title: Analysis of dental supportive structures in orthodontic therapy.
abstract: The purpose was to define the impact of orthodontic appliances on the density of the underlying dental bone tissue. Radiographic images of teeth were made in 27 study subjects before and twelve months after fixed orthodontic appliances were carried. The radiographs were digitalized and the levels of gray at sites where the greatest bone resorption was expected were transformed into optic density. In the standardization and comparison of values from the first and the second measurements the copper calibration wedge--a stepwedge--was used. Optic densities in the observed sites were compared with optic densities of the calibration wedge and expressed as their thickness equivalent. The study results showed no statistically significant difference in bone densities, indicating that the orthodontic therapy was properly planned and carried out and that excessive forces were not used in the applied correctional procedures.
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Dental Anthropology, Zagreb, Croatia. savic@sfzg.hr
authors.forename: Ivana Savić
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Pavicin
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ivosević-Magdalenić
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Badel
authors.forename: Kresimir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Basić
authors.forename: Jadranka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keros
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007568:Jaw / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011859:Radiography; D013314:Stress, Mechanical