Obstructive sleep apnea: What is an orthodontist's role?

BACKGROUND: The American Association of Orthodontists white paper on obstructive sleep apnea and orthodontics remains the most authoritative statement on the topic. This was produced in 2019 due to increasing orthodontic interest in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the lack of formal guidelines for orthodontists. Since the white paper's release, advocacy for contrarian ideas and practices remain. Orthodontists are sometimes acting as primary care providers for OSA. Procedures appropriate only for screening are sometimes being used for diagnosis. The side effects of effective treatments such as mandibular advancement devices need further consideration. Also, research has clarified the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of treatments such as palatal expansion. RESULTS: Part of an orthodontist's role is screening for OSA. The correct action when this is suspected remains referral to the appropriate physician specialist for diagnosis and treatment or coordination of treatment. Orthodontists may participate in the treatment of patients with OSA as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. Effective orthodontic treatments may include orthognathic surgery with maxillomandibular advancement and mandibular advancement devices. The negative effects of the latter make this a choice of last resort. Current research indicates that OSA alone is not sufficient indication for palatal expansion. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontists should appropriately screen for obstructive sleep apnea. This may be done as part of our health histories, our clinical examination, and review of radiographs taken for purposes other than the diagnosis and screening for OSA. Orthodontic treatment for OSA can be helpful and effective. However, this may be done only after referral to the appropriate physician specialist, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with consideration of the likely effectiveness of treatment, and after all likely and potential negative consequences have been considered and thoroughly discussed with the patient.

Interdisciplinary Role of Orthodontist in Screening and Managing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children and Adults.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can affect children and adults, and, if left untreated, could have a major impact on the general and overall well-being of the patient. Dental health care providers and orthodontists have an interdisciplinary role in screening patients at risk for OSA and make a referral to establish a definitive diagnosis by a sleep physician. The gold standard of diagnostic testing is polysomnography. The adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy is the primary cause of sleep apnea in children; therefore, adeno-tonsillectomy must be the first line of treatment. Post adeno-tonsillectomy, if there is residual OSA due to underlying skeletal discrepancy, the patient may be referred to an orthodontist for appropriate management. Currently the evidence in the literature for prophylactic growth modification in children to prevent OSA is weak. In adults, the gold standard for managing OSA is Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy; however, adherence to this treatment is rather low. The oral appliance (OA) therapy is an alternate for PAP intolerant patients and for mild to moderate OSA patients. The OA therapy has to be administered by a qualified dentist or orthodontist after careful examination of dental and periodontal health as well as any pre-existing joint conditions. The OA therapy could cause OA-associated malocclusion and patients have to be made aware of prior to initiating treatment. In patients with severe OSA, surgical maxilla-mandibular advancement (MMA) is highly effective.

Attractive combinations of female gingival displays, buccal corridor sizes, and facial heights according to orthodontists, dentists, and laypeople of different ages and sexes: a psychometric study.

INTRODUCTION: Esthetics plays a crucial role in orthodontics and many other dental and medical fields. To date, no study has assessed the combined effects of the 3 facial features 'facial height, gingival display (GD), and buccal corridor size (BC)' on facial/smile beauty. Therefore, this study was conducted for the first time. METHODS: In this psychometric diagnostic study, beauty of 27 randomized perceptometric images of a female model with variations in facial heights (short, normal, long), gingival displays (0, 2, 4, 6 mm), and buccal corridor sizes (2%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) were evaluated by 108 judges (36 orthodontists, 36 dentists, 36 laypeople) using a 5-scale Likert scale (1 to 5). Combined effects of facial heights, GDs, BCs, judges' sexes, ages, and jobs, and their 2-way interactions were tested using a mixed-model multiple linear regression and a Bonferroni test. Zones of ideal features were determined for all judges and also for each group using repeated-measures ANOVAs and the Bonferroni test (α=0.05). RESULTS: Judges' sex but not their age or expertise might affect their perception of female beauty: men gave higher scores. The normal face was perceived as more beautiful than the long face (the short face being the least attractive). Zero GD was the most attractive followed by 4 mm; 6 mm was the least appealing. BCs of 15% followed by 10% were the most attractive ones, while 25% BC was the worst. The zone of ideal anatomy was: long face + 0mm GD + 15% BC; normal face + 2mm GD + 15% BC; long face + 2mm GD + 15% BC; normal face + 0mm GD + 15% BC. CONCLUSIONS: Normal faces, zero GDs, and 15% BCs may be the most appealing. Facial heights affect the perception of beauty towards GDs but not BCs.

