Oral Health Literacy and COVID-19 Pandemic Anxiety and Concerns Among Iranian Orthodontic Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic appointments, and the concerns and anxiety levels of orthodontic patients in Iran. METHODS: An anonymous 40-question questionnaire was sent online to the patients of private orthodontic clinics in 2 cities of Birjand, and Mashhad, capitals of Eastern provinces of Iran. Orthodontic patients of Mashhad dental school received the questionnaire as well. Descriptive statistics were reported, and the association between gender, oral health literacy (OHL), and adherence to orthodontic appointments and attendance, along with data on feeling, concern, and level of anxiety regarding quarantine/coronavirus pandemic were evaluated using the chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-four patients, with a mean age of 32.43 years, answered the questionnaire. Fifty-seven percent of participants said that they only left home for their daily requirements. Seventy-two percent of the participants reported feeling calm about the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. Most of the patients (74%) said that they would attend their orthodontic appointment in case of urgency, and 41% of patients declared that their greatest concern was the probability of a delay in completion of treatment. Forty-five percent of patients had adequate OHL. There was a significant association between OHL and willingness to attend orthodontic treatment, concerns regarding the impact of the pandemic on orthodontic treatment, and the frequency of daily teeth brushing. CONCLUSION: Women respected the quarantine more than men. Patients with higher OHL were more willing to attend their appointments, but only in case of an emergency, due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Women were more concerned and had better oral hygiene behaviors.

Biomonitorization of metal ions in the serum of Iranian patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances in comparison with controls in eastern Iran.

The present study aimed to assess the level of metal ions [chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn)] in the serum of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. One hundred samples (32 males, 68 females) were collected from patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for different periods. A reference (control) group (24 males, 16 females) who had no appliances was used to properly evaluate the changes in the level of these elements in orthodontic appliance users. The element concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Higher concentrations of metal ions (except for Cr) were found in the serum of the orthodontic group. Bivariate scatter plot showed a highly significant (p < 0.001) correlation between Ni and other elements. The duration of orthodontic treatment increased significantly the Ni levels whereas the bracket type was found to have no significant impact on altering the concentration level of metal ions. The results of the SEM-EDS showed a high variation in the level of metal ions in the brackets and wires. In conclusion, fixed orthodontic appliances increased serum levels of Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Cu but did not change Cr levels.

The Relationship between Agenesis of Third Molar and Craniofacial Morphology in Orthodontic Patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between third molar agenesis and craniofacial morphology in a group of Iranian orthodontic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 164 high-quality lateral cephalograms and panoramic radiographs were included in the study. Eighty-two radiographs with the absence of at least one-third molar were assigned to agenesis group and other 82 radiographic records were served as control group. Cephalometric analysis was performed, and the results were compared between the two groups using Independent Samples Student's t-test. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in SNA, ANB, sum of posterior angles, and lower gonial angle between the study groups. All of them were smaller in the agenesis group. CONCLUSION: Third molar agenesis in this group of Iranian subjects is associated with deficient maxillary development and brachyfacial and hypodivergent skeletal pattern.

The clinical evaluation of platelet-rich plasma on free gingival graft's donor site wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: It has been proved that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can promote wound healing. In this way, PRP can be advantageous in periodontal plastic surgeries, free gingival graft (FGG) being one such surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized split-mouth controlled trial, 10 patients who needed bilateral FGG were selected, and two donor sites were randomly assigned to experience either natural healing or healing-assisted with PRP. The outcome was assessed based on the comparison of the extent of wound closure, Manchester scale, Landry healing scale, visual analog scale, and tissue thickness between the study groups at different time intervals. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Repeated measurements of analysis of variance and paired t-test were used. Statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences between the study groups and also across different time intervals were seen in all parameters except for the changes in tissue thickness. CONCLUSION: PRP accelerates the healing process of wounds and reduces the healing time.

The effect of budesonide on orthodontic induced root resorption.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that budesonide increases the susceptibility of teeth to root resorption during the course of orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial design (animal study) was employed. Budesonide was administered in test group for 14 days during which orthodontic force was applied to upper right molar. Afterwards, root resorption was measured on mesio-cervical and disto-apical parts of the mesial root on transverse histological sections. ANOVA and Bonfferoni tests were used. Statistical significance was considered to be P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: In general, the subgroups in which the force was applied showed significantly greater root resorption. Where force was applied there was no significant difference, whether budesonide was administered or not. While where there was no force, a group who received budesonide showed significantly greater root resorption than the other, unless at the coronal level where the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it seems budesonide could increase root resorption, but in the presence of orthodontic force this effect is negligible.

Effect of tramadol at different doses on orthodontic tooth movement and bone resorption in rats.

BACKGROUND: Tramadol is an opioid agonist that has the potential of being abused. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different doses of tramadol on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and bone resorption in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two male rats were assigned randomly to two experimental groups and one control group. Nickel-titanium coil springs were used to exert orthodontic force. The rats in the control group and experimental group-1, respectively, received a daily injection of 0.1 ml of normal saline and 10 mg/kg of tramadol for 14 days. The rats in experimental group-2 received 10 mg/kg of the same drug on days 1-4, 20 mg/kg on days 5-8, 40 mg/kg on days 9-12 and 60 mg/kg on days 13 and 14. OTM was measured on days 4, 8, 12, and 14. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were sacrificed. Histological analysis was also performed to evaluate the number of osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and Howship's lacunae. RESULTS: Statistical analysis with analysis of variance tests showed that the rats in experimental group-2 had significantly decreased OTM compared with the other two groups (P < 0.05), whereas OTM for the rats in experimental group-1 was comparable to that in the control group (P > 0.05). The histological evaluations did not show any significant difference among the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of tramadol hydrochloride on OTM depends on the dosage used. High doses of the drug reduce the extent of OTM significantly.