Accuracy of Gonial Angle Measurements Using Panoramic Imaging versus Lateral Cephalograms in Adults with Different Mandibular Divergence Patterns.

Introduction: Gonial angle is an important craniofacial parameter providing information about symmetry and vertical dimensions of the facial skeleton. It can be measured on panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms. Reliable assessment of the gonial angle is challenged by the superimpositions associated with lateral cephalograms. The aim of the current study was to assess the precision of panoramic imaging in measuring the gonial angles compared to lateral cephalograms in adult patients with different mandibular divergence patterns. Methods: Panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of 448 adults (18-30 years old) were utilized in the study. The gonial angle was determined on the lateral cephalograms using an online AI-driven assessment tool (WebCephTM) and compared to the panoramic measurements among the different gender, malocclusion, and mandibular divergence groups. Results: Statistically significant differences were recorded between measurements taken on lateral cephalograms or panoramic radiographs (p=0.022). In addition, statistically significant differences were reported in gonial angle measurements on panoramic radiographs among the different mandibular divergence groups (p=0.004) for FMA (p=0.002) for Sn-GoMe. Conclusion: While cephalometry is considered the gold standard tool for reliable gonial angle assessment, panoramic radiographs were more accurate in detecting the differences between the divergence groups in the current study.

A cross-sectional study into the reasons behind orthodontic re-treatment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify the motivations behind orthodontic re-treatment in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study performed through a patient questionnaire. The questionnaire elicited data on the respondents' socio-demographic data, type of previous orthodontic treatment, retention, satisfaction level, and reasons for undergoing orthodontic re-treatment. RESULTS: Four hundred and nineteen responses were received during the study period from June to July 2022. The result showed a pre-dominant female predilection (83, 29%), with the majority belonging to the 21-25 age group (47.26%). Most participants had had one previous orthodontic treatment (77%), with an active treatment time of approximately 1-3 years (55.85%). There was no significant difference between the satisfaction of outcomes after the initial treatment and at the time of the survey. Most participants received retention appliances (69.45%) and were informed about the importance of appliances. The type of retention was mainly removable retainers (47.5%). Around one-third of the sample (31.98%) were interested in seeking orthodontic re-treatment, with self-motivation as the primary drive and improving the smile as the predominant reason. CONCLUSION: The study's findings show that a large portion of the population is seeking orthodontic re-treatment, which must be considered. Self-motivation was a driving force rather than external motivation. The most common reason for seeking orthodontic re-treatment was to improve their smile and the increased esthetic demand.

Orthodontic treatment and referral patterns: A survey of pediatric dentists, general practitioners, and orthodontists.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the orthodontic diagnostic skills, referral patterns, and the perceptions of orthodontic benefits of pediatric and general dentists in comparison with orthodontists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two online surveys were e-mailed to pediatric dentists, general dentistry practitioners, and orthodontists registered as members of the Saudi Dental Society and the Saudi Orthodontic Society. The surveys included questions about the type of orthodontic treatment provided, referral trends, and timing; presumed benefits associated with successful orthodontic treatment; and diagnosis and treatment plans of seven cases representing different malocclusions. RESULTS: In total, 25 orthodontists, 18 pediatric dentists, and 14 general practitioners completed the survey. Only 38.8% of pediatric dentists and 7.1% of general practitioners reported that they practiced orthodontics clinically. The perceptions of the three groups toward the benefits of orthodontic treatment were comparable in the psychosocial areas. However, the orthodontists perceived significantly lesser effects of orthodontic treatment on the amelioration of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms. Pediatric dentists tended to rate the need and urgency of treatment higher, while general practitioners tended to rate the need of treatment lower. The selected treatment plans for three early malocclusion cases showed the greatest discrepancies between the orthodontists and the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The orthodontists consistently and significantly downplayed the perceived benefit of orthodontic treatment to reduce TMD symptoms. Also, while there was a similarity in the diagnosis, there were notable differences in the proposed treatment approaches, perceived treatment need, and timing of intervention between the three groups of practitioners.