Assessment of the need for orthodontic treatment in a peruvian sample using the dental aesthetic index / Necesidad de tratamiento ortodóntico en una muestra peruana mediante el índice estético dental

Introduction: The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) is considered an essential tool in the association of the aesthetic and clinical elements of occlusion. It plays a key role in the timely and essential orthodontic treatment. Objective: to determine the orthodontic treatment required in students of a Peruvian public institution using the DAI. Material and Methods: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out during the months of June to July 2016 in a Peruvian educational institution. The sample consisted of 120 students. The use of the DAI allowed to assess the orthodontic treatment required, through the 10 occlusal conditions and regression indicators that constitute a linear formula, with the following components: no treatment required, elective treatment, desirable treatment, and priority treatment, according to the severity of the malocclusion as normal, defined, severe, and very severe, respectively. Results: 53.3% (64) of the students required priority orthodontic treatment due to presenting DAI=43.03. Between the ages of 12-14 years, 56.7% (34), 8.3% (5), and 28.3% (17) required priority, desirable, and elective orthodontic treatment, respectively. The need for priority orthodontic treatment was more prevalent in females accounting for 57.6% (38). 95% (57) of the students from rural areas required orthodontic treatment. Conclusion: The need for orthodontic treatment in a Peruvian sample using the Dental Aesthetic Index was priority orthodontic treatment, mostly in females with ages ranging between 12-14 years.

Introducción: El Índice Estético Dental (DAI) es considerada una herramienta indispensable en la aso-ciación de los elementos estéticos y clínicos de la oclusión, influyendo directamente en el tratamiento de ortodoncia oportuno y requerido. Objetivo: determinar el tratamiento de ortodoncia requerido en estudiantes de una institución pública peruana haciendo uso del DAI. Material y Métodos: Estudio de diseño descriptivo, observacional, con corte transversal, ejecutado durante los meses junio a julio de 2016, en una institución educativa peruana. La muestra fueron 120 estudiantes. La observación mediante el uso del instrumento DAI permitió valorar el tratamiento de ortodoncia requerido, mediante las 10 condiciones oclusales e indicadores de regresión que constituyen una fórmula lineal, con categorías de: No requiere tratamiento, tratamiento electivo, trata-miento deseable, tratamiento prioritario, de acuerdo a la severidad de la maloclusión presente como oclusión normal, definida, severa y muy severa, respectivamente. Resultados: Estudio de diseño descriptivo, observacional, con corte transversal, ejecutado durante los meses junio a julio de 2016, en una institución educativa peruana. La muestra fueron 120 estudiantes. La observación mediante el uso del instrumento DAI permitió valorar el tratamiento de ortodoncia requerido, mediante las 10 condiciones oclusales e indicadores de regresión que constituyen una fórmula lineal, con categorías de: No requiere tratamiento, tratamiento electivo, tratamiento deseable, tratamiento prioritario, de acuerdo a la severidad de la maloclusión presente como oclusión normal, definida, severa y muy severa, respectivamente. Conclusion: La necesidad de tratamiento ortodóntico en una muestra peruana mediante el Índice Estético Dental fue tratamiento de ortodoncia prioritario, predominando el género femenino entre los 12 -14 años.

Trends in Medicaid-funded adolescent comprehensive orthodontic treatment provided by orthodontists to children in Oklahoma between 2010 and 2016.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends and rates of Medicaid-funded orthodontic treatment provided by orthodontists to children younger than 18 years in Oklahoma. METHODS: Enrollment and claims data were evaluated from the Oklahoma Medicaid program for a 7-year period, January 2010 through December 2016. Medicaid total enrollment data by age, sex, race or ethnicity, and county were included. Claims data were collected both for any dental services and comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adolescents. Descriptive statistics were used for the study variables. Proportions and odds ratios were calculated and compared using a chi-square test. RESULTS: Children aged between 15 and 18 years received orthodontic treatment more frequently than children aged between 6 and 14 years. Females received orthodontic treatment more frequently than males. Caucasians received orthodontic treatment more frequently than other races. Children who live in rural areas received orthodontic treatment more frequently than those living in urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive orthodontic patients are more likely to be Caucasian females between the ages of 15 and 18 years living in rural areas. The Hispanic community is growing significantly in the Medicaid population. Access to care is still a problem faced by many.

