Skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes after stabilization splint treatment for patients with temporomandibular joint disorders.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a grouping of heterogeneous disorders with multifactorial origins. Stabilization splints (SS) have demonstrated an acceptable treatment effect in TMD. The possible changes at the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue levels need to be addressed to evaluate the benefit/risk ratio of this therapeutic procedure. Accordingly, this study aimed to three­dimensionally evaluate skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes after SS treatment for patients with TMD. METHODS: This retrospective study included 74 adult patients with myofascial and/or intra-articular disorders (25 males and 49 females), with an average age of 22.88 ± 4.8 years, who underwent SS treatment. Pre- and post-treatment Cone beam computed tomography were analysed using Invivo 6.0.3 software. The primary outcome was the vertical skeletal and dentoalveolar changes, while the secondary outcomes were the anteroposterior skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: For the primary outcome; skeletally, there was a significant increase in mandibular plane inclination (difference: 0.82°±1.37), decrease facial height ratio (difference: 0.45%±1.07) and at the dentoalveolar level, the inclination of the functional (FOP-SN, FOP-FH) and bisecting (BOP-SN, BOP-FH) occlusal planes exhibited a significant increase too (difference: 0.38 ± 1.43°, 0.49 ± 1.62°, 0.44 ± 1.29° and 0.41 ± 1.17°, respectively) and also a decrease in the overbite (difference: -0.54 ± 0.83). For the secondary outcomes; there was a significant decrease in mandibular position (SNB) (difference: 1.60 ± 1.36°) and increase in the overjet (difference: 0.93 ± 1.04, p < 0.001) and a significant lower lip retrusion (difference: 0.33 ± 1.01 mm p < 0.01), was observed too. CONCLUSIONS: SS therapy resulted in significant vertical skeletal and dentoalveolar changes that were manifested mainly by facial height ratio, mandibular and occlusal plane changes, and to a lesser extent, significant anteroposterior skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue changes in the form of mandibular position, increased overjet and a more retrusive lower lip. These changes should be considered during patients' selection prior to initiating SS therapy.

Effects of eruption guidance appliance in the early treatment of Class III malocclusion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the dentoskeletal effects and effectiveness of the eruption guidance appliance in Class III patients in the mixed dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental group comprised 22 patients with Class III malocclusion and anterior cross-bite (12 males, 10 females, mean age 7.63 ± 0.96 years) treated with the eruption guidance appliance over a mean period of 1.72 ± 0.48 years. The control group comprised 22 untreated subjects (12 males, 10 females, mean age 7.21 ± 0.60 years) with Class III malocclusion. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained at pretreatment (T1) and posttreatment (T2). Intergroup comparisons were performed with Mann-Whitney and t-tests (P < .05). RESULTS: In the experimental and control groups, the anteroposterior relationship between the maxilla and mandible (ANB angle) remained stable during the treatment period (T1 to T2). The mandibular plane angle decreased in the experimental group and increased in the control group. In the experimental group, the lower anterior face height increase and maxillary molar vertical development were significantly smaller compared to controls. Positive overjet was achieved in 54% of the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: The eruption guidance appliance produced no change in the skeletal anteroposterior relationship. The anterior cross-bite/edge-to-edge relationship was corrected in only about half of the treated subjects.

Occlusal characteristics in modern humans with tooth agenesis.

Non-syndromic permanent tooth agenesis affects a significant proportion of the population, especially if third molars are considered. Although tooth agenesis has been linked to a smaller craniofacial size, reduced facial convexity and a shorter skeletal face, the occlusal characteristics of individuals with tooth agenesis remain largely unexplored. Therefore, this study investigated potential associations between tooth agenesis and metric occlusal traits in 806 individuals (491 with 4.1 missing teeth per subject, including third molars, and 315 without any tooth agenesis). Dentoskeletal morphology was defined through anatomical landmarks on pre-treatment cephalometric radiographs. Multivariate regression models, adjusted for sex and age, showed that tooth agenesis was significantly associated with a reduced overjet, an increased interincisal angle, and shorter upper and lower dental arch lengths, but not with overbite. Moreover, apart from reduced tooth length and dentoalveolar effects, as the number of missing teeth increased the upper front teeth were progressively retruded according to the craniofacial complex and to the face. Thus, tooth agenesis has a substantial influence on dental and occlusal characteristics, as well as on the sagittal position and inclination of anterior teeth. These findings emphasize the necessity for personalized, multidisciplinary approaches in individuals with multiple agenesis to successfully meet treatment goals.

