Evaluation of orthodontic habits regarding the use of miniplates in the correction of Skeletal Class III.

AIMS: To determine the habits of Orthodontists in the management of moderate skeletal class III patients by using miniplates, and to assess the relationship between the factors that may hinder the implementation of such treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was carried out using the Google Form® platform, which included 18 questions relating to the seniority of the practice of the orthodontists, the preferential treatment, the difficulties encountered, the results obtained, and the frequency of a relapse. RESULTS: Experienced orthodontists (more than 10 years) treated skeletal class III malocclusion with the conventional facemask therapy, whereas orthodontists with less than 5 years of experience shifted to the miniplate technique which presented less dental effect and more skeletal correction with a decreased frequency of relapse. CONCLUSION: High financial cost and increased care load were considered the main obstacles regarding the placement of the titanium miniplates in treating skeletal class III patients.

Evaluation of orthodontists' experience with the surgery first protocol in orthodontic-surgical management.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to analyze the popularity of surgery first among orthodontists as well as the protocols used for its implementation and to collect the opinions (favorable or unfavorable) of practitioners and patients regarding it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to a population of dental surgeons qualified in Dentofacial Orthopedics or in the process of specialization (residents) practicing in France. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 27 questions. There were 10 open-ended questions and 17 closed-ended questions (8 binary and 9 multiple choices). The conditional pathway allows the respondent's path through the form to be modified based on their answers. This survey was conducted using Google Forms online survey software. RESULTS: On average, the responding practitioners had 15.9 years of experience, and most of them (78.2%) work in private practice. Most treated between 200 and 400 cases per year, of which 7% were surgical cases. Orthodontists who are familiar with and practice the surgery first protocol use it on average for 7 cases per year. The most frequent indication for the surgery first protocol was: transverse maxillary defects. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery first protocol is a preferred option in cases of high severity since it prevents respiratory worsening during the pre-surgical orthodontic phase. The lack of a standardized protocol for this approach, at the pre-surgical and post-surgical levels, requires an increase in the number of high-level evidence publications to clarify the methods of application of this protocol.

What is the current state of artificial intelligence applications in dentistry and orthodontics?

BACKGROUND: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the medical field has the potential to bring about significant improvements in patient care and outcomes. AI is being used in dentistry and more specifically in orthodontics through the development of diagnostic imaging tools, the development of treatment planning tools, and the development of robotic surgery. The aim of this study is to present the latest emerging AI softwares and applications in dental field to benefit from. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: Search strategies were conducted in three electronic databases, with no date limits in the following databases up to April 30, 2023: MEDLINE, PUBMED, and GOOGLE® SCHOLAR for articles related to AI in dentistry & orthodontics. No inclusion and exclusion criteria were used for the selection of the articles. Most of the articles included (n = 79) are reviews of the literature, retro/prospective studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and observational studies. RESULTS: The use of AI in dentistry and orthodontics is a rapidly growing area of research and development, with the potential to revolutionize the field and bring about significant improvements in patient care and outcomes; this can save clinicians' chair-time and push for more individualized treatment plans. Results from the various studies reported in this review are suggestive that the accuracy of AI-based systems is quite promising and reliable. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: AI application in the healthcare field has proven to be efficient and helpful for the dentist to be more precise in diagnosis and clinical decision-making. These systems can simplify the tasks and provide results in quick time which can save dentists time and help them perform their duties more efficiently. These systems can be of greater aid and can be used as auxiliary support for dentists with lesser experience.

Benefits of Digital Smile Design (DSD) in the conception of a complex orthodontic treatment plan: A case report-proof of concept.

INTRODUCTION: Digital Smile Design (DSD) is a systematic protocol based on specific photographs and software analysis that is used worldwide. DSD aims to assist the practitioner in creating and planning a course of treatment, especially in a multidisciplinary approach, and provides a virtual simulation of the final result. Additionally, it is a tool that enables communication and discussion between all the dental team, including the dental laboratory, and also with the patient. Although widely described and used in prosthetic rehabilitation, this tool remains only anecdotally used in the world of orthodontics. The objective of this proof of concept was to describe the application of the Digital Smile Design protocol in the diagnosis of orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A teenage patient was referred to our university clinic by a private orthodontic practitioner for a second opinion on the treatment at that time. The patient had a self-ligating orthodontic appliance. According to the history of the case and the oral situation at that moment, the patient required an accurately calculated plan for orthodontic tooth movement that would permit the achievement of future rehabilitation. Therefore, the decision was taken to use a DSD protocol to potentially complete the classic orthodontic examination. RESULTS: From the classic orthodontic examination, the patient presented a molar class I, midline deviations, the #21 and #23 were missing, #12 was conoid (microdontic) and, finally, #22 was in the position of #21. From the DSD results, three different views simulated the final results and therefore provided additional and relevant information, such as the correct position of the upper midline and the correct position of #12, #13, #22 and #23. CONCLUSION: This proof of concept showed the clinical relevance of the Digital Smile Design protocol as a new tool for complex orthodontic treatment planning, especially in a multidisciplinary approach. Further publications will be necessary in order to define a specific DSD protocol for orthodontic treatment.

A influência de imagens tridimensionais no plano de tratamento ortodôntico / Orthodontic treatment plan changed by 3-D images

INTRODUÇÃO: a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (TCFC) foi introduzida no final da década de 90 e estudos têm aprimorado o seu emprego na Odontologia. OBJETIVO: o objetivo desse artigo foi verificar a influência de imagens tridimensionais (3D) no plano de tratamento ortodôntico. MÉTODOS: duas situações clínicas (reabsorção cervical e deiscência óssea) foram descritas por meio de imagens 3D. RESULTADOS: a conduta ortodôntica foi redirecionada para a simplificação da mecânica e o controle das lesões durante o tratamento ortodôntico. CONCLUSÃO: imagens 3D são capazes de aumentar a acurácia do diagnóstico e redirecionar o plano de tratamento ortodôntico.

INTRODUCTION: Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) was introduced in the 90's and studies have improved its use in dentistry. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to investigate the influence of three-dimensional (3D) images in orthodontic treatment planning. METHOD: Two clinical situations (bone dehiscence and cervical resorption) were described by 3D images. RESULTS: The orthodontic treatment plan was redirected to a simplified mechanics and control of the lesions during orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSION: 3D images are able to increase diagnostic accuracy and redirect orthodontic treatment plan.