Validity and Reliability of Intraoral and Plaster Models' Photographs in the Assessment of Little's Irregularity Index, Tooth Size-Arch Length Discrepancy, and Bolton's Analysis.

Background Dental impressions have been required to obtain proper study models. This procedure is time- and labor-consuming for the orthodontist and could be exhausting to the patient, especially when braces are fitted in the context of a research project. This study aimed to assess the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of using intraoral photographs and plaster models' photographs in measuring Little's Irregularity Index (LII), tooth size-arch length discrepancy (TSALD), and Bolton's ratios. Methods A total of 52 dental arches of 26 patients were included in this study. Plaster models, occlusal intraoral photographs, and photographs of the collected plaster models were obtained for each patient. Then, LII, TSALD, and Bolton's ratios were measured using a manual caliper for plaster models' measurements and a software-based on-screen method for the photographs. Results The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of measurements made on intraoral photographs and photographs of plaster models were high (ranging from 0.90 to 0.99 and from 0.88 to 0.99, respectively), indicating a high level of agreement with the gold standard measurements. In addition, the differences were insignificant. The intra-/inter-examiner ICCs ranged from 0.90 to 0.99/0.92 to 0.99 and from 0.85 to 0.99/0.88 to 0.98 for plaster models and intraoral photographs of the dental arches, respectively. The analysis of reproducibility of capturing intraoral photographs of the dental arches on two different occasions showed high ICCs ranging from 0.96 to 0.99 with almost no significant differences between repeated measurements (P > 0.05). Conclusion LII, TSALD, and Bolton's overall and partial ratios can be measured from intraoral photographs of the dental arches with high accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility. Therefore, this methodology can be suggested for use in research projects when multiple records of the dental arches are required instead of depending on time- and labor-consuming procedures of ordinary dental impressions.

The efficacy of low-level laser therapy versus paracetamol-caffeine in controlling orthodontic separation pain and changes in the oral-health-related quality of life in Class I malocclusions: A 3-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the analgesic effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and paracetamol-caffeine in controlling orthodontic pain induced by elastomeric separators, as well as changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). METHODS: A total of 54 patients (22 male, 32 female; mean age [standard deviation]: 21.68 [±2.77]) participated in the study. Elastomeric separators were placed mesially and distally to the first molars in the upper and lower dental arches. The first group (n = 18) received a single dose of aluminum gallium arsenide (GaAlAs) laser irradiation (808 nm; 350 milliwatts; 3.5 joule/point) with a placebo medication. The laser beam was applied buccally and lingually at the center of the first molar roots and the adjacent teeth (2nd molar and 2nd premolar) in both the upper and lower dental arches bilaterally. The second group (n = 18) received paracetamol-caffeine tablets (3 times daily for the first couple of days after separator insertion, and as needed for the rest of the week), with a placebo light-emitting diode (LED) light; patients in the third group (n = 18) were exposed to the 2 placebo procedures. An 11-point numeric rating scale was used to assess spontaneous and chewing pain perception immediately and at 1 hour, 24 hour, 48 hours, and 1 week after separator placement. The short version of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) was used to evaluate OHRQoL at 48 hours and at 1 week after separator placement. RESULTS: Pain perception reached its peak at 24 hours after separator placement (median values: 3, 3, 6.5 for spontaneous pain, and 6, 6, 8 for chewing pain in the LLLT, drug, and control groups, respectively). LLLT relieved the induced pain more than did the placebo procedures (P = 0.002 for spontaneous pain, P = 0.012 for chewing pain). Orthodontic separators worsened patients' OHRQoL scores during the entire week, especially at 48 hours after placement (median OHIP-14 score: 21, 25, 24 in the LLLT, drug, and control groups, respectively). In comparison with the control group, LLLT slightly increased the "physical pain" domain score (P = 0.015) and the "psychological disability" domain score of the scale (P = 0.010) after 48 hours, as well as the "psychological disability" domain score 1 week after separator placement. CONCLUSIONS: The pain levels were similar in the laser and drug groups. The LLLT group had decreased pain, compared with the placebo group. Paracetamol-caffeine and LLLT were unable to enhance the overall OHRQoL.

The Effectiveness of Plasma Skin Regeneration (PSR) in the Treatment of Chronic Cleft Lip Scars in an Adult Syrian Sample: A Cohort Study on a Novel Technique.

Objectives The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of plasma skin regeneration (PSR) in the treatment of cleft lip scars in cleft lip patients.  Materials and methods Twenty patients, 10 females and 10 males, with a mean age of 19 years and who had a cleft lip scar, were included in the current study. All patients were treated with a plasma skin regeneration pen device in one treatment session. The thickness, relief, and pliability of the scars were assessed by external observers using a 10-point numeric rating scale (NRS). Results The thickness, relief, and pliability of the scar were significantly improved according to the observers' opinions (51.67%, 50.25%, and 46.33%, respectively). Conclusions Within the limits of this study, the PSR appeared to be safe and effective for treating cleft lip scars with minimal complications.