The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Adult Anterior Open Bite Study: Treatment recommendations and their association with patient and practitioner characteristics.

INTRODUCTION: This aim of this paper is to describe and identify the practitioner and patient characteristics that are associated with treatment recommendations for adult anterior open bite patients across the United States. METHODS: Practitioners and patients were recruited within the framework of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. Practitioners were asked about their demographic characteristics and their treatment recommendations for these patients. The practitioners also reported on their patients' dentofacial characteristics and provided initial cephalometric scans and intraoral photographs. Patients were asked about their demographic characteristics, previous orthodontic treatment, and goals for treatment. Four main treatment groups were evaluated: aligners, fixed appliances, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), and orthognathic surgery. Extractions were also investigated. Predictive multivariable models were created comparing various categories of treatment as well as extraction/nonextraction decisions. RESULTS: Ninety-one practitioners (mostly orthodontists) and 347 patients were recruited from October 2015 to December 2016. Increased aligner recommendations were associated with white and Asian patients, the presence of tongue habits, and female practitioners. TADs were recommended more often in academic settings. Recommendations for orthognathic surgery were associated with demographic factors, such as availability of insurance coverage and practitioner race/ethnicity, and dentofacial characteristics, such as anteroposterior discrepancies, more severe open bites, and steeper mandibular plane angles. Extraction recommendations were largely associated with severe crowding and incisor proclination. CONCLUSIONS: Both doctor and patient demographic factors, as well as dentofacial characteristics, were significantly associated with treatment recommendations for adult anterior open bite patients.

Orthodontic Treatment Need and the Psychosocial Impact of Malocclusion in 12-Year-Old Hong Kong Children.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of orthodontic treatment need in 12-year-old children in Hong Kong and its relationship with the psychosocial impact of malocclusion and to assess their associations with sociodemographic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random sample of 687 12-year-old children was recruited from 45 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Orthodontic treatment need was assessed on study models by five indices: the Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC), the Aesthetic Component of the IOTN (IOTN-AC), the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI), the Index of Complexity Outcome and Need (ICON), and the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR). The psychosocial impact of malocclusion on participants and sociodemographic factors were obtained from a questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to examine the correlations between treatment need and the psychosocial impact of malocclusion as well as their associations with sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: The final number of participants was 667 (339 boys and 328 girls, participation rate 667/687 = 97.1%). The prevalence of orthodontic treatment need varied depending on the indices used (10.9-47.8%), but significant correlations were found among the five indices (p < 0.01). The uptake of treatment among the cohort was 2.3%. Boys had higher IOTN-DHC (p < 0.05), DAI (p < 0.05), and PAR (p = 0.05) scores than girls. IOTN-AC was significantly associated with the psychosocial impact of malocclusion (p < 0.05). Parents' level of education and household income were not significantly associated with either treatment need or the psychosocial impact of malocclusion (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The need for orthodontic treatment in 12-year-old children in Hong Kong remained high, and the uptake of treatment was low. Boys had a higher normative treatment need than girls. Among the five indices, IOTN-AC appears to be the best indicator of the psychosocial impact of malocclusion.

Distinguishing between global and dental self-esteem in evaluating malocclusions.

Objective: When dealing with the impact of malocclusion on self-esteem, the terms global and dental self-esteem are sometimes used. Although these terms are related to one another, they do not depict the same concept. The aims of this paper were to explore if the two forms of self-esteem are distinguishable, to find out if they represent different factors, and to investigate how they are related to malocclusion. Materials and methods: A sample consisting of 150 adolescents, aged 13 years, completed self-assessed measures of Dental and Global Self-Esteem. Orthodontic treatment need for each individual was assessed by the Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC). Data were analysed by factor analyses and a 5 (IOTN-DHC grades) by 2 (global vs. dental self-esteem) ANOVA, with the IOTN-DHC grades as the independent and self-esteem (repeated measure) as the dependent variables. Results: The factor analyses showed that the two forms of self-esteem, based on the measures, are distinguishable. More importantly, the results of the ANOVA revealed that Dental and Global Self-Esteem are differentially related to IOTN-DHC. Specifically, Dental Self-Esteem varied across IOTN-DHC scale while Global Self-Esteem did not. There was no effect of gender. Conclusions: Dental self-esteem is related to malocclusion while global self-esteem is not. These findings have implications in areas where the predictive power of dental self-esteem needs to be considered.

