Oral Development and Orthodontics
Research in the department currently focuses on the following topics:
- normal and disturbed development of occlusion in the deciduous and mixed dentition
- effects of breastfeeding and early sucking habits on occlusal development (in cooperation with the Department of Community Dentistry)
- development of occlusion-friendly pacifier (in cooperation with the Department of Community Dentistry)
- effectiveness, costs and long-term stability of early orthodontic treatment
- state of occlusion in young adults and the efficacy of different orthodontic treatment modalities (in cooperation with the Department of Community Dentistry)
Selected publications 2003-2004:
Keski-Nisula K, Keski-Nisula L, Lehto R, Lusa P, Varrela J. Occurrence of malocclusion and need of orthodontic treatment in early mixed dentition. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 124:631-638, 2003.
Pietilä T, Alanen P, Nordblad A, Kotilainen J, Pietilä I, Pirttiniemi P, Varrela J (2004) Hampaiden oikomishoito terveyskeskuksissa. Sosiaali- ja terveysalan tutkimus- ja kehittämiskeskus Stakes, Raportteja 279, Helsinki, 2004.
Svedström-Oristo A-L. Morphological and functional analysis of occlusion in permanent dentition. Annales Universtatis Turkuensis D 594, 2004.
Svedström-Oristo A-L, Pietilä T, Pietilä I, Alanen P, Varrela J. Occlusal status of orthodontically treated and untreated adolescents. Acta Odont Scand 61: 123-128, 2003.