Bibliometric study of articles on skeletal Class II malocclusions published in four high impact factor journals.

OBJECTIVE: Perform a bibliometric analysis of the orthodontic literature on skeletal Class II malocclusions during the first decade of the 21st century. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational, and comprehensive study ranging from January the first 2001 to December 31 2010, based on the articles published in four high impact factor orthodontic journals: Angle Orthod, OCR, EJO, and AJODO (Quotation Report Newspaper of the Scientific Information Institute). RESULTS: In the 4565 reviewed articles, only 338 were published on Class II malocclusions. Brazil, the United States, Turkey, and Germany are the nationalities, which have published the most. The cross-sectional descriptive studies represent 33%, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) 10.5%, meta-analyses 0.3%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Kanavakis et al. (2006) reported 72.34% of original articles, 2.83% of synthetic reviews, 8.89% of case reports, and 15.75% of unclassifiable articles. In conclusion, searchers in Orthodontics are invited to publish more clinical trials on skeletal Class II malocclusions.

Prevalence of malocclusions and orthodontic treatment need in 8- to 12-year-old schoolchildren in Casablanca, Morocco.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of malocclusions and orthodontic treatment need among schoolchildren in Casablanca, Morocco. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 1000 children aged between 8 and 12 years, with no history of orthodontic treatment, was chosen at random in state schools in different administrative areas of the city of Casablanca. Data was registered using the method of Bjork et al. (1964). Orthodontic treatment need was assessed with the index used by the Swedish National Board of Health (SweNBH). RESULTS: We found Angle Class I malocclusions in 61.4%, Class II in 24%, Class III in 10% and an indeterminate molar class with one or more missing molars in 4.6% of the children. Overjet was 1-4mm in 63.8%, 4-6 mm in 17.2% and >6 mm in 10%. Bite was normal in 65.4%, 23.6% presented an overbite greater than 4 mm, 1.7% an anterior open bite ≤3 mm, 1.2% an anterior open bite >3 mm and 0.2% a bilateral open bite. Half of the sample presented anterior crowding, while only 2.5% presented posterior crowding. In all, 84.2% of the subjects needed some orthodontic treatment, and 15.8% needed no treatment. No statistically significant difference was found between sex or age and orthodontic treatment need (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a strong need for orthodontic treatment, confirming the utility of implementing a programme of bucco-dental prevention and screening for malocclusion.

Change in nickel levels in the saliva of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys are used frequently in orthodontics. Nickel release thus poses a problem on account of the biological effects it may have. The aim of our paper is to evaluate levels of nickel released into saliva by fixed orthodontic appliances. To this end, we performed an in vivo study on 16 patients (eight boys, eight girls). Nickel levels in saliva were evaluated by mass spectrometry before appliance placement, just after placement, and 8 weeks after placement. Results showed a significant increase in nickel levels just after NiTi archwire insertion. However, the difference was non-significant 8 weeks later. Certain studies concur with ours, showing appreciable changes in concentration, but with no significant difference. Others, though, have shown a statistically significant difference. In conclusion, orthodontic appliances release nickel ions mainly at the start of orthodontic treatment.

Cephalometric norms for a Moroccan population.

This is a descriptive cephalometric study aimed at contributing to the establishment of Steiner analysis cephalometric norms for a patient population from the Center for Dental Treatment and Consultation (CCTD) at the Ibn Rochd Hospital Center in Casablanca, Morocco. Teleradiography was used to obtain lateral cephalograms of 71 young adults (47 women; 24 men) aged on average 22.73 ± 1.69 years. All subjects presented good facial harmony, an acceptable profile, and dental class I with no history of orthodontic treatment. Tracing and analysis followed. The resulting means and standard deviations were compared to Steiner's norms and norms from similar studies. This revealed certain particularities in our sample, the most notable being a greater skeletal sagittal discrepancy (indicating a class II tendency), labial crown tipping of the lower incisors, and a retruded position of the maxillary and mandibular bony bases. These features should be taken into account when diagnosing and treating patients at the CCTD. However, more exhaustive studies must be performed before these results can be generalized to the Casablancan or Moroccan populations as a whole.

Evaluation of facial esthetics by a panel of professionals and a lay panel.

The daily business of every orthodontist is to correct malocclusions and the patient's accompanying unesthetic appearance, thus enhancing his/her social integration and boosting their self-esteem. Consequently, we considered it necessary to have the facial esthetics of the Moroccan population assessed by two panels, one a lay group representing the general public, the other a panel of professionals. We conducted a transverse descriptive inquiry on 100 students from the Casablanca School of Dental Medicine. Views showing the full face, profile and three-quarters smile were submitted for evaluation by the lay and professional panels. Statistical comparison showed a significant correlation between the two panels. Cephalometric findings of the eight cases judged to be the most attractive were compared with Steiner analysis and showed concordance for the majority of the measurements studied. Likewise, comparison of the opinions of the male and female sections of the panels demonstrated significant concordance.

Evaluation of dental plaque control in patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances: a clinical study.

Multibracket orthodontic appliances increase dental plaque retention and make teethbrushing more difficult for patients. As a result, advice from the orthodontist on oral hygiene along with patient motivation regarding teethbrushing are particularly important. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of electric toothbrushes with that of manual brushing associated with mouth-rinses comprising chlorhexidine (0.12%) and 0% alcohol. To this end, 84 patients receiving current orthodontic treatment were randomly selected from patients treated at the Dento-Facial Orthopedics department in the Casablanca Dental Consultation and Treatment Center. Selected patients were divided into three groups: Group 1: manual teethbrushing; Group 2: electric teethbrushing; Group 3: manual brushing combined with mouth rinse. Oral hygiene was assessed using the Loe-Silness plaque and gingival indices. Measurements were made before and 4 weeks after the observation period. Results were subjected to statistical comparison in order to determine the group showing greatest improvement and to deduce the best means of controlling bacterial plaque. The electric toothbrush and the chlorhexidine mouth rinse appear to control dental plaque more effectively than manual teethbrushing alone. Following this study, patients receiving multibracket treatment were invited to combine manual brushing with short clinical mouth-rinsing sessions or to use an electric toothbrush.