International Journal of Orthodontics

The International Journal of Orthodontics (IJO) is a quarterly peer-reviewed clinical journal published by the International Association for Orthodontics (IAO). It has been continuously published since 2002 and is the successor of the Journal of General Orthodontics.

The IJO features original scientific and clinical articles on orthodontics, plus an editorial, practice tips and office management hints. The purpose of the IJO is to serve as an educational tool, as well as to present innovative treatment mechanisms as they are developed.

All archived issues of the IJO can be found through the search function below and are also part of the Dr. Joseph M. Sim Library. The articles are indexed. They can easily be searched by author, title, or subject matter. Research a specific topic, methodology, technique, or technology from it origins over the last forty years.

Submit Article to IJO

To access the site for article submission click the button below. The IJO is a selective journal. Submission of articles does not guarantee their acceptance. If chosen you will be contacted by the staff at IJO with a release date.

Spring IJO Abstract (Click the title to read full article)

A Multiple Helical Wire for Multiple Impactions: MH WireSuccessful Treatment of Class II Malocclusion in a Young Patient with Headache and Cervical Dystonia Using the Herbst Appliance: A Case Study

When two impacted teeth are adjacent, it can be tedious to align them one by one. A novel MH wire does simultaneous disimpaction and space management. This appliance has optimum range of function.

Keywords: impacted teeth; multiple impactions; disimpactions; orthodontic treatment; biomechanics; loop mechanics

Conflict of Interest: None

Mulligan Mechanics Part I

The author was introduced to Mulligan Mechanics in late eighties, while attending one of Dr. Mulligan’s presentations, “Common Sense Mechanics.” After attending numerous Dr. Mulligan’s lectures, the author embraced his philosophy of biomechanics and applied it to his everyday practice.

Impacted Teeth in the Mixed Dentition Phase: A Differentiated Interception

Introduction: Teeth eruption is a physiological process characterized by a sequence of events that occur so that primary teeth reach the oral cavity and are later replaced by permanent teeth. In some situations, such as dental traumas, this can lead to the development of problems such as eruption deviations and impacted teeth, consolidating important malocclusions

Objectives: Using a case report of a child patient who had impaction of teeth 21 and 23 with trauma-associated etiology to show the importance of an individualized and multidisciplinary treatment plan that implements a successful and differentiated alternative for treating impacted teeth.

Conclusion: After the implementation of a successful and individualized alternative for traction of impacted teeth for the patient’s well-being and growth, there was significant improvement in her quality of life with the achievement of the proposed treatment goals.

Keywords: Impacted tooth. Malocclusion.

Conflict of Interest: None

Analysis of Vertical Facial-Growth Patterns

Objective: This study aimed to identify similarities and differences in vertical facial growth patterns between five patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and review the relevant literature to contribute to a deeper understanding of potential clinical implications and orthodontic treatment approaches for patients with Class III malocclusion and vertical facial growth. Additionally, we discuss an effective approach to determine the environmental factors that lead to vertical growth and ways to combat these factors

Keywords: Malocclusion; Appliances; mouth breathing; Occlusion; Open Bite; Vertical Growth; Class III Malocclusion; Breast feeding; Nonnutritive sucking; Thumb Sucking; Tongue Thrusting; Tongue Positioning

Conflict of Interest: None

Myofunctional vs. Fixed Functional: A Comparative Study in Changes in Airway Dimension and Hyoid Bone Position

Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the change in pharyngeal airway dimension and hyoid bone position following treatment with removable functional appliance in cases with mandibular retrognathism.

Material and Methods: Pre and post functional lateral cephalometric radiographs of 25 growing Class II patients (13 males and 11 females) in the age range of 8 to 14 years treated with myofunctional appliance were compared with a control sample of 20 Class II subjects (11 males and 10 females) in the age range of 8 to 15 years. For control group, Class II growing individuals were chosen who have not undergone any sagittal correction because of various reasons such as excessive lower incisor proclination or lack of patient compliance, etc. Lateral cephalograms were recorded at the beginning (t0) and end of 9 months (t1) for both groups.

Results: After functional treatment, the dimension of oropharynx and hypopharynx increased significantly compared to the control group. There was an increase in PPS from 22.08±1.44 mm to 22.56±1.73 mm, but the change was not statistically significant (p=0.29). The SPPS, MPS, IPS increased significantly in the functional group, i.e. p=0.0029, 0.0001, 0.0008, respectively. HRGN measurement showed statistically significant decrease (p=0.04) in dimension, suggesting the hyoid bone moved forward after functional therapy. The vertical position of the hyoid bone in the post-functional group showed no significant difference from the control, indicating that growth development plays a vital role in vertical control of the hyoid bone.

Conclusion: Oropharynx and hypopharynx increased significantly after functional therapy as compared to control. A weak but positive correlation was found between increase in airway dimension and forward movement of the hyoid bone. Sexual dimorphism was not present for change in pharyngeal airway dimension and hyoid bone position in this study.

Keywords: Hyoid, Myofunctional, Fixed Functional

Conflict of Interest: None

IAO’s Journal Library

The International Association for Orthodontics (IAO) has had three scholarly Journals during the association’s existence. The first was the Journal of General Orthodontics. This was followed by the Functional Orthodontist. Currently, the IAO releases the International Journal of Orthodontics on a quarterly basis. This is almost 40 years worth of journals. The total collection is well over 200 issues.

Every issue of these three journals is archived in the IAO’s Journal Library. Each one has also been indexed. This means that users can search through every issue by author, title, topic, even a common phrase. The search tool will return every article where the term was found, what issue it was in, and an abstract. The user can then click the link to access that specific article, or view the entire journal.

The IAO’s Journal Library is a perfect tool for researchers. Authors can find the original studies on almost 40 years of orthodontic techniques, advancements, and technology. Quote the original source on the topic being researched. Comb through every issue of the International Journal of Orthodontics, Functional Orthodontist, and General Journal of Orthodontics for your subject at hand in seconds.

This library is continually expanding. Once an author has finished an article, it can be submitted to the International Journal of Orthodontics for publication. The journal is provided to thousands of dentists practicing orthodontics across the world. Your research could influence practices all over the globe.

IAO members come to this organization in search of knowledge. The International Journal of Orthodontics is a key source of information. It helps members stay on top of the latest advancements, trends, and techniques. Any research published will be archived as part of the IAO’s Journal Library for years to come. A decade from now, another author may be looking up research provided in an International Journal of Orthodontics article. They will be able to easily search for the information as the article will be indexed. Said research can help propel advancements in the subject’s area for years to come.

The IAO is built on the principle of promoting the exchange of knowledge to better the practice of orthodontics. The IAO Journal Library is a principal contributor to this ideal. It is a perfect tool for those looking to advance their knowledge, perform in-depth research, or publish important findings.