Perception of pain during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

The aims of this study were to investigate the initial time at which pain occurs after insertion of two initial wires of different sizes, the duration of the pain, the areas affected within the mouth, the level of self-medication, the effect of this pain on daily life, and whether gender is important in the perception of pain. The study group consisted of 109 patients (52 boys, 57 girls) with a mean chronological age of 13.6 years for boys and 14.7 years for girls. Insertion of either a 0.014 or 0.016 inch wire was by random selection. Following insertion of the archwires, a questionnaire comprising a total of 49 questions was given to the patients. They described the time of initial pain in the first question, answered the next 24 questions as 'yes' or 'no', and used a visual analogue scale for the final 24 questions. No significant differences were found in terms of gender, in the perception period of initial pain as regards the areas affected within the mouth or the effect of pain on daily living when the 0.014 and 0.016 inch wire groups were compared at 6 hours, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 days. At 24 hours, which was found to be statistically significant, more pain relief was used in the 0.014 inch archwire group. The results show that in both groups, initial pain was perceived at 2 hours, peaked at 24 hours and had decreased by day 3.

Evaluation of the position of the hyoid bone in relation to vertical facial development.

Evaluation of the position of the hyoid bone in relation to vertical facial development and comparative evaluation of the relation of this position with the dentofacial system was made on 25 patients with hyperdivergent vertical growth, 25 patients with hypodivergent vertical growth, and 25 patients with normal vertical facial development. SN-Go-Gn, Gonion, ANS-PNS/Go-Gn angles and S-Go, N-Me, S-Go/N-Me measurements from lateral cephalometric films were used as identification parameters. Seven horizontal, five vertical and five angular cephalometric measurements were made in order to determine the position of the hyoid bone. SN plane was used as the reference plane. Results were evaluated through "t" test. No significant relation was found between hyoid bone position and gender. When gender distinction was disregarded, and the group with normal facial development was compared with the hyperdivergent group, statistically significant differences were observed for CVT-H distance in horizontal measurements and for H-SN, H-F, H-PD, H-OD distances in vertical measurements. When the group with normal facial development was compared with the hypodivergent group, only the horizontal measurement Pg-H was statistically significant. The hyoid bone location in the hyperdivergent group was in a more of a posterior and superior position. The hyoid bone location in the hypodivergent group was not changed vertically, however, it had more of a posterior placement with the increase of Pg-H distance.

A comparison between zinc polycarboxylate and glass ionomer cement in the orthodontic band cementation.

Fixed orthodontic appliances have been held responsible for demineralization and caries since the time they were first introduced. Zinc polycarboxylate and glass ionomer cements are the primary materials used in band cementing. In this study, we evaluated the re-cementing frequencies, enamel demineralization and the degree of cement remains of the bands cemented with glass ionomer and zinc polycarboxylate cements. We have concluded that given the retentive properties and enamel decalcification degree, the glass ionomer cements are to be preferred by the orthodontist.