Noninvasive conservative management of anterior open bite treated with TADs versus clear aligner therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Anterior open bite can be treated non-surgically via molar intrusion using temporary skeletal devices (TAD). Clear aligner therapy (CAT) is recognized as a viable therapeutic modality for non-extraction treatment of adults with mild open bite. This study aimed to compare the treatment effect and mechanisms of open bite closure between patients treated with braces and TADs double arch intrusion and those treated with CAT. Treatment success at T3 was based on 1- positive overbite on ceph; 2- Change in the vertical dimension 3- post treatment POSI score equal to zero. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The TAD group includes 18 consecutively treated patients from the main author. The CAT group consisted of 16 selected patients from three different orthodontists. The observation time points were as follows: pretreatment (T1), end of molar intrusion and positive overbite achieved (T2), end of treatment (T3), at least 6-month follow-up (T4). Treatment changes were assessed by cephalometric analysis and frontal intraoral photo. RESULTS: At the end of treatment, 100% of the patient of the TAD group and 78,6% of the CAT group had a posi score of 0. The TAD group showed a significant reduction in vertical measurements (SN-MPA: -1,55° ± 0.41, LAFH: -3,05 ± 0.51 mm, U6-PP: -1.48 ± 0.30 mm), but the CAT group did not have significant changes for these variables. Both groups had significant increases in overbite from T1 to T3 (TAD: 4,32 ± 0,5 mm; CAT: 2,33 ± 0.56 mm), and overbite remained stable at T4. The CAT group did not have a significant upper molar intrusion, but a significant extrusion of 1.22 ± 0.42 mm of the lower incisor occurred. CONCLUSION: The TAD group achieved bite closure by upper molar intrusion, lower molar and incisors vertical control, and mandibular plane counterclockwise rotation, resulting in an improved AP and vertical relationship. The CAT group achieved bite closure through the lower incisor extrusion without significant change in the vertical dimension. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides relevant information about the skeletal and dental changes of open bite treatment with TADs double arch intrusion. The comparison with a control group treated with CAT confirms known information.

Does aligner refinement have the same efficiency in deep bite correction?: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Refinements are very common in clear aligner treatments. The aim of this study is to assess whether the predictability of deep overbite correction is similar over several refinements using clear aligners (Invisalign, Align Technology, San Jose, Calif) and examine the accuracy of vertical movement and inclination change of individual teeth. METHODS: This retrospective study included 20 deep bite patients (7M and 13F; 32.63 ± 11.88 years old; an initial overbite of 5.09 ± 0.98 mm), consecutively treated from September 2016 and March 2023, who completed at least two sets of aligners, including refinements. The initial, predicted, and achieved models were exported from ClinCheck or OrthoCAD (Cadent Inc, Carlstadt, NJ) and superimposed via best-fit surface-based registration using SlicerCMF (version 4.9.0; cmf.slicer.org). We also examined 15 out of 20 patients who completed treatments. The overbite correction and changes in vertical movement and inclination for individual teeth were measured. Descriptive statistics and a paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test were performed. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean accuracy of overbite correction was 37.63% after 1st set, followed by 11.19%, 6.32%, and 13.80% (2nd-4th sets), respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the predicted and achieved vertical movements and inclination changes for all teeth for the 1st and 2nd sets. For the completed cases, the mean overbite correction was 38.54% compared to the initially planned overbite correction, which is similar to one of the 1st set. Still, the vertical movements and inclination changes of all teeth present statistically significant differences between the initially planned and finally achieved movements except for maxillary lateral incisor torque. CONCLUSIONS: The most overbite correction occurs during the 1st set of aligners, and refinement treatment does not significantly improve the deep bite correction.

