Effect of aligners on patients' oral health-related quality of life and anxiety: a prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study explored the impact of aligners on the oral health-related quality of life and anxiety of patients during the first month of orthodontic treatment and the first month of the retention phase. METHODS: A total of 23 male and female patients (median age 25 y) treated with clear aligners were included. The OHRQoL questionnaire was used at certain time points during treatment (T1: placement of the first aligner; T2: after one day of use; T3: after seven days; T4: after one month; and T5: after one month in the retention phase). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was also self-administered to assess state and trait anxiety (Y1 and Y2 subscales, respectively) at the T1, T4 and T5 time points. A population average generalized estimating equations logistic regression model was fit to assess the effect of time on the responses, and the Wald test was used to examine the overall effect of time. RESULTS: Overall time was a significant predictor for most of the questions. However, time was marginally significant for the OHRQoL questions evaluating oral symptoms such as bad taste/smell, sores, and food accumulation. Tooth discolouration did not differ between time points. The general activity disturbance was significantly lower in the retention phase. Higher depression and anxiety scores were reported at the initial appointment and decreased thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: CAT has a negative impact on quality of life and psychological status during the initial days of treatment. These impairments ameliorate at later treatment stages.

Clinical parameters that affect performance and patient satisfaction of root-retained overdentures: A systematic review of randomised controlled clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical parameters that affect the performance of root-supported overdentures (ROD) and to identify the possible factors that may affect it. BACKGROUND: ROD still serve as an alternative and successful treatment plan nowadays for partially edentulous patients. Nonetheless, there is not yet conclusive evidence about their clinical evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search strategy was developed following a PIO (Population, Intervention, Outcome) framework including an electronic search in the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library and Scopus. The systematic search included only randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs), published until January 2023 in English language and was performed by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment of the included studies was conducted according to the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. RESULTS: The final selection of studies included 11 RCTs. Clinically relevant variables derived from this search were: Complications, with caries being the most frequently reported, periodontal aspects and bone changes around abutment teeth. Additionally, methods and clinical suggestions for the maintenance of these restorations and patient-related outcomes were assessed. According to the risk of bias assessment, nine studies were considered of high risk, whereas only 2 of low risk. A meta-analysis was not feasible. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this systematic review, ROD remain a viable treatment plan, offering better denture stability and bone preservation around abutment teeth and high patient satisfaction. Thorough oral hygiene and regular follow-ups are of utmost importance. Further well-designed RCTs are necessary for firmer conclusions.

Thermo-mechanical properties in bending of a multizone nickel-titanium archwire: A retrieval analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the mechanical and thermal properties in the anterior and posterior segments of new and retrieved specimens of a commercially available multizone superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwire. Methods: The following groups of 0.016 × 0.022-inch Bioforce NiTi archwires were compared: a) anterior and b) posterior segments of new specimens and c) anterior and d) posterior segments of retrieved specimens. Six specimens were evaluated in each group, by three-point bending and bend and free recovery tests. Bending moduli (Eb) were calculated. Furthermore, the new specimens were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. A multiple linear regression model with a random intercept at the wire level was applied for data analysis. Results: The forces in the posterior segments or new specimens were higher than those recorded in the anterior segments or retrieved specimens, respectively. Accordingly, Eb also varied. Higher austenite start and austenite finish (Af) temperatures were recorded in the anterior segments. No statistically significant differences were found for these temperatures between retrieved and new wires. The mean elemental composition was (weight percentage): Ni, 52.6 ± 0.5; Ti, 47.4 ± 0.5. Conclusions: The existence of multiple force zones was confirmed in new and retrieved Bioforce archwires. The retrieved archwires demonstrated lower forces during the initial stages of deactivation in three-point bending tests, compared with new specimens. The Af temperature of these archwires may lie higher than the regular intraoral temperature. Even at 2 mm deflections, the forces recorded from these archwires may lie beyond biologically safe limits.

Teeth Eruption Disorders: A Critical Review.

Dental eruption refers to the vertical displacement of a tooth from its initial non-functional towards its functional position. Tooth eruption disorders may be expressed in various clinical conditions, which may be grouped as "primary retention" and "secondary retention". The purpose of this article is to review the literature and the clinical parameters of the various conditions related to tooth eruption disorders. Materials and Methods: The search strategy of this critical review included keywords in combination with MeSH terms in Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until February 2022 and only in English. Results: "Primary Failure of Eruption" (PFE) occurs during the eruption process and includes clinical characteristics of both primary and secondary retention, which make diagnosis difficult. PFE is distinguished by Types I and II. In Type I, the defect in the eruption process occurs in all the relative teeth at the same time, whilst in Type II, the clinical expressions vary in multiple quadrants of the mouth, and the second molars erupt more. The variability of the PFE's clinical spectrum seems to be connected to a genetic origin. The differential diagnosis among single ankylosis, secondary retention, and PFE is based on the occlusal relationship between the upper and the lower teeth distally, most commonly the first molar, which has not yet fully erupted. The treatment approach depends on many factors and combines surgical and orthodontic techniques.