Evaluation of the fit of preformed nickel titanium arch wires on normal occlusion dental arches

Aim: To determine the fits of preformed nickel titanium [NiTi] archwires on dental arches with normal occlusion

Methods: Forty sets of upper and lower plaster models were obtained from men and women with Class I occlusions. Preformed 0.016'' × 0.022'' NiTi archwires from Rocky Mountain Orthodontics [RMO], 3 M Unitek, Ormco, and Dentaurum were evaluated in terms of their fits on dental arches from male, female, and combined cases. Data were analyzed by using fourth- and sixth-order polynomial equations, analysis of variance [ANOVA], and the Duncan post hoc test

Results: In the upper arches, the best fit and least error were obtained with RMO Ovoid and Ormco Orthos Large archwires for male cases, but with 3 M Orthoform LA archwires for female and combined cases. In the lower arches, the best fit and least error were obtained with Ormco Orthos Large for male cases, with 3 M Orthoform LA and RMO Normal for female cases, and with 3 M Orthoform LA, RMO Normal, Ormco Orthos Large, and Ormco Orthos Small for combined cases. When both dental arches were matched, Ormco Orthos Large was the best wire for male cases. 3 M Orthoform LA was the best wire for female and combined cases

Conclusions: Using an archwire form with the best fit to the dental arch should produce minimal changes in the dental arch form when NiTi wires are used and require less customization when stainless-steel wires are used

Influence of bimaxillary protrusion on the perception of smile esthetics

To evaluate the impact of bimaxillary protrusion on smile esthetics as perceived by dental professionals and laypersons. One hundred and fifty evaluators, equally distributed into their respective panels [orthodontists, general dentists, and laypersons], participated in this cross-sectional study conducted in April to December 2012 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The patient sample consisted of 14 female patients divided equally into 2 groups: bimaxillary protrusion patients, and patients who have had 4-premolar extraction treatment. Two standardized photographs [frontal and three-quarter close-up smile views], and a lateral cephalogram were taken for each patient. The evaluators were asked to rate the attractiveness of each photo according to a 100-mm visual analog scale. These esthetic ratings were correlated with the patients' cephalometric measurements. The bimaxillary protrusion group was rated significantly as less attractive than the treatment group by each evaluator panel. Panel comparison showed that laypeople were less receptive of bimaxillary protrusion than dental professionals. Frontal and three-quarter views of the same smiles were not similarly rated for esthetic perceptions. Correlational analysis revealed that the dentoalveolar measurement with the highest significant negative correlation to the smile esthetics was the upper incisors to palatal plane [U1-PP] angle. Patients with bimaxillary protrusion were found to be less attractive than patients who were treated for the condition. This was especially evident among the laypersons. An increase in the upper incisor inclination, as well as a decrease in the interincisal angle compounds the bimaxillary effect

Validity of moyers mixed dentition analysis for Saudi population

Objectives: To evaluate the applicability of Moyers probability tables and to formulate more accurate mixed dentition prediction tables in the Saudi population

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Kind Saud University, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected from 410 [203 males and 207 females] orthodontic study models, which had erupted mandibular permanent incisors, maxillary, mandibular canines and premolars. The mesiodistal widths were measured using a digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Student's paired t-test was used to compare the mean width values derived from this study with the values derived using the Moyers table. Simple linear regression was used to evaluate the linear relationship between the combined mesiodistal widths of the mandibular permanent incisors and the canine-premolar segments in each dental arch

Results: The regression equations for the maxillary canine-premolar segment [males: Y=10.27+0.48X; females: Y=11.71 + 0.39X] and the mandibular canine-premolar segment [males: Y=9.71 + 0.40X; females: 11.28 + 0.39X] were used to formulate new probability tables on the Moyers pattern. Statistically significant differences were observed between predicted widths in our subjects and the widths obtained using Moyers tables

Conclusions: The new prediction tables derived in this study provided a more precise mixed dentition space analysis than Moyers prediction tables in estimating tooth dimensions in the Saudi population

Perception of pain and discomfort from elastomeric separators in Saudi adolescents

To examine the patient's perception of pain and discomfort following the placement of elastomeric separators in Saudi adolescents. The study was conducted on 38 adolescent patients who received fixed orthodontic treatment. The data was collected through the use of a self-administrated questionnaire that was distributed to the patients by one investigator in a non-clinical setting. The evaluation of pain started from the fourth hour after placement of elastomeric separators, and continued until the fifth day. The data showed that after 4 hours from separator placement, 94.7% of patients reported pain. There was a daily decrease in these percentages starting from the third day. The type of pain during the first 2 days was continuous, then continued to be intermittent pain. Most of the patients reported pain during eating and chewing, changed their food habit, and used analgesics. No statistical differences were observed between male and female patients in pain perception, type of pain, analgesic consumption, and influences on chewing and food consistency. The pain associated with orthodontic separation starts and peaks within 4-48 hours from separator placement, then starts to decline to reach the lowest level on fifth day

Malocclusion traits in saudi females seeking orthodontic treatment

The objective of the present study was to assess the distribution of malocclusion traits in a selected sample of Saudi adolescent and adult females seeking orthodontic treatment in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of 330 females divided into two age groups; adolescents [12-17 years] and adults [18-35 years]. Each patient was clinically examined and the type of malocclusion was recorded including Angle's classification, overjet, over bite, open bite, crossbite, scissors bite, crowding and spacing. The collected data were statistically analyzed for percentage distribution of different malocclusion traits for both the age groups. The study revealed that adolescents constituted the larger proportion of subjects seeking orthodontic treatment in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. Angle's Class I malocclusion was the most prevalent type, followed by Class III and Class II malocclusion. Crowding and spacing were the most frequent space discrepancies in all malocclusion traits

Self-perception of malocclusion of Saudi patients using the aesthetic component of the IOTN index

The purpose of the study was to assess the self-perception of patients toward their dental appearance using the Aesthetic Component [AC] of IOTN index compared with an investigator's rating and whether age and gender had any influence. A sample of 371 patients was selected from patients seeking orthodontic treatment in Dammam Central Hospital. The sample was divided into two age groups, adolescents and adults and the Aesthetic Component of the IOTN Index was applied. The results showed that patients scored themselves as having an attractive dentition with no need for orthodontic treatment [45.3%]. The highest investigator's scoring revealed that 46% of the patients were in grade 3-4 indicating a slight need for orthodontic treatment. There was a significant difference between the professional and the patient's rating [p<0.05]. Further, the gender and age did not influence the selfperception