Difference in Orthodontic Patients' Perceptions of Essix and Hawley Retainers

Abstract Objective: To determine differences in how orthodontic patients perceive the aesthetics relating to the use of Essix and Hawley retainers. Material and Methods: Photographs of a female patient using an Essix retainer and a Hawley retainer, respectively, were assessed by 70 orthodontic patients aged between 21 and 55 years. All participants were provided with the same images of the two retainer types being worn and were asked to grade the aesthetics of each retainer using a visual analog scale. The significance of differences in orthodontic patient perceptions of aesthetics in the use of Essix and Hawley Retainers in the young adult and adult age groups were tested using the Mann-Whitney test with assumed significance p<0.01. Results: There were differences in participants' perceptions between the two retainers that were statistically significant, with responses varying between young adults aged 21 to 35 years and adults aged 36 to 55 years. According to the VAS, the two retainers' average scores in the total population are 82 for Essix Retainer and 60 for Hawley Retainer in both groups. Conclusion: The Essix retainer as a retention appliance is considered more aesthetically pleasing than the Hawley retainer among both young and middle-aged adults.

Vertical Mandibular and Trunk Symmetry in Indonesian Orthodontic Patients

Abstract Objective: To analyze differences in vertical mandibular and trunk symmetry in orthodontic patients. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 129 growing orthodontic patients who sought orthodontic treatment at the Dental Hospital Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia. Mandibular symmetry index was observed with pre-treatment panoramic radiography based on Kjellberg's technique and trunk symmetry was evaluated based on questionnaires and visual observation. Vertical mandibular asymmetry was decided if the index of asymmetry was lower than 93.7%. The bivariate analysis used the chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests, with a significance level of 5%. Results: There was a significant association between vertical mandibular and trunk symmetry (p<0.05). The prevalence odds ratio for the association with vertical mandibular asymmetry was 3.007 (95% CI = 1.016-8.905) for trunk asymmetry. Conclusion: The necessity to consider trunk symmetry could be included in orthodontics treatment of any malocclusion with vertical mandibular asymmetry that might require a multidisciplinary approach in the future.

Validation Of Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method For Simultaneous Determination Of 6-, 8-, 10-Gingerols And 6-Shogaol From Ginger Extracts

Objective: Development and validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method for the simultaneous estimation of 6-, 8-, 10-Gingerols and 6-Shogaol in ginger extract using authentic standards. Methods: The chromatographic separation was achieved by using a C18 column and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile, ortho-phospohoric acid in water and methanol. The proposed method was validated in terms of the analytical parameters such as specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, range, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) according to ICH guidelines. Results: Linear calibration curves were obtained over concentration ranges of 10-250 µg/ml for 6-, 8-, 10-gingerols and 6-shogaol with determination coefficients more than 0.99 for each analyte. Intra and inter-day precisions of the method were found to be below 2% for each analyte, with relative standard deviation (% RSD) values in the range of 0.47 to 1.55% for 6-gingerol, 0.44 to 1.51% for 8-gingerol, 0.24 to 1.90% for 10-gingerol and 0.25 to 1.67% for 6-shogaol. The percentage recovery of gingerols and shogaol was obtained with an average of 99.53%, 99.97%, 100.13% and 100.53% respectively, which was well within acceptance range. Conclusion: Simple, accurate, precise and rapid HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of 6-, 8-, 10-gingerols and 6-shogaol and validated in accordance with ICH guidelines. The developed method was found to be suitable for the standardization of herbal extracts and polyherbal formulations for the content of 6-, 8-, 10-gingerols and 6-shogaol.