Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and Aim: Functional appliances refer to a variety of removable or fixed appliances designed to alter the mandibular position both sagitally and vertically, resulting in orthodontic and orthopedic changes. Despite the long history of functional appliances, there is still much controversy related to their effectiveness and mode of action. The aim of this study was to evaluate dental and skeletal effects of Fa II in patients with class II malocclusion due to mandibular deficiency.

Materials and Methods: In this before-after clinical trial, 35 patients with class II div I malocclusion were selected. These samples were under treatment with Fa II appliance for 11 months. The range of age of females was 10-13 years and males 11-14 years. Combination analysis was used to determine skeletal and dental effects. Paired t-test was used to compare the differences of mean value pre and post treatment. P<0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

Results: There was significant difference between pre and post treatment in respect to posterior and anterior facial height, eruption of upper and lower posterior teeth, eruption of upper anterior teeth, mandibular body length, ANB angle, IMPA and 1 to SN. No significant difference was observed between pre and post treatment regarding facial growth.

Conclusion: Treatment with Fa II functional appliance leads to significant alterations in dental and skeletal elements of craniofacial complex and improvement of dental and jaws relationship.

Background and Aims: Electric pulp testing is used for diagnosis of the pulp status. This test is technique sensitive and hence may elicit positive or negative false response in case of inaccurate use. The optimal site for placement of the probe tip has not been determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pulp tester probe placement site on the response of maxillary teeth.
Materials and Methods: A total of 378 teeth (126 central incisors, 126 lateral incisors and 126 canines) in 67 voluntary 20-35 year-old patients were selected. Three sites on each tooth (incisal edge, labial and lingual surfaces) were tested with an electrical pulp tester and responses were recorded. Data were analyzed by Repeated Measure ANOVA test.
Results: The central teeth showed significantly lower sensation threshold than lateral and canine teeth (P<0.001). The incisal edge of tooth were significantly more sensitive compared to labial and lingual surfaces (P=0.008).
Conclusion: This study showed that the optimum site for placement of pulp tester probe was incisal edge.