CONTENTS

Editor’s Choice

David L. Turpin, Editor-in-Chief

Three-dimensional localization ofmaxillary canines with cone-beamcomputed tomographyLeah Walker, Reyes Enciso, and James Mah

When you suspect a palatally impacted maxillarycanine, how important is it to determine exact location,size of the follicle, amount of bone covering the tooth,overall stage of dental development, and condition ofadjacent teeth? Would it make a difference if you knewthat 66.7% of the lateral incisors in this consecutivelytreated sample of 19 patients with impactions experi-enced root resorption?

This study, from the University of Southern CaliforniaSchool of Dentistry, was designed to quantify the spatialrelationship of impacted maxillary canines by using theNewTom QR-DVT 9000 for computed tomography. Thereport is fascinating in that it focuses on a practical use forthe 3-dimensional localization of maxillary canines and, atthe same time, shows the significant risk of root resorptionto adjacent central and lateral incisor roots. After readingthis article, you might think twice before moving animpacted canine into alignment without more information.

The influence of a structured telephonecall on orthodontic pain and anxietyBrian W. Bartlett, Allen R. Firestone, Katherine W. L. Vig, F.Michael Beck, and Phillip T. Marucha

It is well known that anxiety has a strong associa-tion with a patient’s perception of pain. If a patient’sstress-related factors are likely to influence the intensityof discomfort caused by orthodontic treatment, wouldstrategies that reduce anxiety also diminish the subjec-tive perception of pain?

This study was designed to investigate the influenceof a telephone call on the degree of self-reported painand state-anxiety in a sample of orthodontic patients.One group received a structured telephone call demon-strating care and reassurance, the second group re-ceived an attention-only telephone call thanking them

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2005;128:12A0889-5406/$30.00Copyright © 2005 by the American Association of Orthodontists.

doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2005.08.029

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for participating, and the third group received notelephone call.

Maximum pain intensity for all 3 groups was highest24 hours after the placement of orthodontic appliances.But the study demonstrated that a telephone call from adental professional significantly reduced both the inten-sity of self-reported pain and the level of state-anxiety.This research team concluded that a reduction instate-anxiety after a telephone call leads to reducedpain. Take time to read this entire article—then let meknow whether you plan to start making telephone callsafter you place fixed appliances.

Long-term profile changes inextraction and nonextraction patientsCorbett K. Stephens, Jimmy C. Boley, Rolf G. Behrents,Richard G. Alexander, and Peter H. Buschang

When debating profile differences between extrac-tion and nonextraction patients, most clinicians agreethat mandibular-incisor position is the most importantvariable. If patients are treated to the same predeter-mined anteroposterior position of the mandibular inci-sor and lip line, there should be no difference in the softtissue changes after treatment. But is this always true,and what happens in the long term?

This clinical study compared facial profiles of 20extraction and 20 matched nonextraction patients post-treatment and long term. Both groups were comparableafter treatment because they were treated by 1 practitionerto identical treatment goals. All records were evaluated by105 orthodontists and 225 laypeople to determine whetherthe groups differed 15 years posttreatment.

Their findings should surprise no one. Extractionand nonextraction patients treated to the same incisorposition and lip line were still similar in these respectsat the long-term follow-up, demonstrating that long-term posttreatment changes were not due to extractions.Similarity was based on the management of anteriortooth position and soft tissue concerns. There werechanges in facial profiles between 15 and 30 years ofage primarily because of increased growth of the noseand chin. Men had greater long-term changes in softtissues than women related to increased growth. Please

take time to read this entire article.