Perception of laypersons, orthodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons about the transverse occlusal plane.

INTRODUCTION: Transverse occlusal plane (TOP) should be parallel to the true horizontal lines of the face (ie, the interpupillary line [IP] and commissural line [CL]). This study aimed to investigate the opinions of laypersons, orthodontists, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons about the impact of imbalanced IP and CL on facial attractiveness. METHODS: We used a symmetrical face image as the reference. Then, using Photoshop software, we constructed the following 6 photographs: TOP roll relative to CL and IP (3° and 6°) with parallelism of CL and IP, CL roll relative to TOP and IP (3° and 6°) with parallelism of TOP and IP, TOP and CL roll relative to IP (3° and 6°). Consequently, the participants rated the photographs on the basis of their attractiveness. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the ratings. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one laypersons, 22 orthodontists, and 20 surgeons participated in this study. It was found that 51.1% of laypersons, 86.4% of orthodontists, and 70% of surgeons selected the reference photograph as the most beautiful, followed by the photograph with a 3° roll of CL relative to TOP, with parallelism of TOP and IP (29% of laypersons, 31.8% of orthodontists, and 35% of surgeons). CONCLUSIONS: Most participants selected the reference photograph as the most beautiful and realized a roll in the horizontal planes up to 3°. The parallelism of the esthetic line of dentition relative to interpupillary is preferred over its parallelism relative to CL.

Is there any relationship between fixed orthodontic treatment and developmental indicators in children and adolescents? A prospective cohort study.

Background: Fixed orthodontic treatment may cause discomfort four to six weeks after the initiation of the treatment as it may change the type and amount of food consumed by children. This temporary change may have a long-term effect on the growth status of such children. This study aimed to detect the longitudinal relationship between fixed orthodontic treatment and developmental indicators in children and adolescents. Methods: The study population encompassed adolescents undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment as the exposure group (n = 30) and adolescents with no orthodontic treatment as the control group (n = 90). The patients' dental age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and wrist circumference were assessed at the baseline, as well as 1, 3, and 6 months after the orthodontic treatment. The significance level was set to be p = 0.05. Results: One-hundred twenty participants were included in this study. In the two groups, all growth parameters revealed an increasing trend. In the exposure group, weight-related indices (i.e., weight, BMI, and wrist circumference) decreased in the first month and then increased during the next five months. All indices in the control group and height in the exposure group exhibited a continuous increase. Conclusion: Fixed orthodontic treatment affects childhood growth indices. However, these effects are probably short-term, and the catchup growth mechanism can offset these effects and modify the changes in growth indices. A longer follow-up period is recommended to be considered by future researchers.

Prediction accuracy of Dolphin software for soft-tissue profile in Class I patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Simulation and prediction can facilitate the decision between an extraction versus nonextraction treatment plan. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of Dolphin Imaging software in predicting profile changes in class I borderline cases. METHODS: In this retrospective study, class I borderline patients (i.e., both extraction and nonextraction treatment plans were possible for them) aged 15-35 years were enrolled. All of the cephalometric analyses were done by Dolphin Imaging software, version 11.8 Premium. The initial cephalograms were superimposed on initial photographs. The final values for the 7 angular and linear landmarks of the upper and lower incisors were extracted from post-treatment cephalograms and inserted in the "Goals" tab of the Dolphin Imaging software. Post-treatment images of patients were simulated. Final post-treatment photographs were superimposed on the simulated pictures. The differences between the real and simulated pictures were calculated in relation to the reference lines. The P value was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients (36 with tooth extraction, and 34 without tooth extraction) were included. In the extraction group, the horizontal position of both lips was predicted to be significantly more protruded than it actually was, whereas in the nonextraction group, the only difference between the simulated and actual results was that the vertical position of the lower lip, which was simulated as being more inferior than it actually was. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the statistically significant differences between the real and simulated pictures, the differences were small and clinically insignificant. Prediction via Dolphin Imaging software can be an appropriate guide in extraction-nonextraction borderline cases.

Extraction versus non-extraction orthodontic treatment: Soft tissue profile changes in borderline class I patients.

