Cephalometric Assessment of Differences in Soft Tissue and Dental Compensation in Skeletal Class II Div 1 Malocclusion.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the differences in soft tissue as well as dental compensation in skeletal Class II div 1 malocclusion. Methods and Materials: The study sample consists of pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of 100 subjects of both gender having skeletal Class II and dental Class II div 1 malocclusion visiting the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College, and Hospital Navi Mumbai. Cephalograms of the subjects fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Results: This research was conducted to assess dental and soft tissue compensation in skeletal Class II div 1 malocclusion and comparative assessment of lip prominence measured from two soft tissue vertical reference lines. The 100 subjects selected randomly out of which 44 men and 56 women, age ranging from 18 to 35 years. Conclusion: ARNETT'S method and PROFFIT'S method showed statistically significant as P < 0.0001. PROFFIT'S method and LEGAN-BURSTONE'S method showed statistically significant as P < 0.0001.

The Effects of Corticotomy and Piezocision in Orthodontic Canine Retraction: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: There have been many studies and experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of different types of dental treatment. Maxillary canine extraction is such a dental treatment which can be performed through either alveolar corticotomy (AC) or piezocision (PZ). The current study aims to compare the effectiveness of these two types of dental procedures. It is based on a randomized clinical trial (RCT) through the split-mouth technique supported by a parallel group design. The participants in the trial were selected on the basis of a medical criterion. The clinical trial involved extraction of both the first maxillary premolar teeth through use of orthodontic instruments. This study aims to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of alveolar corticotomy and piezocision corticotomy in acceleration of maxillary canine retraction and how it can be used for expression of multiple bone remodeling gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). As part of this study, a RCT was performed on the basis of split-mouth technique at the Department of Orthodontics of Pontifical Catholic University at Minas Gerais in Brazil. The sample size for the clinical trial consisted of people who required extraction of maxillary premolar teeth after canine extraction. After digital intraoral scans, the cumulative distal movement of canines was measured on the basis of superimposition of digital model and the results were considered as the primary outcome of the study. The GCF bone remodeling samples were considered as the secondary outcomes. Results: 50 patients, involving 22 males and 28 females were analyzed in this particular clinical trial. The age range that was considered for this clinical trial was 19-33 years. In case of understanding the distal movement between control and AC, no statistical significance was observed in Group1 (G1). Lower cumulative cervical and incisal measurements in case of PZ was lower than the measurement in the control state. In all the groups, the expression of the biomarkers had occurred in specific timepoints (P < 0.05) but no distinct pattern was observed. Conclusions: In order to accelerate the maxillary canine retraction, PZ and AC were ineffective. No distinct induction pattern of biomarker expression was noted as well.

Assessment of Impact of Fluoride on Mechanical Properties of NiTi and CuNiTi Orthodontic Archwires: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The current study was carried out to assess the impact on the mechanical properties of orthodontic wires such as the nickel-titanium (NiTi) and copper-nickel-titanium (CuNiTi) wires by fluoride available in various prophylactic products. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six wire specimens were randomly divided into two groups-control group in which deionized water was used as a medium and study group in which Phos-Flur gel was used. Both study group and control group were divided into two subgroups-NiTi wire group: 0.019 × 0.025 inch NiTi archwires (14 specimens) and CuNiTi wire group: 0.019 × 0.025 inch CuNiTi archwires (14 specimens). Testing of all the wires was done under a universal force testing machine. RESULTS: Mean loading force among NiTi wire group and CuNiTi wire group specimens with deionized water as a medium was 682.6 and 397.4 MPa, respectively, while the mean loading force among NiTi wire group and CuNiTi wire group specimens with Phos-Flur gel as a medium was 596.1 and 368.4 MPa, respectively. While comparing between study group and control group among NiTi wires, significant results were obtained. Also, while comparing between study group and control group among CuNiTi wires, significant results were obtained. CONCLUSION: Following exposure to fluoride agents, NiTi wires and CuNiTi wires are significantly associated with reduced mechanical properties. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Although fluoride acts as a vital adjunct in maintaining oral hygiene, particularly among patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, its influence on the mechanical properties of the wires is an area to be explored further; thereby, its use is to be monitored.

Challenges for dental professionals during COVID-19 pandemic: Are we prepared?

BACKGROUND: With the emerging knowledge and understanding of novel coronavirus infection, dentists must be capable of resuming their practice with necessary precautions in near future; hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practices along with felt challenges by the dentists concerning practicing dentistry during pandemic in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted on the dental practitioners of Uttarakhand, India. The dentists were approached by obtaining their E-mail address from the heads of dental institutions or dental association branches in the state. The knowledge, attitude, and practices along with apparent challenges of practicing during pandemic were assessed using closed-ended questionnaire. The relationship between the mean scores and demographic variables was determined using Student's unpaired t-test by keeping the significance level below 0.05. RESULTS: Out of 759 respondents, a total of 458 respondents were male (60%), whereas 301 (40%) were female. The mean knowledge scores were higher in females (11.06 ± 2.12) compared to males (9.72 ± 4.53), which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean practice score was lower in males (17.49 ± 6.47) compared to females (19.26 ± 6.69) and likewise lower scores were seen in graduates compared to specialists and these differences were again statistically significant (P < 0.05). Majority of the study participants felt that following various safety guidelines were not feasible (96.97%) and too expensive (96.44%) and considered them as a challenge. CONCLUSION: It is imperative that dentists should be fully prepared before resuming their services and reach the right kind of awareness to limit the spread of the disease.

Motivating factors associated with choosing orthodontics for future prospects among newly passed out dental professionals in Maharashtra, India.

BACKGROUND: Choosing postgraduate subject as a future career is always tricky but there are factors associated which persuade the dental undergrads to choose the particular postgraduate course and orthodontics is one of them. Hence, the aim of present study was to determine motivating factors associated with choosing orthodontics for future prospects among newly passed out undergraduate dental professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study. The present study is conducted among the freshly pass out dental professionals who had started their setup. The study was conducted in October-November 2019. The study was conducted among three cities of Maharashtra. Convenient sampling was used to select the samples. A close ended questionnaire was prepared. RESULTS: Majority of study participants {64 (45.39%)} belonged to age group 26-28 years. Females respondents {82 (58.15%)} were more than male study participants. Majority of dental professionals {71 (50.35%)} choose orthodontics dentofacial orthopedics as the specialty for future prospect. Most common reasons {16 (22.57%)} to choose orthodontics for future prospect by majority of respondents was "Can earn more money." Age was significantly (P = 005*) associated with money as reason to choose orthodontic as future prospect. Gender was significantly associated with family pressure (P = 0.01*) and love, interest, and passion for orthodontics (P = 0.01*). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that majority of dental professionals choose orthodontic as their preferred choice. Main reason for choosing orthodontics was monetary benefits followed by the reason that finds orthodontics intellectually and clinically challenging.