analytical study on an orthodontic index: index of complexity, outcome and need [ICON]

Statement of the Problem: The validity of the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need [ICON] which is an orthodontic index developed and introduced in 2000 should be studied in different ethnic groups

Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform an analysis on the ICON and to verify whether this index is valid for assessing both the need and complexity of orthodontic treatment in Iran

Materials and Method: Five orthodontists were asked to score pre-treatment diagnostic records of 100 patients with a uniform distribution of different types of malocclusions determined by Dental Health Component of the Index of Treatment Need. A calibrated examiner also assessed the need for orthodontic treatment and complexity of the cases based on the ICON index as well as the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need [IOTN]. 10 days later, 25% of the cases were re-scored by the panel of experts and the calibrated orthodontist

Results: The weighted kappa revealed the inter-examiner reliability of the experts to be 0.63 and 0.51 for the need and complexity components, respectively. ROC curve was used to assess the validity of the index. A new cut-off point was adjusted at 35 in lieu of 43 as the suggested cut-off point. This cut-off point showed the highest level of sensitivity and specificity in our society for orthodontic treatment need [0.77 and 0.78, respectively], but it failed to define definite ranges for the complexity of treatment

Conclusion: ICON is a valid index in assessing the need for treatment in Iran when the cut-off point is adjusted to 35. As for complexity of treatment, the index is not validated for our society. It seems that ICON is a well-suited substitute for the IOTN index

Evaluation of histological impacts of three types of orthodontic fixed retainers on periodontium of rabbits

Statement of the Problem: Fixed retainers were developed to maintain incisor alignments after orthodontic treatments. Although the effects of fixed retainers on periodontal health are clinically studied, no studies have still evaluated the histological changes in the periodontium after the placement of thefixed retainers

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of customised retainers on periodontium histologically

Materials and Method: Forty pairs of maxillary and mandibular central incisors of twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups: The first group was considered as the control and in the second group, Fiber Reinforced Composite [FRC], in the third group, 0.014 inch stainless steel [SS] wire and in the fourth group, 0.175 inch multistrand stainless steel [MSS] wire were bonded on the labial surfaces of the incisors. After sixty days; animals' periodontium were evaluated histologically

Results: The number of bone resorption lacuna in the control group was significantly less than FRC and 0.014 SS groups. The periodontal vessel count and their diameter in the control group was significantly lower than the other groups. The pulp vessel count and their diameter in controls were significantly more than the 0.014 SS and the 0.175 MSS groups

Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that FRC fixed retainer might cause detrimental effects on the periodontal ligaments and supporting bone and the 0.014- inch and 0.175- inch fixed retainers can cause hyalinization and possibly the necrosis of the pulp

[Evaluation of fixed orthodontic patients' compliance in the clinic of Shiraz dental school: a cross-sectional study]

Orthodontic patients' cooperation is a determining factor in treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between patient cooperation during orthodontic treatment with variables such as age, sex, life setting, treatment duration and functional and social discomfort experienced. Specimens were consisted of 100 orthodontic patients [36 males and 64 females] between 13-35 years old [average age: 22.57 +/- 1.69 years]. Patients' demographic traits, treatment duration and functional-social discomfort by the orthodontic treatment were evaluated using a questionnaire answered by the patients or their parents. The degree of patient cooperation was assessed by the modified cooperation questionnaire [Orthodontic Patient Cooperation Scale [OPCS] which was completed by an orthodontist. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA, T-test, intraclass correlation coefficient and Pearson Correlation. No significant difference was found between the cooperation of male and female patients [P=0.867] and also between the cooperation of the patients who lived in the urban and rural setting [P=0.613]. Treatment duration and compliance showed a low negative correlation which was not statistically significant [r=-0.155, P=0.127]. Functional-social discomfort and compliance showed a low negative correlation which was not statistically significant [r-0.118, P=0.244]. No significant correlations were found between the compliance and age [r=0.002, P=0.988]; and also the treatment duration and functional-social discomfort experienced [r=0.164,P=0.105]. Patient compliance appears to be a complex issue that cannot easily be predicted only by factors such as age, gender, life setting, treatment duration and functional-social discomfort experienced

Associations between normative and self-perceived orthodontic treatment needs in young-adult dental patients / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the correlation between dental treatment need as assessed by the components of the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) and a self-evaluation questionnaire in a population selected from the dental clinics of Shiraz, Iran. METHODS: The dental treatment needs of 240 participants (120 men and 120 women) were measured on the basis of the IOTN dental health component (IOTN-DHC), IOTN aesthetic component (IOTN-AC), IOTN AC determined by the examiner (IOTN-ACE), and a self-evaluation questionnaire (SEQ). The correlations between the treatment needs assessed by all the methods as well as the correlations of the treatment needs with age and gender were assessed using a Spearman's correlation coefficient (alpha = 0.01). RESULTS: All methods were significantly correlated (p 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The correlations between the self-evaluation and the IOTN components in young adults were close to those reported in children, and IOTN-ACE was more reliable than IOTN-AC.

[Problem based learning: an experience of a new educational method in dentistry]

Introduction: Considering the necessity of dentistry students' involvement in learning treatment topics and, in order to achieve deeper learning, this study was performed to evaluate problem based learning method and compare it to traditional method of teaching orthodontics to dentistry students

Methods: This interventional study was performed on 64, fifth year dentistry students in 2007-2008 academic years. After selection and orientation of tutors, a trainer helped them to adjust to the new method. After orientation of students about PBL method, the groups were identified and the PBL method was performed in four steps. A pretest was taken from students to assess their attitude and satisfaction about traditional method of lecture. Then, A post-test evaluated their attitude toward and satisfaction with the new method. The domains of this method were assessed by 5 point Likert scale. Results were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive and inferential statistics

Results: The average of achieved scores out of the total score of five was as so in areas of material organization [main subjects] [3.41 +/- 0.75], internal motivation [3.41 +/- 0.7], assignments appropriateness [3.38 +/- 0.53], and suitability of evaluation method [3.67 +/- 1.17]. The mean of satisfaction score was 14 out of the total score of 20 which demonstrates agreement higher than average

Conclusion: By promoting learner's internal motivation, enhancing the quality of education, and, increasing continuous learning, PBL method could prove useful in teaching dentistry students