RESUMEN
Objective: To examine the areas of the maxillary tuberosity (MT) (coronal, apical, width, and height) with respect to the presence or absence of the third molar to establish possible anatomical limitations for molar distalization. Methods: A total of 277 tuberosities were evaluated through sagittal computed tomography (CT) images, divided for measurement into coronal (free of bone), apical (area of influence of the maxillary sinus), and tuberosity (bony area) zones, and stratified by the presence or absence of the third molar, sex, and two age subgroups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the groups considering the third molar. Results: The medians of the width and height of the tuberosity decreased significantly in the absence of the third molar (P < 0.001). The apical area also showed differences, with negative values in the absence of the third molar and positive values in the presence of the third molar (P < 0.001). However, no differences were observed for the coronal area (P > 0.05). Conclusions: In the absence of the third molar, the size of the MT, represented by its width and height, was smaller and negative values (decrease) were observed for the maxillary sinus. The sagittal CT provides useful information regarding the amount of bone tissue available for distalization and relationship of the second molar with respect to the maxillary sinus, which allows individualizing each case in relation to the amount and type of movement expected.
RESUMEN
Resumen El control periódico en un tratamiento de Ortodoncia permite establecer una buena secuencia de tratamiento sin riesgos para el paciente. Un tratamiento sin la vigilancia adecuada puede llegar a generar daños irreversibles. Sin embargo, por la pandemia de COVID-19 que enfrenta el mundo actualmente y los riesgos en el área de la salud, se han suspendido temporalmente los servicios no vitales y potencialmente expuestos a contagios como lo son los servicios odontológicos de consulta programada. Teniendo en cuenta esta situación, y que este virus puede llegar a ser endémico en la población humana, se hace necesario establecer protocolos de bioseguridad que permitan reactivar las prácticas odontológicas, y a su vez genear garantías para operadores, personal de apoyo, pacientes y el entorno de los mismos. En este contexto, es de gran importancia desarrollar un protocolo con profesionales expertos en tratamientos ortodóncicos y en el manejo de la pandemia, para delinear procesos de calidad que garanticen un ambiente seguro y minimicen los riesgos de contagio.
Abstract Periodic control in an Orthodontic treatment allows establishing a good treatment sequence without risks for the patient. Treatment without proper monitoring can lead to irreversible damage. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic facing the world today and the risks in the health area, non-vital and potentially contagious services such as scheduled consultation dental services have been temporarily closed. Taking into account this situation, and that this virus will end up being endemic, it is necessary to establish biosafety protocols that allow reactivating dental practices, and in turn generate guarantees for operators, support staff, patients and the environment of the themselves. In this context, it is of great importance to develop a protocol carried out with expert professionals in orthodontic treatments and in the pandemic, to outline the quality protocol that guarantees a safe environment and minimizes the risks of infection.
Resumo O controle periódico em um tratamento ortodôntico permite estabelecer uma boa sequência de tratamento sem riscos para o paciente. O tratamento sem monitoramento adequado pode levar a danos irreversíveis. No entanto, devido à pandemia do COVID-19 que o mundo enfrenta atualmente e aos riscos na área da saúde, serviços não vitais e potencialmente contagiosos foram temporariamente suspensos, como serviços odontológicos agendados para consultas. Considerando essa situação e que esse vírus pode se tornar endêmico na população humana, é necessário estabelecer protocolos de biossegurança que permitam reativar as práticas odontológicas e, por sua vez, gerar garantias aos operadores, pessoal de apoio, pacientes e meio ambiente. Dos mesmos. Nesse contexto, é de grande importância o desenvolvimento de um protocolo com profissionais especialistas em tratamentos ortodônticos e no manejo da pandemia, para delinear processos de qualidade que garantam um ambiente seguro e minimizem os riscos de infecção.