The Condylar Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Low-Level Laser Therapy and Grape Seed Extract on Functional Mandibular Advancement of the Rat Mandible.

Objective: Functional treatment of Class II malocclusion is expected to lead to adaptation in the condyle. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and grape-seed extract (GSE) on condylar growth after functional mandibular advancement. Methods: Forty-five rats were randomly divided into 8 groups. Functional appliances were applied to all groups (n=6) except the control group (n=3). One group was treated with appliances only; the other six groups received various combinations of ADMSCs, LLLT, and GSE. Analyses for new osteoblasts and new bone formation, vascular endothelial growth factor, and Type II collagen were performed on condylar tissues, after an experimental period of four weeks. The quantitative data obtained from the results of the experiments were evaluated by H-score and analyzed using One-Way ANOVA by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test (p≤0.05). Results: Levels of all investigated parameters increased in all groups (p≤0.05). The highest increases were achieved by a combined application of functional appliance, ADMSCs, LLLT and GSE (p≤0.05). Single LLLT administrations or single GSE applications did not create a statistical difference from appliance alone (p>0.05). A positive effect of ADMSCs or LLLT on osteoblast formation, neovascularization, and Type II collagen level was apparent (p≤0.05), however, neither affected new bone formation (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that ADMSCs with LLLT and GSE applications provide differing levels of new osteoblast and bone formation, new vascular formation, and Type II collagen formation in rat condyles after functional mandibular advancement.

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Orthodontists' Interest in Various Orthodontic Appliances?

Objective: To determine the changes in orthodontists' interest in various orthodontic appliances during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A questionnaire probing respondents' interest in orthodontic appliances and techniques, including standard buccal metal brackets, self-ligating brackets, standard ceramic brackets, lingual brackets, clear aligners, orthodontic facemasks, removable functional appliances, fixed functional appliances, orthognathic surgery, orthodontic miniscrews, and lingual retainers, was prepared using Google Forms and then sent to the Turkish Orthodontic Society to invite all members of the society to participate in the survey. Of the 1903 members invited, 230 (response rate, 12.08%) orthodontists completed the questionnaire. Results: The respondents' interest in brackets did not change among 70% of the respondents (standard buccal metal bracket 80%, self-ligating bracket 72.2%, standard ceramic bracket 77%, and lingual bracket 76.5%). A significant difference was observed between the genders only about the interest in standard metal brackets and fixed functional appliances (p<0.05 for both). Interest in standard metal brackets decreased as respondents' work experience increased (p<0.05). The interest in self-ligating brackets was higher among respondents with 1-5 years of experience than among other respondents (p<0.05). Interest in self-ligating brackets increased more among lecturers and residents than among clinicians (p<0.05). Conclusion: The interest of orthodontists in clear aligners showed the highest increase during the COVID-19 pandemic among all orthodontic appliances, whereas their interest in other appliances, particularly standard buccal metal brackets, did not change.

Evaluation of Orthodontic Patients' Anxiety Levels During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 1-Year Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiety levels of orthodontic patients during the 1-year period in the ongoing pandemic. METHODS: The study included patients between the ages of 12 and 30 years and who were continuing their fixed orthodontic treatment at Adiyaman University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics and filled out the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A total of 266 patients filled out the questionnaire at their first clinical visit between June 8 and July 8, 2020 (T0) and 176 of 190 patients (response rate: 92.63%) that were still under treatment filled out the questionnaire for a second time between June 15 and July 16, 2021 (T1). RESULTS: In the total population, there was a significant decrease in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S score (P < .05), while there was no significant change in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-T score (P > .05). Anxiety scores were significantly higher in women and individuals aged over 18 years at T0 (P < .05), whereas only the anxiety scores of individuals aged over 18 years were significantly higher in T1 than in individuals aged below 18 years (P < .05). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S score showed a significant decrease at T1 compared to T0 for female patients (36.02 ± 11.32 vs. 38.82 ± 9.84) and patients aged under 18 years (34.26 ± 9.54 vs. 36.85 ± 9.26) (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The state anxiety levels of orthodontic patients decreased during the 1-year period of the pandemic, while there was no significant change in their trait anxiety levels.

