Evaluation of cervical spine posture after functional therapy with twin-block appliances: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION: It has been postulated that a change in cervical posture occurs as a consequence of forward repositioning of the mandible. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the cervical spine posture between subjects with and without functional appliance therapy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with the use of pre- and post-functional therapy cephalograms of orthodontic patients. A total of 60 subjects was composed of 2 groups of 30 subjects each: those who underwent treatment with a twin-block (TB) functional appliance and a control group selected from the Bolton-Brush Growth Study. Three sagittal and 7 cervical vertebral parameters were compared between the groups. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and postfunctional mean angular measurements. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the mean changes in cervical parameters between the groups. RESULTS: A significant difference existed between pre- and postfunctional SNB (P \u3c0.001) and ANB (P \u3c0.001) angles, showing a change in maxillomandibular relationship. Comparison of mean changes in angular measurements between the 2 groups showed a significant difference (P = 0.032) in the sella-nasion to odontoid process tangent (SN-OPT) angle. The SN-OPT angle predicted that the probability of developing an altered cervical posture with the TB appliance is 2.08 times greater than without the TB appliance. CONCLUSIONS: SN-OPT angle can predict a change in skeletal relationships after treatment with the TB functional appliance. The TB causes the craniocervical posture to be more upright. Subjects with reduced vertical dimensions have greater change in cervical posture

Occlusal outcome of non-extraction and all first premolars extraction treatment In patients with class-I malocclusion.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Class-1 malocclusion commonly presents with crowding and poses an aesthetic concern to patients. An orthodontist may encounter a variety of dental problems and must handle them strategically to establish adequate occlusal relationships. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the occlusal characteristics of patients who have undergone non-extraction or all first premolars extraction treatment for class I malocclusion using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index. METHODS: The pre-treatment and post treatment dental casts of 94 subjects with class-I malocclusion were retrospectively screened. The sample was distributed into two groups, i.e., nonextraction and all first premolars extraction groups. The Mann Whitney-U test was used to compare the mean percentage improvement in the PAR scores between the two groups. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean percentage improvement in the non-extraction group was 74.28% in the non-extraction group and 74.5% in the all first premolars extraction group. A significant difference (p=0.04) was found between the pretreatment PAR scores for the two treatment modalities. There was no significant difference between the post treatment PAR scores (p=0.45) and the mean percentage improvement in PAR scores (p=0.41) between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in occlusal characteristics in patients who underwent non-extraction treatment and all first premolar extraction treatment was comparable as assessed through mean percentage improvement in PAR scores

Assessment of skeletal maturity using the calcification stages of permanent mandibular teeth

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of the growth status of patients is essential to formulate and initiate a precise treatment plan. This study aimed at determining the role of calcification of permanent mandibular teeth for the assessment of skeletal maturity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using lateral cephalograms and dental panoramic radiographs of 360 patients (ages 7-18 years) equally divided into six groups according to cervical vertebral maturation stages. Skeletal age was determined using Baccetti et al. method and dental age was calculated using Nolla and Demirjian methods. RESULTS: Mean chronological stage at CS5 revealed a significant difference between male and female subjects (p= 0.003), which showed that the latter achieved skeletal maturity one year earlier than the former. A significant difference (p= 0.007) was found for dental age using Nolla\u27s stages at CS3, which showed females demonstrated a dental age of 1.4 years less than males. Mandibular canine showed the highest correlation with Demirjian index (DI) in males (rho = 0.818) and females (rho = 0.833). Mandibular second premolar showed the highest correlation with Nolla\u27s stages in males (rho = 0.654) and females (rho = 0.664). CONCLUSION: Comparisons between sexes revealed that females are skeletally and dentally advanced. The DI indicated stage F and Nolla\u27s stages identified stages 9, 10 to be indicative of CS2-3 for the mandibular canine and stages F and G and 9-10 for CS2-3 for the first premolars, second premolars and second molars, respectively

