Download Periodontal Rationale for Transverse Skeletal Normalization

PERIODONTAL RATIONALE FOR
TRANSVERSE SKELETAL
NORMALIZATION
Authors: Dr. Shalin Raj Shah, Dr. Dan Fishel and Dr. Ryan Tamburrino
The goals of orthodontic treatment are well established for the sagittal and vertical
dimensions in terms of how the teeth and jaws should relate, fit, and work together.
Diagnostic and treatment strategies focusing on these dimensions are the topic of many
orthodontic symposiums, conferences, and research papers. However, the transverse
dimension is often missing from generally accepted and performed patient analyses and
discussions. Additionally, well-defined criteria for determining if there is a need for
correction based on objective means, instead of subjective, frequently are not used.
As there are treatment goals for the final tooth positions based on sagittal and vertical
skeletal dimensions, there must be a set of defined goals for the transverse. For the
posterior teeth, these would be to have them upright and centered in the alveolus in
addition to being well-intercuspated with proper arch coordination, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 – Ideal posterior dental treatment goals – teeth upright and centered in the alveolus, and
well-intercuspated.
When there is a skeletal transverse discrepancy, oftentimes this is recognized by a
posterior dental crossbite. However, many times there is no posterior dental crossbite,
but the maxillary posterior teeth are tipped buccally, and mandibular posterior teeth are
inclined lingually to compensate for the skeletal disharmony. This compensated dental
arrangement opens the patient to a higher likelihood for non-working interferences from
plunging palatal cups, centric prematurities, and functional shifts, in addition to placing
off-axis forces on the dentition. “Decompensation” which uprights and centers the teeth
in the alveolus, then reveals the underlying “skeletal crossbite” and amount of skeletal
correction required, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2 – Comparison of an ideal posterior relationship vs. one where a skeletal transverse
discrepancy is present. Decompensation of the teeth reveals the maxillary skeletal deficiency.
Coronal cuts of untreated patients, where the posterior teeth were upright in the
alveolus, centered in the alveolus, and well intercuspated were examined for the
relationship between the jaws1. When the width of the maxilla and mandible were
measured, it was consistently shown that these “normal” patients, which met the stated
transverse goals, had a maxilla that was roughly 5mm wider (measured at Mx-Mx) than
the mandible (measured at MGJ-MGJ) as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3 – Three examples of untreated cases with
ideal posterior dental relationships. Note the skeletal difference between the width of the jaws at
the level of the first molar is 5mm.
There is no exact numerical measurement for the ideal width of either the maxilla or the
mandible. Instead, every patient is their own “normal” using the baseline dimension of
the mandibular width. Since the mandibular basal bone is unable to be affected with
conventional orthodontic means, it is the orthodontist’s role to then normalize the
maxilla to it. Therefore, the difference of width between the two, instead of the baseline
jaw dimensions taken individually, is the important concept. While a difference of 5mm
is the ideal goal (meaning maxillary width – mandibular width = 5mm), the authors feel
comfortable with dentally camouflaging a skeletal difference of 2-5mm. Any differences
<2mm (meaning the maxilla has smaller width compared to what should be ideal for a
that patient’s mandible) may benefit from correction via orthopedic, surgical, or other
means, as deemed appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
While it is possible to achieve good uprighting and intercuspation of the posterior teeth
in the presence of a skeletal disharmony, a risk of doing so is potential compromise to
the periodontium. In an attempt to upright and well-intercuspate the teeth in the
presence of a discrepancy, the amount of soft tissue and bone overlying the roots
becomes thinner (Figure 4) because the teeth will no longer be centered in the alveolus.
In mild discrepancies, the effects of this dental positioning may not pose a concern.
However, in severe transverse discrepancies, an attempt to normalize the posterior
dentition inclination and intercuspation in light of the uncorrected skeletal disharmony
risks root fenestration and clinically obvious attachment loss, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 4 – Cartoon of creating upright and wellintercuspated posterior teeth in the presence of a transverse skeletal mismatch. Note the reduced
thickness of bone/soft tissue on the buccal portion of the maxillary molar as the discrepancy
becomes greater.
Figure 5 – Example showing
posterior teeth uprighting in the presence of a significant transverse skeletal disharmony of 7mm.
Note loss of attachment. There was buccal displacement of the teeth and thinning of the
attachment when normalizing the dental archform on a underlying skeletal base disharmony.
