Does YouTube Provide High-Quality Information for Patients Regarding Night Guards, Especially for Over-the-Counter Ones?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the information on YouTube regarding night guards (NGs). YouTube was systematically searched using the keyword "night guards." Two independent reviewers examined the first 100 videos and exclusion criteria were applied. Descriptive characteristics of the remaining 60 videos were recorded. In addition, the purpose, target audience, and source of the included videos were collected. A 12-point content scale (CS) was used to evaluate video content, and the Global Quality Scale (GQS) was used to determine video quality. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, and the correlation between scores was evaluated using Spearman rho. Of the included videos, 50% were uploaded by dentists/health institutions, 26% by commercial sources and 24% by laypersons. The aim of 80% of the videos was to inform laypeople and 14% to inform professionals only. The content discussed the most (59.3%) was the production stages of NGs. The mean CS and GQS score of the videos were 2.06 ± 1.35 (poor) and 1.71 ± 0.88 (generally poor), respectively. A positive correlation was found between the CS and GQS scores (r = 0.447). YouTube videos were found to be poor in terms of both content and quality. Since NGs for treating bruxism will always be a trending topic for patients on social media, the content of YouTube videos should be checked and enriched by professionals so that patients can access accurate information, especially about NGs obtained over the counter.

An assessment of the Quality of Information for Patients on YouTube™ Regarding Orthodontic Elastics.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the quality of the information available to patients on YouTube™ concerning orthodontic elastics. METHODS: A systematic search was carried out on YouTube™ using the keyword "elastics." The first 120 videos were viewed by 2 independent reviewers, and after the inclusion criteria were applied, 39 videos were excluded from the study. Demographic data of the videos were collected for the remaining 81 videos. For each video, its purpose, target audience, and source were also recorded. A 10-point content scale was used to evaluate the video content. The Global Quality Scale was also used to determine the quality of the videos. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and correlation coefficient analyses were performed using Spearman's rho. RESULTS: In total, 36% of the included videos were uploaded by dentists and 22% by laypersons. In 77% of the videos, the purpose was to inform laypersons, and in 4%, the purpose was to inform professionals only. The content discussed the most (85.2%) was the instruction of orthodontic elastics use. The mean 10-point Content Scale score and Global Quality Scale score of the videos were 2.25 ± 1.99 (poor) and 2.60 ± 0.73 (moderate), respectively. There was a positive correlation between 10-point Content Scale and Global Quality Scale score (r = 0.258). CONCLUSION: The information available on YouTube™ regarding orthodontic elastics is quite poor and can be misleading for patients. Therefore, health professionals with evidence-based knowledge and clinical experience should improve the way they use YouTube™ to inform patients about the correct use of orthodontic elastics and to improve compliance with wearing orthodontic elastics.

The Perception of Adults and Adolescents of Undergoing and Paying for Tooth Movement Acceleration Procedures in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the opinions of adolescents and adults regarding nonconventional methods and their associated payment options in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 183 subjects were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate their perception of various nonconventional acceleration methods: corticotomy, piezocision, micro-osteoperforation, vibration, drug injection, and customized appliances. The questionnaire also investigated how willing the patients would be to pay more and how much more they would accept to reduce the treatment time. RESULTS: About 38.7% of the adolescents and 44.4% of the adults were willing to undergo an additional procedure, and 59.6% of both groups chose customized appliances as their first preference as a way of accelerating the treatment process. About 45.4% of the total participants were neutral about paying more to reduce treatment time. Those patients who were willing to pay more accepted a maximum increase of only 10% even if that meant a 50% decrease in treatment time. CONCLUSION: Adults were slightly less tolerant of the duration of orthodontic treatment than adolescents and were more likely to undergo additional procedures and pay more for a shorter treatment time. In addition, the invasiveness of each procedure was the primary factor given when choosing an acceleration method, rather than its reduction rate.

In-vivo effects of flapless osteopuncture-facilitated tooth movement in the maxilla and the mandible.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a minimally invasive, flapless procedure to enhance tooth movement in both jaws and to determine whether this triggers the acceleration when repeated monthly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of thirty-two individuals whose orthodontic treatment required canine retraction. They were divided into an experimental group and control group. Osteopunctures were performed using orthodontic mini-screws at the distal aspects of the canine teeth at the beginning and on the fourth week of distalization in the experimental group. The control group was treated with conventional mechanics. All canines were retracted. The rates of canine distalization, rotation, and tipping were measured on the first, fourth, and eighth weeks of distalization. First molar anchorage loss was also measured. Intergroup and intragroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: Flapless osteopuncture-facilitated tooth movement resulted in greater canine distalization and reduced molar movement in the maxilla in the experimental than in the control group during the first month of distalization. In addition, the extent of upper canine movement was significantly higher in the experimental group in the first month than in the second. No differences in canine and molar movement in the mandible were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: OP, as applied in this study, is an effective method for increasing the rate of tooth movement in the maxilla. Repeating the procedure monthly does not appear to show a major advance of tooth movement. Key words:Accelerated tooth movement, flapless osteopuncture.