Orthodontists on Social Media: Instagram's Influence.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine how orthodontists utilize the social media application Instagram for health communication. Methods: Four Turkish keywords were manually searched on the Instagram platform on February 12, 2022: "orthodontist" (ortodontist), "orthodontics" (ortodonti), "orthodontic specialist" (ortodonti uzmani), and "doctor of orthodontist" (ortodonti doktoru). A total of 195 orthodontist accounts matching the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups: public and private. Profile information analyses were performed, and the results for public and private accounts were compared. Public accounts were further divided by gender and whether they shared a company name in their profiles. Groups were compared according to post content and type of patient photo. Statistical analysis involved the Shapiro-Wilk test, an Independent Samples t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square and Kappa tests. Results: The number of posts (96.06±149.30 vs. 195.36±248.51) and followers (1,250.56±2,347.47 vs. 4,071.43±6,557.63) were higher for public accounts. The number of followers (3,171.62±4,645.08 vs. 5,472.57±8,595.99) and daily posts (0.17±0.37 vs. 0.23±0.43) were higher for accounts with a company name. In the content analysis, posts on clear aligners (1.51±4.74 vs. 6.60±18.60, p<0.05) and patient and company advertisements were more common (0.49±1.85 vs. 3.70±10.70, p<0.05) for accounts with a company name. Conclusion: While public orthodontist accounts commonly promote fixed mechanics as a treatment option, accounts with a company name adopt a different approach, emphasizing the sharing of information about clear aligners.

Polygraphic evaluation of the effects of different rapid maxillary expansion appliances on sleep quality: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this clinical study was to assess the effects of different rapid maxillary expansion appliances on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients having a narrow maxilla and identified with OSA were divided randomly into three groups: tooth tissue-borne, tooth-borne, and bone-borne expanders. Changes in sleep parameters at baseline and 3-month follow-up detected by polygraphy were the primary outcome. Treatment of the crossbite was the secondary outcome. Dunn-Bonferroni tests, Kruskal-Wallis, and Wilcoxon analysis were applied for intra- and inter-group differences at p < 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: Among 46 patients randomized, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) changed from baseline to follow-up in all groups (- 1.6, p = 0.280; 0.6, p = 0.691; - 0.45, p = 0.796, respectively), with no between-group difference (p = 0.631). Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) altered from baseline to follow-up in all groups (0.80, p = 0.977; 0.20, p = 0.932; and - 1.00, p = 0.379, respectively), with no between-group difference (p = 0.858). There was no significant difference in minimum oxygen saturation from baseline to follow-up in all groups (0.00, p = 0.401; - 2.00, p = 0.887; 0.50, p = 0.407, respectively). No significant changes were observed in supine AHI from baseline to follow-up in all groups (0.00, p = 0.581; - 1.00, p = 0.393; 0.00, p = 0.972, respectively). The upper intermolar width increased from baseline to follow-up in all groups (5.04, p = 0.000; 3.15, p = 0.001; 5.41, p = 0.00, respectively) with no between-group difference (p = 0.560). Maxillary width increased from baseline to follow-up in all groups (4.25, p = 0.001; 4.74, p = 0.00; 4.49, p = 0.001, respectively) with no inter-group difference (p = 0.963). CONCLUSIONS: The amount of skeletal and dental expansion obtained in the maxilla was similar in all groups. Rapid maxillary expansion was not found to be effective in OSA treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04604392.

Evaluation of the effects of different rapid maxillary expansion appliances on airway by acoustic rhinometry: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this 3-arm parallel trial was to compare the effects of tooth tissue-borne (TTB), tooth-borne (TB) and bone-borne (BB) rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliances on nasal airway with acoustic rhinometry (AR). SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Forty-six 12- to 14-year-old patients with narrow maxilla were randomly allocated into 3 study groups accordingly the type of expander: TTB, TB and BB. The participants were recruited from the Department of Orthodontics, Izmir Katip Celebi University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients had RME with an initial activation of two-quarter turns a day (0.5 mm) for an average of 8 days followed by 1 quarter turns per day for an average of 10 days. Disguised group allocation using opaque sealed envelopes was made with a computer-generated randomization program. The primary outcome was changes on the minimal nasal cross-sectional area (MCA). Secondary outcome included the assessment of nasal cavity volume. AR measurements were obtained at baseline (T0), immediately after the expansion (T1), and at 3 months-follow-up (T2). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni test were used for inter-group comparison and two-way ANOVA was used for intra-group evaluation. RESULTS: There were significant increases in MCA 1, 2 and nasal Vol in all groups after the treatment (95% [CI], P < 0.05) whereas in inter-group comparisons; MCA 1, 2 and nasal Vol, the changes were found to be similar (95% [CI], P > 0.05). HARMS: No serious harm was observed except for mild gingivitis due to plaque accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: RME treatment increased minimal nasal cross-sectional areas and nasal volume irrespective of appliance design. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier NCT04529057). PROTOCOL: The protocol was not published. FUNDING: This trial was financed by Izmir Katip Celebi University, Scientific Research Projects Unit [grant number 2016-TDR-SABE-0024].

