Effect of use of antiseptics and fluorides during orthodontic treatment on working properties of NiTi archwires in levelling dental arches : A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The goal was to investigate whether the application of antiseptics and fluorides during orthodontic treatment affects the biomechanics of the levelling of dental arches by changing the working properties of nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires. METHODS: The sample consisted of 60 individuals aged 12-22 years (53% females). There were 20 individuals in each experimental group: (I) individuals conducted regular oral hygiene, (II) individuals used a high concentration of fluorides for intensive prophylaxis for the first month; and (III) individuals used chlorhexidine in the same manner. NiTi alloy archwires (dimensions 0.508â€¯× 0.508 mm) were analyzed 3 months after intraoral exposure and compared to as-received NiTi wires. Elastic modulus, yield strength, springback ratio, and modulus of resilience were calculated. Dimensions of the dental arches were analyzed when NiTi alloy (T1) was placed intraorally and after 3 months (T2). Change was quantified as the difference in dimensions (T2-T1). Anterior width-to-length ratio was used as a measure for dental arch shape. RESULTS: Intraoral exposure reduced elastic modulus, yield strength, springback ratio, modulus of resilience, loading, and unloading forces of NiTi wires (p ≤ 0.021). Chlorhexidine mouthwash and gel with high concentration of fluorides did not change these properties more than saliva with regular hygiene. The amount of change of dental arch shape in the maxilla and mandible did not differ significantly between the experimental groups. CONCLUSION: Using antiseptics or a high concentration of fluorides during orthodontic treatment does not significantly affect the mechanical properties of NiTi wires and would not have clinical implications in changing orthodontic biomechanics.

Impacts of childhood malocclusion on the family.

PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of children's malocclusions and associated quality of life on family relationships by evaluating psychometric characteristics of the Family Impact Scale (FIS) in adolescents seeking orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included were 334 participants (children aged 11-14 years; 53% female and 47% male) and their parents (84% mothers, 16% fathers) who were recruited at two dental clinics in Croatia. The Child Perception Questionnaire, Parental-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire, and FIS were administered. Malocclusion severity was estimated using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need Dental Health Component. The presence of caries was also recorded. Factor analysis, t­test, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Unidimensional FIS measuring global family impacts had higher internal consistency (α = 0.73-0.81) compared to the specific dimensions of family impacts (α = 0.60-0.69). Global family impacts were higher in children with more severe malocclusions and existing dental caries, primarily influencing parental activity, and parental emotions dimensions (p < 0.05). In multiple regression, parental perception of child's emotional well-being, oral symptoms, and social well-being (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of global family impacts, whereas child's quality of life perception, malocclusion severity, or child sex were not. Reduction of an increased overjet by orthodontic treatment affected changes in the global family impacts, mainly by reducing the emotional issues of parents (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The child's malocclusion influenced the family, primarily parental emotions. Family influences were mostly determined by parental perception of the child's altered psychosocial well-being. The FIS had adequate psychometric properties.

Orthodontic treatment demand in young adolescents - Are parents familiar with their children's desires and reasons?

AIM: To assess the levels of agreement between parents and adolescents about young adolescents' orthodontic treatment demand and to what extent is treatment demand conditioned by family and psychosocial impacts and oral function. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included 221 adolescents (11-14 years, 54% female) and their parents. A 5-point scale was used to assess orthodontic treatment demand. Adolescents self-administered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire, and parents self-administered the Parental-Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire and Family Impact Scale. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need Dental Health Component (IOTN DHC) was used for determining malocclusion severity. Intraclass correlation coefficient and Cohen's kappa coefficient were used for the assessment of agreement between two informants. RESULTS: The parent-child agreement on children's orthodontic treatment demand was weak, concording in 67.4% of cases. The most common reasons for seeking orthodontic treatment derive from the emotional (EW) and social well-being domains for both informants. In linear regression, the adolescent's reporting of impaired EW and IOTN DHC was the only significant linear predictor of orthodontic treatment demand. CONCLUSION: Parents cannot correctly assess the orthodontic treatment demand of their children. Impaired EW is the most significant self-reported determinant of adolescents' demand for orthodontic treatment. Family relationships and parental perspective have a low influence.

Predictors of patient compliance during Class II division 1 malocclusion functional orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine factors that could predict Class II/1 malocclusion patient compliance during functional treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 77 subjects (aged 11-13 years; 47% girls) presenting with Class II/1 malocclusion. Inclusion criteria were distal molar relationship, overjet greater than 5 mm, and confirmed pubertal growth spurt. Removable functional appliances (62% Twin Block [TB], 38% Sander Bite Jumping [BJ]) with built-in maxillary expansion screws were used. Follow-up period was 1 year. Patients and parents independently filled out the Child Perception Questionnaire, Parental/Caregiver Perception Questionnaire, and Family Impact Scale to assess emotional and social well-being, oral symptoms, functional limitations, parental emotions, family activities, conflicts, and financial burden as possible predictors of compliance during treatment. Sex, overjet, and appliance type were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were more noncompliant than compliant patients (55% vs 45%). Parental perception of altered emotional well-being of their children was the strongest predictor, increasing compliance odds 3.4 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-9.4; P = .017). Patients were 3.2 times (95% CI, 1.1-9.3; P = .033) more likely to cooperate with TB compared with BJ appliance. OJ ≥ 8 mm increased compliance odds 3.1 times (95% CI, 1.0-9.4; P = .044). CONCLUSIONS: Parental perception of child's emotional well-being alteration, severity of malocclusion, and type of appliance are major predictors of compliance. Psychosocial issues and oral function limitations reported by children and family impact are of negligible influence.

P2Y2 Receptors Mediate Masseter Muscle Mechanical Hypersensitivity in Rats.

PURPOSE: P2Y2 receptors (P2Y2Rs) are among the various receptors that play an important role in nociception. The goal of this research was to investigate possible P2Y2R expression changes in the trigeminal ganglion (TRG) in bilateral masseter muscle (MM) hypersensitivity following unilateral MM inflammation. The impact of unilateral intramasseteric administration of P2Y2R antagonist on bilateral MM hypersensitivity was also explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bilateral MM hypersensitivity was provoked by unilateral intramasseteric injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The head withdrawal threshold (HWT) was assessed bilaterally 4 days later. Bilateral TRG and MM isolation were followed, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and histopathological analysis were carried out on these tissues, respectively. The involvement of P2Y2Rs in nocifensive behavior was evaluated by administering two doses of P2Y2R antagonist AR-C118925 (0.2 or 1 mg/100 µL) in inflamed MM 4 days post-CFA administration. Bilateral HWT was assessed at different time points following antagonist injection. RESULTS: qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated P2Y2R up-regulation in TRG ipsilateral to the site of CFA administration. Compared to the controls, both doses of AR-C118925 injected ipsilateral to the TRG increased the bilateral HWT at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after antagonist administration. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that P2Y2Rs may affect MM inflammatory hypersensitivity owing to its up-regulation in the TRG in MM inflammatory pain states.