Comparison of the effect of using panoramic and cone-beam computed tomography on the accuracy of root position in indirect digital bracket placement: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the root position accuracy of the use of panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the indirect digital bracket placement. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-six maxillary and 300 mandibular teeth of 27 patients who have digital model, panoramic image and CBCT scan were included to the study. Indirect digital bonding was performed by using digital models and panoramic images in Group 1 and by superimposing the CBCT on the digital models with the OrthoAnalyzer™ 2020 (3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark) software in Group 2. Angular measurements were calculated with 3-dimensional superimposition of the positions of the brackets placed with the Gom Inspect 2020 software. In the statistical analysis, One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Paired t test were used. RESULTS: Maxillary canines had the highest angular deviation at 5.56°± 4.01° in comparison with the maxillary teeth (P < .001). Mandibular canines and second premolars had the highest angular deviation in the comparison between mandibular teeth (P < .001). Considering the groups of ranges by clinical limits of the deviations, these differences were significant in the angular dimensions with 3.57° ± 2.59° (P < .001). The amount of deviation of all teeth was found 3.57° ± 2.59°in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Using panoramic images or CBCT in the digital bonding had clinical significantly effects on the angular deviation of bracket position. These findings may be taken into consideration when implementing bracket placement in indirect digital bonding. Despite the successful results, indirect digital bonding should not be the single reason to take the CBCT from the patients.

20-Year Change in the Perception of Orthodontic Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes in the perception towards orthodontics between the first and second decades over the 20-year period based on a collaborative hypertext dictionary site. METHODS: The orthodontics-related entries were searched on the EksiSozluk website (http://www.eksisozluk.com). The keyword was determined as "dis teli" ("brace") and a total of 1,028 entries that were contributed between 2001 and 2021 were analyzed. Entries were divided into five general categories based on their content: definition, asking for advice, humor, advertising, and transfer of experience. The transfer of experience category was further divided into four subcategories: procedure, motivation, advice, and complaint. For each entry, the attitude of the contributor was also noted. Entries were compared between the two decades with regard to content and attitude towards orthodontics. RESULTS: The average number of entries contributed per year was 13.40 ± 10.58 in the first decade and was 89.40 ± 44.67 in the second decade, the increase was statistically significant (P < .05). A significant difference was observed between the two decades in terms of content (P < .05). There was a proportional decrease in the definition and an increase in the transfer of experience. Moreover, the rate of entries containing a complaint decreased and motivation increased in the second decade (P < .05). On the other hand, there was also a significant change between the two decades with regard to the distribution of attitudes, whereby the rate of positive entries increased in the second decade (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The contributors' attitudes towards orthodontics shifted from negative in the first decade to positive in the second decade.

Effect of Impression Technique and Operator Experience on Impression Time and Operator-Reported Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of impression technique (conventional preliminary alginate and digital scan) and operator experience in impression making (experienced in digital and conventional, experienced in conventional and inexperienced in digital, and inexperienced in conventional and digital) on impression time, satisfaction and stress levels, and the preference of the operators. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One patient was assigned for each of the 60 operators, who were experienced in impression techniques at different levels (Group 1: experienced in conventional and digital, Group 2: experienced in conventional and inexperienced in digital, Group 3: inexperienced in conventional and digital). They made conventional impressions (irreversible hydrocolloid) and digital scans (Trios 3) from the same patient. The impression times were recorded at each step (patient registration, maxillary arch, mandibular arch, and bite registration) and in total. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used for the operator satisfaction for applicability, comfort, and hygiene; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form (STAI-TX1) was used for stress, and a questionnaire was completed to measure the operator's impression preference. The data were analyzed with a 2-way ANOVA and Chi-square test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: A significant interaction was found between the operator experience in impression making and the impression technique on time for maxillary and mandibular arch impressions and total time (p ≤ 0.002). Operator experience and impression technique interaction had a significant effect on comfort and average VAS scores (p ≤ 0.016). Whereas, no significant effect of this interaction was found on stress (p ≥ 0.195). Operator experience in impression making had a significant effect on applicability (p < 0.001), and the impression technique had a significant effect on hygiene VAS scores (p < 0.001). Operators in Group 1 and Group 3 preferred the digital scans, however, operators in Group 2 had no preference (p = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Operator experience in impression making and impression technique had varying effects on clinician's impression time, comfort, applicability, hygiene, and preference. Operators needed less time for the impressions they were experienced with. Operator stress level was not affected by the operator experience in impression making and the impression technique. Dental students and operators experienced in both techniques were satisfied with the digital scans and they preferred digital scans. Operators experienced with conventional impressions were satisfied with conventional impressions but didn't have a preference for the impression type.