Effect of over-the-counter whitening strips and toothpaste on shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets

To investigate: 1) the effects of over-the-counter white strip enamel bleaching and 2-Step whitening toothpaste application on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets at 24-hours and 7-days post-bleaching latent period; and 2) the correlation bet

Mechanical properties of the NiTi Memoria Leaf Spring Activated Expander (NiTi MLSAE) for maxillary transverse discrepancy correction : an in-vitro study

To determine the mechanical properties of the NiTi Memoria® Leaf Spring Activated Expander (NiTi MLSAE) in two forms, unaltered (unbent) and altered (bent) to mimic clinical use. This in-vitro pilot study was conducted using eight NiTi MLSAE expanders (American Tooth Industries, Oxnard, California) representing four force magnitudes: 10mm 500g, 10mm 900g, 6mm 450g and 6mm 900g models. Two experiments were performed: the first tested the expanders in their unbent form and the second tested them after they were bent by one experienced technician. All expanders were adapted to a standard three dimensional printed maxillary study model. A Dillion Quantrol 500N (110lbf) load cell and a custom-made fixturing apparatus was used to determine the amount of expansive forces delivered. Prior to testing, the ligation compressing the NiTi MLSAE leaves was cut to allow the appliances to expand to their original form. Emperor? (force) Software was used to measure the expansion forces. The average expansion forces generated by the expanders were: unaltered = 897.4g (8.8N) and bent = 877.0g (8.6N) for the 10mm 900g model, unaltered = 489.5g (4.8N) and bent = 479.3g (4.7N) for the 10mm 500g model, unaltered = 458.9g (4.5N) and bent = 438.5g (4.3N) for the 6mm 450g model, and unaltered = 805.6g (7.9N) and bent = 785.2g (7.7N) for the 6mm 900g model. Regardless of whether the expander was straight or bent, the forces generated by the 10mm 900g, 10mm 500g and 6mm 450g Ni-Ti MLSAEs correlated with the benchmark study conducted by the manufacturer. However, the forces generated by the 6mm 900g Ni-Ti MLSAE were less than the data published by the manufacturer. Binding was observed when the expanders were manipulated to mimic clinical use, and this may account for the reported lower expansion force

Evaluation of Faculty Mentoring Practices in Seven U.S. Dental Schools

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to examine the faculty mentoring practices in seven dental schools in the U.S. A 34‐item survey was administered electronically to dental faculty members of all ranks, tracks, and job categories in seven dental schools using faculty listservs. Survey questions addressed current mentoring practices in which the faculty members were involved; their perceptions of those mentoring practices; their perceived characteristics of an ideal mentoring program, mentor, and mentee; perceived best practices; and respondents’ demographics. The survey was conducted from October 2017 to February 2018. A total of 154 surveys were completed (response rate 22%). Over 58% (90/154) of the respondents reported receiving no mentoring; 31.9% (49/154) said they received informal mentoring; and 9.7% (15/154) received formal mentoring. Of the 64 respondents who received mentoring, both formal and informal, 92.2% (59/64) were full‐time faculty, and 7.8% (5/64) were part‐time faculty (p=0.001). Approximately 39% of the respondents indicated that their mentoring program was not overseen by anyone and that participation was voluntary. The top three perceived benefits of mentoring were increased overall professional development, development of a career plan, and increased professional networks. The three most important characteristics of an ideal mentoring program for the respondents were a program based on the needs of the mentee, a mentor who has the desire to help the mentee, and a mentee who is eager to learn. The results of this study showed a very low level of formal or informal faculty mentoring programs in the dental schools surveyed. Future studies are needed to determine best practices and strategies to expand and enhance mentoring of faculty members

Adolescent Compliance with Oral Hygiene Instructions during Fixed Orthodontic Treatment: A Pilot Study

Objectives: To determine compliance with oral hygiene instructions (OHI) of adolescents receiving two-arch fixed orthodontic treatment in a graduate orthodontic clinic and to identify predictive factors. Methods: Forty-one patients in a longitudinal pilot study were provided standardized OHI and assessed at baseline: before bonding (T1); 30 days after (T2), and 150 days after bonding (T3). Oral hygiene was measured using plaque and gingival indices. Compliance predictors were identified from questionnaires and patient records. Results: Good compliers increased from 10 at T1 to 29 at T3. Univariate analyses found perceived severity of malocclusion, school performance and parental marital status to be significant predictors. Multiple logistic regression identified having married parents and good school performance as significant predictors. Conclusions: In the sample studied, after initially worsening, compliance with OHI improved at five months after bonding. Adolescents with married parents and those reporting good academic performance in school were more likely to comply.MAS

