Effect of various educational methods on increasing parents' awareness of their children's preventive orthodontic treatments

Aim: Like other fields of health, the main focus in dentistry has shifted from treatment to prevention of diseases. Parents have a vital role in deciding about their children's oral health issues. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of four educational methods (including printed pamphlets, digital pamphlets, faceto-face education, and educational films) in increasing the awareness of parents about preventive orthodontic treatments. Methods: The study samples were selected from patients who were referred to the Pediatric Dentistry Department. 150 parents of children between 4-12 years old participated in the study. They filled out a questionnaire including demographic data and knowledge about orthodontic problems and their early treatments. Then they were divided into five groups (control, printed pamphlet, digital pamphlet, face-to-face, educational films) and after one month they repeated the test. Results: A total of 102 fathers and 48 mothers were evaluated. There was no statistical difference between different ages, sex, or income in terms of their awareness, but the awareness score between educational groups was different. There has been observed a significant increase in the awareness level of all four groups (except the control group) (P < 0.05). The highest score was seen in the video group. The difference between printed pamphlets and digital pamphlets was not significant. Conclusions: The results indicate that educational films are the most effective way of increasing awareness about preventive orthodontic treatments

A Randomized Split Mouth Clinical Trial Comparing Mineral Trioxide Aggregate with a New Fast-setting Calcium Silicate Cement in Direct Pulp Capping of Primary Molars: A Preliminary Report from a Long-term Follow-up.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was done to compare the success rate of a novel fast-setting calcium silicate cement (protooth) with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in direct pulp capping (DPC) of primary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with an age range of 5-7 years with 90 bilaterally symmetrical primary molars that had deep carious lesions were incorporated into a randomized split mouth clinical trial. Initially, the caries was removed. Afterward, the teeth randomly underwent DPC with either MTA or protooth. Restoration of the teeth was done by amalgam fillings. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed after 6 months. To analyze the data, Chi-square statistical test was used. Values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: After 6 months of follow-up, 88 teeth on 44 patients were available for evaluation. The MTA-treated teeth showed a success rate of 95.5%, while the same outcome for the protooth-treated teeth was 93.2%. The difference did not yield a statistically significant difference (p value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed favorable results for the novel calcium silicate cement "protooth" when compared to the outcomes of MTA in the DPC of primary molars. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The constant need for the development of more effective materials in the modern pediatric dentistry makes this novel cement of particular interest for pedodontists. The new cement is biocompatible, hydrophilic, and has fast-setting time and adequate tensile strength with favorable clinical results in the DPC of primary molars which can benefit pedodontists in their clinical practice. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Shahamfar M, Azima N, Erfanparast L. A Randomized Split Mouth Clinical Trial Comparing Mineral Trioxide Aggregate with a New Fast-setting Calcium Silicate Cement in Direct Pulp Capping of Primary Molars: A Preliminary Report from a Long-term Follow-up. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(4):390-394.

Soft Tissue Esthetic Changes Following a Modified Twin Block Appliance Therapy: A Prospective Study.

AIM: Achieving a satisfactory facial esthetics is of utmost importance in the practice of orthodontics. Cl II div 1 patients often suffer from numerous adverse facial characteristics which may impair their social well-being. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the esthetic changes in such patients by using a modified twin block appliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy adolescent patients with mandibular deficiency consecutively underwent treatment with a modified twin block appliance for a mean period of 13 months. Soft tissue analyzes of Burstone and Mcnamara were applied to evaluate the changes before and after the treatment. The esthetic changes before and after the therapy were compared using parametric paired t tests analysis. p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Facial convexity, lip incompetence, upper lip protrusion, and columellar inclination significantly decreased (p < 0.05) while Merrifield's Z-angle nasolabial angle, lower lip length, and mentolabial angle significantly increased (p < 0.05). Vertical facial height ratio, lower lip protrusion, upper lip length as well as nasal projection and inclination, did not change significantly (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that a modified form of the twin block appliance can be substantially effective in the improvement of several aspects of patients' facial balance with minimum untoward effects. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Adolescents suffering from mandibular deficiency can gain substantial facial balance with the twin block appliance. The whole face attractiveness, however, is another subject and should not be conflicted with the facial balance. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Shahamfar M, Atashi MHA, Azima N. Soft Tissue Esthetic Changes Following a Modified Twin Block Appliance Therapy: A Prospective Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(3):255-260.