BACKGROUND: The decision regarding the selection of extraction or non-extraction orthodontic treatment is a common challenge in orthodontic treatment planning. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment on the soft tissue profile of borderline class I patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 70 patients were selected from among those referred to the Department of Orthodontics of the Faculty of Dentistry at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The inclusion criteria were skeletal class I, 4-10 mm of space deficiency, and the possibility of applying both extraction and non-extraction orthodontic treatment. All patients underwent fixed orthodontic treatment with the use of 0.022-inch-slot edgewise brackets. The patients were divided into 2 groups (n = 35) according to the 4-premolar extraction or non-extraction treatment plan. The 2 groups were compared by means of the cephalometric analysis. RESULTS: There were 11 males and 24 females at a mean age of 17.46 years in the non-extraction group, and 9 males and 26 females at a mean age of 18.46 years in the extraction group. The upper and lower incisors as well as the lower lip moved forward in the non-extraction group (lower lip to E­plane = 0.87 ±1.39 mm, U1-SN = 2.83 ±8.03°, IMPA = 4.64 ±5.47°). The incisors and the lips moved backward in the extraction group (upper lip to E­plane = -1.42 ±2.08 mm, lower lip to E­plane = -1.56 ±1.97 mm, U1-SN = -7.63 ±9.02°, IMPA = -7.05 ±6.79°). The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Mentolabial sulcus became more pronounced in the non-extraction group (1.92 ±2.73 mm; p < 0.001) and shallower in the extraction group (-1.90 ±4.2 mm; p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic treatment can change the soft tissue appearance of the lower third of the face. The lips and the incisors moved forward in the non-extraction group and backward in the extraction group.

Comparison of therapeutic effects of topical azithromycin solution and systemic doxycycline on posterior blepharitis.

AIM: To compare the effect of azithromycin drop and doxycycline capsule on treatment of posterior blepharitis. METHODS: Fifty patients (100 eyes) with moderate posterior blepharitis, randomly divided into two therapeutic groups; all the patients got warm eyelid compress and massage three times a day for 3wk. In addition the first group got azithromycin 1% drop, twice daily for 1wk and then one drop daily for 2wk. The second group got oral doxycycline 100 mg daily for 3wk. At the end of the research, patients' signs and symptoms were compared together. ANOVA, Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Topical therapy with azithromycin and oral therapy with doxycycline relieved signs and symptoms after 3wk. There were no significant differences between symptoms healing rate and foreign body sensation healing in these two groups (P>0.05). However, azithromycin drop was more effective in reduction of eye redness and doxycycline was more effective in meibomian glands plugging healing and reducing the corneal staining. CONCLUSION: Topical azithromycin could have similar effects as oral doxycycline on posterior blepharitis in improving subjective symptoms. However, doxycycline can reduce objective signs such as ocular surface staining and meibomian gland plugging more than azithromycin.

Effect of Periodontal Dressing on Wound Healing and Patient Satisfaction Following Periodontal Flap Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: It has been claimed that periodontal dressing reduces the risk of wound infection, bleeding and granulation tissue formation and improves tissue healing. This study sought to assess the effect of periodontal dressing on wound healing and patient satisfaction following periodontal flap surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted on 33 patients presenting to Hamadan University, School of Dentistry in 2012 whose treatment plan included two periodontal surgical procedures on both quadrants of the maxilla or mandible. The variables evaluated were severity of pain, bleeding, facial swelling and ease of nutrition experienced by patient during the first 3 days after surgery and inflammation, granulation tissue formation and gingival color at 7 and 14 days. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and R software and chi-square and t-tests. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) pain score was 1.73±1.153 and 2.79±1.933 in surgical sites with and without periodontal dressing, respectively and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.005). No significant difference was noted between sites with and without periodontal dressing in terms of swelling, bleeding, gingival consistency, granulation tissue formation, gingival color and ease of nutrition (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, patients did not experience more bleeding, facial swelling or nutritional problems without periodontal dressing; however, the level of pain experienced was lower after surgeries with the use of periodontal dressing.

Effect of dietary ascorbic Acid on osteogenesis of expanding midpalatal suture in rats.

OBJECTIVES: After maxillary expansion, a long period of retention is necessary to prevent early relapse. Therefore, it is beneficial to accelerate bone formation in the expanding midpalatal suture to reduce relapse. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of dietary vitamin C on osteogenesis of rat midpalatal suture during expansion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, each with a control and an experimental subgroup. An open-loop spring was bonded to maxillary incisors of each animal to expand the premaxillary suture. Experimental groups received dietary vitamin C in their water. The rats in the three groups were sacrificed at three, nine or 17-day intervals after bonding the spring. Then, the premaxilla was dissected and sections were made and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and osteopontin marker. Osteoblasts and osteoclasts were counted in the suture. Two-way ANOVA and the Mann-Whitney-U test were used for analyzing the data. RESULTS: After three days, the number of osteoblasts was significantly higher in the vitamin C group but after nine days it was significantly higher in the control group and after seventeen days there were no significant differences between the groups. Osteoclast counts were not significantly different between vitamin C and control groups. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C had a positive effect on osteogenesis at the beginning of bone formation in the expanding suture, but after nine days it had a negative effect on suture osteogenesis in rats.