Comparison of soft tissue chin thickness at different levels of chin in subjects with various growth patterns.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between mandibular growth pattern and soft tissue chin (STC) thickness measured at different chin levels and the gender differences in STC thickness at these different chin levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pretreatment lateral cephalograms of 161 subjects aged 18-45 years were selected, and subjects were divided into 4 groups depending on mandibular growth pattern defined by the mandibular plane to cranial base angle. The STC thicknesses were measured at pogonion (Pog), gnathion (Gn), and menton (Me). Group difference was evaluated using analysis of variance. RESULTS: STC thickness was greater (p < .05) in the low-angle group, and it gradually decreased across the groups, the least being in the high-angle group. No sexual dimorphism was observed among the groups (p > .05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that STC thickness measurements were smaller in high-angle group compared to low-angle group.

The effect of pre-etching with 37% orthophosphoric acid on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded using self-etching primer-adhesive system.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of pre-etching with 37% orthophosphoric acid on the shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontic brackets bonded using self-etching primer (SEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred freshly extracted human premolars were divided randomly into two groups based on pre-etching with 37% orthophosphoric acid: Group 1 (control, n = 50) without pre-etching and Group 2 (experimental, n = 150) with pre-etching. Group 2 was further divided into three sub groups 2a, 2b, and 2c with 50 teeth each and was first pre-etched with 37% orthophosphoric acid for 10, 30, and 60 s, respectively. Brackets were bonded on the teeth in both the groups using SEP and light cure adhesive. The SBS were determined using universal testing machine. The comparison of SBS was done using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honest significant difference test. RESULTS: The SBS of experimental Group 2 was significantly higher than the control Group 1 (p < 0.0001). Further, the SBS of Group 2a was highest, followed by Group 2b and 2c (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It was found that pre-etching for 10 s prior to application of SEP-adhesive system increases the SBS of orthodontic brackets.

Influence of symmetric and asymmetric alterations of maxillary canine gingival margin on the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists, dentists, and laypersons.

INTRODUCTION: Esthetics is one of the major concerns among people seeking orthodontic treatment, and its perception varies from person to person. Our objective was to determine the differences in the perception of smile esthetics among orthodontists, general dentists, and laypersons with respect to alteration in the maxillary canine gingival margin in close-up smile analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Close-up photograph of an ideal Indian female smile was selected. The images were digitally altered to create symmetrical images with the gingival margin levels of maxillary canine matching the central incisors. Twelve alterations were created in the gingival margin of the canine with discrepancies of 1, 2, and 3 mm in relation to the most superior point on the labial gingival margin of patient's central incisor and divided under four groups. Finally, close-up images of the smile were assessed by orthodontist, general dentist, and layperson who indicated the level of attractiveness of each smile on a visual analogue score. The data collected were then statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Newman-Keul's range test. RESULTS: Most evaluators considered all the three components, i.e., lips, teeth, and gingiva while assessing the smile's attractiveness. Statistically significant differences were observed between different evaluator groups when considering bilateral increase in crown height by 2 and 3 mm. The perceptions of asymmetries in the gingival margin levels of the maxillary canines were 1.0 mm for orthodontists and 2.0 mm for laypersons. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggested that the orthodontists were more critical than dentist and layperson in evaluating smile esthetics.