Comparison of the Bleached and Non-Bleached Teeth for the Adhesive Boosters for the Orthodontic Bonding: An Original Research.

Introduction: The bleaching of the teeth is known to reduce the bonding of the orthodontic brackets. Hence, this in vitro study was piloted to analyze if there was any variance between the teeth that were and were not bleached when the adhesive boosters were used and for its effect on the shear bond strength. Materials and Procedures: Hundred premolars (maxillary) that had been excised were randomly split into two groups: bleached teeth and unbleached teeth. The bleaching agent was gel composed of 22% carbamide peroxide. Maxillary premolar brackets were bonded, and each group was subdivided as control and adhesive booster Enhance LC groups. A universal testing device was used for debonding. The SBS thus recorded was compared for the subgroups and groups. Results: Significant variance was obtained for between the groups and between the subgroups. Higher bond strength was for the non-bleached teeth than the bleached teeth and was seen in the adhesive booster subgroup than the control group. Conclusion: In summary, adhesive boosters dramatically raised the shear bond strength of teeth irrespective of the bleaching. Further in vivo studies are suggested.

Development and psychometric validation of the orthodontic health literacy tool.

Introduction: Over the past few years, there has been increasing emphasis on context-specific health literacy. However, no such context-specific psychometric tools are available with regard to oral health literacy. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an Orthodontic Health Literacy Tool (Orth-HLT). Materials and Methods: After development of initial item pool, the items were assessed for content validity. The final tool consisted of 22 items in the four domains of functional, communicative, critical orthodontic health literacy, and orthodontic knowledge. Orth-HLT was administered to a convenience sample of 642 subjects. The data were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using IBM SPSS Version 20.0 software and IBM SPSS Amos 26.0, respectively. Pearson's correlation, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were performed. Results: Orth-HLT demonstrated good face and content validity. The domain-specific internal consistency reliability values were optimal. Exploratory factor analysis on the items in all four domains resulted in a single factor solution. Four models were evaluated in the confirmatory factor analysis; the correlated factors model showed best model fit indices. Each domain of Orth-HLT showed moderate to strong positive correlation with Indian Oral Health Literacy Measure in Telugu indicating the convergent validity of the tool. Conclusion: Orth-HLT is the first context-specific oral health literacy tool and demonstrates strong psychometric properties, which could be used to evaluate orthodontic health literacy and articulate orthodontic health education materials in an informed manner.

Role of Orthodontic Tooth Movement on Temporomandibular Joint: An Original Research.

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment may bring about changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc. Hence, we aim to assess the impact of the orthodontic tooth movement on the articular disc repositioning of TMJ. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational prospective study among 50 class IIdiv-I subjects. The magnetic resonance images were used to evaluate TMJ during the orthodontic treatments. The phases were T1-start of treatment, T2-thru phase I, T3-at the end of phase I, and T4-at the end of phase II. The qualitative values were compared for the disc changes. Results: No significant changes in the disc position or the regression were seen with open or closed mouth between T1-T3, T3-T4, and T1-T4. Significant variation for the position of the disc was seen in the opened mouth between T3-T4. Significant variation for the form of the disc was seen when closed at T1-T2 and T2-T3. Conclusions: Disc of the TMJ maintained the form and position during the treatments.

The influence of tobacco consumption on periodontal health: A stratified analysis based on type of tobacco use.

INTRODUCTION: Though the negative influence of tobacco consumption on the periodontal status of an individual is established, the magnitude of this association based on the type of tobacco used is seldom investigated. AIM: The aim of this study is to check the differences in the periodontal status of individuals based on their current tobacco consumption status and type of tobacco consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among subjects attending a teaching dental institution in Andhra Pradesh. Subjects were divided into three groups based on their current tobacco consumption status. The following parameters were recorded after examination by two calibrated investigators: number of sites with bleeding on probing; number of teeth with periodontal pockets; number of teeth with clinical attachment loss of ≥5 mm; number of teeth lost. SPSS version 20 software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: While current users demonstrated poor periodontal status than the former and nonusers, there was a significant difference in periodontal health between former users and nonusers in all the study parameters except the mean number of teeth lost. Among current users, the mean percentage of sites with bleeding and attachment loss >5 mm were found to be least among smokers compared to tobacco chewers and those who consume both smoke and smokeless forms of tobacco. CONCLUSION: The study confirms the negative influence of tobacco consumption on periodontal health and also establishes the increased destruction of clinical attachment levels among tobacco chewers compared to smokers.

Measuring the impact of COVID-19 on mental health as a preliminary procedure in primary care provision: A cross-sectional study using COVID-19 anxiety scale.

BACKGROUND: It is imperative to acknowledge that COVID-19 poses significant burden on the psychological well-being of people. With implementation of lockdown and measures like quarantine, the mental health of people is affected, and the associated problems may range from depression to suicidal ideation. With this background, the aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 anxiety among general population of the state of Andhra Pradesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed the COVID-19 anxiety among the population of Andhra Pradesh using COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS-7), a seven-item validated psychometric instrument which assesses the cognitive, emotional, and physiological dimensions of COVID-19 anxiety, using a semantic differential scale. The final sample constituted 1,346 participants. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20 software (IBM SPSS statistics for Windows version 20, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 36.13 ± 10.2 years, and 55.8% were males. The mean CAS-7 score in this study was found to be 18.9 ± 6.4. The item with highest mean scores was: "How concerned are you when people cough or sneeze because of the fear that you may acquire COVID-19?" No significant differences in CAS-7 scores were found based on gender, educational qualification of the participants, while significant differences were observed based on place of residence, presence of COVID-19 affected individuals in close surroundings, tobacco, and alcohol consumption. CONCLUSION: The results of this study inform that it is imperative for authorities and health care professionals to focus on the mental health aspect of COVID-19 and arrange for necessary support mechanisms.