Prevalence of malocclusion and oral health-related factors among pre-school children in Northern Albania.

The aim of the present study was to investigate prevalence and association between malocclusion and caries among pre-school children aged 4-6 years frequenting public kindergartens in Shkodër, the largest city in North Albania. The sample for this descriptive and cross-sectional study included 389 pre-school children aged 4-6 years frequenting 20 public kindergartens in Shkodër, the largest city in North Albania. The participants were divided into two groups according to their caries experience evaluated, as determined by decayed-missing-filled index dmf (World Health Organization criteria) score. Those with dmf score of zero were considered to be free of caries. The prevalence of children with at least one malocclusion trait was 89%. The prevalence of caries was 66% (mean dmf score: 3.63). Increased overbite (43%), followed by increased overjet, were the most prevalent malocclusion traits observed in children with a dmf of zero. Among children with caries, the most prevalent trait was increased overjet (42%) and increased overbite. Almost half of the entire study population had a straight terminal plane and class I canine relationship. There was a similar prevalence of bilateral crossbite. Significant changes (p = 0.008) were observed between the groups with regards to the absence of spacing in the maxillary anterior region. Regression analysis further revealed that children with an absence of maxillary spacing were 2.564-fold more likely to have caries; those with a deepbite were 0.814-fold more likely to have caries. More than half of the children had caries. Increased overjet, overbite, crossbite and maxillary crowding were malocclusion traits observed in the population included in this study. A positive association was identified between maxillary crowding, deepbite and caries. The association between malocclusion and caries, highlights the necessity for an increased awareness of these two conditions that are commonly found among children of pre-school age.

Autistic individuals have worse oral status than neurotypical controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dental caries, oral hygiene, periodontal status, bruxism, malocclusion, tooth loss, and salivary alterations between autistic and typical developing individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational studies presenting clinical measures of oral outcomes between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) individuals and controls. EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest were searched up to June 26, 2023. Pairs of reviewers independently conducted study selection, data extraction, and assessments of methodological quality and certainty of evidence. Meta-analyses of standardized mean differences (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) were performed. RESULTS: A total of 47 studies comprising 6885 autistic individuals were included in the review. Autistic individuals had significantly higher severity of dental-caries experience in primary teeth (SMD 0.29, 95%CI 0.02, 0.56), of dental plaque presence (SMD 0.59, 95%CI 0.24, 0.94), and of gingivitis (SMD 0.45, 95%CI 0.02, 0.88). Autistic individuals showed higher probability of occurrence of gingivitis (RR 1.34, 95%CI 1.08, 1.66,), bruxism (RR 4.23, 95%CI 2.32, 7.74), overjet (RR 2.16, 95%CI 1.28, 3.64), overbite (RR 1.62, 95%CI 1.02, 2.59), crossbite (RR 1.48, 95%CI 1.02, 2.13), and openbite (RR 2.37, 95%CI 1.46, 3.85), when compared to neurotypical individuals. Most estimates showed a small effect size with very low certainty of evidence. CONCLUSION: Autistic individuals show worse oral health status than controls. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings reported herein can help to build health policies to better serve autistic individuals including prevention actions and access to specialized dental care.

