Clinico-Statistical Study Concerning the use of Classical Orthodontic Appliances Among Orthodontists

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish a statistics on the contemporary use of classical mobile orthodontic appliances, anchorage means and certain procedures (functional exercises) among orthodontic specialists. Material and Methods: The present study was based on a questionary comprising 15 questions addressed to 55 postgraduate, specialist and senior orthodontists concernig the use of classical orthodontic methods. The questionary was delivered online by means of Google Forms and intermediated by the National Dentists‘ Association of Tirgu Mures, Romania. The sole inclusion criteria was the specialty of orthodontics. Results: 92,7% of the orthodontists use removable appliances (palatal plate with expansion screw), 90,9 % recommend functional exercises (correct palatal tongue placement), 89,1% exploit space maintainers, 87,3% provide lingual cribs for functional reeducation, 80% apply functional devices and the Goshgarian arch as an anchorage method, 72,2% use the Delaire mask and 69,8% the headgear and 58,2 apply the Hawley plate as a contention mean. Conclusions: A very high percentage of resident, specialist and senior doctors utilize classical removable and functional appliances and methods

Correlations Between Deaf-Muteness and Cephalometric Characteristics in Adults

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess any existing correlations between the phonatory function obviously affected in deaf-mute patients and dento-maxillary and/or facial anomalies. Material and Methods: The study comprised 55 deaf-mute patients (28 males and 27 females) aged between 23 and 76 from 2 cities of Romania, belonging to the Hearing Deficiency Persons’ Association. 13 were edentulous. Each patient was clinically and radiographically assessed. We applied computer assisted interpretetation of the profile teleradiographies using AudaxCeph and Scanora Lite 3.2.6 software for the following parameters: SNA, SNB, ANB, SN/ML, FH/ML, NL/ML, NL/+1 and ML/-1 angles, Ls-ELine, Li-ELine, UP and LP distances.The data was compared to normal values as referred to in the mentioned computer programs by using Student’s t-tests and the Bland Altman plot. Results: The following characteristics were identified as being statistically different from the normal values: SN/ML with a mean of -5,5°, FH/ML by 6,2°, NL/ML with -5,2°, Ls-ELine by -4,2 mm and Li-ELine with a mean of -3,7 mm. Conclusions: Deaf-mute patients tend to present hypodivergent vertical skeletal patterns, anterior mandibular growth/rotation and skeletal deep bite and also protruded lips, aspects which must be taken into consideration when commencing an orthodontic treatment

DENTISTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS THEIR ROLE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT OBESITY CONTROL IN THE DENTAL OFFICE

Although the correlation between the nutritional status and tooth decay is an actual subject in literature, the role of the dentist, particularly the pediatric dentist, in the prevention of obesity in children and adolescents is least studied. (1) While in the past the evaluation of the nutritional status of the child was the responsability of the pediatrician or the general practitioner, nowadays, the high rates of obesity require the modification of this protocol which has become unsatisfactory. The dentist has high potential to perform obesity screening, taking into consideration the regular, generally bianual, doctor visits compared to the sole pediatrician visit, especially when there is no vaccination time. We have performed a clinico-statistical study among different specialty dentists by means of a questionary comprising 13 questions, virtually delivered, with the purpose of obtaining data concerning the involvement of the dentist in the complex issue of nutrition as one of the etiological factors of tooth decay. The results indicate a high interest of the respondents in this matter but with relatively low implication due to lack of time and indistinctive examination protocols. This study offers a picture of the opinions different specialty dentists in Romania have about the role of the dentist in the screening of infantile obesity and about the present but also future attitudes concerning this major health problem. The dentist, especially the pedodontist, is in an unique position of being able to influence the nutrition habbits of children. Due to periodic doctor visits, they are able to monitorize not only oral health but also the nutritional status

Comparative Evaluation of Two Bracket Systems’ Bond Strength: Conventional and Self-Ligating

Adhesion remains a key element in dentistry, whether approached in prosthetics, odontology, or orthodontics. It is a continuously researched aspect, as improved materials and adhesive methods keep emerging in the market. No orthodontic treatment can be effective without the proper adhesion strength of the bonded elements on the teeth. The objective of this research, in the broad context of self-ligating versus conventional brackets, was to compare active and passive self-ligating systems with a conventional one by conducting an in vitro study on human-extracted premolars. Shear bond strength tests were executed by means of an advanced materials-testing machine that generated maximum load and tensile strength values. The data obtained underwent statistical analysis with a statistical threshold of p < 0.05. The results regarding the statistical significance were acquired when comparing the passive self-ligating system with the active self-ligating and conventional systems (load-at-maximum-load mean 204.9, SD 91.09, and p < 0.05). In this study, the passive self-ligating bracket system appears to present increased shear bond strength

