Education Technology in Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Over the last decade, medical education changed from traditional teaching methods to telematic and networking scholar and e-learning approach. The objective of the present systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness and teachers/student’s acceptability of e-learning applied to the field of orthodontics and paediatric dentistry. A database search of the literature was conducted on PubMed and Embase databases from January 2005 to May 2021. A total of 172 articles were identified by the electronic search, while a total of 32 papers were selected for qualitative analysis. Overall, 19 articles investigated the effectiveness of e-learning, and no difference of acceptability was reported between e-learning and traditional methods for a wide part of the articles selected. A total of 25 papers provided a satisfaction questionnaire for learners and all were positive in their attitude towards e-learning. The results showed that e-learning is an effective method of instruction, complementing the traditional teaching methods, and learners had a positive attitude and perception. The evidence of the present study reported a high level of acceptability and knowledge level of e-learning techniques, compared to frontal lecture methods, in the fields of orthodontics and paediatric dentistry

Effect of Different Surface Treatments on the Shear Bond Strength of Metal Orthodontic Brackets Bonded to CAD/CAM Provisional Crowns

Background: The aim of this study was to find the best surface treatment for CAD/CAM provisional crowns allowing the optimal bond strength of metal brackets. Methods: The sample consists of 30 lower bicuspids and 180 provisional crowns. The provisional crowns were randomly divided into six different groups. Orthophosphoric acid etching (37%) was applied to 30 lower bicuspids. The provisional crowns had undergone different surface treatments. Group 1: No treatment (Control Group). Group 2: Diamond bur. Group 3: Sandblasting. Group 4: Plastic Conditioner. Group 5: Diamond bur and Plastic Conditioner. Group 6: Sandblasting and Plastic Conditioner. The brackets in all groups were identically placed using Transbond XT® Primer and Transbond XT® Paste. Then, the entire sample underwent an artificial aging procedure, and a measurement of the bond strength was conducted. After debonding, the surface of the crowns was examined to determine the quantity of the adhesive remnant. Results: Bonding to natural crowns recorded the highest average, followed by the averages of groups 5 and 6. However, group 1 recorded the lowest average. Groups 2 and 4 had very close averages, as well as groups 5 and 6. A statistically significant difference between the averages of all groups was recorded (p < 0.001) except for groups 2 and 4 (p = 0.965) on the one hand, and groups 5 and 6 (p = 0.941) on the other hand. Discussion: The bonding of brackets on provisional crowns is considered a delicate clinical procedure. In fact, unlike natural crowns, the orthophosphoric acid usually used does not have any effect on the surface of provisional crowns. Conclusions: Using a diamond bur combined with the plastic conditioner and sandblasting combined with that same product resulted in a bond strength close to natural crown

Effect of Different Surface Treatments on the Shear Bond Strength of Metal Orthodontic Brackets Bonded to CAD/CAM Provisional Crowns

Background: The aim of this study was to find the best surface treatment for CAD/CAM provisional crowns allowing the optimal bond strength of metal brackets. Methods: The sample consists of 30 lower bicuspids and 180 provisional crowns. The provisional crowns were randomly divided into six different groups. Orthophosphoric acid etching (37%) was applied to 30 lower bicuspids. The provisional crowns had undergone different surface treatments. Group 1: No treatment (Control Group). Group 2: Diamond bur. Group 3: Sandblasting. Group 4: Plastic Conditioner. Group 5: Diamond bur and Plastic Conditioner. Group 6: Sandblasting and Plastic Conditioner. The brackets in all groups were identically placed using Transbond XT® Primer and Transbond XT® Paste. Then, the entire sample underwent an artificial aging procedure, and a measurement of the bond strength was conducted. After debonding, the surface of the crowns was examined to determine the quantity of the adhesive remnant. Results: Bonding to natural crowns recorded the highest average, followed by the averages of groups 5 and 6. However, group 1 recorded the lowest average. Groups 2 and 4 had very close averages, as well as groups 5 and 6. A statistically significant difference between the averages of all groups was recorded (p p = 0.965) on the one hand, and groups 5 and 6 (p = 0.941) on the other hand. Discussion: The bonding of brackets on provisional crowns is considered a delicate clinical procedure. In fact, unlike natural crowns, the orthophosphoric acid usually used does not have any effect on the surface of provisional crowns. Conclusions: Using a diamond bur combined with the plastic conditioner and sandblasting combined with that same product resulted in a bond strength close to natural crown

