RESUMO
Background: When ceramic brackets were introduced as an esthetic alternative to the stainless steel brackets, it was a step ahead in the use of esthetic appliances for orthodontic treatment. Although ceramic brackets had overcome the drawbacks of the initial polycarbonate brackets such as staining and bracket slot distortion, they posed an altogether different problem. This was on account of the physical properties of the ceramic material, namely brittleness. Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical properties of three different varieties of esthetic brackets, i.e., “MXI” ceramic bracket, “Spirit MB” bracket (Ormco), a composite bracket with metal slot reinforcement and the third one fiber bracket, with silicious copolymer, Natura (Leone Co.). Aims and Objective of the Study: The objective of this study is to compare the torsional resistance of the brackets and resistance of brackets to second order archwire activations. Conclusion: The strength of the selected brackets was more than sufficient to withstand orthodontic load without any fracture or deformation.
RESUMO
Background: Chronic gingivitis is the most prevalent in all dentate animals. Regular methods for controlling it have been found to be ineffective, which have paved the way for the use of herbal products as an adjunctive to mechanical therapy as they are free to untoward effects and hence can be used for a long period of time. Objective: The antigingivitis effect of a gel containing pomegranate extract was evaluated using a 21-day trial in patients with chronic gingivitis. Materials and Methods: Forty patients participated in this randomized clinical study, carried out in four phases of 7 days each over 21 days. The patients were randomly assigned to four groups: First group was treated with mechanical debridement and an experimental gel and the second group with mechanical debridement and a control gel; the third group wasn’t subjected to mechanical debridement and only experimental gel was used. The fourth group was treated with control gel only. All the groups were subjected to various clinical and microbiological parameters to evaluate the antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of the pomegranate extract. Results: The group which used the pomegranate gel along with mechanical debridement showed signifi cant improvement in all the clinical and microbiological parameters included in the study when compared with the other three groups. Conclusion: Hence it can be concluded that the pomegranate gel when used as an adjunct with mechanical debridement was effi cient in treating gingivitis.