YouTube as a source of information on adult orthodontics: a video analysis study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content and quality of YouTube videos on the topic of adult orthodontics. METHODS: Four Turkish keywords were searched on YouTube: ``orthodontic treatment in older ages'' (ileri yaslarda ortodonti tedavisi); ``orthodontic treatment in adults'' (yetiskinlerde ortodonti tedavisi); ``braces treatment in older ages'' (ileri yaslarda video information and quality index dis teli tedavisi); and ``braces treatment in adults'' (yetiskinlerde dis teli tedavisi). A total of 184 videos, ranked according to their relevance, were examined; out of these, 52 videos on the topic of adult orthodontics were included in the study. The information content score (with a scoring system consisting of 6 questions), reliability score, (VIQI), interaction index, and viewing rate of the videos were evaluated. The Mann-Whitney U test, Student's t test, and Spearman correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Explanations provided on all videos included in the study were given by orthodontists, to inform patients. The average content score of the videos was 2.55 ± 0.99 out of 6, and the reliability score was 3.07 ± 0.92 out of 5. The VIQI score was found to be 16.05 ± 2.76 out of 20. A total of 34 (65%) of the videos were scored as as having poor content, and 18 (35%) had rich content. Rich-content videos were observed to be significantly longer (P < 0.05) and have higher VIQI scores (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the information provided by YouTube videos about adult orthodontics was only moderately sufficient, this study found that YouTube is a reliable source of information.

Tooth-borne versus tooth-bone-borne rapid maxillary expanders according to a stereophotogrammetric evaluation of facial soft tissues: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of tooth-borne and tooth-bone-borne rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on soft tissue with stereophotogrammetry. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Thirty two patients (15 males and 17 females) who met inclusion criteria were divided into two groups. In the first group, tooth-borne RME appliance (hyrax) was applied to 16 patients (9 males and 7 females mean age 13.4 ± 1.3 years), and in the second group, tooth-bone-borne RME appliance (hybrid hyrax) was applied to 16 patients (6 males and 10 females, mean age 13.05 ± 1.24 years). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Changes in soft tissues before RME (T0) and post-retention (T1) period were evaluated by stereophotogrammetry. Linear and angular measurements were performed. Independent- and dependent-sample t tests were used to compare intra- and inter-group differences at P < .05 significance level. RESULTS: The data revealed statistically significant changes in nasal width, mid-face width, upper lip vermillion length/lower lip vermillion length ratio and upper lip angle in hyrax group. (P < .05) Also nasal width, lower lip length, lower lip vermillion length, anterior face height, lower face height, convexity angle and mandibular angle showed statistically significant changes in hybrid hyrax group. (P < .05) In the inter-group evaluation, no significant differences were found except upper lip and mandible angle. (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Both hyrax and hybrid hyrax expanders had effects on soft tissue profile. Anterior face height and lower face height increased in both groups. Upper lip length increased by 0.36 mm in the hybrid group and 0.10 mm in the hyrax group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04828213).

A postero-anterior cephalometric evaluation of different rapid maxillary expansion appliances.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate dental and skeletal changes induced by tooth-bone-borne, tooth-tissue-borne, and tooth-borne rapid maxillary expansion (RME) appliances using postero-anterior (PA) cephalometric radiographs. METHODS: A total of 54 patients' (25 boys, 29 girls) PA cephalometric radiographs who had bilateral posterior crossbite and RME treatment were included and divided into three groups according to the type of appliance used during treatment: tooth-bone-borne RME appliance (hybrid Hyrax) (7 boys, 11 girls, mean age 13.28 ± 1.20 years), tooth-tissue-borne RME appliance (TTB) (8 boys, 10 girls, mean age 13.08 ± 1.06 years) and tooth-borne RME appliance (Hyrax) (10 boys, 8 girls, mean age 12.05 ± 1.35 years). Pretreatment (T0) and posttreatment (T1) PA cephalometric radiographs were analyzed with Dolphin software v. 11.7 (Chatsworth, CA). The comparisons of the groups were performed with Two-way analysis of variance. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Significant and equal increase of right molar relationship and upper intermolar molar widths occurred in all groups. Dental midline discrepancy showed significant increase in only hybrid Hyrax group between T0 and T1. Significant increases were reported for lateronasal width in hybrid Hyrax and tooth-tissue-borne groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both skeletal and dental changes were observed after RME in all groups. However, the greatest skeletal changes were seen in hybrid Hyrax and tooth-tissue-borne groups.