Enhancing skeletal stability and Class III correction through active orthodontist engagement in virtual surgical planning: A voxel-based 3-dimensional analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Skeletal stability after bimaxillary surgical correction of Class III malocclusion was investigated through a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the maxilla and the distal and proximal mandibular segments using a 3-dimensional voxel-based superimposition among virtual surgical predictions performed by the orthodontist in close communication with the maxillofacial surgeon and 12-18 months postoperative outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive secondary data analysis was conducted on deidentified preoperative (1 month before surgery [T1]) and 12-18 months postoperative (midterm [T2]) cone-beam computed tomography scans, along with virtual surgical planning (VSP) data obtained by Dolphin Imaging software. The sample for the study consisted of 17 patients (mean age, 24.8 ± 3.5 years). Using 3D Slicer software, automated tools based on deep-learning approaches were used for cone-beam computed tomography orientation, registration, bone segmentation, and landmark identification. Colormaps were generated for qualitative analysis, whereas linear and angular differences between the planned (T1-VSP) and observed (T1-T2) outcomes were calculated for quantitative assessments. Statistical analysis was conducted with a significance level of α = 0.05. RESULTS: The midterm surgical outcomes revealed a slight but significantly less maxillary advancement compared with the planned position (mean difference, 1.84 ± 1.50 mm; P = 0.004). The repositioning of the mandibular distal segment was stable, with insignificant differences in linear (T1-VSP, 1.01 ± 3.66 mm; T1-T2, 0.32 ± 4.17 mm) and angular (T1-VSP, 1.53° ± 1.60°; T1-T2, 1.54° ± 1.50°) displacements (P >0.05). The proximal segments exhibited lateral displacement within 1.5° for both the mandibular right and left ramus at T1-VSP and T1-T2 (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of fully digital planned and surgically repositioned maxilla and mandible revealed excellent precision. In the midterm surgical outcomes of maxillary advancement, a minor deviation from the planned anterior movement was observed.

Evaluation of orthodontists' experience with the surgery first protocol in orthodontic-surgical management.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to analyze the popularity of surgery first among orthodontists as well as the protocols used for its implementation and to collect the opinions (favorable or unfavorable) of practitioners and patients regarding it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to a population of dental surgeons qualified in Dentofacial Orthopedics or in the process of specialization (residents) practicing in France. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 27 questions. There were 10 open-ended questions and 17 closed-ended questions (8 binary and 9 multiple choices). The conditional pathway allows the respondent's path through the form to be modified based on their answers. This survey was conducted using Google Forms online survey software. RESULTS: On average, the responding practitioners had 15.9 years of experience, and most of them (78.2%) work in private practice. Most treated between 200 and 400 cases per year, of which 7% were surgical cases. Orthodontists who are familiar with and practice the surgery first protocol use it on average for 7 cases per year. The most frequent indication for the surgery first protocol was: transverse maxillary defects. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery first protocol is a preferred option in cases of high severity since it prevents respiratory worsening during the pre-surgical orthodontic phase. The lack of a standardized protocol for this approach, at the pre-surgical and post-surgical levels, requires an increase in the number of high-level evidence publications to clarify the methods of application of this protocol.

