The knowledge regarding the impacts and management of black triangles among dental professionals and laypeople.

This study aimed to assess the knowledge regarding impacts, causes and management of black triangles (BT) among participants from different educational backgrounds including dental students, dentists and laypeople. This descriptive cross-sectional observational research included 435 participants who comprised 4 groups: pre-clinical (3rd year) dental students, clinical (4th and 5th year) dental students, dentists, and laypeople. A constructed self-reported questionnaire was utilized to assess participants' demographic data and their knowledge of the impacts, causes and management of BT. The VAS scale was used to assess participants' ratings for the impacts of BT on esthetics, with 0 meaning no impact and 10 meaning very severe negative impacts. The most reported treatments for BT were "cannot be treated" 99.3% and "non-surgical periodontal treatment" 67.1%. Meanwhile, the least reported was "modify the porcelain" 41.8%. The most reported cause of BT was "periodontal disease" 85.1%. However, the least reported were "parafunction" and "deep implants" 33.1% each. Dental professionals had better knowledge of the causes (t = 8.189, P < 0.001) and management (t = 8.289, P < 0.001) of BT than the non-dental participants. The dentists had the best knowledge, while the laypeople had the least knowledge of the causes (F = 62.056, P < 0.001) and treatment (F = 46.120, P < 0.001) of BT. The knowledge of the causes (t = 0.616, P = 0.538) and treatment (t = 1.113, P = 0.266) for BT was not significantly different between males and females. Age was not significantly related to the total knowledge about the causes (r = -0.034, P = 0.475) or treatment (r = -0.034, P = 0.482) for BT. Dental professionals had better knowledge of the impacts, causes and management of BT than the non-dental participants. The dentists were the best, while the laypeople were the worst in this regard. Age and gender had no relationships with the knowledge of causes or management of BT.

Relationships between perception of black triangles appearance, personality factors and level of education.

This analytical cross-sectional study evaluated the perception of black triangles (BT) and examined the relationships between the perception of BT, personality factors, different educational backgrounds and demographic factors. 435 participants were included and divided into four groups: dentists, clinical (4th and 5th year) dental students, pre-clinical (3rd year) dental students, and laypeople. Participants' perception of the attractiveness of smile profiles of maxillary and mandibular anterior dentition with BT was rated using a ten-point VAS scale with 0 being the least, and 10 being the most attractive smile profile. The personality was assessed using the NEO-FFI personality questionnaire. The smile profile with multiple large BT was rated the least attractive for the maxillary (mean = 3.6) and mandibular (mean = 3.9) tested profiles. The smile profile without BT was rated the most attractive for the maxillary (mean = 9.1) and mandibular (mean = 8.8) tested profiles. The dental professionals perceived the maxillary smile profile with multiple large BT as less attractive than the non-dental participants (t = - 2.715, P = 0.007). Being a male, having dental education, having lower Neuroticism scores, as well as having higher Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion scores predicted and contributed more towards perceiving various tested smile profiles as more attractive. These findings show that black triangles negatively impacts the perception of smile attractiveness, and that personality traits and having dental education impact the perception of smile attractiveness for smiles with black triangles.

The incidence and severity of open gingival embrasures in adults treated with clear aligners and fixed appliances: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the incidence and severity of open gingival embrasures (OGEs) in adult patients treated with clear aligners and fixed appliances. METHODS: Two hundred non-extraction adult subjects with less than 5 mm of crowding (mean age, 24.6 ± 3.8 years) were enrolled in this retrospective study. The subjects were divided into the clear aligner (n = 100) and fixed appliance group (n = 100). The intraoral photographs were utilized to determine the incidence of OGEs in the upper arch between maxillary central incisors, as well as the lower arch between mandibular central incisors. Crown overlap, crown shape, posttreatment root angulation, the distance from the interproximal contact point (ICP) to the alveolar bone crest (ABC) after treatment and interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) were determined in the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of OGEs between maxillary and mandibular central incisors after orthodontic treatment was 35.0% and 38.0% in the clear aligner group, respectively, significantly higher than that (18.0% and 24.0%) in the fixed appliance group (P < 0.05). The average area of an OGE after clear aligner treatment was larger both in the maxilla (0.16 ± 0.12mm2) and mandible (0.21 ± 0.24mm2) compared with that (0.05 ± 0.03mm2 and 0.05 ± 0.06mm2) after fixed appliance treatment (P < 0.05). No difference was found regarding pretreatment crown overlap, crown shape, treatment duration, posttreatment root angulation, amount and distribution of IPR and the distance from ICP to ABC. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence and severity of OGEs were higher in adults treated with clear aligners. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of OGEs during treatment with clear aligners.

