Immediate Relief of TMJ Clicking Following Low Level Laser Therapy after Orthodontic Treatment A Case Report

INTRODUCTION:To determine efficacy of low level laser therapy for clicking temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with a diode laser following orthodontic treatment.METHODS: Performance of LLLT with a diode laser for temporomandibular clicking and postoperative findings were evaluated in a case of an orthodontic patient following the termination of treatment. Patient had a history of severe clicking before initiation of treatment protocol. Low level diode laser (wave length 808 nm, power 0.7 watt, Time 60 seconds), applied for the purpose of relieving the signs.RESULTS:During the process of intervention and establishing the proper dental occlusion sign of temporomandibular joint dysfunction i.e. clicking reduced significantly (p<0.05) but remained at the lowest level from the perspective of frequency and severity index. Patient had no sign and symptom at the end of treatment. Clicking was reemerged in the retention period, i.e. after six months. Clinical signs disappeared immediately after the application of laser once (p<0.05) with no recurrence after four months follow up.CONCLUSION:Low level laser therapy serves as an adjuvant to orthodontic treatment while establishing the proper occlusion of stomatognathic system has pivotal role in function and stability of outcome

Laser Surgery of Soft Tissue in Orthodontics: Review of the Clinical Trials

Introduction:  Recently, a wide variety of procedures have been done by laser application in Orthodontics. Apart from the mentioned range of various treatments, laser has become a tool for many soft tissue surgeries as an alternative to conventional scalpel-based technique during orthodontic treatments in the management of soft tissue. Due to scarce information in the latter subject, this study was designed in order to include clinical trials that included soft tissue ablation by laser in orthodontics.Methods:  Literature was searched based on PubMed and Google Scholar databases in 5 years (2010-2015) with English Language restriction and clinical trial design. Studies that performed soft tissue application of laser during orthodontic treatment were extracted by the authors.Results: Only eight studies met the inclusion criteria. No significant difference were found between laser ablation and conventional scalpel technique in the matter of treatment outcome. However, few issues remained to clarify the differences in the mentioned procedures.Conclusion: Laser performance can be recommended in case of preceding less bleeding and discomfort during surgical procedure. There are still quandaries among clinical application of scalpel-based surgery in aesthetic region with bracket-bonded teeth.Precaution and knowledge regarding the characteristics of laser beam such as wavelength, frequency, power and timing is extremely needed

Tooth Movement Alterations by Different Low Level Laser Protocols: A Literature Review

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) provides several benefits for patients receiving orthodontic treatment. According to some literatures, Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM) can be enhanced but some investigators have reported contradictory results. This article reviews the literature regarding the different aspects of the use of LLLT on OTM and its alterations. The general data regarding the study design, sample size, wavelength (nm), power (mW), and duration were extracted and recorded independently. Electronic databases of PubMed and ScienceDirect from January 2009 to August 2014 were searched. Also Google Scholar and grey literature was searched for relevant references. Some investigators found that the amount of tooth movement in the Low-Energy Laser Irradiation (LELI) group was significantly greater than in the non-irradiation group by the end of the experimental period. Low-level laser irradiation accelerates the bone remodeling process by stimulating osteoblastic and osteoclastic cell proliferation and function during orthodontic tooth movement. But some researchers have reported that no statistical differences in the mean rate of tooth movement were noted between low energy and high energy experimental sides and their controls. Some evidence shows that low-level laser irradiation accelerates the bone remodeling process and some evidence shows that LLLT has not effect on OTM. In some investigations no statistical differences in the mean rate of tooth movement can be seen between low energy and high energy experimental sides and their controls. It has been shown by authors that laser irradiation can reduce the amount of OTM and a clinical usage for the inhibitory role of low level laser irradiation is enforcing the anchorage unit

Evaluation of primary stability of innovated orthodontic miniscrew system (STS): an ex-vivo study

