Original Research

Year : 2026 | Volume : 17 | Issue : 1 | Page : 83-96

WALA Ridge changes in Orthodontic Patients treated with Conventional Fixed Appliances and Damon Self-Ligating Appliances

Sohel Rana 1, Bhadrinath Srinivasan 2, Sridevi Padmanabhan 3

1-Postgraduate Resident, 2-Associate Professor, 3-Professor, Associate Dean Research, Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Sridevi Padmanabhan

Professor, Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics

Associate Dean Research,

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research

Chennai, India

Email: sridevipadmanabhan@sriramachandra.edu.in

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the changes in the WALA ridge and the distance from the FA point to the WALA ridge in the mandibular arch of patients treated with a conventional fixed appliance and a Damon self-ligating appliance.

Materials and Methods: The investigation included pre- and post-treatment mandibular study models of 63 subjects, with 33 subjects in Group I (MBT prescription) and 30 subjects in  Group 2 (Damon Self-Ligating appliance). Reference planes were generated on the maxillary study model and the WALA ridge, and FA points were marked on the mandibular models. Scanning of models was performed using a 3-dimensional laser scanner. The changes in WALA ridge position and the distances between the FA point and the WALA ridge were assessed using a dental cast analysis software.

Results: There was a significantly greater increase in WALA ridge dimensions in Group 2 (P<0.001) relative to Group 1. Intergroup comparison of changes in FA-WALA distances revealed buccal movement of all teeth in Group 1, except for the central incisor and first premolar. In contrast, buccal movement was noted only in the first molar region in Group 2. However, this variation among the groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Conclusions: There was a significant increase in WALA ridge dimensions with the Damon self-ligating appliance relative to the conventional fixed appliance, demonstrating that the WALA ridge is not immutable.
Keywords: WALA ridge; Self-ligating appliance; Damon self-ligating appliance.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND FUNDING

Nil

How to cite this article: Sohel Rana, Bhadrinath Srinivasan, Sridevi Padmanabhan. WALA Ridge changes in Orthodontic Patients treated with Conventional Fixed Appliances and Damon Self-Ligating Appliances.

Int J Orthod Rehabil 2026; 17 (1): 83-96.

Doi: 10.56501/Intjorthodrehabil.171.ijor0078

Original Research

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 4 | Page : 77-90

A Comparison of Cervical Spine Postural Changes following Fixed and Removable Functional Appliance Therapy in Growing Class II Subjects

Bhargavi Ganesan1, Vignesh Kailasam2, Sridevi Padmanabhan3

1-Post Graduate Resident, 2-Professor, 3-Professor and Head,  Associate Dean Research, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Chennai, 600116, India

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Vignesh Kailasam

Professor and Head, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics,

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER)

Chennai, 600116, India

Email: vignesh.k@sriramachandra.edu.in

ABSTRACT     

Introduction: The objective was to compare the cervical spine postural changes after treatment with fixed and removable functional appliances.

Methods and Analysis: A retrospective study with pre and post lateral cephalograms of 60 patients was planned. They were divided into three groups- fixed functional appliance, removable functional appliance and a control group which involved camouflage mechanics. Cervical spine posture and airway were assessed. The craniocervical angulation changes were correlated to changes in ANB, mandibular parameters and airway.

Results: Amongst the cervical spine postural variables, only the sella-nasion to odontoid process tangent (SN-OPT) showed significant changes (Twin block/control, p=0.041). Removable and fixed functional appliances brought about a reduction in the SN-OPT. However, this was not statistically significant (Herbst/control=0.184; Herbst/Twin block, p=0.761). Control group revealed an increase in the SN-OPT and this difference was significant between Twin block and control group (p=0.041). There were significant variations in the SNB (p=0.000) and ANB (Herbst/control, p=0.003; Twin block/control, p=0.001) between both Herbst and Twin block groups when compared with control group. However, there were no significant differences between the Herbst and Twin block groups (SNB, p=0.333;ANB,p=0.974). There were no significant differences in the mandibular length and the mandibular plane angle between the three groups (mandibular length, p=0.206; mandibular plane angle, p=0.788). Changes in superior, middle and inferior pharyngeal airway were not significantly different between the three groups (p=.537; p=.354; p=.110 respectively).

Conclusion: The functional appliances did not affect significant changes in the cervical spine posture. There were no significant differences between fixed and removable functional appliances.
Keywords: Cervical spine posture; Orthodontic appliances; Fixed functional appliances; Removable functional appliances.

FUNDING STATEMENT

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

COMPETING INTERESTS

No competing interests

RESEARCH ETHICAL APPROVAL

Ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee was obtained. CSP/20/OCT/86/172

How to cite this article: Bhargavi Ganesan, Vignesh Kailasam, Sridevi Padmanabhan. A Comparison of Cervical Spine Postural Changes following Fixed and Removable Functional Appliance Therapy in Growing Class II Subjects. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2025; 16 (4): 77-90.

Case Report

Year : 2024 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 4 | Page : 33-41

Orthodontic Management of an Avulsed Maxillary Canine- A Case Report

Deepthi Chakrapani1, Haritha Pottipalli Sathyanarayana2, Sridevi Padmanabhan3, Arun B Chitharanjan4

1Private practice, All Smiles Multispecialty Dental Spa, Dubai, 2Associate Professor, 3 Professor, Associate Dean (Research), Department of Orthodontics, Sri Ramachandra Dental College & Hospital, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Porur, Chennai, India, 4Private Practice, Chennai.

Address for Correspondence:

Haritha Pottipalli Sathyanarayana,

Associate Professor,

Department of Orthodontics, Sri Ramachandra Dental College & Hospital,

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research,

Porur, Chennai, India

Phone: +914424768027, Extension: 8250

drharithaps@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Avulsion of teeth is an uncommon condition which is usually associated with trauma. Management of an avulsed tooth often presents a challenge to the clinician and treatment planning differs with each situation. Key factor is the immediate management with appropriate protocol which usually results in good prognosis. A 15-year old female patient reported with avulsed 23 during therapeutic extraction of 24. The avulsed 23 was reimplanted in to the socket followed by splinting. Patient was treated with conventional fixed appliance and all the treatment objectives were achieved. This case report highlights the successful management of an avulsed maxillary canine during therapeutic extraction of maxillary first premolar with 3 years follow up after debonding.

Keywords: Avulsion, Maxillary canine, Replantation, orthodontic treatment, fixed appliance.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

No source of funding was procured for the study.

How to cite this article: Deepthi Chakrapani, Haritha Pottipalli Sathyanarayana, Sridevi Padmanabhan, Arun B Chitharanjan. Orthodontic Management of an Avulsed Maxillary Canine- A Case Report. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2024; 15 (4) 33-41. Doi: 10.56501/intjorthodrehabil.v15i4.1179