ABSTRACT
Introduction and Background: Orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment require quantified occlusion finish to rule out any temporomandibular disorders. Hence, the present study was proposed to analyze the occlusal efficiency in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic and combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgery using digital occlusal analysis. Methodology: A randomized multi-arm controlled trial was conducted on 55 patients divided into four groups, that is, group I: class I crowding/proclination required extraction for fixed orthodontic treatment, group II: class II div 1 required orthodontic treatment and/or myofunctional therapy, group III: skeletal class II required combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment, and group IV: skeletal class III required combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment. The pre-treatment, before debonding, and 1 year after debonding assessment of occlusion were carried out using T-Scan. The repeated analysis of variance (rANOVA) test along with post-hoc analysis was carried out for intra-group and inter-group assessments using SPSS (version 21, USA). The significance level was set at a 'P' value less than 0.05. Results: rANOVA measurement in groups I, II, and III showed a significant difference with respect to maximum bite force difference between right and left sides, anterior and posterior region, and left lateral disclusion time. However, group IV showed a significant difference with respect to maximum bite force in the anterior and posterior region as well as right and left lateral disclusion time only. Further application of the post-hoc Tukey test found a significant difference between the To value to T1 and T2 among all four groups. Conclusion: Improved bite force was found in all malocclusion groups which was gradual in improvement from pre-treatment to post-treatment and a subsequent retention phase. The study also reported the utility of digital occlusal assessment devices as reliable, repeatable, reproducible, and user-friendly in the determination of dynamic occlusion.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to analyze the quality control of the treatment within the orthodontic department by determining the workload, type of treatment, and quality of outcome. METHOD: Two hundred eighty patients were selected from departmental archives, who underwent orthodontic treatment since January 2010 and assessed using index of complexity, outcome and treatment need. Descriptive statistics was performed by SPSS, version 21 (IBM, USA). Mann-Whitney U test was applied to assess the difference between complexity and improvement grade. RESULT: Orthodontic treatment was provided to 56.43% of female and 43.57% male patients with a mean age of 16.91 years. Angle's class I type malocclusion was the highest with 35.71%. Preadjusted edgewise metal appliance with 95% dominated the mechanics. About 12.14% and 3.57% patients got benefited with myofunctional and orthopedic treatment, respectively. Ten percent of patients were treated with orthognathic surgery. The mean duration of treatment was 31.19 months with a range of minimum of 17 months to a maximum of 46 months. Among 87.14% patients treated by faculty, 47.95% had difficult complexity grading and 22.95% had very difficult complexity grading. Residents had provided treatment with 63.88% difficult and 19.44% very difficult grade. Mann-Whitney U test of overall complexity and improvement grade showed Z score of -9.25715 which was highly significant. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that fair quality control is being maintained by the department considering the number of patients, its severity, and excellent outcomes. However, being the premier institute of Indian Armed Forces, regular clinical audit should be conducted to fulfill demand and supply ratio in appropriation.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This prospective study aimed to analyze 3-dimensional changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complex with a synergistic effect of functional jaw orthopedics using a fixed functional appliance and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy. METHODS: Forty patients with skeletal class II malocclusion were randomly assigned to 4 groups (2 control groups and 2 test groups) of 10 patients each. After insertion of the fixed functional appliance, the test group was stimulated with LIPUS therapy in the TMJ region bilaterally for 20 minutes daily for first 10 days and thereafter at least 3 times per week until complete mandibular advancement was achieved. Three-dimensional images obtained with a cone beam computed tomographic scanner were used to analyze the changes in the TMJ complex at the prefunctional stage and after completion of functional appliance therapy. Direct intragroup and intergroup comparisons for different morphometric variables were conducted with the Student t test. RESULTS: The 40 patients included 20 male and 20 female patients between the ages of 12 and 16 years (mean age ± SD, 13.2 ± 1.8 years). Both the test groups and the control groups showed statistically significant variable changes in condylar head position and morphometric changes in relation to the joint space analysis (mean differences, -1.000 and -1.080 mm; P < .05). However, no significant differences were found during the intergroup comparisons at the prefunctional and postfunctional stages for the variables examined, except for the measurements of the linear distance of the condyle to the external auditory meatus on both the right and left sides at the prefunctional phase. CONCLUSIONS: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy positively affects the quantum of the joint space, thus proving to be a promising adjunct in enhancing treatment outcomes of functional jaw orthopedics in growing patients with skeletal class II malocclusions.