Difference in Degrees of Satisfaction with Orthognathic Surgery and Orthodontic Treatment between Skeletal Class III and Cleft Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the degrees of satisfaction with orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment between skeletal Class III and cleft patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples consisted of Class III group (N = 25) and Cleft group (N = 16). The Modified Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaires, which had 5 domains (oral function [OF], awareness of dentofacial deformity [ADD], social relationship [SR], facial esthetics [FE], and nose/lip esthetics [NLE]), were evaluated with 5 rates (0 [very satisfactory] to 4 [very unsatisfactory]) at initial visit (T1), just before surgery (T2), 3 to 6 months after surgery (T3), and at debonding or 1 year after surgery (T4). The scores at each stage, amount of change between stages, and effect size (ES) in the 5 domains were investigated. RESULTS: Compared to Class III group, Cleft group exhibited lower satisfaction scores of NLE domain during all stages (all P < 0.001) and of SR domain and total domains at T4 stage (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Cleft group showed significant improvement of satisfaction scores in FE domain during T1-T2 (P < 0.01), in SR, FE, NLE, and total domains during T2-T3 (all P < 0.01), in OF, SR, and total domains during T3-T4 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01), and in all domains during T1-T4 (ADD, P < 0.05; OF, SR, and NLE, P < 0.01; FE and total, P < 0.001). Cleft group exhibited large improvement of ES only at SR and FE domains during T2-T3 (-0.81 and -1.09, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Owing to lower satisfaction of NLE domain at all stages in cleft patients, clinicians should recommend adjunctive cosmetic surgery for nose and lip after completion of treatment.

[Discontinuation of Orthodontic Treatment: what are the early predictive factors?] / Abandons de traitement orthodontique : quels sont les facteurs predictifs precoces ?

INTRODUCTION: Discontinuation of orthodontic treatment has iatrogenic, psychological, ergonomic and financial consequences. The objective of this study was to investigate early risk factors (prior to installation) of discontinuation of orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a case-control study between a group of patients who dropped their orthodontic treatment ("A") and a randomly selected group of patients who had completed their orthodontic treatment ("NA"). The two groups were compared, with descriptive, uni and multivariate analyzes. The risk factors assessed were age, gender, socioeconomic status, type of treatment, dysmorphism, malocclusion, need for treatment, compliance. RESULTS: In the dropout group 55 patients were included ("A") and 100 in the non-abandoned ("NA") group randomly selected. The subject at risk of abandonment was a girl of less than 11 years of age with a low socio-economic level with antero-posterior and vertical skeletal dysmorphisms, a molar class II, a teeth crowding, a small aesthetic prejudice or, on the contrary, very important, complex treatment (with extractions or with surgery) and having delays or missed appointments before the installation of the orthodontic appliance. CONCLUSION: Patients' motivation needs to be strengthened for both extremes: treatments that appear simple and conversely for complex cases requiring strong cooperation.

Eruption of Impacted Teeth after Alveolar Bone Graft in Cleft Lip and Palate Region.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the eruption of impacted teeth in cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) after alveolar bone graft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research was carried out through a cross-sectional study at the Craniofacial Rehabilitation Center of the University General Hospital of the University of Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Variables related to cleft, cleft side, gender, age, laterality of cleft, impacted teeth, and orthodontic traction were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients treated at the institution from 2004 to 2011 were recruited. There were 54.76% males and 45.24% females. The age group between 9 and 11 years was most affected in 59.53% of cases. The unilateral cleft was the most prevalent (85.71%). A total of 57 impacted teeth were observed. Maxillary canine was the most prevalent impacted teeth (97.61%) and more frequent in transforamen incisor cleft (TIC) (76.3%). The orthodontic traction was needed in both maxillary canines and lateral incisor impacted teeth, 64.3 and 35.7% respectively. The orthodontic traction was needed only in TIC (p = 0.0101). CONCLUSION: The canine teeth were the most prevalent, mainly related to the TIC and all impacted teeth erupted spontaneously in the preforamen incisor cleft (PIC) after placement of the bone graft. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There was spontaneous eruption of impacted teeth after secondary alveolar bone graft in CLP.

