Relationship Between Dentofacial Features and Bullying in School children.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between clinician-assessed (actual) and self-assessed (perceived) dentofacial features and their association with bullying in schoolchildren. Methods: The sample comprised 519 schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 years old (235 boys and 284 girls) randomly selected from private and public schools. Clinical evaluations were performed to record dento- facial features, and the children were asked a self-reported questionnaire about their personal experience of bullying and perceived dentofacial features. Descriptive statistics (counts and percentages) as well as chi-square to analyze the association between variables were applied. Results: The results showed that 57.2 percent of the children reported being bullied, and the mainly perceived dentofacial features cited were: "crooked teeth" (46.3 percent), "shape or color of teeth" (45.5 percent), "upper front teeth sticking out" (43.8 percent), and "having a gap between the teeth or having missing teeth" (35.5 percent). Statistically significant associations between actual and perceived dentofacial features and involve- ment in bullying were observed for anterior crowding (P=0.01), anterior crossbite (P<0.001), lip competence (P=0.008), and anterior dental trauma (P=0.04). Conclusion: Some actual and perceived dentofacial traits are associated with bullying, so these features and the schoolchil- dren's compliances should be considered to determine the treatment need.

Comparison of the efficiency of initial dental alignment with Invisalign® aligners changed every 7 or 14 days in mature adults: Randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anterior crowding correction after sequential use of the first 5 aligners between two aligner exchange protocols (7 and 14 days) in mature adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients over 35 years who received orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® were randomly allocated to two different aligner replacement sequence protocols: Group 1: exchange every 7 days (n = 18); and Group 2: exchange every 14 days (n = 18). All patients were scanned with iTero Element 5D® (Align Technology) in two treatment times: at pre-treatment (T1) and after using the first five aligners (T2). Little's Irregularity Index (LII) and arch widths were evaluated with OrthoCAD software. Intra and intergroup comparisons were performed with the dependent and independent t-tests. The results were considered significant for P < .05. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients completed the study. Both groups' maxillary and mandibular Irregularity Indexesi were significantly lower at T2. There was no significant difference in inter-canine, inter-premolar, and intermolar distances. G2 (14 days) presented a greater decrease in mandibular irregularity than G1 (7 days). CONCLUSION: Both exchange protocols (7 and 14 days) effectively correct anterior crowding in the initial phase of orthodontic treatment with aligners in mature adult patients. However, the 14-day exchange protocol provided a greater correction in mandibular anterior crowding in the evaluated period than the 7-day exchange protocol.

Assessment of patients' knowledge and preferences for the use of orthodontic aligners.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge and preference of patients treated at a Dental School in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil, about using aligners and the reasons for choosing this device as a treatment option. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 82 participants aged 18-45 years recruited at a screening clinic. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed in person using a tablet with digital forms. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants (49%) knew about aligners; 40% were aged 18-24 years, and 77% were female. When observing the images of the types of orthodontic appliances, the aligners had an acceptance rate of 80%. Among the reasons that led to the preference for choosing aligners, 68% cited aesthetics and 42% comfort. CONCLUSION: Recently, clear aligners have become a popular choice for orthodontic treatment, particularly among adults. Despite their popularity and effectiveness, many patients still need more information about aligner treatment. Over half of the respondents did not know what orthodontic aligners were. Younger participants had more knowledge about aligners than older participants. Patients still need more knowledge about the types of appliances available for orthodontic treatment. When presented with images of the kinds of devices available, almost 80% of participants showed greater satisfaction with aligners.

Tratamento de uma má oclusão de Classe II com propulsor mandibular Forsus associado à tração de canino inferior impactado devido ao odontoma ­ relato de caso / Treatment of a Class II malocclusion with Forsus appliance associated with traction of an impacted mandibular canine due to odontoma ­ a case report

