Assessment of the outcomes and stability after mandibular incisor extraction in orthodontic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This study assessed the stability of the outcomes after mandibular incisor extraction (MIE) using intercanine width and peer assessment rating (PAR) scores in orthodontic patients. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Ovid, and SciELO were systematically searched without restrictions until August 2022. A risk of bias assessment was performed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool was used to assess the quality of evidence. Random effects meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Results: Seven retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Meta-analysis identified a statistically significant reduction in intercanine width with MIE after the retention period. The mean difference in post-retention changes concerning intercanine width (MD=0.14, 95% CI: -2.17-1.89; P<0.00001) was significantly higher in premolar extraction (PE) compared to incisor extraction and significantly less in non-extraction compared to incisor extraction (MD=0.72, 95% CI: -0.59-2.03; P<0.00001). Improvements in PAR scores from the start of treatment to the retention period indicated a high outcome standard (>70%) with MIE treatment, with no significant difference in the reduction percentage compared to premolar and non-extraction groups. Conclusion: With the existing retrospective studies of limited evidence, treatment outcomes with MIE were found to show good improvements in PAR scores. Some reduction in the intercanine width was evident after the retention period, which was observed even with the other two treatment modalities that were compared. Hence, with careful evaluation, MIE could be considered a valid treatment option.

Assessment of the effect of frequency of low-level laser therapy exposure at different intervals on orthodontic tooth movement - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the optimal intervals of exposure of low-level LASER therapy (LLLT) that would optimally accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. Second objective was to quantitatively analyze the difference in the time taken for alignment of anterior teeth with and without the application of LASER. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PROSPERO database registry was done (CRD42020196472) and review was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines. A search was systematically conducted in five major electronic databases without restrictions up to June 2020 along with a hand search of selected journals. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommended Assessment, Development, and Evaluation tool, risk of bias using Cochrane risk of bias tool, and meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials which met the inclusion criteria were evaluated and tabulated. A random-effects meta-analysis demonstrated that there is a statistically significant increase in the orthodontic tooth movement when patients were exposed to minimum of four intervals of LLLT in the first month, at P =0.03 by a standard mean difference of 0.46 mm with an overall heterogeneity of I2 = 0% at 95% confidence interval. There was a statistically highly significant reduction in the number of days taken for alignment of anterior teeth with the application of LASER (P <.00001). CONCLUSION: Application of LLLT for minimum of four irradiations in the first month has yielded better results in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement than application of LLLT once a month.

Assessment of Microbial Contamination of a Toothbrush Head with and without a Protective Cover: An Ex Vivo Study.

Introduction: The oral cavity is colonized by various groups of microorganisms. Toothbrushing is a common method of maintaining oral hygiene and, upon regular use, can become heavily contaminated with microorganisms. To avoid contamination of the toothbrush with microorganisms from the external environment, toothbrushes can be protected by a protective cap, the significance of which is unknown. Objectives: To assess the microbial contamination of the toothbrush with and without a protective cap and to find the significance of the same against microbial contamination. Materials and methods: An ex vivo study was conducted in the Faculty of Dental Sciences, Sri Ramachandra University. A total of 40 toothbrushes were distributed among dental students aged 18-25 years; 20 were protected by a cap, 20 were unprotected, and instructions were given to recap the toothbrush after brushing. After 1 month of regular usage, toothbrushes were collected, and organisms were identified based on Gram's reaction followed by a biochemical test. Results: From the study conducted, it is evident that the microbial contamination of the unprotected toothbrush is higher than that of the toothbrushes that were protected with a cover. How to cite this article: Manohar R, Venkatesan K, Raja S, et al. Assessment of Microbial Contamination of a Toothbrush Head with and without a Protective Cover: An Ex Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(4):455-457.

Assessment of relapse of skeletal open bite treatment in adult patients treated with molar intrusion using temporary anchorage devices and orthognathic surgery - a systematic review / Avaliação da recidiva do tratamento da mordida aberta esquelética em pacientes adultos tratados com intrusão molar utilizando dispositivos de ancoragem temporária e cirurgia ortognática - uma revisão sistemática

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar sistematicamente as evidências disponíveis para recidiva do tratamento da mordida aberta esquelética usando dispositivos de ancoragem temporária e cirurgia ortognática. Material e Métodos: Cinco bases de dados eletrônicas como MEDLINE, COCHRANE, SCIELO, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, EMBASE foram pesquisadas sistematicamente até junho de 2020. Os estudos de qualidade metodológica foram classificados por meio da Ferramenta de Avaliação de Qualidade do Projeto de Práticas de Saúde Pública Eficazes (EPHPP). Resultados: No total, 1.005 estudos foram identificados para triagem e 6 estudos foram elegíveis. O instrumento de avaliação da qualidade apresentou qualidade moderada para todos os estudos. A correção imediata pós-tratamento da mordida aberta foi melhor nos estudos cirúrgicos do que nos estudos tratados com TADs. Conclusão: A estabilidade dos resultados do tratamento da mordida aberta anterior foi comparável nos casos tratados em ambas as modalidades de tratamento. A recidiva da mordida aberta anterior foi associada a casos em que a sobremordida pós-tratamento foi mínima. A sobremordida parece ser mais estável quando apenas a maxila foi operada do que com cirurgias bimaxilares. A rotação anti-horária da mandíbula com subsequente redução da altura facial anterior foi melhor na correção cirúrgica do que através de TADs (AU)