Biomechanical factors in the open gingival embrasure region during the intrusion of mandibular incisors: A new model through finite element analysis.

Introduction: Open gingival embrasure (OGE) is a common complication in adults following clear aligner therapy and the influence of gingival or alveolar bone biotype on OGE is of great concern. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of patients with clearaligner therapy and the clinical methods to distinguish the gingival biotype of patients being invasive, it is difficult to carry out clinical studies on the gingival or alveolar bone biotype of the OGE. In the meanwhile, the detailed biomechanics of the occurrence of OGE remains unknown. The goal of this study was to establish a new model to simulate the virtual space region, namely, the OGE region, to investigate the relationship between alveolar bone biotype and the occurrence of OGE, and explore potential biomechanical factors related to OGE. Methods: The OGE region in the interproximal space was established using a filler with a very low modulus of elasticity (1 × 10-6 MPa). To illustrate the biomechanics of OGE more exhaustively, a line was created at the top of the alveolar crest along the proximal tooth root. FEA was then used to analyze the biomechanics of the surrounding tissues, the OGE region and the line at the top of the alveolar crest along the proximal tooth root of the central incisor under two different labial bone thicknesses (thick and thin) with an axial inclination of 80°, 90° and 100°. Results: During intrusion of the incisors in clear aligner therapy, as inclination increased or bone tissue became thinner, the stress in the surrounding tissues [tooth root, alveolar crest, and periodontal ligament (PDL)] was greater. In the OGE region and interproximal alveolar crest, the strain increased with increasing inclination and labial bone thinning. The results from the line at the top of the alveolar crest along the proximal tooth root showed more detailed biomechanics: In all groups, stress and strain were focused on the mesial-labial alveolar crest. Interestingly, our results also demonstrated that when OGE occurs, other complications may arise, including root resorption and bone dehiscence.

Potency of hyaluronic acid from eggshell-membrane for open gingival embrasure reconstruction following orthodontic tooth movement (a histomorphological study).

Background: The aim of this research was to assess the effectiveness of eggshell-membrane (ESM)-containing hyaluronic acid (HA) in the treatment of open gingival embrasure (OGE) following orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Materials and Methods: This study is an in vivo quasi experimental research. A total of 24 Cavia cobaya were equally divided into two groups, treatment (10% HA injection) and control (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]). A separator was inserted between mandibular incisors to induce an OGE. A volume of 20 µl of either PBS (n = 12) or ESM extract (n = 12) was locally injected within the interdental papilla. Decapitation of animals was made on day 1, 4, and 7 postinjection. The staining was done using hemotoxylin and eosin to observe angiogenesis and Mallory to observe the collagen density. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis were performed to detect the amount of HA available in ESM. The results were then compared with independent t-tests and the Mann-Whitney test. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The FTIR and TLC analysis showed that HA was successfully identified in the ESM samples. Local injection of 10% HA induced an increase of angiogenesis compared to the control group on day 1 and 4 postinjection (P < 0.05). Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also noted in the collagen density and the growth of interdental papilla on day 4 and 7 postinjection. Conclusion: ESM has the potential effect of regenerating the interdental papilla construction after OTM by increasing the collagen fiber density and inducing angiogenesis.

Factors influencing the survival of implant-supported ceramic-ceramic prostheses: A randomized, controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this research are: (1) to determine the clinical survival of ceramic-ceramic 3-unit implant supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) compared with control metal-ceramic and; (2) to analyze the effects of design parameters such as connector height, radius of curvature of gingival embrasure, and occlusal veneer thickness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, controlled clinical trial enrolled 96 participants with 129 3-unit implant-supported FDPs. Participants were randomized to receive different design combinations to include FDP material, thickness of occlusal veneer ceramic, radius of curvature of gingival embrasure and connector height. Participants were recalled for 6 months, 1year and yearly thereafter for the next 5 years. FDPs were examined for evidence of fracture and radiographs were made to assess viability of implants. Fractographic analyses and Kaplan Meier survival analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: 27 FDPs, representing 21%, exhibited chipping fractures of the veneer during the 5-year observation period. There was no statistically significant effect of type of material, veneer thickness, radius of curvature of gingival embrasure and connector height on occurrence of fracture. Fractographic and occlusal analyses reveal that fractures originated from the occlusal surface and that occlusion was the most important factor in determining survival. Stresses calculated at failure demonstrated lower values compared with in vitro data. CONCLUSION: Implant-supported ceramic-ceramic prosthesis is a viable alternative to metal-ceramic. Survival analysis for both materials were comparable and design parameters employed in this study did not affect survival as long as zirconia was used as the core material.

