Lip bumper
A lip bumper is a dental appliance used in orthodontics, for various purposes to correct a dentition by preventing the pressure from the soft tissue. Lip bumpers are usually used in orthodontic treatment where the patient has a crowded maxillary or mandibular teeth in an arch.
Orthodontics
A lip bumper can be used for expansion of the teeth in the mandibular arch. In orthodontics, tooth-size discrepancy phenomenon occurs when there is crowding presented. As a treatment, either extractions of teeth or expansion of the arch can be done to correct the tooth-size discrepancy. A lip bumper is placed in front of the anterior teeth to keep the pressure of the lips and cheeks away from the front teeth and back teeth respectively. As cited by Werner et al.,[1] the lip bumper can be used for reduce lower anterior crowding, increase arch circumference, and move the permanent lower molars distally for the purpose of keeping anchorage.
Specific changes that occur because of this appliance including anterior teeth tipping forward, molar teeth tipping backwards and the increase in width of the arch formed by the lower teeth. The wire is kept 1.5 - 2.0mm from the front surface of the anterior teeth. Recently, advances have been made to use lip bumpera with mini-screws for distalization of the upper back teeth.[2]
A Korn lip bumper is a maxillary lip bumper which was developed by Korn and Shapiro.[3] This lip bumper is made up of .040in stainless steel wire and involves multiple loops. This lip bumper sits high in the maxillary vestibule and 2-3mm away from the attached gingiva. This type of bumper is often used with a bite plate.
Side-effects
Side-effects caused by lip bumpers include the possible disruption in the eruption pattern of the 2nd molars in the mandibular arch.[4] The pressure of the lips on the lip bumper, causes the 1st molar to tip distally which effects and causes the impaction of the 2nd molar.
Components
Components of lip bumpers include bands on the molar teeth, a thick stainless steel wire with loops made bilaterally and a thick acrylic or rubber shield that goes in the anterior part of the wire to not cause irritation to the mucosa of the lower lip.
References
- Werner, S. P.; Shivapuja, P. K.; Harris, E. F. (1994-01-01). "Skeletodental changes in the adolescent accruing from use of the lip bumper". The Angle Orthodontist. 64 (1): 13–20, discussion 21–22. doi:10.1043/0003-3219(1994)064<0013:SCITAA>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0003-3219. PMID 8172391.
- Mendes Júnior, Tadeu Evandro; Lima, Anderson Barbosa; Mendes, Tadeu Evandro; Mendes, Camila Vas Tostes; Rosário, Henrique Damian; Paranhos, Luiz Renato (2015-01-01). "Distalization controlled with the use of lip-bumper and mini-screw as anchorage: a new approach". International Journal of Orthodontics (Milwaukee, Wis.). 26 (1): 29–32. ISSN 1539-1450. PMID 25881381.
- "Flexible Lip Bumpers for Arch Development - Journal of Clinical Orthodontics". www.jco-online.com. Retrieved 2016-08-11.
- Ferro, Fabrizia; Funiciello, Gloria; Perillo, Letizia; Chiodini, Paolo (2011-05-01). "Mandibular lip bumper treatment and second molar eruption disturbances". American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 139 (5): 622–627. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.07.024. ISSN 1097-6752. PMID 21536205.