Upper airway dimensions and the skeletal parameters in orthodontic patients who developed moderate-severe COVID-19 symptoms during the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Large airway dimensions are associated with a rapid decline in the lung function and a higher risk of hospitalization. Therefore, the airway dimensions of healthy subjects who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be associated with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to measure the upper airway dimensions and the craniofacial skeletal parameters in patients who tested positive for COVID-19, to compare the upper airway dimensions and the craniofacial skeletal parameters between patients who developed no/mild symptoms and those with moderate-severe COVID-19 symptoms, and to assess any association of the skeletal relationships (anteroposterior (AP) and vertical) and the upper airway dimensions with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms in adult subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 204 orthodontic patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were evaluated. Of these, only 137 met the inclusion criteria. The sample was further subdivided into 2 groups based on the severity of symptoms: cases (moderate-severe symptoms; n = 56); and controls (asymptomatic/ mild symptoms; n = 81). The upper airway dimensions and the skeletal parameters were measured on lateral cephalograms. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used to detect differences between the cases and the controls. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the studied variables and the severity of symptoms. RESULTS: The cases had a reduced lower face height (LFH) and a reduced perpendicular distance from the hyoid bone to the line connecting the anteroinferior limit of the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3) and the retrognathion point (RGN) (HH1) as compared to the controls. Regression analysis revealed a significant association of LFH (p = 0.013), the vertical airway length (VAL) (p = 0.002) and HH1 (p = 0.021) with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The types of malocclusion were similar in the cases and the controls. Patients with reduced LFH and VAL, and a superiorly positioned hyoid bone in relation to the mandible developed more severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Guidelines for the orthodontic management of the traumatised tooth.

Dental trauma is common in the UK, with more than one in ten children having experienced some form of dental trauma. In addition, one in ten patients have been reported to have experienced dental trauma before orthodontic treatment. A recent survey of orthodontists' knowledge and experience of orthodontic management of traumatised teeth has highlighted large inconsistencies in management of traumatised teeth among UK orthodontists, highlighting the need for further information or training on orthodontic management of traumatised teeth.Therefore, the following guidelines have been developed in order to provide an evidence-based approach to treat this cohort of patients. The following guidance is based on the available literature, expert opinion and UK orthodontists' consensus drawn from a recent survey.

Orthodontic management of traumatized teeth: A national survey of UK orthodontists.

BACKGROUND/AIM: There is a lack of research into orthodontic movement and management strategies of traumatized teeth. The aim of this survey was to assess the knowledge of UK-based orthodontists in the orthodontic management of traumatized teeth. MATERIALS/METHODS: A 24-item questionnaire survey was electronically distributed to all members of the British Orthodontic Society. RESULTS: A total of 213 respondents completed the survey with the majority of these being UK registered specialists in orthodontics. Three responses were excluded as one was not based within the UK and two were orthodontic trainees with <1 year of experience, leaving a total of 210 respondents. The majority had orthodontically treated up to three patients with a history of dental trauma in the preceding 3 months. Obtaining a trauma history was done by the majority of respondents. A wide variation in times waited by respondents before orthodontically treating teeth with different types of traumatic injuries was observed. Similarly, the preferred orthodontic management strategies of traumatized teeth differed substantially among respondents. Almost all respondents were interested in further training in the management of dental trauma. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed a wide variation in the orthodontic management of traumatized teeth among UK-based orthodontists. Further training and national guideline establishment are indicated for orthodontic management of traumatized teeth in the UK.

Orthodontic treatment of a stubborn palatally ectopic canine: a case report.

This is a case report that highlights a different treatment approach in dealing with palatally ectopic canines. The modified transpalatal arch with an 'active' arm was used to align a palatally ectopic canine with 'push' mechanics after the initial use of more conventional 'pull' mechanics (piggy-back archwire technique) had failed.