Evaluation of pain experienced by orthodontic patients following elastomeric separator insertion: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Pain following the insertion of separators and archwires varies with age, sex, race, ethnicity, threshold, and health status. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of pain in orthodontic patients after the insertion of elastomeric separators, its effects on daily life, and its association with age and sex in a population not previously studied in this regard. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 130 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment included collecting data on demographics, pain experienced following the placement of separators, time of onset, duration, characteristics, change in dietary pattern or chewing side, intake of analgesics, and severity of pain on the Wong Baker's scale. The results are reported as counts and percentages. Associations between sex and age were evaluated using Pearson's chi-square test. Results: Among the 130 patients, 56.2% were 9-20 years old, 63.8% experienced pain following the insertion of separators, 22.9% had their first episode of pain at 4 hours, 56.6% experienced intermittent pain, and 37.3% experienced discomfort; 18.1% males and 81.9% females experienced pain following the insertion of separators. Pearson's chi-square test showed a significant association between pain and sex (P = 0.04). Most patients (37.3%) reported "hurts little more" for pain intensity on Wong Baker's scale and 21.7% reported all four quadrants as sites of pain. Conclusions: The pain experienced after separator insertion was associated with sex and age. Females experienced more pain than males and patients between the age range of 21 and 36 years suffered more pain during mastication than between 9 and 20 years old.

Bite Force Changes in Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients Before and After ALT-RAMEC Protocol.

To evaluate the bite force (BF) changes in bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) in contrast to the non BCLP children after ALT-RAMEC Facemask therapy.The prospective study was carried out on a total of 60 subjects of age 6 to 13 years in a tertiary care hospital; treatment group, 30 children with BCLP and control group, 30 children without cleft lip and palate. Each cleft patient was received ALT-RAMEC Facemask treatment and their BF assessed at 4 different stages. Bite force taken before treatment, immediately, 3 months and 6 months after treatment. Bite force of the control group was taken at baseline to compare with the treatment group to demonstrate the difference in BF values. Independent t test and analysis of variance were used to perform statistical analysis.There was a significant difference in BF between the treatment group (BCLP) 122.53 ± 8.64 N and the control group (non BCLP) 181.38 ± 18.84 N at baseline. After the Alt RAMEC protocol, changes in BF recorded over 3 and 6 months of therapy showed significant improvement. The mean values of BF at 3months and 6 months were 106.7 ± 9.3 N and 137.4 ± 9.5 N, respectively.Bite force was significantly improved after ALT-RAMEC protocol followed by facemask therapy in BCLP patients.

Impact of facemasks on the mouth as an emerging dental concern: A survey among residents of Karachi.

Background: The illness known as "mask-mouth syndrome," which is brought on by constantly covering one's mouth and nose with a mask, was particularly prevalent among healthcare personnel. The covid-19 pandemic, however, had far-reaching effects on people's daily lives all around the world, to the point where mask use became practically mandatory. With Covid-19 posing a new threat to dental health, this study aims to assess the public's awareness of the issue and investigate how wearing a facemask affects oral hygiene. Methods: Cross-sectional research was conducted at Karachi's Jinnah Medical & Dental College. From February to May of 2022, it was carried out in the Dental Opd. A survey of 400 people was conducted, representing a cross-section of society in terms of age, gender, occupation, and other criteria. The poll had 11 closed-ended questions. The data was analyzed using SPSS 24. Descriptive analysis was used to examine the responses. Results: Men made up 44.5% (n = 174) of responses and women 56.5% (n = 226). Mean participant age was 27.31, ranging from 18 to 50. 99% (n = 396) of respondents wear masks. 48% (n = 192) of participants were uncomfortable using facemasks. Disposable face masks were voted the best option by 60.5% of respondents (n = 242). Negative effects or conditions brought on by mask use, such as halitosis (47.3%, n = 189) and dehydration (64.3%, n = 257). Conclusion: Mask-mouth syndrome can occur as a result of using a face mask for prolonged periods of time. Mask benefits outweigh the danger of mask mouth syndrome.

