper right canine (UR3) and lower right first premolar (LR4). The patient had a provisional restoration in the lower right first molar (LR6). Extraction of three first premolars and one first molar was the alternative of choice for this treatment, which restored function, providing improved periodontal health, achieved the desired facial esthetics, and allowed finishing with a stable and balanced occlusion. Management of angle class I malocclusion with atypical extraction patterns should be performed with careful mechanics and anchorage planning to obtain good results.

Orthodontic traction of an impacted dilacerated maxillary central incisor is clinically challenging and often results in a long treatment duration. A case of an unusual dilacerated central incisor with a 90° crown-root angulation and palatally displaced crown is presented herein. Using a single stage open window exposure of the crown on the palatal aspect with light orthodontic traction force, the impacted dilacerated central incisor crown was successfully positioned in alignment with the contralateral incisor.

Children with an overjet of more than 6 mm are three times more likely to receive trauma to their upper incisors than children with an average overjet. This could be complicated with avulsion of permanent incisor and with space loss for the tooth. Functional appliances are usually used to treat Class II skeletal pattern and increased overjet in growing patients. The following is a case in which the Twin Block functional appliance was used, while its classic design was modified to treat a Class II skeletal problem and to open a space for a missing maxillary central incisor.

Early treatment of scissor bite has been advocated mainly to prevent function jaw shift that can eventually lead to permanent skeletal asymmetry and temporomandibular joint pathosis. Although unilateral scissor bite is more common, most of the times, bilateral mandibular expansion is indicated. Lingual transforce appliance can be useful in such cases. This article presents a patient with unilateral scissor bite in mixed dentition with alveolar narrowing. Transforce appliance was used for scissor bite correction followed by modified twin block appliance for stabilization and settling of occlusion till the eruption of premolars. The case was finished with fixed mechanotherapy. Two years after completion of treatment, results were well maintained. Our results suggest that lingual transforce appliance along with careful management of occlusion is effective in the early management of severe unilateral scissor bite.

This case report describes the successful treatment of a patient with mandibular laterognathism and associated facial asymmetry with combined surgical orthodontic approach. After 7 months of presurgical orthodontic treatment, intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy, and straightening genioplasty were performed as two step surgeries to reposition the deviated mandible and chin, respectively. The total active treatment period was 14 months. After surgical orthodontic treatment, significant improvement in occlusion, masticatory function, and facial appearance was discernible. Posttreatment records at 3 years showed stable results with good occlusion.

Serial extraction is a sequential plan of premature removal of one or more deciduous teeth in order to improve the alignment of permanent teeth and then removal of permanent teeth to maintain the proper ratio between tooth size and arch size. The aim of this case report was to present a case treated successfully with a modified serial extraction protocol in the lower arch because the patient had congenitally missing lower second premolars with severe crowding. The treatment consisted of selective removal of the deciduous mandibular teeth only (C, D, and E) and no permanent premolar removal. However, the space of the missing second premolars was utilized to resolve the anterior crowding along with the spontaneous closure of the extra spaces by physiologic movement of the permanent mandibular teeth. Whereas in the upper arch conventional serial extraction was performed.

Oligodontia, or agenesis of six or more teeth, excluding third molars, which involves canine agenesis is rare, and restorative management can be challenging. Bilateral agenesis of a permanent canine in the general population often indicates a several missing adult teeth. The most common sign of it is the primary canine retention beyond its exfoliation age. The multistage restorative management includes the early diagnosis, excluding associated medical problems as well as assessment of patient's malocclusion and facial skeletal pattern, life span of deciduous teeth, possibility of premolar substitution, minimum required number of prosthetic units, patient's preferences, and the cost of treatment. A 10-year-old boy with bilateral agenesis of maxillary permanent canines is described. Some thoughts on the multidisciplinary restorative management of this case are discussed.

The management of cleft lip and palate (CLP) requires an interdisciplinary team providing comprehensive care. The present report presents an interdisciplinary approach for the care of a cleft patient. A 17-year-old male patient presented with a a chief complaint of "unpleasant appearance of my teeth" and a history of surgical repair of unilateral CLP on the left side. He presented with Class III molar relationships, Class II canine relationships, crossbite related to maxillary right first premolar and lateral incisor, severe maxillary and mandibular crowding, maxillary anterior tooth size deficiency, congenitally missing upper left lateral incisor. Patient was treated with a pre-adjusted edgewise appliance in conjunction with extraction of multiple teeth and distalization of the lower right first molar using a temporary anchorage device. In addition, alveolar bone graft and implant were placed to restore the missing upper left lateral incisor and a final esthetic work was performed for anterior teeth. The case was finished with Class I molar and canine relationships, minimal overjet and overbite. Total treatment time was about 31 months with satisfactory results. Post-treatment evaluation after 8 months showed stable results.

Complete impaction of primary teeth is a very rare condition and less seen at the dental office compared with permanent dentition. To report the use of cone-beam computed tomography in the management of a 7-year-old boy with completely impacted maxillary second deciduous molar due to the presence of odontoma and a cystic lesion.

In the present report, two techniques of space closure; two-step anterior teeth retraction (TSR) and en masse retraction (ER) were used in two adult patients who had bimaxillary protrusion and were treated with four premolar extractions and fixed orthodontic appliance therapy. Both patients had a Class I dental malocclusion and the same chief complaint, which is protrusive lips. Anterior teeth were retracted by two-step retraction; canine sliding followed by retraction of incisors with T-loop archwire in the first patient and by en masse retraction using Beta titanium alloy T-loop archwire in the second case. At the end of treatment, good balance and harmony of lips was achieved with maintenance of Class I relationships. The outcome of treatment was similar in the two patients with similar anchorage control. ER can be an acceptable alternative to the TSR during space closure since it is esthetically more acceptable. However, it requires accurate bending and positioning of the T-loop.

This case report describes the treatment of a Saudi female patient, aged 13 years 8 months at the start of treatment, with a Class I bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion and extracted maxillary first molars. Miniscrews were placed bilaterally in the interdental space between both the upper and the lower posterior teeth. The treatment plan consisted of extraction of both lower first permanent molars, distalization of upper and lower premolars using miniscrews followed by en masse retraction of the upper and lower six anterior teeth. The active treatment period was 2 years 8 months. Arch retention was done using upper wrap-around retainer and lower fixed 3-3 retainer. The use of miniscrews helped to resolve the bimaxillary protrusion regardless of extraction pattern used.

The purpose of this article is to report the management of a transmigrated mandibular canine with emphasis on saving the tooth as natural part rather than surgical removal of the transmigrated tooth. There are several treatment options proposed for impacted mandibular canines including surgical removal, exposure and orthodontic alignment, intra-alveolar tooth transplantation (surgical repositioning of a tooth in its alveolar socket) and observation. The technique, surgical repositioning of a tooth involves the surgical extraction of impacted tooth and fixation in the correct position in the dental arch after surgical preparation (correction) of the alveolar socket. It is especially valuable in cases of difficult-to-treat impaction. A repositioned tooth is better substitute than fixed or removable prostheses, and the technique is more cost effective than other methods. Patients with excellent oral hygiene should be considered as preferred candidates for surgical repositioning of tooth. Disadvantages include the invasiveness of surgery, the difficulty of projecting long term stability due to chances of root resorption and loss of gingival attachment.