Effect of whole body massage on pain scores of neonates during venous puncture and comparison with oral dextrose and Kangaroo care, a randomized controlled evaluator-blind clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: Newborns in NICUs experience many painful procedures. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of whole body massage therapy on pain scores during venipuncture and to compare with oral 10% dextrose and Kangaroo care. STUDY DESIGN: Newborns with gestational age ≥34 weeks were randomly enrolled to one of three groups: dextrose, massage and Kangaroo care and a blinded investigator scored the pain using NIPS before and during the procedure. RESULTS: There were 25, 26 and 23 newborns in dextrose, massage and Kangaroo care groups, respectively. Pain scores were similar before and during venipuncture in groups (p > 0.05). 36.5% of newborns (27/74) had severe pain scores. Number of newborns with no pain (score 0-2), moderate pain (score 3-4) and severe pain (score 5-7) were similar in each group. CONCLUSION: Massage, Kangaroo and oral 10% dextrose had similar effects on pain scores during venipuncture.

Effect of piezocision on molar intrusion in open-bite treatment using a modified MEAW technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether a piezocision technique influences molar intrusion in open-bite cases. METHODS: In all, 30 patients with open-bite malocclusion were assigned to one of two groups: the piezocision group comprised 15 patients who were treated using curved arches and anterior elastics with the simultaneous combination of piezocision which was performed interdentally in the upper posterior region, while the control group comprised 15 patients who were treated with the same treatment mechanics without piezocision. In both groups, after leveling and aligning, upper 0.017â€¯× 0.025 accentuated curve and lower 0.017â€¯× 0.025 reversed curve of Spee NiTi archwires were placed. Anterior vertical elastics were applied between laterals and the canines on both sides. The effects of treatments were investigated on cone-beam computed tomography images acquired before use of elastics and after correction of open-bite. RESULTS: Open-bite closure was achieved in 2.85 ± 0.85 and 4.1 ± 1.58 months in the piezocision and control groups, respectively, while total treatment lasted 1.4 ± 0.42 and 1.7 ± 0.43 years, respectively. Extrusion of lower posterior teeth (p < 0.05) was observed together with extrusion of incisors and canines (p < 0.001) in the piezocision group, while only incisors and canines were extruded in the control group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05) except significant lower incisor extrusion (p < 0.05) and counter-clockwise rotation of the lower occlusal plane in the piezocision group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The duration of open-bite correction was significantly shorter in the piezocision group. No molar intrusion was observed in either group. Open bite correction was achieved mainly by extrusion and retrusion of the incisors while maintaining upper molar positions.

Adherence frequency of CANDIDA ALBICANS on nasoalveolar molding (NAM) appliances.

BACKGROUND AND METHOD: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the adherence frequency of Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species in newborn babies with Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) who receive presurgical orthopedic therapy with Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) appliances. This study comprised of 25 CLP newborns including 8-right unilateral, 8-left unilateral and 7-bilateral CLP. First swab samples were taken from the hard palate when the baby was referred and renewed after 3 days. Following the 7th day of delivery of NAM appliance, the swab samples were retaken from both the hard palate and the NAM appliance. Samples were renewed with 2-month intervals. The last swab samples were taken one month after the surgery. Oral swabs were cultured on CHROMagar Candida medium for the growth of yeasts. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the time points regarding C. albicans proliferation frequency and severity rates on the palate. No significant difference was found due to the type of cleft and sex in terms of candidal colonization. A constant increase in proliferation frequency of non-albicans on the palatal mucosa was observed between all of the time points. Although the results were insignificant, there was a constant increase in C. albicans proliferation which presented a decrease following primary lip surgery. CONCLUSION: The appliance might not only cause an increase in the colonization of C. albicans but also provide the continuation of the colonization. Therefore, mouth cleaning is important even after primary lip surgery.

Three-dimensional evaluation of open-bite patients treated with anterior elastics and curved archwires.

INTRODUCTION: One nonsurgical treatment method for a patient with open bite is to use curved nickel-titanium arches and anterior elastics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of this technique with cone-beam computed tomography. METHODS: Eighteen open-bite patients' treatment records were used for this retrospective study. The treatment methods were identical for all patients, beginning with the levelling and alignment of the teeth and the placement of maxillary accentuated and mandibular reverse curved archwires with anterior elastics. Cone-beam tomography images were taken and analyzed 3 dimensionally. The paired-samples t test statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: A-point moved anteriorly (0.33 mm) and the SN-MP angle increased slightly (1.17°). Maxillary and mandibular incisors were extruded by 2.16 and 1.49 mm, respectively. Overbite increased (4.38 mm). There were no significant changes in the vertical parameters of the premolars and molars. CONCLUSIONS: The open bite was eliminated by retraction and extrusion of the anterior teeth while maintaining the vertical positions of the molars.