The status of knowledge, attitude and practice towards emergency management of avulsed tooth among dental students: A single center cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the awareness of emergency trauma management and the potential role of dentists in handling tooth avulsion injuries. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dental Outpatients Department of Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi, from December 2020 to March 2021, and comprised dentists and final year dental students of either gender. Data was collected using a 17-item questionnaire to assess the awareness level regarding the knowledge of traumatic dental emergencies and the role of a dentist in handling a traumatic tooth injury. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 170 subjects, 52(30.5%) were males and 118(69.4%) were females. Overall, 139(81.8%) subjects had prior knowledge regarding avulsion, 164(96.5%) were aware of the term avulsed tooth, 106(62.4%) considered milk to be the best transport media for an avulsed tooth, 159(93.5%) knew the significance of extra-oral time, and all 170(100%) subjects said they wanted to study more about dental traumatic injuries. CONCLUSIONS: There was adequate knowledge about the term avulsion, transport media and extra-oral time, and there was evidence of interest about learning more among the subjects.

Psychological Impact on the Orthodontic Postgraduate Residents and Their Anxiety Level during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: COVID-19, a viral infection, has negatively impacted the physical and psychological health of the people worldwide. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, which aimed to investigate orthodontic postgraduate residents' knowledge regarding COVID-19, its association with anxiety around quality of their training, and performance of routine orthodontic procedures during the pandemic. A questionnaire was circulated online through WhatsApp to the orthodontic residents enrolled in the four-year postgraduate training program across the country which comprised the following sections: demographic data, questions to test knowledge of COVID-19, self-grading of anxiety around performing routine orthodontic procedures, academic aspects of the training program, and residents' thoughts on the current status of their training program in general during the pandemic. The residents were grouped based on their awareness on COVID-19, with >70% score taken as having adequate knowledge and ≤70% as inadequately updated. The association between COVID-19-related knowledge and the anxiety level of the residents experienced during training was assessed. Results were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 23.0. Counts and percentages were reported on baseline characteristics of studied samples. Descriptive methods were used to report the outcomes of this survey on knowledge of COVID-19, anxiety around performing orthodontic procedures, and different academic aspects of training. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 using the Pearson chi square test. Results: Most of the residents (51.5%) were adequately updated about the COVID-19 virus. Increased awareness was associated with more anxiety about the following: contracting the virus (p < 0.01), performing different orthodontic procedures (p < 0.05), disturbed patients' appointments (p < 0.01), timely completion of their cases (p < 0.01), and exam's preparation (p=0.04). The group with <70% COVID-19 related knowledge opted for extension of their training period (51.8%). Conclusion: COVID-19 related knowledge was clearly associated with anxiety experienced by the orthodontic residents during training in the pandemic. Awareness regarding the infection led to more anxiety around working during the pandemic, preparing for postgraduate exams, and concerns about its negative influence on the overall quality of the training program.

Frequency and association of maxillary ectopic canine with incisor root resorption and dental agenesis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of maxillary ectopic canine both buccally and palatally displaced with incisor root resorption and dental agenesis. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from April 8 to June 29, 2019, at the Department of Orthodontics, Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, and Dow Dental College, Dow University Of Health Sciences, Karachi, and comprised orthodontic patients diagnosed with maxillary ectopic canine eruption. Root resorption and agenesis were diagnosed on panoramic films. Root resorption was further confirmed by periapical radiographs. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 98 subjects, 86(87.8%) had buccally displaced canines of which 38(44.2%) were associated with root resorption, while 12(12.2%) patients had palatally displaced canines of which 10(83.3%) had root resorption (p=0.011). Overall, 30(30.6%) lateral incisors were resorbed, 7(7.1%) both central and lateral incisors, 5(5.1%) premolars, and 6(6.1%) both lateral incisors and premolars were resorbed. Agenesis was detected in 10 (10.2%) subjects (p=0.62). CONCLUSIONS: There was found to be no association of maxillary ectopic canines with incisor root resorption and dental agenesis.