AIM: This experimental study investigated the association between masticatory hypofunction and mandibular morphological dimensions and internal bone characteristics. METHODS: Twentyfour 21-day-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, according to the diet consistency. The control group (CG) was fed a solid diet (pellets) and the experimental group (EG) received a powdered diet during 50 days. All animals were euthanized and their mandibles removed and processed for histomorphometric analysis. A calibrated examiner performed linear and angular measurements (mandibular body length and height, mandibular lengths, ramus depth and height, mandibular base depth, mandibular head and gonial angle) on photographs, estimated bone density in the mandibular ramus region on digital radiographs and assessed the area of cortical and trabecular bone tissue in the second molar region, in 5-µm-thick serial cuts stained with Cason's Trichrome. Measurements for the study groups were compared using Mann-Whitney test (α=0.05). larvae to induce experimental candidiasis, and after 24 hours, the survival rate was assessed. RESULTS: some of the macroscopic dimensions evaluated on photographs were significantly smaller in EG compared to CG, specifically mandibular ramus height (10.77 mm vs. 11.11 mm, p=0.0375), mandibular body length (21.67 mm vs. 22.36 mm, p=0.0165) and height (4.24 mm vs. 4.54 mm, p=0.0016), as well as mandibular base depth (1.24 mm vs. 1.47 mm, p=0.0325). The relative mineral bone density was significantly decreased in EG (1.04) compared to CG (1.25), p<0.001. Rats in the EG also presented smaller trabecular and cortical bone area (2.36 mm²) than those in CG (3.16 mm²), p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the above-mentioned measurements, it may be concluded that masticatory hypofunction induced by a powdered diet affected mandibular morphology and was associated with significantly reduced bone content.

INTRODUÇÃO: os aparelhos de fotopolimerização por LED buscam proporcionar uma luz ativadora fria, que possibilite protocolos de polimerização do material com menor tempo de duração. OBJETIVO: avaliar a resistência à tração da colagem de braquetes, utilizando três tipos de aparelhos fotoativadores: um de luz halógena (Optilight Plus - Gnatus) e outros dois de LED (Optilight CL - Gnatus; e Elipar Freelight - 3M/Espe). RESULTADOS: comparando os resultados por meio da análise de variância, o aparelho de LED Gnatus apresentou comportamento estatístico inferior em relação às outras fontes de luz, quando ativado por tempo reduzido. Já quando foi utilizado o tempo de 40 segundos, os resultados de polimerização foram compatíveis com as demais fontes avaliadas. O aparelho que apresentou melhor desempenho médio foi o de luz halógena, seguido pelo LED 3M/Espe. CONCLUSÃO: concluiu-se que os LEDs podem ser indicados na prática ortodôntica, uma vez que seja utilizado um protocolo de aplicação da luz com tempo de ativação de 40 segundos.

INTRODUCTION: LED light-curing devices seek to provide a cold light activator which allows protocols of material polymerization with shorter duration. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the shear bond strength of bracket bonding using three types of light-curing devices: One with halogen light (Optilight Plus - Gnatus) and two with LEDs (Optilight CL - Gnatus and Elipar Freelight - 3M/ESPE). RESULTS: Comparing the results by analysis of variance, the Gnatus LED device showed an inferior statistical behavior in relation to other light sources, when activated by a short time. But, when it was used for 40 seconds, the polymerization results were consistent with the other evaluated sources. The device with the best average performance was the halogen light, followed by the 3M/ESPE LED. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the LEDs may be indicated in orthodontic practice, as long as a protocol is used for the application of light with the activation time of 40 seconds.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to verify the torque precision of metallic brackets with MBT prescription using the canine brackets as the representative sample of six commercial brands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty maxillary and 20 mandibular canine brackets of one of the following commercial brands were selected: 3M Unitek, Abzil, American Orthodontics, TP Orthodontics, Morelli and Ortho Organizers. The torque angle, established by reference points and lines, was measured by an operator using an optical microscope coupled to a computer. The values were compared to those established by the MBT prescription. RESULTS: The results showed that for the maxillary canine brackets, only the Morelli torque (-3.33º) presented statistically significant difference from the proposed values (-7º). For the mandibular canines, American Orthodontics (-6.34º) and Ortho Organizers (-6.25º) presented statistically significant differences from the standards (-6º). Comparing the brands, Morelli presented statistically significant differences in comparison with all the other brands for maxillary canine brackets. For the mandibular canine brackets, there was no statistically significant difference between the brands. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant variations in torque values of some of the brackets assessed, which would clinically compromise the buccolingual positioning of the tooth at the end of orthodontic treatment.