Decision-making patterns among expert and novice orthodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons in the management of adults with Class III malocclusions and moderate degree of skeletal discrepancies.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the decision-making patterns among expert and novice orthodontists and oral maxillofacial surgeons in the management of adults with Class III malocclusions and moderate skeletal discrepancies. DESIGN: Self-administered questionnaire survey. SETTING: Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore and the University Dental Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 55 clinicians, comprising 13 expert orthodontists, 20 novice orthodontists, 10 expert oral maxillofacial surgeons and 12 novice oral maxillofacial surgeons. METHODS: Clinicians assessed six adults with a Class III malocclusion and moderate skeletal discrepancy. They were asked to decide who could be managed exclusively by orthodontic camouflage, who would require combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgery as the only viable treatment, or who could be offered both treatment options. RESULTS: The study found variable decision-making patterns among the clinicians in each case. Only 18.2%-40.0% of clinicians agreed that the cases selected were of moderate skeletal discrepancies and could be offered both treatment options whereas the rest were either more inclined to recommend orthodontic camouflage or orthognathic surgery. Intra-clinician agreement (n = 20) was only fair (Kappa value = 0.31). There was only slight inter-clinician agreement (n = 55) on their clinical decisions (Kappa value = 0.10). Clinical experience and dental specialty did not significantly influence clinicians' decisions. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons were 1.98 times more likely to indicate orthognathic surgery as the only viable treatment compared to the orthodontists (95% confidence interval = 1.15-3.42). CONCLUSION: Variability in the patterns of decision-making for adults with a Class III malocclusion and moderate skeletal discrepancy was observed among the clinicians with low repeatability and agreement.

The role of the dentist and the orthodontist in early diagnosis of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: a cephalometric and photometric study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the facial characteristics and the craniofacial morphology in GGS patients in order to enable an early diagnosis. BACKGROUND: Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS) is a autosomic dominant disease, characterised by basal cell carcinoma, palmar/plantar pits, maxillary and mandibular keratocysts and dental abnormalities. METHODS: Nine out of a sample of 24 GGS patients had complete cephalometric and photographic records at an average age of 8.7 years. Cephalometric and photometric analysis were carried out with standard analyses and compared with healthy patients matched for sex and age. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of GGS based on clinical features could be useful to identify the presence of keratocysts through x-ray examination proceeding with surgical removal at an early stage, limiting space occupying damages.

Smile esthetic: comparison of perception amongst orthodontists, dental students, orthodontic patients and surgical orthodontic patients

Most patients require orthodontic treatment to improve the esthetics of their smile. Orthodontists must consider how some parameters of mini-esthetics can influence the patient's esthetic perception. Methods: A photograph of the smile of a young female was taken and some modifications were made to the buccal corridor, gingival exposure, smile arc and midline position to assess the influence of these variables on smile attractiveness. Two hundred examiners were selected from four groups: orthodontists (O), dental students (DS), orthodontic patients (OP) and surgical-orthodontic patients (SOP). Each examiner was asked to complete the questionnaire with an approval rating from 1 to 10. Significant level was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Only orthodontists considered buccal corridors of 4mm and midline deviation of 1mm as non-esthetic; all other examiners considered gingival exposures ≥3 mm and midline angulation as non-esthetic. All examiners assigned higher satisfaction values to the photo with the concordant smile arc and defined as non-esthetic the covered smile and the reverse smile arc. Patients perceived as non-esthetic only midline deviations of 4mm. The surgical orthodontic patients assigned lower values to the photos and showed greater attention to evaluating the esthetics of the smile than the orthodontic patients. Conclusion: Smile arc, gingival exposure and midline angulation influence smile esthetics; the role of buccal corridors and midline deviation is dependent on the type of examiner

Associations between Oral Health and Cannabis Use among Adolescents and Young Adults: Implications for Orthodontists.