Estimated radiation risk of cancer from dental cone-beam computed tomography imaging in orthodontics patients.

BACKGROUND: Radiation dose evaluation is important to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for routine orthodontic treatment planning, especially for a significant proportion of children in orthodontic patients. This study evaluated the patient radiation dose and estimated the radiation cancer risk on dental CBCT according to the calculations by the Monte Carlo simulation method. METHODS: The dental CBCT scanner evaluated in this project was the i- CAT® (Imaging Sciences International Inc., PA, U.S.A.) device. Organ doses and effective doses were calculated by using personal computer-based Monte Carlo simulation (PCXMC 2.0 Rotation) software. The cancer risk resulting from the exposure to ionizing radiation was estimated by using the BEIR VII (Biologic Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII) report model, and the risk of exposure-induced death (REID) was assessed by PCXMC 2.0 Rotation software. RESULTS: The largest contribution to the organ dose and effective dose at Zref 83 cm positioned in the dental CBCT x-ray beam centerline was from the salivary glands (738.29µGy, 7.38 µSv). The different organ doses showed the maximum values at the different Zref locations, and the largest contribution to the organ dose and effective dose of all simulated positions was from the thyroid (928.77µGy, 37.5 µSv). The REID values in the 10-year olds (22.6 × 10- 7, female; 19 × 10- 7, male) were approximately double than those in 30-year olds (10.4 × 10- 7, female; 8.88 × 10- 7, male) for all cancers. The highest change during age range from 10 to 30 was shown in breast cancer of females. CONCLUSIONS: Although individual cancer risk estimates as a function of gender and age are small, the concern about the risks from dental CBCT is related to the rapid increase in its use for orthodontic practice, especially in children patients.

Orthodontic treatment needs in Saudi young adults and manpower requirements.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate orthodontic treatment needs using the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) components and to estimate the required manpower in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 670 participants (390 females and 280 males) collected between November 2016 and April 2017, whose ages ranged from 12-19 years from secondary and high school students. Treatment needs were estimated using the IOTN components, dental health component (DHC), and aesthetic component (AC). RESULTS: The results according to the severity of malocclusion using IOTN-DHC found that 24.3% of the cases required severe/extreme need and 54.3% were in the no/slight need category. The most frequent types of malocclusion were crowding (48.8%) followed by increased overjet (21.8%), and spacing (16.1%). Using Pearson's Chi-squared test, there was a statistically significant association (p less than 0.001) between IOTN-DHC and IOTN-AC; 51.2% of the sample was in agreement at the mild need category, indicating a strong correlation, with a coefficient of 0.687. CONCLUSION: According to the IOTN's components, the present study showed that almost one-quarter of the sample had a severe/extreme need for orthodontic treatment. The most frequent type of malocclusion traits according to the severity was crowding followed by increased overjet and then spacing. The Ministry of Health must employ 90-110 orthodontists in Jeddah to meet the demands of the definite needs for orthodontics in adolescents.

[Dental complications during orthodontic preparation and orthognathic surgery]. / Complications dentaires de la préparation orthodontique et de la chirurgie orthognathique.

INTRODUCTION: Orthodontic-surgical treatment can present risks to the dental organ and the periodontium. Despite the low incidence of such cases, these complications can compromise a treatment plan. Practitioners should be aware of these potential complications, take them into account during treatment in order to reduce their negative impact and, if necessary, manage them by orthodontic-surgical collaboration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article, the authors present several potential complications that can occur during treatment. CONCLUSION: The information given to the patient about the risks inherent in the implementation of an orthodontic-surgical protocol must necessarily include the risks of lesion to the dental organ and the periodontium.