Background: Stability is determined as one of the requirements in use of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD) in orthodontics. Miniscrew has been a widely used Bone Anchor. Compared with mini-implant that necessitates osseointegration; mechanical retention is a determining factor for primary stability of miniscrew. Studies investigated various ways to increase primary stability. The aim of this study is to introduce a new configuration of miniscrew system which is believed to obtain more primary stability. Material and Methods: Freshly ovine mandibles were cut in blocks. Twenty-seven miniscrews (diameter 1.6 × 8 mm; G2, Dual Top Anchor System, Jeil Medical, Seoul, Korea) were inserted in the blocks and divided in 2 experimental groups: single miniscrew and the innovated design “Seifi Twin Screw (STS)”. Primary stability was evaluated by Periotest “M”® device. Results: Independent t-test showed a significant difference between 2 experimental groups in periotest evaluation (p< 0.05). STS demonstrated higher primary stability due to its mechanical configuration and design. Conclusions: The STS provides higher primary stability and was found to be effective in increased success rate of miniscrew systems from the standpoint of primary stability

The Innovated Laser Assisted Flapless Corticotomy to Enhance Orthodontic Tooth Movement

INTRODUCTION: Corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics provides a means for rapidly moving teeth purportedly with little damaging effects to the periodontium and with greatly reduced treatment time. The aim of this study was to enhance the orthodontic tooth movement by reducing the cortical bone layer (resistant to bone re-sorption relative to spongious bone) following Erbium, Chromium doped Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er-Cr: YSGG)laser irradiation, without reflection of surgical soft tissue flap.METHODS: In the present experimental study, 8 New Zealand Male rabbits were the samples for the research. The right first premolar of each rabbit (experiment group) underwent treatment for mesial movement with 75 gram of orthodontic force by using closed Ni-Ti coil spring (Dentaurum®). Coil spring was fixed in the cervical region of first premolars by means of ligature wire and No-Mix composite (Dentaurum®) and also activated to the cervical site of incisors. The left first premolars of the subjects were considered as the control group. Laser corticotomy was performed in anesthetized rabbits. Samples were sacrificed for determination of tooth movement after initiating premolar protraction on the 21th day. The amount of orthodontic tooth movement was assessed by using a metal feeler gauge with the precision of 0.01 mm, between mesial surface of the second premolars and distal surfaces of the first premolars. The statistical package of SPSS (Kolmogorov - Smirnov and ANOVA test) was used for analytical evaluation of the measurements.RESULTS: The amount of orthodontic tooth movement in the experimental group (mean=1.653±0.34 mm) was significantly (p&lt;0.001) greater than that of the control group (mean=0.936 ±0.28 mm). The innovated laser assisted corticotomies enhanced the rate of orthodontic tooth movement on the intervention side, significantly (p&lt;0.001).CONCLUSION: The innovated method of laser assisted flapless corticotomy is a useful procedure for reducing treatment time and damage to periodontium. It also eliminates the necessity of more invasive intervention of flap surgery

Arch dimensional changes following orthodontic treatment with extraction of four first premolars

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tooth extraction as a part of orthodontic treatment plan to create space for leveling and aligning teeth or causing tooth movement leads to changes in arch width and length. The outcome of these changes is important for the clinicians and affects the treatment and retention plans. Despite some previous studies, data in this regard are still scarce and further investigation is required on this subject. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental arch dimensional changes following four first premolars extraction orthodontic treatment. METHODS: In this study, 100 pairs of dental casts and respective patient records that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly selected from the archives of the Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Length and width of dental arch were measured on the initial and final casts of patients using a digital caliper with 0.1 mm precision. The mean, standard deviation (SD) and standard error of variables were determined, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software. Paired t-test was applied to compare changes before and after treatment. RESULTS: The obtained results showed that the maxillary and mandibular inter-canine widths significantly increased as the result of fixed appliance therapy with the extraction of four first premolars. The arch width at the second premolar and molar at mesiobuccal cusp tip and distobuccal cusp tip regions in the maxilla and mandible showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001). In this study, arch length at different points was measured. In the maxilla, the incisor-canine distance in both quadrants experienced a significant increase (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the canine-molar distance and the incisor-molar distance in both quadrants and the total arch length showed a significant reduction (P < 0.001). In the mandible, the incisor-canine distance in the right quadrant significantly increased (P < 0.050), but the reduction in the incisor-canine distance in the left quadrant was not statistically significant. Moreover, the canine-molar and the incisormolar distance in both quadrants and the total arch length all decreased significantly (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Orthodontic treatment with extraction of four first premolars significantly increased the inter-canine width and incisor-canine distance in both jaws; but, the inter-premolar and inter-molar widths, canine-molar distance, incisor-molar distance, and total arch length significantly decreased. KEYWORDS: Dental Arch Length; Dental Arch Width; Extraction Orthodontic Treatmen