Resumo O objetivo deste caso clínico foi relatar o tratamento de uma paciente portadora de má oclusão de Classe II com aparelho de propulsão mandibular fixo Forsus associado à tração de canino inferior retido devido a um odontoma. Após exame clínico e radiográfico, foi detectada a retenção prolongada do canino inferior decíduo direito devido à presença desse odontoma. O exame clínico também mostrou que a paciente apresentava uma má oclusão de Classe II. Após a extração do dente decíduo e excisão do odontoma, foi colado um acessório no canino retido e instalado o aparelho fixo. Inicialmente, foi planejada a instalação de um APM devido ao seu baixo custo, no entanto, a paciente não se adaptou e foi instalado um Forsus. Ao final de 48 meses, o canino inferior direito alcançou o plano oclusal e a má oclusão de Classe II foi corrigida. Após 2 anos da finalização do tratamento, os resultados obtidos se mostraram estáveis. O objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos dentários e tecidos moles no tratamento da má oclusão de Classe II leve a moderada de uma paciente no final de crescimento puberal, analisando o antes e depois da face no desenvolvimento dentofacial e os efeitos do aparelho de protração. Concluiu-se que o propulsor mandibular associado ao aparelho fixo corrigiu a má oclusão de Classe II basicamente através da protrusão dentoalveolar do arco inferior. (AU)

Abstract The objective of this case report is to present the treatment of a patient with Class II malocclusion with a Forsus fixed appliance associated with the traction of an impacted mandibular canine due to an odontoma. After clinical and radiographic examination, prolonged right primary mandibular canine retention was detected. In addition, the mandibular canine was impacted due to the presence of this odontoma. Clinical analysis also showed that the patient had a Class II malocclusion. After the extraction of the primary canine and excision of the odontoma, an orthodontic accessory was bonded to the impacted canine, and the fixed appliance was placed. Initially, an APM (mandibular protractor appliance) was planned due to its low cost. However, the patient did not cooperate with its use, and a Forsus was placed. At the end of 48 months, the right mandibular canine reached the occlusal plane, and the Class II malocclusion was corrected. (AU)

Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Reducing Pain in the Initial Stages of Orthodontic Treatment.

Purpose: There is no consensus about the mechanism and efficacy in alleviating pain of the lower-level laser therapy (LLLT) during orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the LLLT effectiveness clinically in reducing pain caused by orthodontic movement that occurs in the early stages of treatment. Methods: The sample consisted of 54 patients in need of orthodontic treatment divided into two groups. A 28 experimental patients group (initial mean age: 26.84 years old) was undergone gallium-aluminum-arsenide infrared laser application on 12 points for each tooth immediately after the installation of the first alignment archwire, and a 26 patients control group (initial mean age: 29.13 years old) was undergone to no pain control intervention at all. Pain intensity was measured by using a visual analog scale, which was marked pain level (mm) reported in 06, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The perception of pain (beginning, peak, decline, and absence) was evaluated by filling up a questionnaire. To compare the intensity and perception of pain between groups, a nonparametric Mann-Whitney has been performed. Results: The experimental group showed levels (mm) at 6 (p < 0.001), 24 (p=0.004), and 48 hours (p=0.007) and perception of pain (hours) in the peak (p=0.026), decline (p=0.025), and absence (p=0.008) significantly lower compared to the group control. Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy is effective in reducing pain severity caused by orthodontic forces activation, and it promotes the analgesic action lasting effect during the most painful feeling time.

An overview of occupational accidents notification systems within the enlarged EU.

This paper describes a comparative analysis of the official forms used for reporting occupational accidents within the EU-27 member states. The comparison is based on two analysis grids (coding schedule) created to that effect, which incorporate a set of evaluation criteria and an interpretation key. The results obtained in the analysis allowed for attention to be drawn to the relevant attributes of such forms in terms of their content and format/structure. It also revealed the main similarities and differences between each country, providing a complete assessment of the 27 member states. The discussion gives account of the level of implementation of the "new" Eurostat variables within the European Statistics of Accidents at Work (ESAW). Furthermore, the study shows that certain formats (structure of information fields) appear to facilitate completeness of the information collected. It has also demonstrated that the European harmonisation process is still far from completion, although the newcomer states seem to be adjusting quickly to the process. The findings of this study may bring useful insights to national authorities and European policy-makers, or to employers/enterprises wishing to implement their internal procedures aligned with the ESAW methodology. The scientific community is another interest group, whose research relies on official statistics, preferably comparable across all countries.