Evaluation of an oral appliance in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome intolerant to continuous positive airway pressure use: Preliminary results.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a phenomenon of repeated, episodic reduction, or cessation of airflow (hypopnea/apnea) as a result of upper airways obstruction. First-line treatment in younger children is adenotonsillectomy, although other available treatment options in middle-aged adults include continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) and airway adjuncts. Oral appliances (OA) are a viable treatment alternative in patients with OSAS. The objective of this study was to assess, in a 1-year follow-up study, an OA in OSAS patients. The participants were subjected to polysomnographic examination with a validated device (MicroMESAM). Eight participants were fitted with a Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP). The participants were asked to wear the test appliance for 7 nights, and in case of compliance, for 6 months. The selected patients record their usage of the appliance and any adverse effects in a treatment journal. The research focused on the following outcomes: sleep apnea (i.e. reduction in the apnea/hypopnea index) and the effect of oral appliances on daytime function. In conclusion, the results suggest that OA have a definite role in the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea

Sclerostin stimulates angiogenesis in human endothelial cells

Sclerostin, negative regulator of bone formation, has been originally known as an osteocyte product. Recently, it has been also detected in hypertrophic chondrocytes, distinctive cells of avascular cartilage which is invaded by capillaries and then replaced by vascularized bone. Thus, we hypothesized that sclerostin, in addition to its role already known, may exert an angiogenic activity. We first proved that sclerostin increased the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and next, by using the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in vivo assay, we demonstrated that it exerts an angiogenic activity similar to that of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This last finding was reinforced by several in vitro approaches. Indeed, we showed that sclerostin induced the formation of a network of anastomosing tubules, a significant increase in the percentage of tubule number, total tubule length and number of junctions, as well as the ability of sclerostin-stimulated HUVECs to organize capillary-like structures and closed-meshes similar to VEGF. The angiogenic response elicited by the protein may be due to the binding to its receptor, LRP6, which is highly expressed at mRNA and protein levels by sclerostin treated HUVECs and through the production of two well-known pro-angiogenic cytokines, VEGF and placental growth factor (PlGF). Finally, we demonstrated that sclerostin was also responsible for the recruitment of osteoclasts and their circulating monocyte progenitors. Overall, these findings showed for the first time the new angiogenic in vitro role of sclerostin which could be also considered as a novel molecule in angiogenesis-osteogenesis coupling

Needle Fracture in Pterygomandibular Space during Loco-Regional Dental Anesthesia: Systematic Review

Background: Dentists administer hundreds of thousands of injections every day without particular concern, but the administration of local anesthetics can cause problems. One event, fortunately uncommon, that is discussed accurately but can cause significant concern is needle breakage. The purpose of this article is to review what has been reported in the literature on this topic to learn about patient symptomatology, management and possible complications. In addition, the case of a 34-year-old patient with needle persistence in the pterygoid space due to accidental rupture during inferior alveolar nerve block (IAN) was reported, for whom non-removal and monitoring over time was chosen. Materials and Methods: A literature search of the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases was conducted analyzing anesthetic needle rupture during dental surgery. Results: At the end of the selection process, 17 articles resulted. Asymptomatic subjects were found, as well as those who had several symptoms. No issues were recorded by any of the authors, whether they withdrew the needle or simply monitored the patient. Conclusions: The literature on needle rupture during dental local anesthesia is scarce, and studies report conflicting results on treatment options. Most authors reported removing the fragment; however, others preferred conservative management limited to patient monitoring. No complications were reported in any study

Innovative Application of Diathermy in Orthodontics: A Case Report

Introduction: Several strategies have been proposed in the literature to accelerate tooth movement, many of which are invasive and have numerous side effects, such as surgical techniques (corticotomy and piezocision technique). This research investigates to what extent diathermy can accelerate the orthodontic alignment phase. Materials and Methods: A patient with lower teeth crowding index of the same magnitude was selected. The orthodontic treatment with Nickel–Titanium (NiTi) thermal arc 0.015 in the lower arch was performed, associated with a weekly application of diathermy using the intraoral handpiece. The total duration of treatment was three weeks. During each session, an intraoral transducer was employed to stimulate the hard and soft tissues of the left dental hemiarch, which was also orthodontically aligned like the right one. Results: Comparing the tooth movements of four elements of the two hemiarchies, it was found that, overall, the two teeth examined on the treated side underwent a more significant number of changes than on the untreated side, although not by a significant amount. Conclusions: The use of diathermy, according to the authors, is a non-invasive approach that may speed up the orthodontic alignment phase and reduce treatment duration, resulting in a lower risk of caries, gingival recessions, root resorptions, and patient compliance improvement, without side effects. Further studies and an adequate sample size will be needed to confirm the findings