Social media and orthodontics: A commentary on a systematic review.

Data sources The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, and CENTRAL from 1946 to 31 March 2018 were searched to identify eligible studies. Information sources in the Grey literature were also searched.Study selection Randomised and non-randomised studies as well as retrospective studies irrespective of their language were selected by two reviewers independently.Data extraction and synthesis Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed by two reviewers independently. Data were synthesised qualitatively. Quantitative syntheses were not possible because of high heterogeneity.Results One randomised controlled trial, four cross-sectional studies, and three retrospective studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria. The quality of the evidence in the included studies was predominantly of low to moderate quality. All studies reported on Twitter, three on YouTube, two on Facebook and one study referred also to Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, and Internet Blogs. The included studies reported on the informational value of social media on various aspects of orthodontic treatment and patients' health experiences during orthodontic treatment.Conclusions The authors of this review concluded that social media represent a basic resource for exchanging knowledge on a wide variety of aspects of orthodontics.

Failure rates of palatal implants or mini-screws for orthodontic anchorage.

Data sources Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, the National Research Register and Pro-Quest Dissertation Abstracts and Thesis databases. Study selection Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) non-randomised, or quasi-randomised controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies involving the assessment of success or failure of palatal implants or palatal mini-screws for orthodontic anchorage reinforcement were considered.Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently selected the studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. A narrative synthesis was presented. Results Twenty-seven studies (four RCTs, 12 prospective and 11 retrospective studies) were included.Conclusions No clinically meaningful difference in failure risk seems to exist between palatal implants and mini-screws, however the quality of the available evidence is very low. The studies included between 9 to 384 palatal implants or mini-screws with follow up period ranging from 2 - 35.6 months (median = 17.9). The risk of failure (18 studies) ranged from 0.0 - 26.1% (median 6.0%). The risk of failure in the four RCTS ranged from 2.5 -26.1% (median = 8.8%).

Efficacy of professional hygiene and prophylaxis on preventing plaque increase in orthodontic patients with multibracket appliances: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Plaque increase is a troubling side-effect of fixed orthodontic therapy. This generally arise as a consequence of long-term difficulty in maintaining adequate oral hygiene while wearing multibracket appliances. Demineralization, also known as white spot, causes particular concern as it spoils the aesthetic outcome of the treatment itself, not to mention the integrity of the enamel. OBJECTIVES: To collate the existing literature by evaluating the efficacy of dental hygienist intervention on plaque increase in fixed orthodontics patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A targeted search of the Medline database (Entrez PubMed), EMBASE, and CENTRAL using relevant Medical Subject Headings was performed. The articles selected were all published before June 2013 and comprised randomized clinical trials, prospective longitudinal controlled clinical trials, and before/after studies onto the plaque increase of fixed appliances. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 630 articles. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles qualified for the final review. CONCLUSION: The quality of the retrieved researches ranged from low (one study) to high (one study). Six controlled trials were considered at unknown risk of bias. Data showed that regular patient motivation sessions and mechanical tooth cleaning by a professional dental hygienist help maintaining good oral hygiene during fixed orthodontics.