Comparison of the efficiency of alveolar decortication and low level laser therapy on orthodontic tooth movement and alveolar metabolism in rats.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Reducing orthodontic treatment duration has many advantages for both clinicians and patients. This study was designed to compare the effects of alveolar decortication and low level laser therapy methods on tooth movement rate and alveolar bone metabolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 42 Wistar albino rats were divided into three main groups as: Alveolar decortication (AD), low level laser therapy (LLLT) and only orthodontic force (F). The groups were evaluated at 7 and 14 day time points. Tooth movement rates were calculated by measuring the space between the contact points of the first and second molars. Comparisons regarding the alveolar bone metabolism were accomplished by evaluating osteoclast counts and RANKL - OPG expressions. RESULTS: The rate of tooth movement, at all time points, was significantly higher for the AD group than the other groups and was significantly higher in the LLLT group than the F group. At both time points, the RANKL and OPG expression in the AD group was significantly higher than the other groups and these parameters in the LLLT group was significantly higher than the F group. The osteoclast count values in the AD and LLLT groups were significantly higher than the F group and there were no significant differences between these two groups at all time points. CONCLUSION: This study shows that, to be more effective at AD, both AD and LLLT therapy significantly increases the level of tooth movement in the early period through their stimulating effects on the alveolar bone metabolism.

Evaluation of the Compliance of Orthodontists to Infection Control Procedures in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Orthodontists do not perform surgical procedures, nevertheless they are obliged to practice appropriate sterilization techniques to prevent cross-infection. This is also important from an ethical and legal point of view. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the compliance of orthodontists to infection control procedures in Turkey. METHODS: A questionnaire with 36 items was delivered by e-mail to a total of 1152 orthodontists/residents between October 2014 and March 2015 by the Turkish Orthodontic Society. Various data from surveys were analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistics 22 software. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 130 (11.28%) respondents. 95.4% of the orthodontists were immunized against hepatitis B. The usage rates of type B autoclave, non-type B autoclave, and dry-heat sterilizer were 40%, 17.7%, and 16.9%, respectively. A total of 24.6% of the orthodontists used disinfectant solutions for the sterilization of hand instruments and pliers; the rate of using disinfectants for the sterilization of dental handpieces was found to be higher (56.9%). CONCLUSION: The infection control procedures in the field of orthodontics must be improved in Turkey. Training on compliance with the infection control principles should be included in education programs, and these programs should be repeated on a regular basis.