Root resorption due to orthodontic treatment using self-ligating and conventional brackets

WOS: 000432291600004PubMed ID: 29651519Objective Purpose of the present study was to compare external root resorption (ERR) volumetrically in maxillary incisors induced by orthodontic treatment using self-ligating brackets (Damon Q, DQ) or conventional brackets (Titanium Orthos, TO) with the help of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Patients and methods A sample of 32 subjects, with Angle Class I malocclusion and anterior crowding of 4-10 mm, was divided randomly into two groups: a DQ group, in which self-ligating DQ brackets with Damon archwires were used; and a TO group, in which conventional TO brackets with large Orthos archwires were applied. The study was conducted using CBCT scans taken before (T1), and near the end (9 months after the initiation of treatment; T2) of the orthodontic treatment. The extent of ERR was determined volumetrically using Mimics software. Changes in root volume were evaluated by repeated-measures analysis of variance as well as by paired and independent t-tests. Results While significant differences were found between T1 and T2 for root volume in both groups (p 0.05). Maxillary central and lateral incisors showed similar volume loss (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the TO group showed a higher prevalence of palatinal and proximal slanted RR compared with the DQ group (p < 0.05). Conclusions It is not possible to suggest superiority of one bracket system over the other only considering root resorption pattern or amount. Higher incidence of slanted RR found in patients treated with the TO system warrants further research to identify possible specific causes

Has the Arab spring spread to the Caucasus and Central Asia? Explaining regional diffusion and authoritarian resistance

This article asks the question whether the Arab Spring protests have had a transformative impact on the political regimes of the countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA). Unlike in the Middle East and North Africa, the protests that took place in the CCA region after 2011 did not result in regime changes. By analysing the political developments in the CCA region between the period of 2011 and 2014, this article argues that rather than encouraging democratic changes, the Arab Spring protests stimulated the learning process of authoritarian rulers in the CCA region by showing the impact of the social media for political mobilization and consequently regime survival. As such, they incentivized the regimes to increase repression, targeting not only the protestors, but also media and the Internet freedom

Comparison of stepwise vs single-step advancement with the Functional Mandibular Advancer in Class II division 1 treatment

WOS: 000392254400011PubMed ID: 27366817Objective: To compare two groups of subjects at the peak of the pubertal growth period treated with the Functional Mandibular Advancer (FMA; Forestadent, Pforzheim, Germany) appliance using either single-step or stepwise mandibular advancement. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 34 Class II division 1 malocclusion subjects at or just before the peak phase of pubertal growth as assessed by hand-wrist radiographs. Subjects were assigned to two groups of mandibular advancement, using matched randomization. Both groups were treated with the FMA. While the mandible was advanced to a super Class I molar relation in the single-step advancement group (SSG), patients in the stepwise mandibular advancement group (SWG) had a 4-mm initial bite advancement and subsequent 2-mm advancements at bimonthly intervals. The material consisted of lateral cephalograms taken before treatment and after 10 months of FMA treatment. Data were analyzed by means paired t-tests and an independent t-test. Results: There were statistically significant changes in SNB, Pg horizontal, ANB, Co-Gn, and Co-Go measurements in both groups (P .05). Conclusion: Because of the higher rates of sagittal mandibular skeletal changes, FMA using stepwise advancement of the mandible might be the appliance of choice for treating Class II division 1 malocclusions