Cannabis use is prevalent among adolescents and young adults in the US. Virtually all modes of cannabis consumption involve the oral cavity, and previous studies have linked cannabis use with poorer oral health. We sought to identify associations between cannabis use and various oral health outcomes and behaviors among individuals 12-25 years of age, and to discuss implications for orthodontists who largely interact with this age group over an extended period of treatment time. We examined data from patient electronic health records (N = 14,657) obtained between 2015 and 2021. Associations between lifetime and current self-reported cannabis use and several oral health outcomes or related behaviors that reflect periodontal health, caries status, oral lesions, and physical integrity of tooth structure and restorations were examined in a bivariable and multivariable manner, controlling for patient age, sex, and self-reported tobacco and alcohol use. Reporting lifetime cannabis use was associated with higher risk for having oral lesions (aPR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.07-1.85), bruxism (aPR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.09-1.58), and frequent consumption of sugary beverages and snacks (aPR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.41). Reporting current cannabis use was associated with higher risk for oral lesions (aPR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.03-2.06) and frequent consumption of sugary beverages and snacks (aPR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07-1.48). Cannabis users aged 12-25 are at increased risk for bruxism, oral lesions, and frequent consumption of sugary beverages and snacks. Orthodontists and other dental professionals should probe for drug use and be cognizant of increased risk for oral health problems in patients that report actively using cannabis.

Are orthodontic decisions consistent?

Introduction This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to analyse published literature related to clinical decisions made by practising orthodontists.Methods A modified approach for reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses was adopted for this review. A total of 20 articles were identified containing 53 datasets related to clinical decisions, such as treatment needs, extractions, surgery, or specific approaches. Once the random effect models were prepared, meta-regression was utilised to study the distribution, prevalence and professional experience.Results In total, 25% variance was observed between orthodontists and 33% among orthodontists using identical records to make the same treatment decisions. It was also observed that raters were more in agreement on the presence of certain conditions rather than their absence. Orthodontic residents were found to be more consistent in their decision-making process when compared to students or orthodontists.Conclusion It was observed from the findings of this study that there was low consistency in the clinical decisions being made by orthodontists using common records. One of the reasons that could be responsible for this finding was the presence of established mental frameworks among orthodontists.

Consistency of orthodontists' clinical decisions: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and theory development.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to provide a literature-based estimate of the consistency of orthodontists' clinical decisions. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature using a modified Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach identified 20 articles, representing 53 unique datasets, reporting kappa statistics and standard errors for situations allowing intrarater or interrater comparison on decisions such as the need for treatment, extraction, surgery, and various specific treatment approaches. Meta-regression based on random effect models was used to explore the shape of the underlying distribution, the prevalence of the target condition in the data set, and the professional experience of raters as covariables. RESULTS: No evidence of publication bias was found. Common patient records accounted for approximately 25% of the variance between orthodontists and 33% of the variance within orthodontists making the same decision from the same records. Random and representative samples were judged more consistently than were samples chosen to contain borderline cases. (P <0.001). Raters were in greater agreement on the presence of target conditions than their absence (P <0.001). Residents were more consistent than were practicing orthodontists or dental students (P <0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Low consistency was found among orthodontists making clinical decisions from common records. Factors associated with samples and raters suggest an underlying pattern of orthodontists viewing cases through personal mental frameworks.

Are We Hearing Right? The Negative Impact of New SARS-CoV-2 Preventive Measures and Prolonged Use of Treatment Modalities during Orthodontic Treatment

Abstract Since the dental treatment involves the use of various instruments and machines, there is ample presence of both distracting as well as destructive noise, and these are defined based on various parameters. With an increase in safety measures incorporated into dental practices, such as extra-oral suction devices and respirators, there has also been a corresponding rise in noise levels usually present in a clinic. Previous clinical experiments and trials have shown that the noise in a dental office can permanently bring about hearing damage. In addition to this, working with added safety measures during the pandemic, such as the use of personal protective equipment, respirators, and face shields can decrease operator efficiency and the ability to communicate normally. Dentistry has already been demonstrated to be one of the most hazardous occupations because of the high risk of infections. An Orthodontist must protect their eyes and mouth from potentially hazardous situations and the ears to prevent hearing damage.

