Miniscrew-Assisted Mandibular Molar Protraction: A Case Report

The present article describes the case of a 12-year-old female patient in which mandibular second molar protraction was performed after the extraction of a grossly damaged first molar. A titanium miniscrew was placed in the buccal alveolar bone between the canine and premolar to provide direct anchorage for protraction forces. A balancing lingual force was applied. The treatment time was 22 months. Ideal overbite and overjet with good posterior occlusion was achieved

Accidental Intake of Foreign Bodies in Orthodontic Patients: A Management Protocol

One of the common emergencies during dental treatment is accidental intake of dental materials. Dental patients being treated in supine position increases the risk of accidental ingestion during various dental procedures. Orthodontic patients are prone to such incidences because of the small size of materials used such as brackets, molar bands, tubes and archwire clips. Ingestion of a number of orthodontic materials such as retainers, sectional wires, hooks, bands, brackets, or expansion appliance keys have been reported. These materials may be ingested or aspirated and become lodged in the oropharyngeal or gastrointestinal tract. The response to such conditions may vary from no symptoms, mild irritation, to severe consequences such as choking or asphyxiation. A protocol must be available to avoid such untoward episodes and to ensure effective management in case of an occurrence. This article presents a literature review of accidental ingestion or aspiration of orthodontic materials and elucidates an effective management protocol for such emergencies

The relevance of Physico-chemical and diagnostic properties of saliva during orthodontic treatment

Saliva is the principal defensive mechanism in the oral cavity and is critical for preserving and maintaining the health of oral tissues. The physico-chemical properties of saliva are affected by the local factors in the oral cavity and general health of an individual. Orthodontic treatment significantly affects the chemical composition and physical nature of oral fluids. The alteration in the properties of saliva can be utilised to evaluate the advent of orthodontics treatment in an individual. The present article focuses on the relevance of the physic-chemical properties of saliva during the progression of orthodontic treatment and the significance of saliva as a diagnostic analyte during orthodontic treatment

Interdisciplinary sequential management of combination traumatic dental injuries

Combination dental trauma or combination traumatic dental injuries (C-TDIs) are often seen with unique presentations. Although most guidelines address the evidence-based management of such injuries in detail, a sequential protocol and classifications for C-TDI are lacking. In these scenarios, clinical details with imaging tools play an essential role by helping the clinician apply the elements of the TDI protocol in the correct sequence. However, most cases of C-TDI are attended by a general dentist, who often finds it difficult to make such clinical decisions, adversely affecting the prognosis. This article reports a case of a 14-year-old male patient with avulsion of 12, intrusion of 11, 21, and 13, and uncomplicated crown fracture of 11, 21, and 14, with a sequential interdisciplinary approach for the management and long-term follow-up of 10 years

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

GENERALIZED RENEWAL PROCESS (GRP) FOR THE ANALYSIS OF SOFTWARE RELIABILITY GROWTH MODEL

With the rapid advancement in computer technology, the software reliability plays a very significant role in predicting the performance and assuring the quality of the software. A compromise testing effort is necessary to affirm the pre-defined quality of the software at optimum cost by detecting and eliminating errors in the software. In this investigation, a robust solution for software reliability growth model (SRGM) which is applicable to non-perfect repair condition called generalized renewal process (GRP) is proposed. The GRP includes the renewal process (RP) and non-homogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) as special cases by suitable choice of index parameters. The optimal testing time of the software is determined for a large and complex modular software system wherein each module having a different failure rate and other characteristics. Maximum likelihood approach is used to estimate the GRP parameters. Numerical illustrations are provided to explore the effect of various parameters on maintenance cost.Generalized renewal process, software reliability, optimal testing time, maintenance cost, parameter estimation

Optimal Release Policies for Software Reliability Growth Model (SRGM) With Maintenance Costs

A component based or module-based software system is considered in which the software reliability growth model (SRGM) follows a mixed distribution. We address the problem of determining the optimal testing time of software so that the total maintenance costs of the software could be minimized and a desired level of reliability could be achieved as well. The total maintenance costs of the software is obtained by assuming a warranty period in the operational phase of the software during which the cost incurred in the maintenance, is paid by the developer. The present value of the money is considered while calculating the total maintenance costs by including a discount rate. A technique for estimating the parameters of the SRGM is also suggested. Numerical illustrations are provided for testing the validity of the analytical results

Detection of molecular biomarkers as a diagnostic tool in the planning and progression of orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic treatment focuses on providing patient care at the appropriate timing to utilize the growth potential for best results. It involves growth modification of the craniofacial region along with alveolar bone remodeling during tooth movement. The dynamic process of bone metabolism involves the release of biochemical mediators in the circulation. These molecules are indicative of the bone remodeling activity of osteoblastic deposition and osteoclastic resorption. Such biomarkers when detectable in the systemic circulation highlight the skeletal maturity of orthodontic patients and when detected locally as, in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva, indicate the progression of orthodontically induced alveolar bone remodeling. Assessment of molecular biomarkers of bone remodeling in the body fluids would aid the clinicians in planning orthodontic treatment at the ideal timing and evaluating the advent of the treatment

Acute gingival bleeding as a complication of dengue hemorrhagic fever

Dengue fever is mosquito borne disease caused by dengue virus (DENV) of Flaviviridae family. The clinical manifestations range from fever to severe hemorrhage, shock and death. Here, we report a case of 20-year-old male patient undergoing orthodontic treatment presenting with acute gingival bleeding with a history of fever, weakness, backache, retro orbital pain and ecchymosis over his right arm. The hematological investigations revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia and positive dengue non-structural protein-1 antigen and also positive immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies for DENV. Patient was diagnosed as a case of dengue hemorrhagic fever and was immediately referred for appropriate management. This case report emphasizes the importance of taking correct and thorough medical history

Metal Hypersensitivity in Orthodontic Patients

Orthodontic treatment of individuals with metal hypersensitivity is a matter of concern for the orthodontist. Orthodontic appliances contain metals like Nickel, Cobalt and Chromium etc. Metals may cause allergic reactions and are known as allergens. Reaction to these metals is due to biodegradation of metals in the oral cavity. This may lead to the formation of corrosion products and their exposure to the patient. Nickel is the most common metal to cause hypersensitivity reaction. Chromium ranks second among the metals, known to trigger allergic reactions. The adverse biological reactions to these metals may include hypersensitivity, dermatitis and asthma. In addition, a significant carcinogenic and mutagenic potential has been demonstrated. The orthodontist must be familiar with the best possible alternative treatment modalities to provide the safest, most effective care possible in these cases. The present article focuses on the issue of metal hypersensitivity and its management in orthodonti