Kevin O'Brien's orthodontic blog

04/08/2025

Do enlarged tonsils really influence dentofacial development?
Adenotonsillar hypertrophy can obstruct the upper airway, which may result in children breathing through their mouths. It is a common belief that this may influence their craniofacial growth and dental occlusion.
This concept tends to be based on various interpretations of the classic papers by Linder-Aronson and Harvold. However, we should also consider other studies. This new systematic review, which incorporates data from many studies, is of both clinical and scientific importance.

This new systematic review including data from many papers on the association between adenotonsillar hypertrophy is of both clinical and scientific importance.

14/07/2025

Improving fixed retainers: Is it time for titanium?

In this post Padhraig Fleming outlines a new randomised trial into the use of CAD/CAM titanium retainers. The authors therefore aimed to test the clinical effectiveness of CAD-CAM Ti5 fixed retainers comparing these to established 8-stranded stainless steel fixed retainers over a 6-month period.

Explore the latest advancements in retainers, comparing CAD/CAM titanium Ti5 designs to traditional stainless steel for effective, long-term orthodontic retention.

06/05/2025

3 D effects of protraction for Class III early treatment.

A few weeks ago, I posted about an interesting study examining the two-dimensional effects of protraction headgear treatment for Class III malocclusion. The authors have produced another interesting paper evaluating 3-dimensional change with this treatment.

Paper that evaluates 3 dimensional change of protraction with headgear or mandibular anchorage. This adds to a previous publication.

22/04/2025

CBCT imaging is undoubtedly useful for very complex orthodontic cases. However, there is a tendency to use CBCT for much more routine orthodontic problems. I have posted about the risks of this before. This is another study from the medical literature suggesting there is a considerable risk of cancer following CT imaging.

What are the risks of cancer because of cancer following CBCT imaging for orthodontics in a child? The results of this large-scale study are worrying.

03/02/2025

Tooth wear and late crowding: A remarkable 13-year old follow-up study.

One of the aims of this blog is to highlight publications and issues that are unusual and innovative. A significant debate in orthodontics centres on the aetiology of malocclusion. This new paper discusses an unusual research project and provides insight into this perennial question.

The authors of this paper examined the effects of tooth wear on the development of tertiary crowding. Its results provide us with good information.

28/10/2024

Thoughts and Reflections about our profession
In this guest blog, Dr. Bjorn Ludwig reflects on the evolution of our profession. He effectively outlines several challenges and concludes with some intriguing ideas on how we can progress.

Dr. Bjorn Ludwig reflects on the current evolution of orthodontics. He outlines several challenges and concludes with intriguing ideas on progressing.

21/10/2024

A new trial looks at the effectiveness of digital direct bonding.

The field of orthodontics is rapidly advancing towards digitalization. One of the latest advancements is CAD/CAM indirect bonding, which utilizes digital technology to improve the precision of bracket placement. Despite the swift adoption of this new technology, limited studies have been conducted on the potential advantages of these procedures. Therefore, this new study is well-timed.

Orthodontics is rapidly advancing towards digitalization. One of the latest advancements is CAD/CAM indirect bonding, which utilizes digital technology to improve the precision of bracket placement. Despite the swift adoption of this new technology, limited studies have been conducted on the potenti...

14/10/2024

A new RCT shows how pacifiers influence malocclusion.

Non-nutritive sucking habits (NNSH) with pacifiers are common among young children, with an incidence of 82%. These habits are known to be associated with the development of malocclusion, particularly in relation to the duration of the NNSH. Those of us fortunate enough to have children will know the value of a pacifier. But do they cause malocclusion?

https://kevinobrienorthoblog.com/a-new-rct-shows-how-pacifiers-influence-malocclusion/

07/10/2024

Adenotonsillectomy is better than RPE for treating paediatric OSA!

One of the most controversial areas of orthodontics is using orthodontic treatment to cure childhood breathing disorders. Over the years, I have advocated for better research on treating childhood OSA. It should be more comprehensive than mere case reports or intentionally biased studies. So, I was pleased to see this new paper outlining a clinical trial into the effectiveness of adenotonsillectomy and RPE.

A controversial area of orthodontics is the treatment of childhood breathing disorders. This blog is on clinical trial of adenotonsillectomy or RPE.

30/09/2024

Cortical Plates: Cliff-Edge or Forgiving Friend?

This week's post is by Pahraig Fleming. He looks at a new paper that investigated the effect of lower incisor retraction on the cortical plates. It provides us food for thought about the ability of the cortical plates to remodel.

Summary of new paper on the amount of alveolar bone remodelling that may be expected following retraction of the lower incisors as part of orthodontic treatment

24/09/2024

How to get through the mire of orthodontic publications?

Every month, there is a vast number of orthodontic publications. As a result, It is easy to get overawed by the sheer volume of information that journals publish. This brings me to question whether there are too many papers. If this is the case, how do I identify the important ones? Read on for how I try to do this.

This blog post discusses whether there are too many orthodontic publications.. If this is the case, how do I identify the important ones?

16/09/2024

What does recent research tell us about aligners?

Over the past two years, I've written several posts about research on clear aligners. Now, I've decided to summarise the findings in one post to help you form your own conclusions on their effectiveness

Summary post looking at the most recent evidence on the effectiveness of clear aligners as part of orthodontic treatment. The evidence is critically reviewed.