Efficacy of bilateral mental nerve block with bupivacaine for postoperative pain control in mandibular parasymphysis fractures.

Background and aims. Postoperative pain control is extremely important for both patients and surgeons; in this context, long-acting local anesthesia can play an important role after open reduction of maxillofacial fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bilateral mental nerve block with bupivacaine on postoperative pain control in mandibular symphyseal fractures. Materials and methods. Fifty patients with pure mandibular symphyseal fractures were studied in two control and study groups. In contrast to the control group, the study group received bilateral mental nerve block with bupivacaine postoperatively. Patients were examined in relation to pain severity and opioid analgesic drug need sequences. Results. The study group needed significantly less opioid than the control group (P<0.01, U=141). The control and study groups were different in first opioid administration time. The control and study groups received first opioid dose in 0-2 and 2-4 hours, respectively. Conclusion. Bilateral mental nerve blocks with bupivacaine can reduce opioid analgesic need and it has a positive effect on postoperative pain control in mandibular symphyseal fractures.

Long-term evaluation of clinical performance of direct-bonded brackets: an epidemiologic survey.

AIM: The objective of the current epidemiologic study was to investigate characteristics associated with bracket failure in bonded brackets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study on data of 144 patients treated during 2009 to 2012 was done. Baseline data including age, gender, malocclusion, bite type and debonding incidences per teeth were retrieved. ANOVA analysis and t-test were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: Second premolar teeth had significantly higher debonding incidences. Patients' age was negatively correlated with debonding incidences. No difference was observed for various types of malocclusion (class I, II and III), arch side (right or left) or arch location (upper or lower). However, deep bite patients had significantly higher failure incidents. CONCLUSION: For a total of 144 patients with 2,524 bonded brackets, the overall failure rate was 7.8%. Deep bite was the only factor that was associated with higher bracket failure. The bracket failure incidents tend to decrease as patients age increase. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Deep bite patients and also second premolar teeth seem to be especially prone to debonding incidents. Care must be taken to avoid premature contacts in deep bite patients. Also strict adherence to moisture control protocols when bonding second premolar teeth is recommended since these teeth are at increased risk for debonding.

Analysis of the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in north western of Iran: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Maxillofacial fractures can lead to substantial long-term functional, esthetic and psychological complications. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate these injuries in a Turkish Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 170 patients with 210 maxillofacial fractures admitted to the emergency department of a central referral emergency hospital in the area over a 5 year period is presented. Patients' data included demographic information, etiology, site and associated injuries and complications. RESULTS: Road traffic accident was the commonest cause (40%) and the age group of 21-30 comprised the biggest group (30%). Mandibular fractures outnumbered midface fractures (150 vs. 60). Ramus (21.5%) and zygoma (26.5%) were the commonest fracture regions respectively in mandible and midface. Male: female ratio was 3.8:1 Almost half of patients (46%) had sustained associated injuries most of which was soft tissue laceration of the face (17.5%). 22 patient (13%) had associated complication and the hemorrhage was the commonest form of that (9%). CONCLUSION: It seems that road traffic accidents continue to be the leading cause of maxillofacial fractures and there is an urgent need to implement enhanced regulations and monitoring on motor vehicular traffic.

Pathosis associated with radiographically normal follicular tissues in third molar impactions: a clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND: The follicular tissue around impacted third molars has a potential to develop pathosis. However, it is generally assumed that the absence of abnormal radiolucency indicates the presence of a normal follicle. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate abnormalities associated with radiographically normal follicular tissue of third molar impactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eighty-five impacted third molars from 170 patients with no signs of abnormal radiolucency (follicular space < 3 mm) were used for this study. Follicular tissues of the relevant teeth were collected. Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and stained routinely with hematoxilin and eosin to be independently examined by two pathologists. A diagnosis was registered only when the results from both pathologists were in concordance. Clinical details for each patient were registered in WHO standard forms to undergo chi-square statistical analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-three per cent of the specimens had developed pathosis. The incidence of pathosis was higher in the age group of 20-30 years, in men compared to women and in the mandible compared to the maxilla. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that radiographic appearance may not be reliable in the diagnosis of pathosis in follicular tissue as a surprisingly high rate of pathosis was found in the absence of any radiographically detectable sign.