Oro-facial function and quality of life in children and adolescents with large horizontal maxillary overjet-A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Large horizontal maxillary overjet (overjet) is associated with reduced bite force (BF) and number of contacts, which influence the chewing effectivity (CE). Oral health, oro-facial function (OF) and malocclusion have great impact on psychological well-being and quality of life (QoL). OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to examine OF, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), BF, CE, QoL and well-being in children and adolescents with large overjet. METHODS: The study was a case-control study including healthy children with large overjet in the study group compared to a control group of healthy children with neutral occlusion, all 9-14 years old. OF was examined by use of Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S), Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and registration of morphological and functional occlusion. QoL and well-being were examined using KIDSCREEN-10 and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. RESULTS: The study and control groups included 37 and 32 participants, respectively. Significantly increased NOT-S score (p < .001) and reduced BF (p = .011), numbers of contacts (p < .001) and CE (p = .005) were found in the study group. BF, numbers of contacts and CE were negatively associated with erupting canines and premolars. No significant difference was found in age, gender, dental eruption, TMD diagnosis or QoL between the groups. Significantly increased emotional symptoms (p = .007), hyperactivity (p = .043) and total difficulties score (p = .009) were found in the study group. CONCLUSION: The study group showed higher NOT-S score and reduced BF, number of contacts and CE. No difference in QoL were found between the groups, although reduced well-being and increased emotional symptoms, hyperactivity and total difficulties were found in the study group.

Dentoalveolar effects of skeletally anchored extrusion arch in anterior open bite patients: A prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective clinical trial was to explore the dental and soft tissue changes accompanying the use of skeletally anchored nickel-titanium (NiTi) extrusion arch in the correction of anterior open bite (AOB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty female patients with a mean age of 16.5 ± 1.5 years and a mean dentoalveolar AOB of 2.38±0.7 mm participated in this study. All patients were treated with an maxillary 0.017×0.025-in NiTi extrusion arch, with the aid of miniscrews inserted between the maxillary second premolars and first molars bilaterally, to act as indirect anchorage. Three-dimensional digital models and lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken just before the insertion of the extrusion arch (T0) and after 10 months (T1). Paired-sample t-tests were used in analyzing the data, to evaluate the changes after treatment (T1-T0). A significance level of p < 0.05 was used. RESULTS: AOB was successfully closed in all patients, with a 4.35 ± 0.61 mm increase in the overbite. Maxillary incisors significantly extruded (2.52 ± 1.02 mm) and significantly reclined (5.78 ± 0.77°), with a resultant decrease in the overjet of 1.58 ± 0.5mm. A significant intrusion of maxillary first molars with no change in their inclination was observed. The upper lip showed a significant retraction tendency to the E-plane, and a significant increase in the nasolabial angle was observed. CONCLUSION: The skeletally anchored NiTi extrusion arch was an effective technique in treating AOB, with no adverse effects on the molars.

Comparison of posttreatment stability after total mandibular arch distalization with mini-implants and mandibular setback surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To compare posttreatment stability in skeletal Class III patients between those treated by total mandibular arch distalization (TMAD) with buccal mini-implants and those by mandibular setback surgery (MSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples included 40 Class III adults, 20 treated by TMAD using buccal interradicular mini-implants and 20 treated with MSS. Lateral cephalograms were taken at pretreatment, posttreatment, and at least 1-year follow-up, and 24 variables were compared using statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mandibular first molars moved distally 1.9 mm with intrusion of 1.1 mm after treatment in the TMAD group. The mandibular incisors moved distally by 2.3 mm. The MSS group exhibited a significant skeletal change of the mandible, whereas the TMAD group did not. During retention, there were no skeletal or dental changes other than 0.6 mm labial movement of the mandibular incisors (P < .05) in the MSS group. There was 1.4° of mesial tipping (P < .01) and 0.4 mm of mesial movement of the mandibular molars and 1.9° of labial tipping (P < .001) and 0.8 mm of mesial movement of the mandibular incisors in the TMAD group. These dental changes were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The TMAD group showed a slightly decreased overjet with labial tipping of the mandibular incisors and mesial tipping of the first molars during retention. Posttreatment stability of the mandibular dentition was not significantly different between the groups. It can be useful to plan camouflage treatment by TMAD with mini-implants in mild-to-moderate Class III patients.

Biomechanical and clinical considerations in deep bite treatment using temporary skeletal anchorage devices.