Correlation of Mandibular Second Molar Impaction with Third Molar Size, Angulation, Developmental Stage, and Bud Position

Objective: The present study assessed the association of size, axial angulation, developmental stage and bud position of the mandibular third molar with the second molar impaction in patients with mandibular second molar impaction.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study (Case-Control Design), dental records of 5,420 patients in the age range of 12-15 years who underwent orthodontic treatment were assessed out of which 20 patients (14 females and 6 males) with lower second molar impaction were studied. Twenty control patients with erupted second molars were selected from the same centers and matched with the case group. Total sample size was 40 (Case and Control) and had normal distribution for the determined measurements. Third molar axial angulation towards the second molar, first molar and mandibular base, mesiodistal width of 3rd molar /2nd molar ratio, Nolla developmental stage and third molar bud position were measured and calculated in patients with impacted and erupted second molars and analyzed using student t and chi-square tests.Results: The mean degree of third molar angulation towards the second molar, first molar and mandibular base was 30.20, 53.6, and 51.3 degrees in cases and 21.4, 34.65 and 45.15 degrees in controls, respectively. Significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of third molar angulation towards the second molar (30.2 Vs 21.4 degrees p&lt;0.047), and first molar (53.6 Vs34.65 degrees p&lt;0.0001); while no differences were found between the two groups in terms of third molar angulation towards the mandibular base (51.3 Vs 45.15 degrees). The mean mesiodistal width of third molar/ second molar ratio was 0.99 in cases and 0.95 in controls with no significant difference. Nolla developmental stage and position of the marginal ridge of the third molar bud towards the second molar showed no definite relation with second molar impaction.Conclusion: It seems that angulation of third molar to the second and first molars is a major contributing factor to increase the risk of second molar impaction. Third molars size, developmental stages, and bud positions, do not show a significant relation to the second molar impaction

Ultraviolet-induced Surface Grafting of Octafluoropentyl Methacrylate on Polyether Ether Ketone for Inducing Antibiofilm Properties

Since octafluoropentyl methacrylate is an antifouling polymer, surface modification of polyether ether ketone with octafluoropentyl methacrylate is a practical approach to obtaining anti-biofilm biocompatible devices. In the current study, the surface treatment of polyether ether ketone by the use of ultraviolet irradiation, so as to graft (octafluoropentyl methacrylate) polymer chains, was initially implemented and then investigated. The Fourier-transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra corroborated the appearance of new signals associated with the fluoroacrylate group. Thermogravimetric curves indicated enhanced asymmetry in the polymer structure due to the introduction of the said new groups. Measuring the peak area in differential scanning calorimetry experiments also showed additional bond formation. Static water contact angle measurements indicated a change in wettability to the more hydrophobic surface. The polyether ether ketone–octafluoropentyl methacrylate surface greatly reduced the protein adsorption. This efficient method can modulate and tune the surface properties of polyether ether ketone according to specific applications

Effectiveness of Educational Intervention with non-wax and Virtual Typodont Methods in Practical Orthodontic course of Dental Students, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

Objectives Considering the educational value of non-wax and virtual typodonts, in this study, the results of the evaluation were compared to quantify each of the indicators in the evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and performance. Methods All tenth-semester dental students were divided into 2 equal groups of 25 and were trained by two typodontists. A standard questionnaire with a Cronbach α of .830 was used to evaluate their knowledge and attitude, which was prepared based on a 7-point Likert scale. To analyze the data, the paired t test, independent t test, and analysis of covariance (ANOVA) were used with SPSS version 21. The significance level was set as 0.05. Results In each of the 2 educational methods, a significant increase in the overall score of the questionnaire completed by the students was observed after the educational intervention (P &lt; 0.001). &nbsp;Among the 17 questions related to students, only 1 question in the non-wax typodont group and 4 in the virtual typodont group did not show a significant effect of the intervention (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion Both typodonts had remarkable educational advantages and accounted for a large share of the points in the questionnaires. In cases where physical sense was important in education, non-wax typodont and in cases where spatial understanding of biomechanics was necessary in tooth movement, virtual typodont was superior