[Orthodontic-surgical protocols: special cases requiring close collaboration between the surgeon and the orthodontist from the beginning of the treatment]. / Protocoles orthodontico-chirurgicaux : les cas particuliers nécessitant une collaboration étroite entre le chirurgien et l'orthodontiste dès le début du traitement.

In order to guarantee optimal care for our patients during orthodontic-surgical protocols and given the large number of interveners, some special cases request an even closer collaboration between practitioners. This article presents the very specific cases requiring even closer collaboration and specific care in order to optimize appointments. The collaboration between the surgeon and the orthodontist is particularly essential and will guarantee the excellence and the precision of the final result.

[Surgical acceleration of tooth movement: a systematic review to optimize communication between the orthodontist, the oral surgeon and the patient]. / Accélération chirurgicale du déplacement dentaire : revue systématique pour optimiser les échanges entre l'orthodontiste, le chirurgien oral et le patient.

This systematic review aims to compare conventional corticotomy with minimally-invasive protocols (MIP). Electronic database, in MEDLINE and CENTRAL, and hand search were performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and randomized split-mouth designed studies (RSMSs) were selected for inclusion, reporting either the use of a corticotomy procedure or a MIP. The main outcomes were the rate/velocity of tooth movement, type of tooth movement observed, loss of anchorage, periodontal indexes, inflammatory mediators, root resorption, patient's pain experience, impact on the quality of life, and satisfaction. Twenty-two papers were included for the qualitative synthesis, from which ten RCTs and twelve RSMSs. Eighteen of them compared a conventional orthodontic treatment without and with a surgical adjunctive procedure, two with conventional corticotomy and sixteen with a MIP (piezocision, micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) or interseptal bone reduction). Four trials compared a surgical procedure to another one. Corticotomy, piezocision and MOPs are likely to accelerate tooth movement, in decreasing order. Pain is reported to be higher in experimental groups only on the first day after surgery. Patient satisfaction is high after surgical procedures. Loss of anchorage, periodontal indexes, or root resorption occurrence show no differences between groups. Corticotomy stands as the gold-standard procedure for surgically-assisted orthodontics, but piezocision appears as a good compromise solution as well as MOPs, in a lesser extent. MIP are known to accelerate tooth movement only during the first three months.

La maloclusión clase III esquelética grave mediante abordaje primario de cirugía ortognática: informe de caso / Severe skeletal class III malocclusion by surgery-first orthognathic approach: a case report

Class III malocclusion is a relevant public health problem. The management of severe skeletal class III malocclusion in non-growing patients requires properly planned and well-executed orthognathic surgery by a team of at least an orthodontist and a maxillofacial surgeon. For these cases, there are two approaches to the surgery. One of them is the conventional three-stage method, which includes preoperative orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgery, and postoperative orthodontic treatment. The other is the surgery-first orthognathic approach, which is performed without pre-surgical orthodontic treatment and should present some advantages compared to the conventional technique. However, at present, evidence on the management of class III malocclusion still needs to be expanded. In this paper, we present the management of a case of severe skeletal class III malocclusion by surgery-first orthodontic approach, based on the experience of the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.

La maloclusión clase III es un problema de salud pública importante. El tratamiento de la maloclusión clase III esquelética grave en pacientes que no están en crecimiento, requiere una cirugía ortognática planificada de forma apropiada y bien ejecutada, por un equipo de al menos un ortodoncista y un cirujano maxilofacial. Para estos casos, existen dos enfoques para la cirugía: el método convencional de tres etapas, que incluye tratamiento de ortodoncia preoperatorio, cirugía ortognática y tratamiento de ortodoncia posoperatorio; y el abordaje primario de cirugía ortognática, que se realiza sin tratamiento de ortodoncia prequirúrgico y debe presentar algunas ventajas en comparación con la técnica convencional. Sin embargo, en la actualidad, las pruebas sobre el abordaje de la maloclusión clase III aún deben ampliarse. En este artículo, presentamos el abordaje de un caso de maloclusión clase III esquelética grave mediante el abordaje inicial con cirugía ortognática, basado en la experiencia del Hospital y Colegio Odontológico del Gobierno de Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India.

