orthodontic assessment Flashcards
What steps do we take before coming to a diagnosis
- History
- Extra oral exam
- Intra oral exam
- Special tests
What do we look for when we do our extra oral examination from an ortho point of view
- View patients head from front, side, above and below
- Assess hard and soft tissues in 3 planes
- TMJ
Name the 3 planes we assess the hard and soft tissues in in an extra oral exam
- Antero-posterior
- Vertical
- Transverse
How do we assess the anterior posterior plane
- Assess in natural head position
2. Cab use the kettle method or just visually assess
What is the kettles method
Using your index and pointing finger palpate patients upper and lower jaw and determine if your fingers are portioning straight, upwards or downwards
What does it mean if your fingers are pointing downwards when carrying out kettles method
Class 2 skeletal structure
What does it mean if your fingers are pointing upwards when carrying out kettles method
Class 3 skeletal base
What does it mean if your fingers are pointing straight when carrying out kettles method
Class 1 skeletal base
What is an alternative to the kettle method
The zero meridian line
What is the zeros meridian line also known as
True vertical line
How do we determine where the zero meridian line is
- Get patient to look forward
- Drop an imaginary line vertical from the soft tissue nasian (top of nose)
- Assess the relationship of the lower lip and chin to this line
Describe what you might see in a Class 1 skeletal base in relation to the zero meridian line
- A ‘balanced’ profile
- The upper lip rests on it slightly ahead of the zero meridian line
- Chin lies slightly behind the zero meridian line
- Mandible lies 2-4mm behind the maxilla on palpation
Describe what you would see in an class 2 skeletal base in relation to the zero meridian line
- Mandible appears further behind the maxilla
- Chin lies behind the zero meridian line
- Retrusive mandible
Describe a patient with a class 3 skeletal base in relation to the zero meridian line
- Mandible appears ahead of the maxilla
- Chin lies ahead of the zero meridian line
- The upper lip may be close to or behind the zero meridian line
- Protrusive mandible and/or retrusive maxilla
What do we look for if we suspect a retrusive maxilla
- Paranasal hollowing
- Flat infra-orbital margins
- Flat zygomas (cheekbones)
- In severe cases sclera (white part of eye) may be visible below iris
How do we assess the vertical plane of a patient
- Rule of equal thirds
- Frankfort Mandibular planes angle (FMPA)
- Centrelines
What is the rule of equal thirds
Approx equal thirds between:
- Hairline (trichion) to between the eyebrows (Glabella)
- Glabella to base of nose (subnasale)
- Subnasale to bottom of chin (menton)
What is the upper anterior face height
I he distance between the glabella (between eyebrows) and subnasale (base of nose)
What is the lower anterior face height
Distance between the subnasale (base of nose) and menton (bottom of chin)
How do we assess if the lower anterior face height is normal
Compare it to the upper anterior face height if they are approximately equal then that it average
Where does Frankfort’s plane run
From the bony infra orbital margin to external auditory Meatus
Where does the Mandibular plane run
Along the lower border of the mandible
What is an average Frankfurt Mandibular planes angle
Where they meet at the occiput
What is an increased Frankfurt Mandibular planes angle
Where they meet before the occiput
What is a decreased Frankfurt Mandibular planes angle
Where they meet behind the occiput
How do assess the transverse plane in a patient
- Assess from above below and in front
- Compare between bilateral structure
- Compare to facial Midline
Where may asymmetry be seen?
- Mandible
- Nose
- Maxilla and mandible
- Orbits
Give examples of soft tissues we loom at in our extra oral exam
- Lips
2. Tongue
What do we look at when examining the lips
- Are the competent?
- Length
- Naso-labial angle
- Relationship of lower lip to upper incisors
- Relationship of upper lip to upper incisors
- Smile aesthetics
- Tone / fullness
What is the average value of the Naso-labial angle
90-110 degrees
How much of the upper incisors is seen at rest
3mm on average but reduced with age
What is a lower lip trap
When the lower lip functions behind the upper incisors