Assessment of soft tissue changes after LeFort I advancement.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the soft tissue changes after maxillary advancement in class III patients. METHODS: Pre- and post-operative lateral cephalometric radiographs of 20 patients treated with maxillary advancement surgery were included in our study. Skeletal, dental and soft tissue measurements were performed by a single researcher using Dolphin Imaging software version 11.95 (Dolphin Imaging, Chatsworth, CA, USA). Paired t test was used for statistical evaluation and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The amount of motion in soft tissues, respectively, are UL-E: 2.05 mm, ST.A: 0.65 mm, ST.B: - 5 mm, ST.Pog: - 5.73 mm, ST.Conv: - 3.95 mm, nasal prominence: - 1.58 mm, nasal height: 2.76 mm and upper lip length: 2.22 mm. The change of distance to horizontal and vertical reference planes are, respectively, Prn-HRL: 3.02 mm Prn-VRL: 1.76 mm Sn-HRL: 2.76 mm Sn-VRL: 2.94 mm ST. A-HRL: 3.74 mm ST. A-VRL: 3.81 mm UL-HL: 3.93 mm UL-VRL: 4.57 mm LL-HRL: 2.29 mm LL-VRL: 5.31 mm. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that soft tissues related to maxilla moved anteriorly due to maxillary advancement.

Efficiency evaluation of rapid maxillary expansion treatment on nasal septal deviation using tortuosity ratio from cone-beam computer tomography images.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) on Nasal Septal Deviation (NSD) changes from three-dimensional (3D) images. METHODS: In this study, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from 15 patients with maxillary constriction (mean age 12 ± 1.6 years) were included. RME treatment with Hyrax appliance was performed in all patients. CBCT scans were taken at three different times; before appliance insertion (T0), after active expansion (T1) and 3 months after appliance insertion (T2). We developed a novel Matlab-based application to quantify NSD based on the tortuosity ratio by dividing the actual length of the septum by the ideal length in the mid-sagittal plane by using this application. RESULTS: Tortuosity ratio (TR) values were found as 1.03 ± 0.03 (T0), 1.02 ± 0.02 (T1), and 1.02 ± 0.02 (T2). Differences of TR values among these groups were evaluated using the statistical method of ANOVA (ANalysis Of VAriance) for repeated measures with the significance level of p ≤ .05. Results showed significant reductions in TR values between T0-T1 (p ≤ .05) and between T0-T2 (p ≤ .05). Nonetheless, a significant difference between T1-T2 was not determined (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, we can conclude that the NSD degree is affected by the RME treatment. The developed application can be used for both educational and research purposes.

Effects of toothpastes on white spot lesions around orthodontic brackets using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) : An in vitro study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of toothpastes with different contents on the remineralization of white spot lesions around orthodontic brackets by quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 freshly extracted human mandibular first molars were selected. Artificial caries lesions were created on enamel surfaces using an acidified gel system for 7 days. Initial relative fluorescence loss was calculated as the pretreatment (baseline) fluorescence value by QLF device. Molar tubes were bonded using light-cured resin composite cement. The specimens were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 15). Different toothpastes were applied to demineralized enamel: (1) fluoride-containing toothpaste (Colgate Total®), (2) Novamin-containing toothpaste (Sensodyne® Repair and Protect), (3) probiotic-containing toothpaste (GD Probiotic Toothpaste®). After 2 weeks of treatment, fluorescence loss and lesion area were measured with QLF. To determine fluorescence changes, intergroup comparisons were performed with a multivariate analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's test at a probability value of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between initial and posttreatment QLF measurements of the demineralized enamel specimens treated with the various agents (p < 0.05). In all experimental groups, significant fluorescence radiance increase and decrease of the lesion area (p = 0.000) was found. CONCLUSION: Novamin-containing toothpaste provided more increase of fluorescence compared to fluoride- and probiotic-containing toothpastes.