Orthodontists' knowledge and experience on referring orthognathic surgery patients to psychological support.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate orthodontists' knowledge and experience on referring orthognathic surgery patients to psychological support. METHODS: A 15-question questionnaire was sent to orthodontists who were members of the Turkish Orthodontic Society via e­mail. The participants were informed about the purpose of the study and were provided a link to access the questionnaire via the internet. In order to increase the feedback rate, two reminders were sent to all addresses. Members who did not perform orthognathic surgery were not included in the study. RESULTS: Of the 1615 members who were sent the link, 233 responded and filled out the electronic questionnaire, while 12 participants who stated that they did not treat orthognathic patients were excluded. Most of the participants stated that they did not refer their patients to psychological support. The main reasons for not recommending psychological support to patients was fear about the reaction of the patients and that patients might refuse to visit the psychologist/psychiatrist. The most common reasons for referring patients to psychological support were the following: patient had past/current psychological problem, unrealistic expectations, recent concerns regarding orthognathic surgery and see no significant need for surgery. In all, 98% of participants stated that they did not use psychological questionnaire forms for their patients. The vast majority of participants stated that they were not trained in psychological assessment/treatment, and a large majority of participants thought that it would be beneficial to receive training in this field. CONCLUSION: Most orthodontists do not receive adequate training in psychology and do not refer orthognathic surgery patients to psychological support. It would be beneficial to offer clinicians training in this field.

Musculoskeletal Pain Survey Outcomes in Cleft Surgeons and Orthodontists.

OBJECTIVE: Determine prevalence and characteristics of musculoskeletal pain and pathology in cleft providers. DESIGN: An IRB-exempt survey based on previously validated surveys was administered. Data collected included demographics, practice description, musculoskeletal pain history, formal diagnoses, and interventions. SETTING: Survey was sent to all cleft centers approved by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association worldwide. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: All cleft surgeons and orthodontists at these centers met entry criteria. Eighty-three providers responded. Cleft center coordinators were unable to confirm the number of survey recipients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The hypothesis formulated prior to data collection was that prevalence would be comparable to general plastic surgeons and other at-risk health care providers. RESULTS: Average age of respondents was 49.8 ± 11.3 years; 33.9% of respondents were female. Average body mass index was 24.8 ± 3.5 kg/m2. Headaches were observed in 62.7% of surveyed respondents while musculoskeletal symptoms were reported in 89.8%. Of the 12 body parts addressed, most commonly affected were the neck (71.2%), shoulders (52.5%), and lower back (67.8%). Pain interfered with hobbies and home life in the majority of respondents (62.7%). Those who reported a formal diagnosis were more likely to undergo treatment including surgery (P < .01), medication (P = .03), and physical therapies (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Cleft surgeons and orthodontists experience a higher frequency of headaches compared to the general population, and musculoskeletal disorders are more prevalent than reported by general plastic surgeons. Pain interferes with hobbies and home life. Formal diagnosis leads to treatment. Preventative exercises and interventions are presented.

