ABSTRACT
Abstract Background Optimal orthodontic force results in maximum rate of tooth movement without tissue damage. Even though starting orthodontic treatment with a thicker archwire may shorten treatment duration, the evidence on the effect of using 0.018-inch NiTi as the first alignment archwire on pulpal blood flow (PBF) status is still scarce. Objectives to record PBF changes and pain scores associated with using 0.018-inch NiTi as the first alignment archwire during fixed orthodontic treatment. Methodology Patients were selected from subjects attending postgraduate orthodontic teaching clinics at Jordan University of Science and Technology. In total, forty healthy patients who exhibited mild lower arch crowding were included. A split-mouth trial design was used. Each patient received two archwire sizes at one time joined in the midline by crimpable hook and applied in the lower arch. Patients were assigned into one of two groups based on archwire sizes used. Group 1: 0.014-inch and 0.018-inch NiTi (Six males, 14 females aged 19.4±1.33 years) and Group 2: 0.016-inch and 0.018-inch NiTi (Seven males, 13 females aged 19.6±1.45 years). The archwire size group was randomly allocated with a 1:1 allocation ratio. A Laser Doppler Flowmeter was used to measure PBF at different time intervals (T0-T5). Pain scores were recorded using a visual analogue scale (VAS). A repeated measures ANOVA and a post-hoc Bonferroni comparison tests were conducted to examine differences at the different time points before and during orthodontic alignment. Results For all studied archwire sizes, PBF decreased 20 minutes after their placement. Most PBF changes occurred within 24hours and continued to decrease until 72 hours after archwire placement where the maximum reduction was reached. Eventually, normal values were reverted within 1 month. PBF changes were similar between all alignment - groups. Conclusions Initial orthodontic alignment with 0.018-inch NiTi does not cause irreversible changes to pulpal vasculature or produces higher pain scores.
Subject(s)
Humans , Orthodontic Wires , Pain , Prospective Studies , AlloysABSTRACT
Aims: To assess the influence of profession, treatment experience, age and gender on the perception of smile aesthetics with different buccal corridors and smile arcs, and to identify the threshold where buccal corridor space becomes aesthetically displeasing. Study Design: A questionnaire-based descriptive study on the assessment of attractiveness ratings by laypeople. Place and Duration of Study: Amman/Jordan, University of Jordan Hospital; Faculty of Dentistry, Division of Orthodontics, from 2010-2011. Methodology: A coloured photograph of a female smile was digitally modified to produce six smile images with buccal corridor spaces (BCSs) ranging from 0% to 25% and three smile images with altered smile arcs (consonant, flat and reverse). These images were shown to 104 laypeople who were asked to rate the attractiveness of each smile on a scale of one to ten. Analysis of variance was used to study the effect of age, gender, profession and treatment experience on smile attractiveness rating. A one-way ANOVA post hoc Duncan test was used to establish the threshold where BCS was considered unattractive. Results: The most attractive smile was the broadest and consonant smile (7.42 +/- 1.87). The image with a reverse smile arc was rated as the least attractive (2.65 +/- 1.85). Duncan’s test revealed that the threshold at which BCS was considered significantly unattractive was when it reached 25%. Analysis of variance showed that young adults perceived the broadest smile as significantly more attractive than older adults (P = .03). Profession had a significant influence on smile attractiveness ratings while gender and treatment experience did not. Conclusion: Flattening the smile arc was found to have more of an unattractive bearing than small variations in BCS. Thus, it is advisable to take into consideration the smile arc during any treatment that involves the anterior maxillary area, especially prosthodontic and restorative treatments, orthognathic surgery and orthodontics.