Deep bite is usually treated by intrusion of the anterior teeth, extrusion of the posterior teeth, or a combination thereof. Various traditional methods have been used to correct deep bites, but they can cause negative side effects. Recently, temporary skeletal anchorage devices (TSADs) have been used to intrude the anterior teeth simply and efficiently without side effects. The amount of incisal exposure at rest should be considered as the first factor in determining which tooth segment should be intruded to correct a deep bite. The center of resistance of the anterior teeth should be considered to achieve the proper biomechanics when intruding them. The location of TSADs should be determined to ensure sufficient interradicular bone to achieve the desired tooth movement. Therefore, clinicians should understand the biomechanical and clinical considerations to correct a deep bite using TSADs.

Does age influence deep overbite correction with Invisalign? A prospective study evaluating mandibular incisor intrusion in adolescents vs adults.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of mandibular incisor intrusion with Invisalign (Align Technology, Santa Clara, Calif) in adolescents to that in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 58 patients treated with either Invisalign Teen or Invisalign Full. Mandibular central and lateral incisors were measured on digital models created from intraoral scans. Predicted values were determined by superimposing the initial and final ClinCheck models, and achieved values were determined by superimposing the initial ClinCheck models and the digital models from the final scans. Individual teeth were superimposed with a best-fit analysis and measured using Compare software (version 8.1; GeoDigm, Falcon Heights, Minn). RESULTS: The mean accuracies of mandibular incisor intrusion were 63.5% in adolescents and 45.3% in adults, and this difference was statistically significant. The amounts of achieved intrusion were 1.7 mm in adolescents and 0.9 mm in adults, and this difference was also statistically significant. Overall, there was a weak negative correlation between age and accuracy; as age advanced, the accuracy of mandibular incisor intrusion diminished slightly. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular incisor intrusion with Invisalign is significantly more accurate in adolescents than in adults. Orthodontists could contemplate reducing the degree of overcorrection for mandibular incisor intrusion in adolescents with deep overbites undergoing Invisalign Teen but still implementing the reverse curve of Spee mechanics.

Adult female skeletal anterior open bite treated by customized lingual orthodontic appliance with miniscrews-assisted in vertical control for perfect orthodontic compensation: A case report with 5-year follow-up.

The benefits of lingual orthodontics go beyond appearance. In this case study, a 30-year-old female patient was treated with a custom lingual orthodontic appliance for a Class II high-angle malocclusion, anterior open bite, incisor biprotrusion and crossbite, unilateral second molar scissor bite and dysfunctional tongue thrust. To achieve a counterclockwise rotation of the mandible, implant anchorage was used to control the vertical height. To complete the compensatory therapy, four first premolars were removed. As well as ensuring aesthetics over the 20-month treatment period, the treatment also established a Class I molar relationship, normal overbite and overjet, and improved the facial profile. After a five-year follow-up, the treatment results remained stable.

Orthodontic correction of anterior open bite using skeletal anchorage: systematic review and meta-analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the scientific evidence on the short- and long-term effects of orthodontic correction of anterior open bite (AOB) using skeletal anchorage (SA). Clinical studies on the use of SA for AOB in patients with permanent dentition, or at least 12 years of age, were searched. Short- and long-term (≥2 years) outcomes were collected. Mean differences were calculated from pooled data. Twenty-four eligible articles with a total of 362 subjects were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis. There was a significant increase in overbite (3.88 mm, P < 0.001) and maxillary molar intrusion (-2.15 mm, P < 0.001). The mandible showed counterclockwise rotation with anterosuperior chin movement (all P < 0.001). Long term, the decrease in overbite was 19.9% and decrease in molar intrusion was 22.9%. The decrease in the mandibular projection was 14.6% for ANB (A-point-nasion-B-point angle) and 46.2% for mandibular anteroposterior position. The overall risk of bias in the included studies was rated as moderate to high, and publication bias existed for several key variables. SA for maxillary molar intrusion effectively improved dental and skeletal outcomes, but there was a long-term decrease in overbite and maxillary molar position. The variable data quality, heterogeneity, and publication bias in investigated outcomes are limitations in interpreting the findings.

