Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2017 - 31

Resident Research Review

experience was positive overall. The majority of
patients were accustomed to the appliances
within two months, with the reported mean time
to adapt to the Xbow being 3.95 weeks, and the
Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FFRD) being 2.25
weeks. A large number of patients required an
additional appointment to deal with soft tissue
discomfort or dislodging of the appliances. This
can be a burden for the patient and practice.

Frontal superimposition
comparing before and after
orthodontic treatment (from the
front)

Frontal superimposition
comparing before and after
orthodontic treatment (from the
back)

Anteroposterior superimposition
comparing before and after
orthodontic treatment (from the
right side)

Winter 2017  PCSO Bulletin

Dr. Tarek El-Bialy: Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound
and its Application in Orthodontics
Orthodontically induced tooth root resorption
(OITRR) is an unavoidable side effect of orthodontic treatment. To date, there is no treatment
module for treating root resorption once it has
occurred. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS)
has been utilized to prevent OITRR during treatment. Our research has shown that LIPUS application to teeth at high risk of root resorption can
minimize or prevent OITRR. Also, we have discovered that LIPUS can accelerate orthodontic tooth
movement. Mandibular underdevelopment is a
problem in the majority of orthodontic Class II
cases. Current techniques that aim to enhance
mandibular growth during treatment are controversial. We have shown that LIPUS can enhance
mandibular growth in rabbits and monkeys, and
in a pilot study of patients with hemifacial microsomia. Future studies are aimed at understanding the mechanism by which LIPUS can enhance
tooth movement and minimize OITRR as well as
enhancing lower jaw growth.6-28
Dr. Manuel O. Lagravere: Use of CBCT
for Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
During the years of his residency, Dr. Lagravere
focused mostly on determining skeletal and dental 3-D changes due to growth or treatment. With
CBCT, it is more feasible to determine those
changes; he learned that many structures
change, but due to normal growth, and not for
the reasons we supposed. Also, he found that
many of the analyses made for CBCT need more
development. While testing them, his studies
have shown promising information. In the years

to come, he will focus on these areas and hopefully bring analysis that can be applied to CBCT
or other 3-D imaging, to be used with relative
ease by the clinician.
A couple of studies which are in the process of
being reviewed by peer-reviewed journals involve
the development of a 3-D transversal analysis to
be used in CBCT images, and an analysis of a
recent midpalatal suture categorization tool used
in CBCT.29, 30
In the area of craniofacial growth, one study
has been published and another is soon to be
submitted for review on the topic of growth and
development of the anterior and posterior cranial
base, viewed in a 3-D aspect.31, 32 (See images at
left.)
Dr. Paul Major: Biomechanics Orthodontics
Research Group
Dr. Major currently leads the Biomechanics
Orthodontics Research Group at the University
of Alberta, which is a joint endeavor with the
School of Dentistry and the Department of
Mechanical Engineering. This research involves
the ongoing development of a mechanic device
(OSIM) utilizing 3-D force transducers to measure
the forces and force moments associated with
orthodontic treatment acting on all 14 teeth in a
dental arch used in a clinical setting. The overall
objective of this research is to improve the efficiency of orthodontic tooth movements. Over the
past five years, this line of research has led to 23
peer-reviewed publications involving six MSc and
two PhD students. Most recently the group has
focused its research on investigating complex
force systems associated with lingual orthodontic treatment mechanics. The Biomechanics
Orthodontic Research Group encourages collaborative research interaction with international
research groups and industry.
In addition to his biomechanics research, Dr.
Major is actively engaged in 3-D imaging
research of the orofacial complex. Most recently,

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Winter 2017