External root resorption is a feared complication during orthodontic procedures. It can affect both the apex, but also the cervical zone of the roots subjected to orthodontic forces for tooth movement and can compromise the future of the involved teeth. The patient must be informed about the risks of resorption as a consequence of orthodontic treatment. The detection of resorptions can occur during and/or after the active phase of orthodontic treatment.

Knowledge of the clinical situations predisposing the patient to resorption is essential. The data are still insufficient to avoid them completely. Early and precise detection is essential, and the cone beam with its high resolution 3D images, can compensate for the diagnostic inaccuracy of digital panoramic and periapical films. There are treatment solutions and their prognosis is correlated to early detection. Apical resorptions, generally not infected, can mostly be stopped by discontinuing orthodontic forces. Cervical resorptions, with a bacterial component, will require surgical intervention with curettage and restorative build-up of the resorbed area. Current research, particularly in genetics, is in the developmental stage. In the future, the conclusions of this research will allow orthodontists to more precisely target at risk patients so as to avoid these complications.

The way in which orthodontic patients swallow poses a major problem during treatment, especially for long-term stability of the end result. If clinical diagnosis of atypical swallowing performed in an empirical manner by the practitioner, aided or not by rehabilitation devices, has been the subject of numerous studies, surface electromyography seems to bring new insight in diagnosing the way patients swallow and in re-training atypical deglutition. After a short refresher about the anatomy and physiology of the mechanisms of swallowing as well as the basic principles of electromyography, a descriptive and comparative study was carried out with 60 patients in order to understand and to prove the reliability and pertinence of this diagnostic tool. The results of the study are based on a collection of graphic and visual data compared to maxillo-facial kinesiographic studies where patients underwent a parallel double blind diagnosis. The objective was to determine if surface electromyography provides reliable, exact and reproducible data based on daily screening. Finally, it may be possible to create a flowchart for clinical decision making by using the results of our study as well as the findings in the literature.

The objective of this article is to offer a simplified and reasonable approach for periodontal disease screening that should be a mandatory part of each and every oral examination. The main purpose of this examination is to answer the question of whether or not there are any infection sites that require periodontal management. This assessment has three parts: the initial patient interview (medical history), the clinical oral examination and the radiological examination. Using a periodontal probe, the dentist should place a high priority on performing PD screening and it should be done systematically and routinely during every consultation. Orthodontists and dentists are both licensed to perform this examination. After this examination, the practitioner can make a diagnosis, initiate periodontal management of the patient or refer the patient to an appropriate specialist.

PD screening should be repeated before orthodontic treatment or before any functional rehabilitation in order to maintain periodontal stability.

The maxillary incisor-canine group above all, plays a crucial role both in the esthetics of the smile as well as in mastication.

The most frequent morphological problems, agenesis, stunted, or peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors will hinder the anterior guidance and have an adverse impact on the smile (‘‘fang’’ shaped teeth, spaces/overlapping teeth, anomalies in size in relation to neighboring teeth).

The satisfactory reconstruction of the upper six anterior teeth requires first and foremost a proportional relationship between the lateral and central incisors and between the upper and lower six front teeth. A study of the esthetic indices (L/C: lateral/central) and functional (I/S: inferior/superior – mandibular anterior teeth/maxillary anterior teeth) can be a decision aid and can measure the effectiveness of different treatments (adding composites, stripping, ceramic cap, single implant-supported crown).

How to close gaps with the lingual technique in cases of agenesis of the upper lateral incisor is a therapeutic decision orthodontists often have to make. We have decided to discuss the mechanical and strategic aspects of this issue that arise when we implement the lingual technique to treat this disorder, which is a major source of concern for our patients since its esthetic repercussions for the smile are so great.