Cambios transversales en las arcadas dentarias y en la posición cefalométrica de los incisivos en casos tratados con técnica damon

Abstract

In the past 20 years the employ of self-ligating brackets have become extensive among orthodontists. One of the bracket systems avalaible nowadays is Damon System, who also introduced new orthodontic principles that added controversy to classical orthodontic concepts. The aim of this work is try to verify the clinical effects evidenced in those patients treated by this technique and cuantify them as well as relate one variable to each other, in order to stablish some clinical guides to be useful in our patients treatment planning. With that purpose, a sample of 30 patients has been extracted of a total of 100 patients, who had Class I malocclusion, crowding at the initial records and had undergone non-extraction treatment. Measurements at initial and final casts, and cephalometric tracings were made. Statistic annalysis was applied to all measurements. A constant increase in arch width was found in all cases. The biggest increase in arch width was recorded at first premolars, followed by second premolars, canines and molars. There seems to be a tendency to proinclination of upper incisor, but values obtained for upper incisor inclination and position were quite variable. A constant proinclination of lower incisor has been found, with bigger increase in inclination (6º) than in position (2 mm). The more severe is crowding in upper arch, the bigger expansión will be found at second premolars and molars. In moderate crowded (from –4 to –8) lower arches, the more severe is initial crowding, the bigger amount of lower incisor inclination and intercanine and interpremolar expansión will be achieved. Narrower arches experience a bigger intercanine width increase. Further information of factors such us musculature or facial pattern influence, and long term stability of the changes found is needed, as well as the addition of new cases to the sample to validate this results.