Spontaneous Transversal Changes of Lower Arch Following Palatal Skeletal Expansion

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate how the lower arch spontaneously change after upper rapid palatal expansion in a group of patients with transversal skeletal deficit. Material and Methods: Twenty-four patients treated by the same orthodontist with a rapid palatal expander (RPE) bounded on a deciduous molar have been selected. The sample was divided into two groups: no treatment was provided for group one, while group two was treated using a lip bumper or Schwarz appliance. For each patient, dental casts were collected when the RPE was bounded (T0) and at the end of treatment, 9 months ± 3 months later (T1). Each outcome was analyzed, providing descriptive statistics, main effects significance tests and post-hoc analyses with the objective to evaluate the variations between pre-treatment (TO) and post-treatment (T1) of each of them. Results: If the linear measurements are considered, a significant beneficial effect on both arches is observed. However, the upper arch always shows a major increase of all values at T1 with respect to the lower arch. Even though the post-hoc tables indicate that time differences are all statistically significant across considered partitions, the lower arch's increase is more pronounced in group two, where patients were treated in both arches. If the angular measurements are concerned, the increase of lingual crown inclination was found in all patients, independently from the type of treatment in lower arch. Conclusion: All patients show normalization of upper diameters, regardless of whether the lower arch was treated or not.

Factors associated to quality of life of orthodontists graduated from a public university (1993-2016): A mixed-methods approach

ABSTRACT Introduction: For dental professionals, including orthodontists, Quality of life (QOL) is a topic of growing concern and could be determined by objective and subjective complex factors. Objective: This study analyzed the factors that influence the QOL of orthodontists graduated between 1993 and 2016 of a public university (Medellín, Colombia). Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted (cross-sectional survey; 88 participants; 3 focus groups, 21 participants). Quantitative analysis: the research included sociodemographic, labor and health characteristics as independent variables and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire as main outcome for QOL. Frequencies were calculated and the association between QOL and independent variables was estimated by bivariate analysis (Chi square tests) and a linear multivariate regression. Qualitative analysis: Narrative content analysis according to thematic categories. Mixed methods: a conceptual framework for QOL using the triangulation was developed. Results: All the scores surpassed 55 points on the 4 domains of WHOQOL-BREF. A lower value was found in the physical dimension (57.1±10.7) and a greater value in the psychological dimension (70.8±8.3). The variables associated positively to QOL were permanent contract, teaching/research activities, monthly income, resting days per week and sex. Factors associated negatively were low social support, mental health and rent housing. Discourses of participants allowed to identify the concept of QOL and the contextual and social determinants and satisfiers. Conclusion: QOL of orthodontists is influenced by sociodemographic, employment, working and health factors. Therefore, QOL is a multidimensional concept that recognizes the political and socio-economic context and personal and professional experiences.

RESUMO Introdução: Entre os profissionais da área odontológica, incluindo os ortodontistas, a Qualidade de Vida (QOL) é um tópico de interesse crescente, podendo ser determinada por meio de complexos fatores objetivos e subjetivos. Objetivo: O presente estudo analisou fatores que influenciam a QOL dos ortodontistas graduados entre 1993 e 2016 em uma universidade pública (Medelín, Colômbia). Método: Foi conduzido um estudo de metodologia mista (pesquisa transversal; 88 participantes; 3 grupos focais, 21 participantes). Análise quantitativa: foram incluídas características sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e de saúde como variáveis independentes e o questionário WHOQOL-BREF como resultado principal para QOL. As frequências foram calculadas e a associação entre QOL e as variáveis independentes foram estimadas por uma análise bivariada (teste qui-quadrado) e uma regressão linear multivariada. Análise qualitativa: análise do conteúdo narrativo de acordo com as categorias temáticas. Metodologia mista: foi desenvolvida uma estrutura conceitual para QOL utilizando a triangulação. Resultados: Todas as pontuações ultrapassaram 55 pontos nos 4 domínios do WHOQOL-BREF. Um valor mais baixo foi encontrado na dimensão física (57,1±10,7) e um valor mais alto, na dimensão psicológica (70,8±8,3). As variáveis associadas positivamente à QOL foram as seguintes: contrato permanente, atividades ensino/pesquisa, renda mensal, dias de descanso por semana e sexo. Os fatores associados negativamente foram baixo suporte social, saúde mental e morar de aluguel. O discurso dos participantes permitiu a identificação do conceito de QOL, dos determinantes contextuais e sociais, e os fatores motivacionais. Conclusão: A QOL dos ortodontistas é influenciada por fatores sociodemográficos, ocupacionais, ligados ao trabalho e à saúde. Dessa maneira, a QOL se apresenta como um conceito multidimensional, que reconhece o contexto político e socioeconômico, assim como as experiências pessoais e profissionais.