Comparative Evaluation of Two Bracket Systems’ Kinetic Friction: Conventional and Self-Ligating

Friction is an intensely studied feature in orthodontics, as the sliding mechanics approach remains one of the most utilized techniques in current practice, and the question of whether self-ligating brackets produce less friction than conventional brackets still stands. The objective of this study was to compare a self-ligating system with different closing mechanisms and a conventional system with different ligating mechanisms regarding their frictional properties. Laboratory measurements were performed using an advanced materials testing machine generating tensile strength and load at maximum Load values, which were statistically analyzed and compared. These two parameters have been associated with the frictional resistance generated at the archwire–bracket slot interface. Statistically significant results were obtained when comparing the active self-ligating brackets with the passive self-ligating (tensile strength mean 1.953, SD 0.4231; load at maximum moad mean 6.000, SD 1.3000) and conventional brackets (tensile strength mean 1.953, SD 0.4231; load at maximum load mean 6.000, SD 1.3000), as well as when comparing the passive self-ligating brackets with the conventional brackets (tensile strength mean 1.708, SD 0.8628; load at maximum load mean 5.254, SD 2.645). The active self-ligating brackets tended to produce more friction when compared to the passive self-ligating brackets but were similar to conventional brackets with stainless steel ligatures

Comparative Evaluation of Dental Enamel Microhardness Following Various Methods of Interproximal Reduction: A Vickers Hardness Tester Investigation

Interproximal enamel reduction, also known as stripping, is a common orthodontic procedure that reduces the mesiodistal diameter of teeth, allowing for a balance of available space in dental arches. The aim of this study was to assess the enamel surface microhardness resulting from the application of currently available methods for interproximal reduction. Forty-two extracted human permanent teeth were divided into six different groups, each subjected to a therapeutic stripping procedure using various methods (i.e., diamond burs, abrasive strips of 90 μm, 60 μm, 40 μm, and 15 μm, and abrasive discs). Stripping was performed by a single individual in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations for the various systems used. One of the proximal faces of the tooth underwent IPR, while the other side remained untreated for control. The hardness of the enamel surface was measured using a Vickers hardness tester. The control group achieved the hardest enamel surface (354.4 ± 41.02 HV1), while the lowest was observed for enamel surfaces treated with 90 µm abrasive strips (213.7 ± 118.6). The only statistically significant difference was identified in comparisons between the values measured for the control group and those obtained after stripping with diamond burs (p = 0.0159). Enamel microhardness varied depending on the stripping instrument used, but no statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05). Optimal microhardness values, close to those of healthy enamel, were achieved after mechanical treatment with 15 µm abrasive strips and abrasive discs. Dental stripping is a safe therapeutic procedure that has a relatively minor influence on the microhardness of surface enamel

PCR Technique Assisting the Early Diagnosis of Human Papillomavirus A retrospective clinical study

The number of oral cancers associated with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is increasing worldwide.The purpose of this retrospective clinical trial is to investigate the relationship between genital and oral HPVinfection and to observe the possibilities of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and the limitationsfor oral HPV infection. The results of genital and oral HPV screening of 34 female patients and their partner,and 14 single female patients were processed in a private practice in Budapest between 2012 and 2015.After brush-biopsy sampling, HPV DNA identification and typing were performed using PCR technique. All inall 164 samples were typed. HPV DNA was detected in 76 cases (48.20%). HPV was detected in 55 casesfrom the genital samples (67%), and in 21 cases from the oral samples (25.6%). Genital HPV infection wasstatistically significantly higher in women (79.2% vs 22,9%, p<0.001). Gender comparison of genital HPVinfection showed a statistically significant difference (79.2% for women, 50% for men, p = 0.006). In caseof genital HPV infection, the oral HPV infection of the same person is more frequent. In this study, the abovementioned difference is significant for women and not significant for men. HPV16 is the HPV genotypewhich was identified in the highest ratio(47.2%). PCR technique is capable of the detection of oral HPVinfection, but follow-up studies with higher case number , and questionnaire studies are needed to understandHPV transmission more accurately