Hypodontia, Gender-Based Differences and its Correlation with other Dental Clinical Features in Kosovar Adolescents

Cilj: U ovom istraživanju primarno se željelo procijeniti razlike između ispitanika s hipodoncijom na temelju spola. Sekundarno se proučavala korelacija između hipodoncije i drugih kliničkih dentalnih obilježja kosovskih adolescenata. Materijal i metode: U školama diljem Kosova pregledano je 3306 učenika i studenata u dobi od 15 do 21 godine. Pregledi su obavljeni dentalnim zrcalom, a bilježio se broj prisutnih zuba. Ispitanicima s hipodoncijom uzeti su otisci. Svim pacijentima za koje je postojala sumnja na hipodonciju učinjene su panoramska i periapikalne rendgenske snimke te intraoralne fotografije kako bi se potvrdila dijagnoza. Rezultati: Hipodonciju je imalo 77 ispitanika – 46 djevojaka (59,7 %) i 31 mladić (40,3 %). Najčešće im je nedostajao gornji lateralni inciziv, a nakon njega drugi donji premolar. Još jedna klinička karakteristika, uz hipodonciju, zabilježena kod najmanje 68 pacijenata (88,3 %). Zaključak: Nije bilo značajne razlike u prevalenciji hipodoncije s obzirom na spol. Najčešća klinička dentalna značajka bila je rotacija zuba, a slijedi je inklinacija.Aim: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the gender-based differences in patients with hypodontia. As a secondary outcome, the study looked into the correlation between hypodontia and other dental clinical features among Kosovar adolescents. Material and Methods: 3,306 students, aged between 15-21 years were examined in schools in Kosovo. Examinations were performed using a dental mirror to assess the number of teeth present, and dental impressions were taken from hypodontia subjects. Panoramic and periapical radiographs, as well as intraoral photographs, were taken in subjects who were suspected to have hypodontia to verify the diagnosis. Results: 77 of the examined subjects had hypodontia, among which 46 were females (59.7%) and 31 were males (40.3%). The most frequently missing teeth were the maxillary lateral incisors, followed by the mandibular second premolars. 68 patients (88.3%) had at least one dental clinical feature concurrent with hypodontia. Conclusion: No significant difference was noted in the prevalence of hypodontia according to gender. Teeth rotation was the most commonly observed clinical feature followed by inclination

Influence of different orthodontic brackets and chemical preparations of ceramic crowns on shear bond strength

BackgroundBonding to ceramic restorations remains a major challenge to orthodontists, especially due to an increasing number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment.AimsThe objective of this research was to investigate the influence of two chemical methods used for surface conditioning of ceramic crowns, on shear bond strength (SBS) of metallic and ceramic orthodontic brackets bonded to ceramic surfaces.Methods The study was conducted on 48 prepared specimens of metallic and ceramic orthodontic brackets bonded to ceramic crowns, conditioned with two different etching materials: hydrofluoric acid (HFA), or phosphoric acid, and subsequently, silane. SBS was tested using Universal Testing Machine. The samples were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope, to determine adhesive remnant index (ARI). Statistical data was processed with ANOVA, and ARI was evaluated using x2 test, with level of significance α=0.05.Results SBS values of the groups etched with HFA and silane, compared to the groups etched with phosphoric acid and silane, are not significantly increased. However, ceramic brackets show significantly higher SBS values than metallic brackets.ConclusionBoth types of ceramic surface conditioning procedures have similar features and provide strong enough SBS values to realize the orthodontic treatment. Also, the assumption that only the type of bracket significantly affects the SBS value can be accepted

Influence of different orthodontic brackets and chemical preparations of ceramic crowns on shear bond strength

Background Bonding to ceramic restorations remains a major challenge to orthodontists, especially due to an increasing number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment. Aims The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of two chemical methods used for surface conditioning of ceramic crowns, on shear bond strength (SBS) of metallic and ceramic orthodontic brackets bonded to ceramic surfaces. Methods The study was conducted on 48 prepared specimens of metallic and ceramic orthodontic brackets bonded to ceramic crowns, conditioned with two different etching materials: hydrofluoric acid (HFA), or phosphoric acid, and subsequently, silane. SBS was tested using Universal Testing Machine. The samples were analysed using Scanning Electron Microscope, to determine adhesive remnant index (ARI). Statistical data was processed with ANOVA, and ARI was evaluated using x 2 test, with level of significance α=0.05. Results SBS values of the groups etched with HFA and silane, compared to the groups etched with phosphoric acid and silane, are not significantly increased. However, ceramic brackets show significantly higher SBS values than metallic brackets. Conclusion Both types of ceramic surface conditioning procedures have similar features and provide strong enough SBS values to realize the orthodontic treatment. Also, the assumption that only the type of bracket significantly affects the SBS value can be accepted

Changes of bite force and occlusal contacts in the retention phase of orthodontic treatment: A controlled clinical trial

Introduction: We aimed to determine whether appliance type affects changes in maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF) and the number of occlusal contacts (NOC) during retention, controlling for sex, age, and body mass index. Methods: The sample comprised 176 examinees (70 male, 106 female) aged 14 to 20 years: 30 had maxillary and mandibular Essix retainers, 30 had wrap-around retainers, and 30 had a combination of fixed mandibular canine-to-canine retainers bonded on each tooth separately (double twisted, 0.254 mm in diameter, stainless steel ligature wire) and Essix retainer in the maxillary arch; 86 with normal occlusion were not treated. MVBF and the NOC were measured immediately after removal of preadjusted edgewise appliances (Roth prescription), 6 weeks after that, and after the next 4 weeks. Results: Increases in MVBF and the NOC were demonstrated, but subjects with 2 Essix retainers showed lower values than did the others. Changes were related to type of appliance, sex, and age (P < 0.05) but not to body mass index. The increase in NOC occurred faster than the increase of MVBF, more and sooner with the wrap-around retainer and in male subjects than with the Essix and in female subjects. MVBF and NOC nearly reached the values of the control subjects. Conclusions: Settling of the occlusion depends on appliance type: it takes longer in female patients and with Essix in both dental arches than with the other tested applianc