Moderate skeletal discrepancies are the most common missed situation using just
clinical observation and not an objective analysis. However, a practitioner can gain an
appreciation for where an underlying skeletal crossbite is present, in the absence of a
dental one, by looking at the inclinations of the mandibular teeth (Figure 6).
Figure 6 – Examples of cases where no dental crossbite is present, but the clinician can suspect a
camouflaged transverse discrepancy due to the excessive lingual inclination of the mandibular
molars.
In these scenarios the consequences of attempted tooth position normalization, without
skeletal correction, and their effect on long-term periodontal viability may not be
immediately realized clinically. On debond it may appear that the posterior teeth were
corrected with just using brackets, cross-elastics, or expanded archwires. However,
because no overt attachment loss was seen during treatment, the practitioner may
wrongly assume that no harm was done to the patient or the periodontium is viable and
resilient for the long term.
Over time and in a susceptible patient, as stated above, the gingival attachment may be
less resilient to normal stresses placed on it due to the reduced bulk of tissue vs. the
amount present in a non-compromised patient. There is now a higher risk for
mechanically-induced periodontal tissue loss, especially for those patients who may
have a thinner tissue biotype at baseline. Therefore, the negative sequelae of loss of
attachment and recession may not appear until years or decades later, depending on
the patient’s adaptability, periodontal biotype, and genetic makeup2.
Anzilotti and Vanarsdall brought this phenomenon to light3. In their thesis, it was
suggested that those people who had skeletal discrepancies more than 5mm from the
ideal relationship were at a higher risk for periodontal disease and gingival recession
than those with optimally related skeletal bases. While there are many biologic, intrinsic,
and extrinsic factors that lead to periodontal compromise, thinned tissue will have less
resistance to sustain forces placed on it by normal mechanical means, such as
toothbrushing. Compounding factors (occlusal trauma4, biological pathogens5, etc) in
addition to a reduced tissue thickness, may further exacerbate tissue loss.
The Anzilotti paper describes what happens with attempted normalization of tooth
inclinations on a skeletal base mismatch. In another scenario where teeth are tipped to
compensate for a significant skeletal discrepancy, periodontal consequences can also
occur. Here, posterior teeth are not uprighted but instead are tipped buccally via crosselastics or archwires in an attempt to “eliminate the crossbite” or “broaden the archform”
as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7 – Case example of teeth being buccally tipped to camouflage the skeletal discrepancy.
Histological arrangement of the PDL fibers show that vertical stresses to the dentition
can be well-tolerated, but react to lateral or off-axis forces with much less resilience6.
For normal masticatory function with vertical chewing strokes, this dental arrangement
may still prove viable as long as the forces placed on the dentition and periodontium are
physiologic and there is a normal to thick tissue biotype present.
The threshold to the patient’s level of periodontal adaptability is reduced when the teeth
are not upright in the alveolus. Additionally, the potential for adverse effects to the
periodontium is increased when compromised posterior tooth inclinations are combined
with parafunctional activity. Okeson describes that the forces generated through
nocturnal parafunction can be 3-4 orders of magnitude higher than what is generated
through normal physiologic masticatory function (Figure 8)7.
Figure 8 – Comparison of functional and parafunctional loads placed on the dentition7.
In addition to vertical clenching, the often co-present jaw eccentric motion of bruxism
places lateral forces on the dentition. As mentioned previously, the PDL fibers are
oriented in such a fashion so they exert tensile forces (osteoblastic for orthodontic
movement) upon alveolar bone when a tooth is loaded along its long axis. However,
compressive forces (osteoclastic for orthodontic movement dominate at the alveolar
crest when non-axial or lateral forces are exerted on the tooth in function and
parafunction6. The combination of increased force, lateral direction of stress application,
and high area of stress concentration seen with a hanging palatal cusp or non-working
interference is the worst combination to have with in a parafunctionally susceptible
patient who has a reduced resilience of the periodontium to withstand this stress.
Knowing this, the body is remarkable, and often attempts to adapt to support nonphysiologic stresses via development of exostoses along the buccal cortical surfaces of
the maxillary posterior teeth and/or lingual cortical surfaces of the mandibular posterior
teeth. Coronal cross section cuts through the posterior teeth clearly show this
development in Figure 9.
Figure 9 – Exostosis development on the buccal of the maxillary teeth as a compensatory
adaptation to withstand excessive loading.
