Does Clear Aligner Treatment Result in Different Patient Perceptions of Treatment Process and Outcomes Compared to Conventional/Traditional Fixed Appliance Treatment: A Literature Review

This study sought to systematically review the literature to determine whether clear aligner treatment results in different patient perceptions of treatment process and outcomes compared with conventional fixed appliance treatment. A systematic review was conducted to identify studies that examined differences in patient perceptions between clear aligners and conventional fixed appliance treatment. Studies were identified through searching relevant terms using PubMed and Embase. Following review of identified articles, key information about the studies including study design, setting, comparison groups, sample size/response rate, study location, primary outcomes, and statistical tests used were extracted. A total of 13 articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria for this study. These studies described a variety of outcomes which were divided into two broad categories: treatment process (pain, chewing, speech, daily routine, etc.) and treatment outcomes (satisfaction level, smile outcome perceptions, etc.). There was the strongest evidence that clear aligners had a positive impact with respect to treatment process compared with fixed orthodontic appliances. This study highlights that clear aligners may be effective for improving treatment-process-related outcomes among orthodontic patients. More studies need to be conducted to determine whether clear aligners have a beneficial impact with respect to treatment outcomes.

Changes in Distribution of Dental Biofilm after Insertion of Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

Good oral hygiene is an important factor in oral and general health, especially in orthodontic patients, because fixed appliances might impede effective oral hygiene and thus increase the risks of tooth decay, periodontal disease and general health complications. This study investigated the impact of fixed orthodontic appliances on the distribution of dental biofilm in teenagers. Supragingival plaque was assessed at T0, T1 and T2. The distribution of the biofilm was analyzed. Approximal Plaque Index (API) and Bonded Bracket Index (BBI) were used to measure the presence of dental plaque. After insertion of the fixed appliance, the dental plaque indices values in the orthodontically treated group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the control group. Fixed orthodontic appliances caused significant changes in the distribution of the biofilm. This was characterized by the change of location of the dental plaque. In the orthodontic group, we observed an increase in the amount of the supragingival plaque on the vestibular surface of the teeth.

Postoperative Stability of Patients Undergoing Orthognathic Surgery with Orthodontic Treatment Using Clear Aligners: A Preliminary Study

Backgrond: Until now, there have been many studies on the postoperative stability of orthognathic patients treated with traditional fixed orthodontic appliances. Recently, the use of clear aligners as orthodontic appliances has increased in orthodontic treatment for aesthetic and patient convenience. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the stability and characteristics of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery using clear aligners. Patients and Methods: This study was performed on patients who underwent orthognathic surgery by one surgeon at Pusan National University Dental Hospital from April 2017 to August 2021. A comparative study was conducted on five patients treated with clear aligners during orthodontic treatment and ten patients treated with traditional fixed appliances as a control group. Postoperative skeletal changes and recurrence were evaluated by cone beam computed tomography and lateral cephalometric radiographs taken two days postoperatively and six months postoperatively. Several measurement variables were used to confirm the presence or absence of recurrence, preoperative and postoperative orthodontic treatment period, and the number of extracted teeth. Results: Postoperative stability for six months after surgery was not significantly different between the clear aligner group and the traditional fixed appliance group. The preoperative orthodontic treatment period was also shorter in the clear aligner group, and the number of extracted premolar teeth and impacted teeth were also fewer in the clear aligner group, but there was no significant difference. Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment using clear aligners continues to develop, and it is believed that there is no limit to what can be accomplished during orthodontic surgery accompanied by clear aligners.

