Effect of Different Forms of Fluoride Application on Surface Roughness of Rhodium-Coated NiTi Orthodontic Wires: A Clinical Trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of different forms of fluoride application on surface roughness of rhodium-coated nickel-titanium (NiTi) orthodontic wires. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 15 patients randomly divided into three groups: toothbrush with Oral-B toothpaste only, Oral-B toothpaste, and daily mouthwash, Oral-B toothpaste, and sodium fluoride gel. The surface roughness indices of orthodontic wires including arithmetic mean height (Sa), root mean square height, root mean square gradient, developed interfacial area ratio (Sdr) and maximum surface height were measured by atomic force microscopy at baseline and after 6 weeks of application in the patients' mouths. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, ANOVA, Games-Howell, and Tukey-HSD tests (P<0.05). Results: All surface roughness parameters in all three groups showed a significant increase after intervention, except for Sa in the toothpaste-only group (P=0.057) and Sdr in the sodium fluoride gel group (P=0.064). Conclusion: The surface roughness of rhodium-coated NiTi orthodontic wires increases following the use of different forms of fluoride.

Effects of adding functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets on physical, mechanical, and anti-biofilm properties of acrylic resin: In vitro- experimental study.

Background: Polymethyl methacrylate resin is widely used in orthodontic treatments. Graphene oxide (GO) has reactive functional groups on its surface that facilitate binding to various materials such as polymers, biomolecules, DNA, and proteins. This study aimed to investigate the impact of adding functionalized GO nanosheets on the physical, mechanical, cytotoxicity, and anti-biofilm properties of acrylic resin. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, fifty samples (for each test) were divided into groups of 10, in the form of acrylic resin discs with concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 weight percentage (wt%) of functionalized GO nanosheets and also the control group. Samples were evaluated in terms of physical properties (surface hardness, surface roughness, compressive strength, fracture toughness, and flexural strength), anti-biofilm properties (On four groups of micro-organisms, including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans), and cytotoxicity. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22, descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance test, and Tukey post hoc test. The significance level was considered P < 0.05. Results: No significant difference was observed between the different groups with weight percentages of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2% nano GO (nGO) and the control group (without nGO) in terms of surface roughness and toughness. However, compressive strength, three-point flexural strength, and surface hardness showed significant differences between the groups. Furthermore, the degree of cytotoxicity increased by increasing the weight percentage of nano-GO. Conclusion: The addition of functionalized nGO in appropriate concentrations to polymethyl methacrylate can improve the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal biofilm properties without changing or increasing their physical and mechanical properties.

Correlation between Skeletal Maturation and Developmental Stages of Canines and Second Molars among Iranian Population.

Statement of the Problem: Growth assessment has become an important issue in many medical and dental fields. Determining the stages of dental development and skeletal maturation are essential methods in evaluation of growth phases. Purpose: This study aimed to assess the relationship between developmental stages of maxillary and mandibular canines and second molars by Nolla's method and skeletal maturation stages by cervical vertebral maturation. In addition, diagnostic performances of dental developmental stages were evaluated to identify growth phases. Materials and Method: In this descriptive-analytical study, 201 digital panoramic and lateral cephalometry of children referred to the Orthodontic Department of Babol Dental School (8 to 15 years) were examined. The stages of dental development were determined by Nolla's method, and the stages of skeletal development were determined by cervical vertebral maturation stages (CVMs). Positive likelihood ratio (LHR+) was used to determine the diagnostic performances to identify growth phases. The Kendall's Tau-b correlation coefficient was used to measure the association between the CVM stages and dental calcification stages. In this study, p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The relationship between dental development and skeletal maturation in different teeth was significant (p ≤ 0.05). Kendall's Tau-b correlation coefficient between the stages of dental development and skeletal maturity in girls ranged from 0.578 - 0.634 and in boys ranged from 0.588 - 0.655. The right second molar in maxilla presented the highest correlation coefficient. The right and left second molars in maxilla and left second molar in mandible in stage 5 had the highest LHR+ to identify the pre-pubertal growth phase. Conclusion: Despite the high correlation coefficient between dental development and skeletal maturity, the LHR+ for determining growth stages in only a small number of teeth was more than 10.

Evaluation of scalp hair nickel and chromium level changes in patients with fixed orthodontic appliance: a one-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The release of metal ions from orthodontic appliances is part of the dissolution and biomechanical processes of alloys. Nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) are the elements commonly used in the manufacture of various components of fixed orthodontic appliances, including bands, brackets and wires. This study was aimed to measure the Ni and Cr ions levels in the scalp hair of patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances in comparison of the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient group consisted of 24 patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances for one year, while the control group included 28 healthy individuals without orthodontic appliances. Analysis of the Cr and Ni was performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer by graphite furnace method. The data were analyzed via student and paired samples t-test and ANOVA repeated measurement test. RESULTS: After one year, the levels of Ni and Cr in two groups showed significant differences (0.086 ± 0.007 and 0.258 ± 0.009 µg/g for control group and 0.149 ± 0.010 and 0.339 ± 0.013 µg/g for patient group, respectively for Ni and Cr, p < .001). ANCOVA test by removing the effects of age, gender and the baseline levels of Ni and Cr showed that changes in these ions in the scalp hair of both groups after one year were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Due to the slightly elevated levels of Ni and Cr ions in the scalp hair of patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances and considering the cytotoxic and allergic effects of these ions, changing the ingredients in fixed orthodontic appliances is suggested for the future.

Local injection of carrageenan accelerates orthodontic tooth movement: A preliminary experimental animal study.

BACKGROUND: Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) can be accelerated by increasing bone turnover. Carrageenan is a common food additive, which can induce inflammation. Hence, it might accelerate OTM. However, it has not been investigated to date. METHODS: This 2-phase preliminary animal experimental study was conducted on 28 Wistar rats. A pilot study on 5 mice was done to estimate the experimental dose of carrageenan. The first phase evaluated the effect of a 40µL carrageenan 1% injection on inflammation status in 7 rats versus 7 control rats, 6hours after the injection. The second phase examined the effect of the same dose of carrageenan on OTM speed during 21 days of incisor retraction in rat, in two groups: control (normal saline) and carrageenan (n=7×2). This sample size was pre-determined based on a priori power calculations. In phase II, osteoclastic activity was also evaluated, 21 days after the injection. The groups were compared statistically (α=0.05). RESULTS: Six hours after carrageenan injection, 1, 3, and 3 rats had inflammation scores of 3 to 1, respectively. Six hours after saline injection, 1 rat had a score of 1 and the remainder had no inflammation (P=0.0023, Mann-Whitney). Twenty-one days after saline and carrageenan injection, OTMs were 0.7±0.3 and 1.1±0.4mm, respectively, (P=0.053, Mann-Whitney). Twenty-one days after saline and carrageenan injection, mean osteoclast counts were, respectively, 4.87±1.849 and 7.143±1.727 per field (P=0.025, Mann-Whitney). CONCLUSION: Local injection of carrageenan can induce inflammation after 6hours. It can increase approximately 1.6-fold the speed of OTM, and increase the osteoclast count 1.5-fold after 21 days of space closure.