Predicted and achieved overjet and overbite measurements with the Invisalign appliance: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether achieved outcome regarding overjet and overbite matched the predicted outcome following treatment with Invisalign (Align Technology, San Jose, Calif) aligner appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data including pretreatment, predicted and achieved overjet, and overbite measurements provided by Align's digital treatment facility, ClinCheck Pro, were evaluated. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum intraclass correlation (ICC) test results were calculated. RESULTS: From an initial sample of 600, 355 adult patients satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. ICC scores for data input were excellent. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 30.14 (23.33, 39.92) years and most (n = 259; 72.95%) were women. Almost one-third (n = 101; 28.45%) had undergone extraction as part of their treatment. More aligners were prescribed in the initial digital treatment plan for patients (median, 44; IQR: 35, 51.5; minimum, 17; maximum, 92) undergoing extractions as part of their orthodontic treatment than those who were not (median, 24; IQR: 18.25, 32; minimum, 13; maximum, 85) (P < .0001). Planned changes in overjet differed significantly from achieved outcomes (P < .001). Planned increases in overbite resulted in up to more than twice (222.72%) as much increase than predicted. Planned reduction of overbite achieved 8.69% of its predicted reduction in extraction cases. CONCLUSIONS: Achieved overjet and overbite measurements differed significantly from the predicted outcomes at the end of an initial sequence of aligners. Planned increases in overbite resulted in greater overbite correction than predicted, particularly in extraction cases. Planned overbite reduction was challenging, especially in patients with extractions.

Effect of functional appliances on sleep-disordered breathing in Class II division 1 malocclusion children: Randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to investigate the orthopaedic effect of functional appliances on the pharyngeal airway space and nocturnal breathing of children with skeletal class II due to mandibular retrusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients were randomized into a 1:1 ratio study (Twin block) group and a control (fixed appliance) group. Each group included equal numbers of boys and girls. Diagnosis with sleep-disordered breathing was not an inclusion criterion. The duration of the trial was 12 months (T0 - T12). Eligibility criteria included skeletal Class II division 1 malocclusion with mandibular retrognathism, SNA ≥82, SNB ≤78, ANB ≥4, overjet ≥6 mm, and patients in circumpubertal stage CVM2 and CVM3. The main outcomes were pharyngeal airway volume, oxygen desaturation index (ODI), and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), while the secondary outcomes were skeletal and dental changes of the maxilla and mandible. Randomization was accomplished with random blocks of 20 patients with allocation concealed in sequentially numbered, opaque, and sealed envelopes. Blinding was only applicable for data analysis of radiographic measurements and data extracted from the pulse oximeter. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 10 ± 1.5 and 10 ± 1.2 at (T0) for the Twin Block and the control groups, respectively. The changes in the oropharyngeal (2.66 cc and 0.056; P = .03) and nasopharyngeal (1.3 cc and 0.84; P = .053) airway volumes for the Twin block and control groups, respectively, were significantly different for the oropharynx. There was a significant decrease in ODI by [median -3.55 (-5.05 to 0.50); P ≤ .001] and a significant increase [median 45 (0.0-110); P ≤ .001] in MEP for the Twin block group. A significant inverse correlation (r = -.589; P = .006) could be found between the total volume of the oropharynx and ODI. No serious harm was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The Twin block group showed significant change in oropharyngeal airway volume and improvement of nocturnal breathing. REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov, registration number NCT04255511.