Prevalence and relationship between periodontal disease and pre-term low birth weight infants at King Khalid university hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and relationship between periodontal disease and preterm low birth weight (PLBW) among Saudi mothers at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The periodontal status and the relative risk were also analyzed. The study consisted of 30 cases [infants <37 weeks and/or weighing ≥2.500 kilograms (kg)] and a daily random sample of 60 controls [≥ 37 weeks and/or weighing >2.500 kg]. Clinical periodontal indices were measured on the labor wards. Associated risk factors for periodontal disease and PLBW were ascertained by means of a structured questionnaire and maternal notes. The prevalence of the PLBW was found to be 11.3%, and the prevalence of periodontal disease was high among the study population. The risk of PLBW remained high with increasing periodontal disease (odds ratio [OR] 4.21, 95% confident interval [CI] 1.99-8.93) despite controlling the other risk factors such as age, smoking, and social class. In conclusion, there is a correlation between periodontal disease and PLBW in KKUH.The research is registered in King Saud University College of Dentistry, Research Center (CDRC). NF#1907Corresponding Author: Dr. Sameer Abdullah Mokeem, Associate Professor and Consultant, Division of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O. Box 85032 Riyadh 11691, Saudi Arabia. Email: [email protected]

A CBCT Investigation of the Association between Sella-Turcica Bridging and Maxillary Palatal Canine Impaction

Objectives. To investigate the association between unilateral/bilateral maxillary canine impaction and sella-turcica bridging using CBCT imaging. Methods. This retrospective comparative study analyzed 76 CBCT images of the craniofacial complex including sella-turcica. The impacted cuspid group consisted of thirty-eight subjects (7 males, 31 females; mean age, 14.6 ± 3.2 years) diagnosed with unilateral (left n=14, right n=11) or bilateral (n=13) palatal canine impaction. The control group included thirty-eight subjects matched by sex (7 males, 31 females; mean age, 19.5 ± 3.6 years) with no impaction. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between unilateral/bilateral canine impaction and right and left sella-turcica bridging. Results. The prevalence of sella-turcica bridging was 59.3% and 50% in the impacted canine and control groups, respectively. Although the odds for unilateral canine impaction were increased in the right and left sella-turcica bridging groups compared to the controls, the difference was not statistically significant. The risk of bilateral impaction was different between the two sides of sella-turcica bridging, but, again, the findings were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Contrary to previous 2D studies, there is no statistically significant association between unilateral/bilateral palatal canine impaction and sella-turcica bridging when using 3D CBCT

Shear Bond Strength and Bracket Base Morphology of New and Rebonded Orthodontic Ceramic Brackets

The objectives of this study were to (1) to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of two ceramic brackets when new and when rebonded following various bracket base conditioning methods, and (2) to determine bond failure mode relative to bracket base morphology. 100 Symetri ClearTM (SC) and 100 Radiance Plus&reg; (RP) ceramic brackets were bonded to bovine incisors and divided into five groups: one group served as controls and four had brackets rebonded following conditioning by: no surface treatment, sealant, sandblasting, and flame then steam. SBS, adhesive remnant index, and bracket base morphology were evaluated. SBS showed no statistical difference between new and rebonded with no surface treatment or sealant (SC brackets) and with sealant or flame and steam (RP brackets). When comparing SC to RP, SBS was higher with SC, no surface treatment, and sandblasted groups. All groups had varying amounts of adhesive left on the tooth, with the sandblasted group having the most. SEM analysis showed that sandblasting damaged the retention features of bracket bases. In conclusion, when rebonded, the SBS of SC brackets that had no surface treatment and both SC and RP brackets that had sealant showed no significant differences to new brackets. Sandblasting damaged the retention features of SC and RP bracket bases, resulting in low SBS

A systematic review of computer-assisted learning in endodontics education

Results of the efficacy and time efficiency of computer-assisted learning (CAL) in endodontics education are mixed in the literature. The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy and time efficiency of CAL with traditional learning methods or no instruction. The search strategy included electronic and manual searches of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) completed in English up to June 2009. The intervention comprised any method of CAL, while the control group consisted of all traditional methods of instruction including no further instructions. Various outcome measures of CAL efficacy were considered and were categorized using Kirkpatrick’s four-level model of evaluation: reaction, learning, behavior, results, with the addition of return on investment as a fifth level. The time efficiency of CAL was measured by the time spent on the learning material and the number of cases covered in a unit period. Seven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Overall, students’ attitudes were varied towards CAL. Results from the knowledge gain outcome were mixed. No conclusions can be made about students’ performance on clinical procedures or cost-effectiveness of CAL. Better time efficiency was achieved using CAL compared to traditional methods. CAL is as efficacious as traditional methods in improving knowledge. There is some evidence to suggest that CAL is time efficient compared to traditional methods. Overall, the number of studies included in this review was small, thus warranting the need for more studies in this area and the exploration of various CAL techniques.Thikriat S. Al-Jewair, Akram F. Qutub, Gevik Malkhassian, Laura J. Dempste