[Does gender make a difference in orthodontics? A literature review]. / Le genre a-t-il une influence en orthodontie ? Une revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this literature review is to investigate whether the gender of patients and practitioners makes any difference to orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine articles were selected, the vast majority of which studied patient gender. RESULTS: Young females are the category of patients which most often apply for orthodontic treatment, probably because of their higher aesthetic demands, despite their objective needs being no greater. Aesthetic, skeletal and dental analyses reveal an obvious dimorphism with larger dimensions in males, especially for the nose, cheekbones, mouth and mandibular canines. Nevertheless, cephalometric angular values do not vary significantly between male and female individuals. Growth is quantitatively greater in males. It also occurs later, as does eruption and maturation of their teeth. Response to the different orthodontic / orthopedic therapies would appear not to differ according to the sex of the patient. DISCUSSION: These results, however, need to be qualified according to the country concerned, the patients' life style and mind frames, as these can modify or influence the studied parameters.

Association between history of orthodontic treatment and sociodemographic factors in adolescents.

The aim of this study was to assess history of orthodontic treatment and its determinants in adolescents. This was a crosssectional study conducted in the city of Passo Fundo, Brazil, on a representative sample of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, regularly enrolled in 20 high schools. A structured questionnaire was applied to assess demographic, behavioral and health variables. The association between history of orthodontic treatment and the dependent variables was analyzed by the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Additionally, multivariate regression with robust variance was performed. A total 736 students were examined and interviewed, of whom 57. 6% had undergone orthodontic treatment, while 42. 4% had not. In the multivariable analysis, the following variables were significantly associated with history of orthodontic treatment: female (PR= 1. 26; 95% CI: 1. 11-1. 43), white (PR= 1. 32; 95% CI: 1. 11-1. 56), mothers with higher level of education (PR=1. 49; 95% CI: 1. 28 -1. 74), tooth loss (PR=1. 21; 95% CI: 1. 06-1. 39), and concern about oral health (PR=0. 69; 95% CI: 0. 61-0. 78). Attending a private school was not significantly associated with history of orthodontic treatment (p>0. 05). This study found a high rate for history of orthodontic treatment among adolescents, associated with gender, ethnicity, adolescent's mother with higher education, and tooth loss. Concern about oral health was a protective factor for orthodontic treatment.

Esse estudo objetivou verificar o histórico de tratamento ortodontico e seus fatores associados. Esse estudo transversal foi conduzido na cidade de Passo Fundo, Brasil, com uma amostra representativa dos adolescentes regularmente matriculados no ensino médio, com idades entre 15 e 19 anos, de 20 escolas. Um questionário estrutura foi aplicado para acessar variáveis demográficas, comportamentais e de saúde. As associações entre histórico de tratamento ortodontico e as variáveis independentes foram analisadas pelos testes de qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher. Além disso, regressão multivariada com variáncia robusta foi realizada. 736 estudantes foram examinados e entrevistados. Tratamento ortodontico foi realizado por 57,6% dos adolescentes, enquanto que 42,4% dos participantes nao o mencionaram. Na análise multivariada, as seguintes variáveis estiveram significativamente associadas com histórico de tratamento ortodôntico: sexo feminino (PR= 1,26; 95%CI: 1,11-1,43), branco (PR= 1,32; 95%CI: 1,11-1,56), mâes com alto nivel educacional (PR=1,49; 95%CI: 1,28-1,74), perda dentária (PR=1,21; 95%CI: 1,06-1,39) epreocupaçâo com a saúde bucal (PR=0,69; 95%CI: 0,61-0,78). Ir a uma escola fiprivada nao esteve significativamente associado com histórico de tratamento ortodôntico (p>0,05). Esse estudo demonstrou que altos niveis de histórico de tratamento ortodôntico são encontrados em adolescentes e isso está associado com sexo, etnia, alta escolaridade da mae do adolescente eperda dentária. Preocupaçâo com a saúde bucal mostrou-se como um fator protetorpara o tratamento ortodôntico.

Effectiveness of the American Board of Orthodontics Discrepancy Index in predicting Treatment Time.