Objective: The purpose of this study is to systematically assess the available evidence for relapse of skeletal open bite treatment using temporary anchorage devices and orthognathic surgery. Materials and Methods: Five electronic databases such as MEDLINE, COCHRANE, SCIELO, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, EMBASE were systematically searched up to June 2020. Methodological quality studies were graded by means of the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Quality Assessment Tool. Results: In total, 1005 studies were identified for screening, and 6 studies were eligible. The quality assessment tool showed moderate quality for all the studies. The immediate post treatment correction of open bite was better in the surgical studies than in the studies treated with TADs. Conclusion: Stability of treatment results of anterior openbite was comparable in cases treated in both the treatment modalities. Relapse of anterior open bite was associated with cases in which the posttreatment overbite was minimal. Overbite seems to be more stable when only the maxilla has been operated on than with bi-maxillary surgeries. Counterclockwise rotation of the mandible with subsequent reduction of anterior facial height was better in surgical correction than through TADs. (AU)

Active Bacteria in Carious Dentin of Mandibular Molars with Different Pulp Conditions: An In Vivo Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the relative abundance and ribosomal activity of selected bacteria in carious dentin of teeth with different pulp conditions. METHODS: Thirty healthy patients with class I occlusal caries in molars were categorized into 3 groups based on the pulp diagnosis: normal pulp (NP, n = 10) with caries extending less than half the thickness of dentin (as assessed radiographically), reversible pulpitis (n = 10), and symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (n = 10) with caries extending more than two thirds of the thickness of dentin. Carious dentin samples were collected from the deepest part of the cavity and stored in RNAlater solution (Ambion Inc, Austin, TX). Eight bacterial taxa were evaluated from the samples: Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus fermentum, Veillonella, Actinomyces, Rothia dentocariosa, Olsenella profusa, Prevotella intermedia, and Bifidobacterium dentium. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and 16S rRNA were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and used to calculate the relative genome abundance and relative ribosomal abundance. The Fisher exact test was used to compare proportions between groups. The mean rank difference between the various groups was assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with the Bonferroni-Holm correction. RESULTS: The reversible pulpitis group had significantly higher 16S rRNA gene and rRNA counts of Actinomyces (P < .001 and P = .002) and B. dentium (P = .005 and P = .007) relative to the NP group. The symptomatic irreversible pulpitis group had significantly higher 16S rRNA gene and rRNA counts of L. fermentum (P < .001 and P < .001), Actinomyces (P < .001 and P < .001), O. profusa (P < .001 and P < .001), P. intermedia (P = .001 and P = .002), and Bifidobacterium (P < .001 and P < .001) relative to the NP group. CONCLUSIONS: Specific bacterial activity varies in carious dentin of teeth with different pulp conditions.

Adverse effect of consumption of carbonated soft drinks on orthodontic treatment - A systematic review.

Introduction: The complications of soft drink consumption during orthodontic treatment includes degradation of enamel, reduction in the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets, and also corrosion of orthodontic wires. The main objective of this review is to discuss the adverse effects of carbonated soft drink (CSD) consumption on patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Methods: A search of studies in MEDLINE (via PubMed), the Cochrane library, Web of science, IndMED, EMBASE, Google scholar and limited grey literature on the effects of consumption of CSDs was conducted. All pertinent abstracts were reviewed for inclusion. Full articles were retrieved for abstracts or titles that met the initial inclusion criteria or lacked sufficient detail for immediate exclusion. Results: Out of the 4484 results obtained from search, 16 articles were selected based on title and 6 articles were eliminated after reading the abstracts. 10 articles were selected for systematic review which included 6 invitro studies, 1 animal study, 1 observational study and 2 invivo studies. Of these, six studies evaluated the effects of carbonated drinks on the shear bond strength of brackets on enamel of which two evaluated the microhardness of enamel, two studies evaluated the mechanical and chemical properties of wires, one evaluated tooth movement and one study focussed on white spot lesions. The results from the selected articles showed that with the consumption of carbonated drinks, there was reduced shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets, altered enamel characteristics, alteration of mechanical and physical properties of orthodontic wires and decrease in rate of orthodontic tooth movement. Conclusion: Based on the available evidence, CSD consumption during orthodontic treatment definitely has an effect on orthodontic appliances, enamel and possibly on tooth movement.

Evaluation of titanium dioxide coating on surface roughness of nickel-titanium archwires and its influence on Streptococcus mutans adhesion and enamel mineralization: A prospective clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: This research aimed to evaluate the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating on surface roughness (Ra) of nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires and its influence on Streptococcus mutans (S mutans) adhesion and enamel mineralization at the end of 1 month in orthodontic patients and to evaluate the integrity of the TiO2 coating. METHODS: Twelve patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with preadjusted edgewise appliance formed the sample for this prospective clinical study. Uncoated NiTi archwires and TiO2 nanoparticle coated NiTi archwires in as-received condition and after 1 month of intraoral use were subjected to Ra analysis using surface profilometry, and surface topography using scanning electron microscopy. S mutans adhesion was evaluated on the retrieved archwires using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enamel mineral content in the arches related to the uncoated and coated archwires was evaluated using DIAGNOdent. RESULTS: After 1 month of intraoral use, both coated and uncoated archwires exhibited a rougher surface with coated archwires demonstrating greater quantum of increase (control, P = 0.002; experimental, P = 0.002). S mutans adhesion was more in uncoated archwires (P = 0.0005). The TiO2 nanoparticle coating on the NiTi archwires showed delamination, deterioration and was lost by 60% at the end of 1 month. Laser fluorescence values did not show any significant difference (control, P = 0.182; experimental, P = 0.105). CONCLUSIONS: TiO2 nanoparticle coating on NiTi archwires causes an initial reduction in roughness; however, at the end of 1 month, the benefit was lost. S mutans adhesion was lesser on the coated wires, which could be attributed to reduced initial Ra and antibacterial property of TiO2. Orthodontic archwire appears to have a limited role in enamel demineralization.