OBJETIVO: avaliar a resistência ao cisalhamento de braquetes metálicos (American Orthodontics) utilizados na técnica lingual, colados em facetas de cerâmica. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados 40 corpos de prova divididos em quatro grupos de 10, de acordo com o material de colagem e do preparo da porcelana: Grupo I -resina Sondhi Rapid-Set e ácido fluorídrico; Grupo II -resina Sondhi Rapid-Set e óxido de alumínio; Grupo III -resina Transbond XT e ácido fluorídrico; e Grupo IV -resina Transbond XT e óxido de alumínio. Previamente à colagem, os braquetes foram preparados com base de resina de carga pesada (Z-250) e as facetas de cerâmica receberam aplicação de silano. O teste de cisalhamento foi realizado por uma máquina de ensaios Kratos à uma velocidade de 0,5mm/min. RESULTADOS: os resultados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente através do teste de Tukey (p<0,05) e demonstraram diferença significativa entre os grupos I (2,77MPa) e IV (6,00MPa), e entre os grupos III (3,33MPa) e IV. CONCLUSÕES: concluiu-se que a colagem de braquetes da técnica lingual em superfície de cerâmica foi mais resistente ao cisalhamento com o uso de óxido de alumínio associado às duas resinas utilizadas neste estudo, porém a resina Transbond XT apresentou maior resistência que a Sondhi Rapid-Set.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear strength of lingual metal brackets (American Orthodontics) bonded to ceramic veneers. METHODS: A total of 40 specimens were divided into four groups of 10, according to bonding material and ceramics preparation: Group I -Sondhi Rapid-Set resin and Hydrofluoric acid, Group II -Sondhi Rapid-Set resin and aluminum oxide, Group III -Transbond XT resin and Hydrofluoric acid, and Group IV -Transbond XT resin and aluminum oxide. Prior to bonding, the brackets were prepared with heavy-duty resin base (Z-250) and the ceramic veneers were treated with silane. The shear test was conducted with a Kratos testing machine at a speed of 0.5 mm/min. RESULTS: The results were statistically analyzed by the Tukey test (p<0.05) and showed a statistically significant difference between groups I (2.77 MPa) and IV (6.00 MPa), and between groups III (3.33 MPa) and IV. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the bonding of lingual brackets to ceramic surfaces exhibited greater shear strength when aluminum oxide was used in association with the two resins utilized in this study, although Transbond XT showed greater shear strength than Sondhi Rapid-Set.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of brackets bonded with different restorative systems and compare it with that afforded by an established orthodontic bonding system. Seventy human bicuspids were used, divided into five different groups with 14 teeth each. Whereas a specific orthodontic bonding resin (TransbondTM XT) was used in the control group, the restorative systems Charisma, Tetric Ceram, TPH Spectrum and Z100 were used in the other four groups. Seven days after bonding the brackets to the samples, shear forces were applied under pressure in a universal testing machine. The data collected was evaluated using the ANOVA test and, when a difference was identified, the Tukey test was applied. A 5% level of significance was adopted. The mean results of the shear bond strength tests were as follows: Group 1 (Charisma), 14.98 MPa; Group 2 (Tetric Ceram), 15.16 MPa; Group 3 (TPH), 17.70 MPa; Group 4 (Z100), 13.91 MPa; and Group 5 or control group (TransbondTM XT), 17.15 MPa. No statistically significant difference was found among the groups. It was concluded that all tested resins have sufficient bond strength to be recommended for bonding orthodontic brackets.

Effective orthodontic anchorage may be obtained by miniimplants inserted into the maxillary bones. However, the risk of miniimplant failure is one of the most important issues, especially the rupture of its structure referred to as fracture, mainly due to metal deficiencies. This study analyzed the internal microstructure of orthodontic mini-implants, ascertaining the composition of the metal to detect possible discontinuities from the surface to the core of the screws. Eighteen samples of mini-implants, of 3 different brands, were obtained. The samples were cold-embedded in methyl methacrylate polymer, and were sectioned both longitudinally (3 samples of each brand) and transversely (the other 3 screws of each brand). After preparation, the samples were observed using a light microscope at up to 2,000 x magnification. The results showed that the mini-implants thus analyzed were composed of an Alpha-Beta globular phase of titanium alloy, patterns A1 and A9 (in accordance with the "Technical Committee of European Titanium Producers"). The miniimplants did not present any defects such as bubbles, imperfections or fissures, in either longitudinal or transverse sections, in their internal microstructure. All samples met the requirements of international norms. Orthodontists must be aware of the metal composition and internal microstructure of mini-implants, to decrease the risk of fractures.

OBJETIVOS: este estudo transversal foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar cefalometricamente a correlação da anatomia da base craniana com o padrão facial e as bases apicais. METODOLOGIA: foram utilizadas 88 telerradiografias de norma lateral de jovens leucodermas brasileiros com média de idade de 10,3 anos. Utilizou-se o índice VERT de Ricketts para a determinação do padrão facial, distribuindo a amostra em: 37 para o grupo M (mesofaciais), 34 para o grupo D (dolicofaciais) e 17 para o grupo B (braquifaciais). Realizaram-se, manualmente: o desenho anatômico, a demarcação de pontos, o traçado de linhas e planos e a aferição de medidas lineares e angulares. As medidas da base do crânio utilizadas foram S-N, N.S.Ba e S-N.Po-Or, e as medidas das bases apicais foram S.N.A, S.N.B e A.N.B. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: concluiu-se que, na correlação entre a base craniana e o padrão facial, houve significância entre a variável N.S.Ba e o índice VERT. Na correlação entre a base craniana e as bases apicais, houve significância entre N.S.Ba e as variáveis S.N.A e S.N.B, e entre S-N.Po-Or e as variáveis S.N.A e S.N.B.

AIM: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the object of making a cephalometric evaluation of the cranial base anatomy correlation with the facial pattern and apical bases. METHODS: 88 lateral teleradiographies of young white Brazilian with mean age of 10.3 years were used. The Ricketts VERT index was used to determine the facial pattern, and the sample was distributed as follows: 37 in group M (mesofacial), 34 in group D (dolicofacial) and 17 in group B (brachyfacial). The anatomic drawing, demarcation of points, line and plane tracings, and linear and angular measurement gauging were done manually. The cranial base measurements used were S-N, N.S.Ba and S-N.Po-Or and the apical base measurements were S.N.A, S.N.B and A.N.B. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that, in the correlation between the cranial base and the facial pattern, there was significance between the variable N.S.Ba and the VERT Index. In the correlation between the cranial base and the apical bases, there was significance between N.S.Ba and the variables S.N.A and S.N.B, and between S-N.Po-Or and the variables S.N.A and S.N.B.