Application of new biomedical materials in orthodontic appliances

This review article describes the application and characteristics of certain biomedical materials in orthodontic appliances. The elastic recoil of shape memory polymers, determination of the forces and moments experienced by the brackets and eventually by the tooth, reduction in treatment time by employing self-healing smart brackets and decreased enamel lost during debonding due to usage of biomimetic adhesives such as dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is discussed. Increased plaque retention and microbial attachment around brackets and teeth is of profound concern and by utilisation of hydrophobic properties of self-cleaning materials, this can be reduced significantly. Implantation of bioresorbable temporary anchorage devices, which resorb once their purpose is accomplished and increasing the concentration of fluoride in the oral environment to counter the deleterious consequences of orthodontic treatment such as white spot lesions and caries, are also discussed brief

Adjunctive surgical procedures enhancing treatment outcome : A literature review

The face is the most expressive zone of the human body that communicates our feelings and thoughts. This may also influence the interaction between people. The aesthetic adjunctive procedures are life-changing. In contemporary orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgeries are performed to correct the functional aspects of dento facial deformities. In cases where the aesthetic outcome is not improved, patient dissatisfaction is often encountered. Many adjunctive surgical procedures can be used to enhance the anaesthetics of orthodontic or orthognathic surgical cases. Dwelling not merely on the ideal occlusion, the results could be enhanced by analysing the whole-face to improve the overall treatment outcome

Does periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics improve orthodontic treatment outcome? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) can be used to improve periodontal conditions and accelerate tooth movement. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare periodontal outcome and treatment duration of patients undergoing PAOO to accelerate orthodontic treatment. SEARCH METHOD: An electronic search was performed in four electronic databases including Pubmed, EBSCO Cochrane library, CINAHL Complete for randomized clinical trials till November 2017. A hand search was performed on clinicaltrials.gov and Google scholar. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials reporting periodontal outcomes and treatment duration of PAOO in adult patients by evaluating treatment duration, root resorption, bone density and pocket depths were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors conducted searches, data extraction and bias assessment with conflict resolution with a third author. Cochrane\u27s tool for risk of bias assessment was used for evaluation. A manual search was conducted for additional studies. A quantitative synthesis of the pooled results was conducted. RESULTS: Five studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and two in the quantitative synthesis. A total of 56 patients underwent the PAOO technique; the effects of this therapy were compared with 21 patients who underwent corticotomy, 9 underwent non-extraction comprehensive orthodontic treatment and 15 underwent fixed mechanotherapy with extractions of first premolars. A random effect model was used for pocket depths and showed a non-significant difference between bioactive glass augmented corticotomy and corticotomy alone (weighted mean difference, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.16, 0.09). Bone density elucidated a non-significant difference between bioactive glass augmented corticotomy and corticotomy alone (weighted mean difference, 27.69; 95% CI, -2.29, 57.67). Fixed effect model was used for root length which revealed a non-significant difference between bioactive glass augmented corticotomy and corticotomy alone (weighted mean difference, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.00, 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Studies showed significant improvements in periodontal health. Treatment duration was reduced in patients who underwent PAOO. Root resorption was not sufficiently evaluated by current literature

Assessment of skeletal maturity using the calcification stages of permanent mandibular teeth

Abstract Introduction: Knowledge of the growth status of patients is essential to formulate and initiate a precise treatment plan. This study aimed at determining the role of calcification of permanent mandibular teeth for the assessment of skeletal maturity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using lateral cephalograms and dental panoramic radiographs of 360 patients (ages 7-18 years) equally divided into six groups according to cervical vertebral maturation stages. Skeletal age was determined using Baccetti et al. method and dental age was calculated using Nolla and Demirjian methods. Results: Mean chronological stage at CS5 revealed a significant difference between male and female subjects (p= 0.003), which showed that the latter achieved skeletal maturity one year earlier than the former. A significant difference (p= 0.007) was found for dental age using Nolla’s stages at CS3, which showed females demonstrated a dental age of 1.4 years less than males. Mandibular canine showed the highest correlation with Demirjian index (DI) in males (rho = 0.818) and females (rho = 0.833). Mandibular second premolar showed the highest correlation with Nolla’s stages in males (rho = 0.654) and females (rho = 0.664). Conclusion: Comparisons between sexes revealed that females are skeletally and dentally advanced. The DI indicated stage F and Nolla’s stages identified stages 9, 10 to be indicative of CS2-3 for the mandibular canine and stages F and G and 9-10 for CS2-3 for the first premolars, second premolars and second molars, respectively

