Comparative Evaluation of 0.25% Lemongrass Oil Mouthwash and 0.2% Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Fixed Orthodontic Patients Suffering from Gingivitis.

AIM: The aim of this study is to compare the antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy of 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, who are suffering from gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment with mild-to-moderate gingivitis were selected for the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of twenty each, that is, group I: 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash (n = 20); group II: 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash (n = 20); and group III: oral prophylaxis (n = 20). Baseline gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were accessed followed by oral prophylaxis was done and the PI score was set to zero for all the patients. Patients were asked to swish their mouth with their respective mouthwashes and brushing (twice daily), that is, morning and before bedtime for 21 days. The PI and GI scores were recorded for all three groups on the 14th and the 21st days. The post hoc Bonferroni test was used for multiple comparisons of mean differences among variables after the application of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for comparison within the groups. RESULTS: A lower PI and the GI were found in the lemongrass oil mouthwash group by the 14th and the 21st days, respectively, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) compared to the chlorhexidine mouthwash group. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study suggested that 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash has the potential to be used as a natural or herbal alternative to chlorhexidine mouthwash. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It can be suggested that 0.25% lemongrass oil mouthwash may be a good herbal alternative to mouthwash containing 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate.

Stainless steel vs. titanium miniscrew implants: Evaluation of stability during retraction of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth.

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to compare the stability of stainless steel and titanium miniscrew implants of the same diameter and length during en masse retraction of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty miniscrew implants (1.3 mm diameter and 8 mm length) were placed in 10 patients (20 titanium and 20 stainless steel). Stability was checked at insertion (T0), at one month (T1), and at sixth months (T2) and the amount of retraction was recorded in millimeters. RESULTS: Titanium and stainless steel implants were equally stable at the time of insertion. At T1, three titanium miniscrew implants showed grade 2 mobility, whereas seven stainless steel miniscrew implants showed grade 2 mobility. For T2, none of the titanium miniscrew implants had grade 2 mobility while four stainless steel miniscrew implants resulted in grade 2 mobility. Both had an equal frequency of grade 3 and grade 4 mobility. However, the difference in the stability was not statistically significant. No statistical significance was found when the amount of retraction achieved by titanium and stainless steel miniscrew implants was compared between the maxillary and mandibular arches. CONCLUSION: Both titanium and stainless steel miniscrew implants provide good anchorage and remain stable during en masse retraction of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth. Thus, both miniscrews are clinically effective.

Body dysmorphic disorder: Diagnosis, clinical aspects and treatment strategies.

AIM: With the increased demand to undertake dental aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, it is imperative for all dental clinicians to have an understanding of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Patient's preoccupations with perceived defect in appearance or excessive concern about minimal flaws are among diagnostic criteria of BDD. Such patients are difficult to please and often undergo cosmetic procedures such as orthodontic treatment. METHODOLOGY: Literature search in PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted from 1891 to 2015. A manual search of relevant articles and review was done and relevant data was collected and analysed. RESULTS: One of the most common areas of preoccupation is the dento-facial region, with up to 20% of patients diagnosed with BDD expressing specific concern regarding their dental appearance. CONCLUSION: BDD patients often request multiple aesthetic procedures, but remain unsatisfied with their treatment results.

Perioral age-related changes in smile dynamics along the vertical plane: a videographic cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in characteristics of perioral musculature at rest and when smiling, with respect to age and gender, measured along the vertical plane in a randomly selected sample of a North Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Perioral musculature of 195 subjects (divided into three age groups) was recorded using standardized videographic methods. Two frames of each subject-at rest and widest posed smile-were analyzed for a comprehensive list of parameters. Data was evaluated using SPSS version 16 software. Two-way analysis of variance and post hoc least significant difference tests were conducted. RESULTS: Significant observations were increased resting upper lip length for females; decreased upper lip thickness, maxillary incisor exposure, and lip elevation for males; and increased smiling upper lip length for both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: With age, the smile gets narrower vertically, especially for the male population. The pattern of change observed in the present study must be considered and incorporated during treatment planning to deliver healthier and long-lasting results to patients of all age groups.