Video versus lecture: effective alternatives for orthodontic auxiliary training.

Many studies have compared the relative effectiveness of visually-aided lectures and videotapes, but methodological flaws have prevented definitive comparison of the techniques. This study assessed the relative effectiveness of the two approaches for orthodontic auxiliary training. This study was a prospective, randomised trial, conducted at the Eastman Dental Hospital and Institute. Two groups of 16 dental auxiliaries, selected at random, studied identification and positioning of orthodontic brackets: one group attended a lecture accompanied by slides and the other viewed a video. Subjects bonded brackets onto acrylic teeth and the results were assessed by computerised image analysis. The subjects completed a questionnaire on their attitudes to the respective teaching methods. Results were assessed for accuracy of bracket placement and variations in type of auxiliary. There was no significant difference between the teaching methods except for bracket positioning where video was slightly better (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the types of auxiliary. Generally, video teaching and lecturing were equally effective, with video achieving slightly better results. Both methods were effective at teaching bracket placement, and dental nurses and student hygienists proved equally adept at bracket positioning.

The effect of two alternative methods of canine exposure upon subsequent duration of orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness, in terms of orthodontic treatment duration, of two methods of canine exposure. DESIGN: This was a retrospective study using patients' records and lateral cephalometric radiographs. SAMPLE AND METHODS: 50 patients were selected, 25 in each group. In all subjects the impaction was categorized as being 'intermediate'. The methods of canine exposure were: (i) simple surgical exposure; (ii) surgical exposure and placement of an orthodontic attachment, followed by flap replacement. RESULTS: The treatment duration until the canine was in the line of the arch was 17.7 months in the simple exposure group and 19.3 months in the bonded attachment group. The mean treatment duration (from exposure to debond) was 28.8 months for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of treatment duration, no significant difference could be demonstrated between the two methods of surgical exposure to palatally impacted canines.

Use of a modified twin block appliance following partial maxillectomy: case report.

A case is described in which a Class II malocclusion with severe Class II skeletal pattern was treated with a modified Twin Block Appliance. The patient, an 11-year-old girl, had initially presented with an ameloblastoma located in the right maxilla. The subsequent defect produced by surgery was obturated by the appliance during her orthodontic treatment, which was undertaken during her pubertal growth spurt. Two years later the result was stable, allowing the provision of a more definitive prothesis to restore the occlusion.

Partial glossectomy for the treatment of anterior open bite. A case report.

A 24-year-old Afro-Caribbean with a pronounced anterior open bite and bimaxillary protrusion was successfully treated to a stable result with a partial glossectomy and fixed appliance therapy. Although transient sialorrhea and paraesthesia were experienced post-operatively, speech and function showed some improvement 2 years after treatment.

Effects of cyclic stressing on attachment bond strength using glass ionomer cement and composite resin.

Bonded orthodontic brackets were subjected to cyclic loading in order to simulate the effect of occlusal forces. The subsequent effect on bond strength was determined. Stainless steel, mesh-based brackets were bonded to extracted teeth with either composite resin or glass ionomer cement. A jig was designed to subject each bracket to a preselected loading level and the 24-hour shear/peel bond strength of both stressed and unstressed brackets was subsequently measured. Cyclic loading brought about a comparative decrease in bond strength when using both types of material. The potential implications of selecting these different types of bonding material for clinical use are discussed.

A study of adult orthodontic patients and their treatment.

This retrospective epidemiological study was undertaken to assess factors related to adult orthodontic treatment and to identify any associated trends. Case records of all patients (676) aged 18 years or over at the start of active orthodontic treatment at the Eastman Dental Hospital, London were examined. Variables associated with patients and their treatment (age, sex, source of referral, malocclusion, type of appliance, and interdisciplinary treatment including orthognathic surgery) were studied and the data analysed statistically. Findings revealed that the number of adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment has increased significantly, especially since 1985. The age of the patients treated was also found to increase in recent years. The percentage of female patients (72 per cent) Class III malocclusions (21.6 per cent) and Class III skeletal bases (26.2 per cent) was higher than found in studies on children. Most of the treatments required fixed appliances and over half involved interdisciplinary treatment, with an increase in the percentage of orthognathic surgical cases. Surgery was significantly more common in males (P less than 0.01) and highly significantly associated with Class III malocclusions and skeletal III bases (P less than 0.001). Twenty-five per cent of adult patients were found to have had a previous course of orthodontic treatment though these patients were not significantly different from adult patients presenting for the first course of treatment.