However, in dentistry and orthodontics in general, we do not have the ability to test for a
patient’s adaptive capacity and are unable to predict which patients will be able to
develop adaptations to non-optimal situations and who will not. Especially in a
population whose adaptive capacity is poor or compromised, continued non-physiologic
stress to the area can lead to tooth mobility, secondary occlusal trauma, and further
attachment loss4.
The bottom line is that we do not know which patients can withstand transverse
camouflage, and to what periodontal limit they will be able to tolerate a dental
compromise. The goal, therefore, is to objectively measure and optimize the skeletal
transverse dimension8,9,10,11 in conjunction with comprehensive orthodontic treatment
whenever possible.
Dr. Shalin Raj Shah
Shalin Raj Shah, DMD MS received his Certificate of Orthodontics and Masters of
Science in Oral Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and is a Diplomate of the
American Board of Orthodontics. He is also a graduate of the University of
Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences and School of Dental Medicine. Currently,
Shalin is Clinical Associate of Orthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania and is in
private practice (Center for Orthodontic Excellence) in Princeton Junction, NJ and
Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Dan Fishel
Dr. Daniel L. W. Fishel, DMD is dual-specialty trained in orthodontics and periodontics.
He completed his dental training at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and his
residency training at The University of Pennsylvania. He practices in multiple locations
in south central Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, York, and Hanover. He emphasizes
educating his patients on the best treatments dentistry has to offer, providing
orthodontic, periodontal, and dental implant treatments that maximize dental health and
longevity, as well as quality of life.
Dr. Ryan Tamburrino
Ryan K. Tamburrino, DMD, co-founder of the Center for Orthodontic Excellence,
graduated from Duke University with a double major in biomedical engineering and
mechanical engineering/materials science. He attended the University of Pennsylvania
for dental school, as well as for specialty training in orthodontics. Dr. Tamburrino is on
faculty as an attending clinician in the graduate orthodontic clinic at the University of
Pennsylvania. Additionally, he is on faculty and lectures internationally/nationally with
the Complete Clinical Orthodontics (CCO) courses. His involvement with tops Software
is limited to being their customer and being an avid supporter of their team, vision, and
products/services. Dr. Tamburrino has no financial interest in the company.
References:
1. Simontacchi-Gbologah MS, Tamburrino RK, Boucher NS, Vanarsdall RL, Secchi AG.
Comparison of Three Methods to Analyze the Skeletal Transverse Dimension in Orthodontic
Diagnosis [thesis]. University of Pennsylvania; 2010.
2. Vanarsdall RL. Periodontal-orthodontic Inter-relationships. In: Graber LM, Vanarsdall RL, Vig
KWL. Eds. Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mosby.
2012:807-843.
3. Anzilotti CL, Vanarsdall RL and Balakrishnan M. Expansion and Evaluation of Post-Retention
Gingival Recession Thesis, Department of Orthodontics, University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
4. Amsterdam MA, Vanarsdall RL: Periodontal Prosthesis: 25 Years in Retrospect. Alpha
Omegan Scientific Issue: 1974.
5. Nagwa HE, Gaafar SM, Mostafa YA. Mandibular Anterior Crowding and Periodontal Disease.
Angle Ortho. 1:33-38. 1987.
6. Carranza FA, Newman GA. Clinical Periodontology, 8th edition. W.B. Saunders Company,
Philadelphia, 1996.
7. Okeson JP: Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Occlusion, 5th edition,
Mosby, St. Louis, 2003.
8. Tamburrino RK, Boucher NS, Vanarsdall RL, Secchi AG. The Transverse Dimension:
Diagnosis and Relevance to Functional Occlusion. RWISO Journal – September 2010.
9. Hayes JL. In search of improved skeletal transverse diagnosis. Part 2: A new measurement
technique used on 114 consecutive untreated patients. Orthodontic Practice US 1(4); 34-39.
2010
10. Ricketts RM. Introducing Computerized Cephalometrics. Rocky Mountain Data Systems;
1969.
11. Andrews LF, Andrews WA. Andrews analysis. In: Syllabus of the Andrews Orthodontic
Philosophy. 9th ed. Six Elements Course Manual; 2001.
Published in Orthodontic Practice US 2014 http://www.orthopracticeus.com/continuingeducation/ce-articles/458-periodontal-rationale-for-transverse-skeletal-normalization