Space Closure Rate in Mandibular Canine Retraction by Elastomeric Power Chain: A Clinical Trial

Background : On a daily basis, orthodontic patients present with malocclusions and orofacial imbalance. Often times, teeth must be extracted in order to obtain proper esthetics, occlusion, and stability as well as extraction of teeth is often a need to close residual space, after the initial decrowding and aligning. Pre adjusted fixed orthodontic appliances commonly utilize sliding mechanics for space closure with different types of force delivery systems. A variety of materials have been used as force delivery systems to close spaces between teeth as in the case of canine retraction after the extraction of premolars. Elastomeric auxiliaries are relatively consistent in producing tooth movements. The purpose of the study to evaluate the rate of mandibular canine retraction by elastomeric power chain. Materials and methods : This obervational study was designed as split mouth study. A total number of 20 patients (40 quadrants),who required canine retraction into first premolar extraction sites as part of their orthodontic treatment in the Department of Orthodontics, BSMMU as study population. The quadrants were affixed by elastomeric power chain (Dentaurum) with 200gm force measured by Correx Tension Gauge. Space closure was measured by means of direct measurement from the mesial surface of mesial wing of the 2nd premolar bracket and the distal surface of distal wing of the canine bracket with digital Vernier Calipers. Results: Mean space closer rate in mandibular canine retraction was 0.99 ± 0.08 mm/month in elastomeric power chain method with p value<0.001. Conclusion : This study revealed that space closer rate in mandibular canine retraction was 0.99 ± 0.08 mm/month by elastomeric power chain. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.20 (2); July 2021; Page 28-31

Space Closure Rate in Mandibular Canine Retraction by Ni-Ti Closed Coil Spring: A Clinical Trial

Introduction: In Majority of patients seeking orthodontic treatment, teeth must be extracted in order to obtain proper esthetics, occlusion, and stability as well as extraction of teeth is often a need to close residual space, after the initial decrowding and aligning. Pre adjusted fixed orthodontic appliances commonly utilize sliding mechanics for space closure with different types of force delivery systems. A variety of materials have been used as force delivery systems to close spaces between teeth as in the case of canine retraction after the extraction of premolars. Among all sliding or frictionless methods of canine retraction, super-elastic nickel titanium coil spring has a particular property in producing light continuous force at a long range of action, compared with previously available materials. Nickel-titanium closed coil spring, with a continuous action, might have some advantages in fixed appliance space closure mechanics. Materials and Methods: Over the period of one year from May 2015 to April 2016, this clinical trial was carried out and A total number of 20 patients (40 quadrants), who required canine retraction into first premolar extraction sites as part of their orthodontic treatment in the Department of Orthodontics of BSMMU selected as study population. The quadrants were affixed by nickel titanium closed coil springs (medium force, Ni-Ti extension spring, Ormco) with 200gm force measured by Correx Tension Gauge. Space closure was measured by means of direct measurement from the mesial surface of mesial wing of the 2nd premolar bracket and the distal surface of distal wing of the canine bracket with digital Vernier Calipers. Results: Mean space closer rate in mandibular canine retraction was 1.07 ± 0.12 mm/month by nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) closed coil spring method with p value<0.001. Conclusion: This study revealed that space closer rate in mandibular canine retraction by nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) closed coil spring is 1.07 ± 0.12 mm/month. Medicine Today 2021 Vol.33(2): 90-93

Salivary pH Effect on Orthodontic Appliances: In Vitro Study of the SS/DLC System

Stainless steels (SS) are the most-used alloys for manufacturing fixed orthodontic appliances due to their attractive set of mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and high corrosion resistance. Nevertheless, during regular orthodontic treatments–taking at least around 2 years–the intraoral environment inevitably degrades these bioalloys, releasing metallic ions into the oral cavity. In the first part of this in vitro study, the corrosion resistance of commercial SS appliances (brackets, tubes, and bands) was evaluated in Fusayama-Meyer artificial saliva at pH values of 2.3 and 6.8 over the course of 30 days. As expected, the results corroborated that salivary pH highly influences corrosion behaviour. Released Ni, Cr, and Fe were within dietary intake values. In the second part, a novel approach for oral corrosion prevention based on the chemical inertness of DLC materials is presented. SS surfaces were functionalized with biocompatible a-C:H-sputtered coatings and submitted to the same experimental conditions. The anticorrosion ability of this system was demonstrated, preventing the pitting corrosion that occurred on the SS substrates. Despite the galvanic coupling effect due to the presence of the Cr-based interlayer, this study enhanced the potential use of the reactive sputter-deposited a-C:H coatings in orthodontics.