The ability of orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons in predicting spontaneous eruption of mandibular third molar using panoramic serial radiographs

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the skill of orthodontists and oral/maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) in providing a prognosis of mandibular third molars spontaneously erupted, through follow-up panoramic analysis. Methods: 22 orthodontic patients treated without extraction, presenting spontaneously erupted mandibular third molars (n = 44) were analyzed through panoramic serial radiographs. The first panoramic radiograph was obtained just after orthodontic treatment (PR1), in patients aging from 13 to 19 years. A second panoramic radiograph (PR2), was obtained in average two years later. The radiographs were randomly analyzed by 54 specialists, 27 orthodontists and 27 OMFS, to obtain the opinion about the approach to be adopted to these teeth in PR1. Then, another opinion was collected by adding a serial radiograph (PR1+2). Results: The concordance of the answers was moderate for OMFS (Kappa 0.44; p< 0.0001) and significant for orthodontists (Kappa 0.39; p< 0.0001). In the analysis of the first radiograph (PR1) of the spontaneously erupted molars, OMFS indicated extraction in 44.5% of cases, while orthodontists indicated in 42%, with no difference between groups (p= 0.22). In PR1+2 analysis, orthodontists maintained the same level of extraction indication (45.6%, p= 0.08), while surgeons indicated more extractions (63.2%, p< 0.0001). Conclusions: Orthodontists and OMFS were not able to predict the eruption of the third molars that have erupted spontaneously. Both indicated extractions around half of the third molars. A follow-up analysis, including one more radiograph, did not improve the accuracy of prognosis among orthodontists and worsened for OMFS.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a habilidade de ortodontistas e cirurgiões bucomaxilofaciais (CBMF) em propor um prognóstico para terceiros molares inferiores. Métodos: Foram analisados 22 pacientes tratados ortodonticamente sem extração, cujos terceiros molares inferiores irrompidos espontaneamente (n= 44) foram avaliados por meio de radiografias panorâmicas seriadas. A primeira radiografia foi obtida logo após o tratamento ortodôntico (RX1), entre 13 e 19 anos de idade. A segunda radiografia (RX2) foi avaliada dois anos depois, em média. As radiografias foram analisadas aleatoriamente por 54 especialistas, 27 ortodontistas e 27 CBMFs, para obter sua opinião sobre a abordagem a ser adotada na RX1. Em seguida, outra opinião foi coletada adicionando-se a segunda radiografia seriada (RX1+2). Resultados: A concordância das respostas foi moderada para os CBMFs (Kappa = 0,44; p< 0,0001) e significativa para os ortodontistas (Kappa = 0,39; p< 0,0001). Após analisar apenas a primeira radiografia (RX1) dos molares antes deles irromperem espontaneamente, os CBMFs indicaram extração em 44,5% dos casos; enquanto os ortodontistas, em 42%, sem diferença entre os grupos (p= 0,22). Na análise de RX1+2, os ortodontistas mantiveram o mesmo nível de indicação de extração (45,6%, p= 0,08), enquanto os cirurgiões passaram a indicar mais extrações (63,2%, p< 0,0001). Conclusões: Ortodontistas e CBMFs não foram capazes de predizer a erupção de terceiros molares por meio da análise de uma única radiografia panorâmica, indicando extrações em cerca da metade dos terceiros molares examinados. Uma análise de acompanhamento, incluindo mais uma radiografia, não melhorou a precisão do prognóstico entre os ortodontistas, e piorou entre os CBMFs.