Influence of Radius of Curvature at Gingival Embrasure in Connector Area on Stress Distribution of Three-Unit Posterior Full-Contour Monolithic Zirconia Fixed Partial Denture on Various Amounts of Load Application: A Finite Element Study.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that radius of curvature at gingival embrasure in connector area significantly affects the fracture resistance of full-contour monolithic zirconia three-unit posterior Fixed partial denture (FPD) on various amounts of load application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, two types of three-dimensional finite element models of a three-unit posterior full-contour monolithic zirconia FPD with two gingival embrasure radii (rGE I, 0.45 mm and rGE II, 0.25 mm) were constructed. The components modeled through finite element modeling were subjected to 400, 600, and 800 N vertical loads at the central fossa of the pontic, and further analysis was carried out. RESULTS: All the results were displayed by post-processor finite element analysis software (ANSYS). The study revealed that with increase in the amount of load application as well as decrease in the gingival embrasure radii, stress concentration values were increasing gradually for both the full-contour monolithic zirconia FPD. CONCLUSION: The fracture resistance of the zirconia posterior FPD was significantly affected by the gingival embrasure radii and the mode of load application. When there is a clinical situation of heavier occlusal forces, the fracture resistance can be increased by designing greater gingival embrasure radii in the connector region.

[Relationship of orthodontic treatment and periodontal hard tissue health].

Periodontal tissue, especially the alveolar bone, are closely associated with the progress and efficacy of orthodontic treatment. Prior to and during orthodontic treatment, dentists should fully evaluate the status of periodontal hard tissues to prevent clinical problems. This article aims to discuss bone issues associated with orthodontic treatment, including gingival papilla absence, alveolar bone insufficiency, excessive cortical resistance, and altered passive eruption, etc. The mechanism and prevention methods of these problems are also described.

Risk factors associated with open gingival embrasures after orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of and contributing factors to open gingival embrasures between the central incisors after orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred posttreatment patients (29 men and 71 women; mean age, 24.7 years) were divided retrospectively into occurrence and nonoccurrence groups based on intraoral photographs. Based on the severity, the occurrence group was further divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups. Parameters from periapical radiographs, superimposed lateral cephalograms, and study models were compared between the occurrence and the nonoccurrence groups by using independent t-tests and were also analyzed on the basis of severity via analysis of variance. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the contributing factors to open gingival embrasures. RESULTS: The incidence of open gingival embrasures between the central incisors was 22% and 36% in the maxilla and the mandible, respectively. Lingual movement of the incisors, distance from the contact point to the alveolar crest after treatment, antero-posterior overlap of the two central incisors before treatment in the maxilla, and distance from the contact point to the alveolar crest after treatment in the mandible were significantly associated with the occurrence of open gingival embrasures ( P < .05). In the mandible, the amount of intrusion was significantly related to severity ( P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of open gingival embrasures following orthodontic tooth movement is high. Therefore, attention should be paid to the contributing factors to prevent or reduce the occurrence of open gingival embrasures.

Minimally invasive use of coloured composite resin in aesthetic restoration of periodontially involved teeth: Case report.

Gingival recession causes not only aesthetic problems, but problems with oral hygiene, plaque accumulation, speech, and tooth sensitivity. Replacing the missing gingival tissue with composite resin, when indicated, can be a time- and cost-effective solution. Here we report the case of a 25-year-old female who presented with generalized gingival recession. Black triangles were present between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth due to loss of interdental tissues, caused by recent periodontal surgery. She also had slightly malposed maxillary anterior teeth. The patient elected to replace gingival tissue with pink composite resin and to alter the midline with composite resin veneers. The first treatment phase involved placement of pink gingival composite to restore the appearance of interdental papilla to her upper (16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 21, 22, 23, and 24) and lower (34, 33, 32, 31, 41, 42, 43, and 44) teeth. Phase two was to place direct composite resin bonded veneers on her upper (16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 21, 22, 23, and 24) teeth to alter the midline and achieve desired colour. The third treatment phase was to level the lower incisal edge shape by enameloplasty (31, 32, 41, and 42) to produce a more youthful and attractive smile. This case report and brief review attempt to describe the clinical obstacles and the current treatment options along with a suggested protocol. Use of contemporary materials such as gingival coloured composite to restore lost gingival tissue and improve aesthetics can be a simple and cost-effective way to manage patients affected by generalized aggressive periodontitis (AgP).