Improvement in peer assessment rating scores after nonextraction, premolar extraction, and mandibular incisor extraction treatments in patients with class i malocclusion.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Different treatment protocols implemented for correction of Class I malocclusion aim at achieving ideal occlusal characteristics. This study was planned to evaluate the improvement in the occlusal characteristics of Class I patients treated with nonextraction (NE), all first premolar extractions (PME), and mandibular incisor extraction (MIE) as assessed by the percentage of improvement in Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) scores. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on the pretreatment and posttreatment dental casts of 108 subjects with Class I malocclusion. The total sample was divided into 3 equal groups according to the treatment protocol implemented: NE, PME, and MIE. The mean pretreatment and posttreatment PAR scores, and the percentages of improvement were compared among the 3 treatment modalities using Kruskal-Wallis and post-hoc Dunnett T3 tests. RESULTS: The mean percentages of improvement in the PAR score were 75.8% ± 25.8% in the NE group, 73.1% ± 19.4% in the PME group, and 70.6% ± 24.1% in the MIE group. There was no significant difference (P = 0.351) in the percentages of improvement in PAR scores among the 3 treatment modalities. However, the mean pretreatment and posttreatment PAR scores varied significantly (P \u3c0.001) in the 3 groups. The average pretreatment and posttreatment PAR scores were highest in the MIE group and lowest in the NE group. CONCLUSIONS: The comparable percentages of improvement in PAR scores among the 3 groups denote that equivalent occlusal corrections were achieved in Class I patients treated with the NE, PME, and MIE protocols

The Implications of Endocrinology in Orthodontics – Literature Review

Endocrinopathies have a variety of orofacial presentations which span from dental malocclusion to facial disfigurement. These characteristics depend on the nature and severity of the condition. An orthodontist should understand the body’s physiological processes to be able to timely determine the optimum intervention and plan treatment stages accordingly in compromised individuals. Communication between the two specialties should be well coordinated and should help facilitate quality health care to the patient. This review was aimed to impart the basic knowledge and the pivotal guidelines for orthodontic management in these conditions. Systemic conditions require multidisciplinary management and the dental team should aim to provide quality oral health care to enhance the overall quality of life and the orthodontist plays a vital role in helping patients achieve physical and psychological health

Stress and anxiety among dental practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Dental professionals are at great risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the levels of stress and anxiety among dental professionals, and to determine which dental procedures cause the greatest amount of stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted by requesting voluntary participation of dental healthcare workers through the authors\u27 own e-form, which consisted of our self-developed questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7). The simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the effect of dental procedures and other factors associated with stress and anxiety among the participants. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: This survey included 85 participants (32 males, 53 females) with a mean age of 31.6 ±6.0 years. Significant associations were found between severe stress for scaling (p \u3c 0.001; p \u3c 0.001), complex fillings (p \u3c 0.001; p \u3c 0.001), root canal treatment (RCT) (p = 0.001; p = 0.007), crown and bridge work (p \u3c 0.001; p \u3c 0.001), denture work (p = 0.034; p = 0.001), third molar extractions (p \u3c 0.001; p \u3c 0.001), surgical procedures (p \u3c 0.001; p = 0.001), and implant placement (p = 0.001; p = 0.022) and the PSS and GAD-7 scores, respectively.Conclusions: Dental healthcare workers exhibit severe stress and anxiety associated with elective dental procedures. Dental emergencies should take precedence and elective dental treatment should be carried out with utmost caution, ensuring all protective measures. Psychological support for dental healthcare professionals should be made accessible