AIM: This study was aimed to explore the effect of pretreatment severity of malocclusion on the duration of the treatment using The American Board of Orthodontics discrepancy index (ABO-DI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical retrospective study consisted of orthodontics records of 37 patients who were treated with comprehensive fixed orthodontic appliance from 2011 to 2013. The sample of the study was collected so as to exclude, to the maximum possible, the patient cooperation variability by reviewing all patient chart entries. The DI measurements were used to gather the information of the pretreatment and relate it to the time duration of the treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The average treatment time was 24.5 months. The DI scores mean for class I and II was 14.30 and 20.15 respectively. Age and sex did not significantly influence the treatment duration (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the ABO-DI could be a useful tool to predict orthodontic treatment time. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The ABO-DI can significantly aid in orthodontic treatment time planning.

Mandibular asymmetries and associated factors in orthodontic and orthognathic surgery patients.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of mandibular asymmetries in orthodontic and orthognathic surgery patients and to investigate demographic and skeletal factors associated with this disharmony. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 1178 individuals aged 19 through 60 years with complete dentitions were analyzed. Outcomes were classified as relative mandibular symmetry, moderate asymmetry, and severe asymmetry. Factors recorded included sex, age, side of mandibular deviation, sagittal jaw relationship, vertical skeletal pattern, angle of the cranial base, and maxillary asymmetry. Ordinal logistic regression was used to estimate simple and adjusted odds ratios (OR) for the individuals with moderate and severe mandibular asymmetry, as well as 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Prevalence values of 55.2%, 27.2%, and 17.6% were observed for relative mandibular symmetry, moderate asymmetry, and severe asymmetry, respectively. An independent association with the side of mandibular deviation and the presence of maxillary asymmetry was observed, both for subjects with moderate mandibular asymmetry (left side: OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.01-2.24 / maxillary asymmetry: OR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.11-3.76) and for those with severe asymmetry (left side: OR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.27-3.44 / maxillary asymmetry: OR = 4.93; 95% CI: 2.64-9.20). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate and severe mandibular asymmetries were present in 44.8% of the sample, being associated with the side of mandibular deviation and with maxillary asymmetry.

Epidemiologic study of orthodontic retention procedures.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to survey current retention procedures applied by Dutch orthodontists and to examine their acquaintance with "unintentionally active retainers." METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all 306 Dutch orthodontists involved in patient treatment. Questions were clustered in 4 parts: (1) general information, (2) retention procedures, (3) characteristics of wire materials for bonded retainers, and (4) acquaintance with "unintentionally active retainers." RESULTS: The response rate was 98%. The most applied retention modality in the maxillary arch was a combination of a removable and a bonded retainer (54%); in the mandibular arch, mainly a bonded retainer without a removable retainer was used (83%). Bonded retention was aimed to be lifelong for the maxillary arch (90%) and the mandibular arch (92%). Mean removable retention duration was 2 years. Vacuum-formed retainers were used more frequently and Hawley-type retainers less frequently. The wire materials used for bonded retainers were diverse. All orthodontists were familiar with unintentionally active retainers; 44% believed this phenomenon is caused by the properties of round multistrand wires. The opinion that unwanted changes in tooth position can arise due to the properties of round multistrand wire material was associated with changing the wire material (P <0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Lifelong retention with bonded retainers continues to increase. All orthodontists were acquainted with unintentionally active retainers and their impact. There is a need to identify all causative factors of inadvertent tooth movement in relation to bonded retainers and to prevent the onset of unintentionally active retainers.

Children's orthodontic utilization in the United States: Socioeconomic and surveillance considerations.

INTRODUCTION: There has been no epidemiologic study of malocclusion prevalence and treatment need in the United States since the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 1988 to 1991. In this descriptive study, the authors sought to estimate orthodontic treatment prevalence by examining a nationally representative survey to assess current pediatric dental and orthodontic utilization. METHODS: The 2009 and 2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys were used to categorize and compare all types of pediatric dental and orthodontic procedures in children and adolescents up to 20 years old. Descriptive variables included dental insurance, poverty level, and racial/ethnic background. RESULTS: Visits for orthodontic procedures constituted the third largest treatment category (14.5%) and were greatest among the uninsured and higher income populations. Children with public insurance had the fewest orthodontic visits (9.4%). Racial/ethnic disparities were most pronounced among orthodontic visits, with black and Hispanic children receiving the fewest orthodontic procedures (8.89% and 10.56%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic treatment prevalence data suggest that significant disparities exist in orthodontic utilization based on race/ethnicity, poverty level, and insurance status. To establish the burden of malocclusion, describe populations in greatest need of interventions, and craft appropriate programs and policies, an active orthodontic surveillance system is essential.