Loss of attachments in patients during orthodontic therapy with clear aligners: A prospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the loss rate of attachments and investigate its probable influencing factors in patients during orthodontic therapy with clear aligners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 55 patients treated with clear aligners were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. The loss rate of attachments was evaluated after a 6-month follow-up since the initial bonding was finished. The attachment survival curves were gone through Kaplan-Meier estimates. The Cox regression model with shared frailty was conducted to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) for the following factors, including sex, age, dental malocclusion, vertical skeletal pattern, anterior overbite, operators, tooth extraction, attachment amount, arch, tooth position and attachment type. RESULTS: There were a total of 47 patients (14 males and 33 females; and mean age: 26.77 ± 8.45) in which 722 attachments were involved in the final analysis. During the 6-month follow-up, 99 attachments were lost by 40 participants. The overall loss rate was 13.7%. The loss of attachments was more common in the early months of therapy. During the first 2 months, 71 attachments were lost. The loss rate of attachments was not significantly affected by sex, age, dental malocclusion, vertical skeletal pattern, anterior overbite, operators, tooth extraction, attachment amount and attachment type (P > 0.05). The loss rate of mandibular attachments was 1.8 times that of maxillary attachments (HR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.8; P = 0.009). The loss rate of molar attachments was 5.5 times that of incisor attachments (HR = 5.5; 95% CI: 1.6-19; P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: During the first 6 months, the overall loss rate of attachments was 13.7%. In the early months of therapy, loss of attachments was more common. The loss rate decreased as treatment time increased. Loss of attachments was significantly affected by arch and tooth position, with higher loss rates in the mandibular arch and molars. Besides, loss of attachments was not affected by sex, age, dental malocclusion, vertical skeletal pattern, anterior overbite, operators, tooth extraction, attachment amount and attachment type.

Risk factors associated with traumatic dental injuries in individuals with special healthcare needs-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Individuals with special healthcare needs (SHCN) are more likely to sustain traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) due to distinct risk factors. The aim of this review was to assess various risk factors associated with TDIs in individuals with SHCN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protocol was designed according to the recommendations of the Cochrane-handbook, Joanna Briggs Institute, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022357422). A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, EMBASE and Scopus using a pre-defined strategy without any limitation of language and year of publication. It was last updated on 25 April 2023. Studies addressing the TDIs in individuals with SHCN were included. Data extraction and analyses were performed, risk of bias (ROB) assessment was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool, and a meta-analysis was performed using random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were included in the review. They were categorized according to the target disease/condition: cerebral palsy (n = 5), ADHD and autism spectrum disorders (n = 5), visually impaired (n = 4), and multiple disorders (n = 7). The studies showed variability in the design and methods; however, 17 out of 21 studies showed moderate to low ROB. Increased overjet and lip incompetence were the main risk factors reported in the studies. The commonest injuries were observed to be enamel and enamel and dentine fractures. CONCLUSION: The overall pooled prevalence of TDI in individuals with special healthcare needs was 23.16% with 20.98% in males and 27.06% in females. Overjet >3 mm and inadequate lip coverage were found to be associated with a higher risk of TDI in all the categories of individuals with special healthcare needs except ADHD and ASD. Falls at home in cerebral palsy, falls while walking and self-harm in ADHD and ASD, falls at home and collision in visual impairment, and unspecified falls in multiple disorders could be identified as the most common cause of TDI.

The effect of vertical skeletal proportions on overbite changes in untreated adolescents: a longitudinal evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the change in overbite within an untreated cohort from 9 to 18 years of age and to compare age-related changes in overbite depth based on vertical skeletal proportion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lateral cephalograms were obtained from the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation (AAOF) Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collection Project. All cephalometric outcome measures were assessed at ages 9-11 (T1), 13-15 (T2), and 17-19 (T3) years. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression models were fit to examine the effect of MP-SN on overbite adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: A total of 130 subjects from the Denver, Bolton Brush, and Oregon Growth Studies were included. Overbite was relatively constant from T1 to T3 irrespective of facial type, with a minor decrease (0.15 mm) being observed overall. There was a transient increase between T1 and T2 (0.31 mm) that was canceled out by changes during later adolescence. Based on the GEE regression model adjusted for time and gender, a minor but statistically significantly greater reduction in overbite arose as MP-SN increased (coefficient = -0.080; 95% confidence interval -0.12, -0.04; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In hyperdivergent subjects, a marginal decrease in overbite was observed from 9 to 18 years of age, with a transient increase from the period spanning 9-11 years to 13-15 years, which was negated in later adolescence. There are limited data to suggest that observation of vertical growth is required in most patients with marginally increased vertical facial proportions in the juvenile and pubertal phases.