The Curious Case of Concomitant Hypo-Hyperdontia: A Case Report.

Amongst the spectrum of dental developmental anomalies, hypodontia is a condition characterized by congenitally missing teeth. Whereas, hyperdontia is a condition that results in the development of an excessive number of teeth. These two conditions are regarded as polar opposites in the progression of dentition development. Their simultaneous occurrence in a patient results in a rare phenomenon known as concomitant hypo-hyperdontia (CHH). This report presents a case of CHH highlighting the importance of diagnosis and adequate treatment planning in achieving a balanced and esthetic smile.

The Impact of Orthodontic Adhesive Containing Resveratrol, Silver, and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Shear Bond Strength: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction The goal of orthodontic treatment is to provide patients with esthetic smiles and functional occlusion. Despite best efforts and continuous evolution of materials, white spot lesions present a persistent hindrance to the desired treatment outcome. Nanoparticles have shown efficacy in reducing microbial activity; however, currently, there is a need for natural anti-cariogenic compounds with minimal side effects. Resveratrol is a natural compound belonging to the polyphenol group and has shown promising anti-microbial efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of dentin bonding agents incorporated with the following three different nanoparticles on shear bond strength: silver nanoparticles (Ag-Np), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-Np), and resveratrol nanoparticles (RSV-Np). Materials and methods A total of 40 premolar teeth therapeutically extracted were assigned to four equal groups of n=10 each. Groups 1, 2, and 3 used experimental adhesives doped with silver, zinc oxide, and resveratrol nanoparticles, respectively. Group 4 was bonded using unmodified adhesive. The bonded teeth were then subjected to shear bond strength (SBS) testing which was measured using a Universal Testing Machine (model no. UNITEST-10; Pune, India: ACME Engineers). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.), employing one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test for pairwise comparisons. Results Shear bond strength testing revealed that the control group with unmodified adhesive (8.6 MPa) had the highest SBS, followed by RSV-Np (7.6 MPa), Ag-Np (6.3 MPa), and ZnO-Np (5.65 MPa). Although the experimental groups demonstrated decreased SBS compared to the control, the values for Ag-Np and RSV-Np fell within the acceptable range. Conclusion Resveratrol nanoparticles had the least impact on shear bond strength among the experimental groups. These findings suggest that the incorporation of resveratrol nanoparticles in dentin bonding agents can provide anti-cariogenic effect without significantly impacting the adhesive's mechanical properties thereby providing a new and promising alternative to synthetic nanoparticles. Further studies are recommended to optimize the balance between anti-microbial efficacy and bond strength in clinical applications.

Effect of fluoride on mechanical properties of NiTi and CuNiTi orthodontic archwires: an in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: After debonding, white spot may appear on the area below the bracket, which is the early clinical sign of carious lesion. There is increased caries risk underneath and adjacent to orthodontic bands and brackets, which call for maximum use of caries preventive procedures using various fluoride application methods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate alterations in the mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity and yield strength) in loading and unloading phases for different orthodontic archwires (nickel-titanium [NiTi] and copper-nickel-titanium [CuNiTi]) when exposed routinely to fluoride prophylactic agents for a predetermined period of time. METHODS: Preformed rectangular NiTi and CuNiTi wires were immersed in fluoride solution and artificial saliva (control) for 90 minutes at 37ºC. After immersion, specimens were tested using a 3-point bend test on a universal testing machine. RESULTS: There is a significant reduction in the unloading yield strength when the NiTi and CuNiTi wires were exposed to APF gel. CONCLUSION: The result suggests that use of topical fluoride agents affect the mechanical properties of the wires, leading to increase in treatment duration. Fluoride prophylactic agents must be used with caution in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Injudicious use of these agents may cause corrosive effects on the orthodontic wire surfaces, with alteration in their mechanical properties.

Invitro Study of the Effect of Different Samples of Water Used for Washing the Etchant on Bracket Bond Strength.

BACKGROUND: Bonding is a very important step in the orthodontic treatment planning. Effective bonding enhances the treatment by reducing the bond failure and thereby reducing the treatment duration and also increases efficiency in orthodontic mechanics. The success of the bonded brackets is negatively affected by contamination with oral fluids such as blood and saliva. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of hardness of water used in removing the etchant on the bracket bond strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy five extracted premolars were divided in three groups of 25 each. The teeth in all the three groups were etched with 35% phosphoric acid. The etchant in each of the group I, II and III was removed using distilled water (soft), corporation water (moderately hard) and hard water respectively. Stainless steel brackets were attached using light cure bonding agent (transbond XT, 3M UNITEK) and cured for 10sec with a light cure unit. The shear bond strength was evaluated by mechanical testing machine. Statistically significant differences were defined for p < 0.05. RESULT: The results showed significant increase in bond strength in samples where in soft water was used for cleaning the etchant on the bonding surface. CONCLUSION: Hardness of water used for washing the etchant affects the bracket bond strength. Shear bond strength of soft water is significantly increased compared to moderately hard and very hard water.

Maxillomandibular plane angle bisector (MM) adjunctive to occlusal plane to evaluate anteroposterior measurement of dental base.

AIM: This study was undertaken to analyze the clinical usefulness of the maxillomandibular bisector, its reproducibility, its validity and its relationship to the functional occlusal plane, the bisecting occlusal plane and the nature of its cant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty pretreatment lateral cephalograms, each of adolescents (above 18 years of age) and children (10- 12 years), seeking orthodontic treatment were randomly selected and the Wits technique of anteroposterior measurement was used to compare A-B values measured to the new plane with those measured to the functional occlusal plane (FOP) and to the traditional or bisecting occlusal plane (BOP). RESULTS: Present study showed that MM bisector plane is more reproducible and valid reference plane, than the FOP and BOP. CONCLUSION: A new plane, geometrically derived from the dental base planes, has been tested as an occlusal plane substitute for the measurement of anteroposterior jaw relationships. It lies close to but at an angle and inferior to the traditional occlusal planes and is highly reproducible at all times. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Maxillomandibular planes angle bisector may be a useful adjunct for the cephalometric assessment of sagittal relationship of the patient.

Effect of fluoride prophylactic agents on the surface topography of NiTi and CuNiTi wires.

AIM: The aim of this study was to see the effect of topical fluoride on surface texture on nickel-titanium and copper-nickel-titanium orthodontic archwires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preformed rectangular NiTi and CuNiTi wires were immersed in in fluoride solution and artificial saliva (control) for 90 minutes at 37°C. after immersion optical microscope was used to see the fluoride effect on the wire topography. RESULTS: The acidulated fluoride agents appeared to cause greater corrosive effects as compared to the neutral fluoride agents. CONCLUSION: The result suggest that using topical fluoride agents leads to corrosion of surface topography indirectly affecting the mechanical properties of the wire that will lead to prolonged orthodontic treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The use of topical fluoride agents has to be limited in patients with prolonged orthodontic treatment as it causes the corrosion of the NiTi and CuNiTi wires.