Mandibular changes during initial alignment with SmartClip self-ligating and conventional brackets: A single-center prospective randomized controlled clinical trial / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: To test the null hypothesis that SmartClip self-ligating brackets are more effective than conventional brackets for initial mandibular alignment and identify influential factors. METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly allocated to two equal treatment groups by using an online randomization program: self-ligating group (SmartClip brackets) and conventional group (Gemini brackets). The archwire sequence was standardized. Changes in anterior irregularity index, intercanine width, and intermolar width were assessed on plaster models at 8th and 16th weeks. Changes in incisor position and inclination were assessed on lateral cephalometric radiographs at 16 weeks. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were performed with paired t-test and Student's t-test, respectively. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify variables affecting improvement in anterior ambiguity. RESULTS: Data of 46 patients were analyzed; those missing an appointment (n = 2) or showing bracket breakage (n = 2) were excluded. Incisor inclination (p 0.05) increased at 8 and 16 weeks in both the groups; no significant intergroup differences were noted (p > 0.05). Initial anterior irregularity index and intercanine width change were significantly associated with improvement in anterior irregularity (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis was rejected. Bracket type has little effect on improvement in anterior ambiguity during initial mandibular alignment.

Mandibular changes during initial alignment with SmartClip self-ligating and conventional brackets: A single-center prospective randomized controlled clinical trial / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: To test the null hypothesis that SmartClip self-ligating brackets are more effective than conventional brackets for initial mandibular alignment and identify influential factors. METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly allocated to two equal treatment groups by using an online randomization program: self-ligating group (SmartClip brackets) and conventional group (Gemini brackets). The archwire sequence was standardized. Changes in anterior irregularity index, intercanine width, and intermolar width were assessed on plaster models at 8th and 16th weeks. Changes in incisor position and inclination were assessed on lateral cephalometric radiographs at 16 weeks. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were performed with paired t-test and Student's t-test, respectively. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify variables affecting improvement in anterior ambiguity. RESULTS: Data of 46 patients were analyzed; those missing an appointment (n = 2) or showing bracket breakage (n = 2) were excluded. Incisor inclination (p 0.05) increased at 8 and 16 weeks in both the groups; no significant intergroup differences were noted (p > 0.05). Initial anterior irregularity index and intercanine width change were significantly associated with improvement in anterior irregularity (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The null hypothesis was rejected. Bracket type has little effect on improvement in anterior ambiguity during initial mandibular alignment.

Management of thoracic trauma in emergency service: analysis of 1139 cases

Thoracic trauma is a common cause of significant morbidity and mortality. This study presents a series of thoracic trauma with the aim to assess epidemiologic features, distribution of pathologies, additional systemic injuries, diagnosis, management and outcome. Between January 2007 and December 2011, all patients with thorax trauma admitted to the emergency service of our hospital were retrospectively reviewed with respect to age, gender, etiological factors, distribution of pathologies, additional systemic injuries, diagnosis, treatment modalities, referral and outcome. A total of 1139 patients with thorax trauma were included in the study. Of these, 698 [61.3%] were male and 441 [38.7%] were female, and the average age was 54.17 +/- 17.39 years. 1090 [95.7%] of the patients had blunt trauma, whereas 49 [4.3%] had penetrating trauma. Etiological factors were falls in 792 [69.5%], motor vehicle accidents in 259 [22.8%], animal related accidents in 39 [3.4%] and penetrating injuries in 49 [4.2%] patients. It was found that 229 [20%] patients had single, 101 [8.9%] had double, 5 [3%] had three or more, 10 [0.9%] had bilateral rib fractures and 19 [1.7%] had sternal fracture. Pneumothorax was diagnosed in 58 [5.1%] patients, whereas hemothorax, hemopneuomothorax and other system injuries were diagnosed in 36 [3.2%], 38[3.3%] and 292 [25.6%] respectively. In our series, thirteen patients [mortality rate 1.1%] died as result of hemorrhagic shock [n=8], respiratory distress [n=3] and severe multiple trauma [n=2]. Although majority of the patients with thorax trauma receive treatment as outpatients; thoracic traumas may be a life threatening condition, and should be identified and treated immediately. Mortality varies based on etiological factors, additional systemic pathologies, capabilities of the hospital especially diagnostic and treatment facilities in emergency services. We believe that a multidisciplinary approach to the patients with severe thorax trauma, and the opportunities of emergency bedside thoracotomy in emergency services will significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality

Effects of conventional and self-etching adhesive systems on bond strength of orthodontic attachments bonded to erupted and unerupted teeth / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) and failure-mode of orthodontic buttons bonded to erupted and unerupted teeth with conventional and self-etching adhesive systems. METHODS: Eighty-four erupted and 84 unerupted, human third-molar teeth were used. For both groups, the buccal surfaces of each tooth were assigned one of the following type of adhesive systems (n = 12). A, Conventional systems: 1, Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA); 2, Prime & Bond NT (Dentsply/Caulk, Milford, USA); 3, Single Bond (3M ESPE, Minnesota, USA); and B, Self-etching adhesives; 4, Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray, Okayama, Japan); 5, Transbond Plus (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA); 6, Clearfil S3 (Kuraray, Tokyo, Japan); 7, G Bond (GC, Tokyo, Japan). The SBSs of the attachments and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were recorded. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance (ANOVA), independent-sample t-test and chi-square tests. RESULTS: When the SBSs of erupted and unerupted teeth were compared, only the Clearfil-SE Bond and G-Bond were significantly different. Bond strengths of all adhesive systems were higher in unerupted teeth than erupted teeth, except the Single-Bond system. CONCLUSIONS: When using conventional adhesives, bonding to erupted and unerupted teeth may not be significantly different. However, clinicians need to take into consideration the types of self-etching systems before usage.

Zygoma-gear appliance for intraoral upper molar distalization / 대한치과교정학회지

The aim of this report is to present an intraoral upper molar distalization system supported with zygomatic anchorage plates (Zygoma-gear Appliance, ZGA). This system was used for a 16-year-old female patient with a Class II molar relationship requiring molar distalization. The system consisted of bilateral zygomatic anchorage plates, an inner-bow and heavy intraoral elastics. Distalization of the upper molars was achieved in 3 months and the treatment results were evaluated from lateral cephalometric radiographs. According to the results of the cephalometric analysis, the maxillary first molars showed a distalization of 4 mm, associated with a distal axial inclination of 4.5degrees. The results of this study show that an effective upper molar distalization without anchorage loss can be achieved in a short time using the ZGA. We suggest that this new system may be used in cases requiring molar distalization in place of extraoral appliances.

The frog appliance for upper molar distalization: a case report / 대한치과교정학회지

The purpose of this article was to evaluate the effects of a new upper molar distalization system, the Frog Appliance, on dentofacial structures in a Class II, division 1 patient. An 11-year-old girl was referred to our clinic for orthodontic treatment. She had a mild skeletal Class II malocclusion with Class II molar and canine relationship on both sides. The treatment plan included distalization of the upper first molars bilaterally followed by full fixed appliance therapy. For the upper molar distalization, a new system, the Frog Appliance, was constructed and applied. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were used to evaluate the treatment results. Distalization of the upper first molars was achieved in four months successfully, and Class I molar relationship was obtained. Total treatment time was 16 months. According to the results of the cephalometric evaluation, a nearly bodily distal molar movement with a slight anchorage loss was attained. In conclusion, the Frog Appliance was found to be a simple, effective, non-invasive, and compliance-free intraoral distalization appliance for achieving bilateral molar distalization.