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CLINICAL PEARL |
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Year : 2017 | Volume
: 8
| Issue : 4 | Page : 161-163 |
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Tempo blocks
Khushbu Dinesh Agrawal, Suresh K Kangane, Anand Ambekar
Department of Orthodontics, MIDSR Dental College, Latur, Maharashtra, India
Date of Web Publication | 11-Oct-2017 |
Correspondence Address: Khushbu Dinesh Agrawal Department of Orthodontics, MIDSR Dental College, Latur, Maharashtra India
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijor.ijor_31_17
Bite opening is often required to achieve clearance for correction of certain malocclusions such as crossbites or deep overbites. The present article introduces “tempo blocks” which are easy to fabricate and use and can be used along with the fixed orthodontic appliance in place. Keywords: Crossbites, deep overbites, tempo blocks
How to cite this article: Agrawal KD, Kangane SK, Ambekar A. Tempo blocks. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2017;8:161-3 |
Introduction | | |
Orthodontists often need to open the bite in the beginning stages of treatment to avoid traumatic occlusion caused by bracket interferences, crossbites, or other impediments to tooth movement. Many devices have been utilized for this purpose, including anterior or posterior bite splints, bonded lingual biteplanes or Bite Turbos, and bonded occlusal composite resin build-ups.[1],[2],[3],[4]
Steps in fabrication
- To fabricate the “tempo blocks” first take a squash bite and mount the casts on a hinge articulator [Figure 1]
- Open the bite to achieve sufficient clearance (for correcting crossbite or bonding lower arch)
- Take a 0.032” stainless steel wire to make two “Z” shaped wire forms which fits in the lingual sheath on one side and embeds in the acrylic blocks on other [Figure 2]
- The acrylic blocks can be fabricated by mounting the models on a hinge articulator and opening the bite to the needed amount [Figure 3].
| Figure 1: Casts mounted on hinge articulator for fabrication of “tempo blocks”
Click here to view |
Case Report | | |
Case 1
A 13-year-old female patient reported with a bilateral canine crossbite in. Bite opening was needed to correct the crossbite [Figure 4]a. Tempo blocks were given for the same [Figure 4]b. | Figure 4: (a and b) “Tempo blocks” for opening bite in case of bilateral canine crossbite
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Case 2
A 19-year-old male patient came with a 100% deep bite malocclusion [Figure 5]a. The bonding of the lower arch in such cases is delayed by 2–4 months for achieving some overjet. However, bite opening can be done to bond the lower teeth from the beginning to reduce the treatment duration. Tempo blocks were placed, and bite was opened [Figure 5]b. | Figure 5: (a and b) “Tempo blocks” for opening bite in case of 100% deep bite malocclusion
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Advantages
The tempo blocks have several advantages over the existing bite raising techniques:
- The “tempo blocks” can be used for bite opening when:
- Correcting crossbite
- Bonding the lower arch in the beginning in deep bite cases
- Can be used in growing patients for correction of an open bite by molar intrusion.
- Can be easily fabricated and repaired
- Can be placed or removed easily and quickly without patient discomfort or the need for special instruments
- The amount of bite opening can be adjusted and modified any time in between the treatment
- Does not interfere with the treatment as the appliance is placed by inserting into the lingual sheath.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References | | |
1. | Vanarsdall RL, Musich DR. Adult orthodontics: Diagnosis and treatment. In: Graber TM, Vanarsdall RL Jr., editor. Orthodontics: Current Principles and Techniques. St. Louis: C.V. Mosby Co.; 2000. p. 870. |
2. | Brobakken BO, Zachrisson BU. Abrasive wear of bonding adhesives: Studies during treatment and after bracket removal. Am J Orthod 1981;79:134-47. |
3. | Güray E. Temporary bite raiser. J Clin Orthod 1999;33:206-8. |
4. | Gupta M, Tandon R, Chandra P. M block for bite opening. APOS Trends Orthod 2016;6:322-3. [Full text] |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5]
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