Influence of clinicians' experience and gender on extraction decision in orthodontics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether, in Class I borderline cases, experienced orthodontists choose nonextraction treatment more frequently than do orthodontists with less experience. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether clinicians' gender and place of education play a role in extraction decision making. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was developed using three Class I borderline patient cases. The survey included questions about clinicians' demographics as well as questions about the selected cases. The survey was distributed to approximately 2000 clinicians through the American Association of Orthodontics. RESULTS: Of the 253 responses collected, a trend was observed wherein clinicians with more than 15 years of experience preferred an extraction treatment option more frequently than did clinicians with less than 5 years of experience. There was no association between gender and place of education and the decision to extract in the selected borderline cases. Crowding, patient's profile, and mandibular incisor inclination were among the top three reasons chosen by clinicians for both the extraction and nonextraction treatment decisions. CONCLUSIONS: A trend was observed in which clinicians with more experience chose an extraction treatment option more frequently in borderline cases than did those with less experience. Clinicians' gender did not play a role in extraction decision making.

Comparison of arch width changes following orthodontic treatment with and without extraction using three-dimensional models.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the arch width changes in patients treated fixed orthodontic mechanics without extraction (Group 1), with upper and lower first premolar extractions (Group 2), and with upper first premolar extraction only (Group 3). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with pre- and post-treatment digital models from 240 patients. Anterior, middle, and posterior distances were measured on pre- and post-treatment models. At T1 measurements, the distance among the canine cusp tips, the second premolar buccal cusp tips, and the first molar mesiobuccal cusp tips were measured. In addition, the distance (D) between the intercanine and intermolar lines and the distance (D') between the interpremolar and intermolar lines were defined on the anatomic y-axis, and this distance was maintained in calculating posttreatment measurements (T2). Mandibular and maxillary arch width changes were evaluated within and between groups. RESULTS: Anterior, middle, and posterior arch widths increased significantly in Groups 1 and 3. Maxillary anterior and middle arch widths also increased in Group 2, but the increases were not statistically significant. Changes in maxillary anterior and middle arch widths were higher in Groups 1 and 3 when compared to Group 2. However, there was no statistically significant difference in mandibular arch changes between the groups. CONCLUSION: Extraction treatment mechanics did not cause narrow dental arches, but nonextraction treatment increased arch width in all 3 measurements. Treatments with only upper arch extraction showed similar results with nonextraction treatment.

Perception of orthodontic treatment need among Swedish children, adolescents and young adults.

OBJECTIVE: Perceptions of orthodontic treatment need and perceptions of dental aesthetics was investigated among subjects ages 10, 15 and 19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 489 subjects completed a questionnaire after inspecting 10 photographs in the Aesthetic Component scale of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need to (i) reveal the lower limit for orthodontic treatment need and (ii) rate their dental aesthetics by selecting the most similar photo. RESULTS: The mean lower limit for orthodontic treatment need was significantly higher (and closer to literature-based standards) among subjects, age 10 (4.2 ± 1.5), than among subjects, age 15 (3.6 ± 1.2) (p = .0009), and subjects, age 19 (3.5 ± 1.2) (p = .00002). Among subjects ages 15 and 19, the lower limit for orthodontic treatment need was lower in groups with (i) self-perceived orthodontic treatment need (p = .002 and .001, respectively) and (ii) previous orthodontic treatment (p = .005 and .035, respectively). Self-perceived orthodontic treatment need was present in more than one-third of subjects, age 19, who had previously received orthodontic treatment. Subjects of foreign origin reported that their dental aesthetics were worse (p = .002) and those same subjects, age 19, set the lower limit for orthodontic treatment lower (p = .047) than Swedes, age 19. CONCLUSIONS: The lower limit for orthodontic treatment need among subjects, age 10, was higher - compared to subjects, ages 15 and 19 - and closer to literature-based standards. Subjects with self-perceived orthodontic treatment need, subjects with previous orthodontic treatment, and subjects age 19 of foreign origin, have higher aesthetic demands.