Comparison of the efficiency of initial dental alignment with Invisalign® aligners changed every 7 or 14 days in mature adults: Randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anterior crowding correction after sequential use of the first 5 aligners between two aligner exchange protocols (7 and 14 days) in mature adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients over 35 years who received orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® were randomly allocated to two different aligner replacement sequence protocols: Group 1: exchange every 7 days (n = 18); and Group 2: exchange every 14 days (n = 18). All patients were scanned with iTero Element 5D® (Align Technology) in two treatment times: at pre-treatment (T1) and after using the first five aligners (T2). Little's Irregularity Index (LII) and arch widths were evaluated with OrthoCAD software. Intra and intergroup comparisons were performed with the dependent and independent t-tests. The results were considered significant for P < .05. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients completed the study. Both groups' maxillary and mandibular Irregularity Indexesi were significantly lower at T2. There was no significant difference in inter-canine, inter-premolar, and intermolar distances. G2 (14 days) presented a greater decrease in mandibular irregularity than G1 (7 days). CONCLUSION: Both exchange protocols (7 and 14 days) effectively correct anterior crowding in the initial phase of orthodontic treatment with aligners in mature adult patients. However, the 14-day exchange protocol provided a greater correction in mandibular anterior crowding in the evaluated period than the 7-day exchange protocol.

Comparison of maxillary transversal changes between auxiliary beta-titanium expansion arch and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion.

OBJECTIVE(S): This study compared buccal bone thickness, dental inclinations and maxillary transverse width dimensions changes between auxiliary beta-titanium expansion arch (AEA) and miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 29 patients, aged between 18 and 40 years, with transverse maxillary deficiency and treated without extractions, divided into two groups: group AEA: comprised 13 individuals (initial mean age: 29.23 ± 9.13 years) treated using auxiliary beta-titanium expansion arch; group MARPE: comprised 16 patients (initial mean age: 24.92 ± 7.60 years) treated with miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion. Buccal bone thickness, dental inclinations and transverse width dimensions (dental, nasal base and jugular) were measured in cone-bean computed tomographies at pre- and post-treatment stages. The variables were compared using the independent t-test. RESULTS: The buccal bone thickness was similar for both groups at the post-treatment stage. The second premolars were significantly more buccal inclined in the AEA group and the right maxillary first molars in the MARPE group. The intercanine and intermolar distances were statistically significantly greater in the MARPE group. Changes in dental arch transverse dimensions were significantly greater for the MARPE group. CONCLUSION: Both treatment protocols corrected the maxillary transverse discrepancy; however, MARPE provided greater correction.

Long-term profile attractiveness of patients with Class I and II malocclusion treated with and without extractions: A 35-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to compare the profile attractiveness in subjects treated with and without extractions after the long-term 35-year follow-up, according to laypeople, dentists, and orthodontists. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with Class I and II malocclusion were divided into 2 groups, according to the treatment protocol: extraction (E) group, extractions of 4 premolars (n = 24), with mean pretreatment (T1), posttreatment (T2), and long-term posttreatment (T3) ages of 13.13, 15.50 and 49.56 years, respectively. The mean treatment time (T2 - T1) was 2.37 years, and the long-term follow-up (T3 - T2) was 34.19. Nonextraction (NE) group (n = 16), with mean ages at T1, T2, and T3 of 13.21, 15.07, and 50.32 years, respectively. The mean (T2 - T1) was 1.86 years, and the (T3 - T2) was 35.25 years. Lateral cephalograms were used to perform profile facial silhouettes, and an online evaluation was performed by 72 laypeople, 63 dentists, and 65 orthodontists, rating the attractiveness from 1 (least attractive) to 10 (most attractive). The intragroup comparison was performed with the repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey tests. Intergroup comparison was performed with t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and Tukey tests. RESULTS: The E group had a longer treatment time than that of the NE group. In the pretreatment, posttreatment, and long-term posttreatment stages, the E and NE groups showed similar profile attractiveness. Laypersons and dentists were more critical than orthodontists. CONCLUSIONS: At long-term posttreatment follow-up, profile attractiveness was similar in patients treated with and without extractions.

Smile attractiveness in patients treated with or without 4 premolar extractions: A 36-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the smile attractiveness in patients treated with or without 4 premolar extractions at a 36-year follow-up. METHODS: The sample comprised 52 patients with Class I and II malocclusion divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 15 patients treated without extractions (10 females and 5 males), with a mean pretreatment, posttreatment, and long-term posttreatment (T3) age of 13.2, 15.1, and 49.8 years, respectively. The mean treatment time was 1.9 years, and the mean long-term follow-up period was 34.7 years. Group 2 consisted of 37 patients (25 females and 12 males) treated with 4 premolar extractions, with a mean pretreatment, posttreatment, and long-term posttreatment age of 13.3, 15.7, and 53.6 years, respectively. The mean treatment time was 2.3 years, and the mean long-term follow-up period was 37.9 years. The mean retention time was 2 years for both groups. Frontal smiling photographs were obtained at long-term follow-up. Smile attractiveness was evaluated in an online questionnaire in which the evaluator could rate the smiling photographs with a 10-point scale. The randomly selected evaluator sample consisted of 62 laypeople, 33 dentists, and 89 orthodontists. Independent t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and Tukey tests were used for intergroup comparisons at P <0.05. RESULTS: The smile attractiveness on the long term was similar in the groups treated with 4 premolar extractions (4.70 ± 1.35) or without extractions (4.51 ± 1.46). Women and orthodontists were more critical in assessing smile attractiveness than men, dentists, and laypeople. CONCLUSIONS: After long-term posttreatment, the smile attractiveness was similar in patients treated with 4 premolar extractions or without extractions.

Assessment of patients' knowledge and preferences for the use of orthodontic aligners.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge and preference of patients treated at a Dental School in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil, about using aligners and the reasons for choosing this device as a treatment option. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 82 participants aged 18-45 years recruited at a screening clinic. METHODS: A questionnaire was completed in person using a tablet with digital forms. RESULTS: Almost half of the participants (49%) knew about aligners; 40% were aged 18-24 years, and 77% were female. When observing the images of the types of orthodontic appliances, the aligners had an acceptance rate of 80%. Among the reasons that led to the preference for choosing aligners, 68% cited aesthetics and 42% comfort. CONCLUSION: Recently, clear aligners have become a popular choice for orthodontic treatment, particularly among adults. Despite their popularity and effectiveness, many patients still need more information about aligner treatment. Over half of the respondents did not know what orthodontic aligners were. Younger participants had more knowledge about aligners than older participants. Patients still need more knowledge about the types of appliances available for orthodontic treatment. When presented with images of the kinds of devices available, almost 80% of participants showed greater satisfaction with aligners.

Gingival recession in mandibular anterior teeth in patients with Class II malocclusion treated with elastics and Twin Force appliance.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the early results of gingival recession in patients with Class II malocclusion treated with Class II intermaxillary elastics and the Twin Force appliance. METHODS: The sample comprised 55 patients with Class II malocclusion treated without extraction and divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 23 patients treated with fixed appliances and Class II elastics, with mean initial age of 15.41 ± 5.65 years and a mean treatment time of 3.11 ± 0.91 years. Group 2 consisted of 32 patients treated with fixed appliances and the Twin Force mandibular protraction appliance, with a mean initial age of 18.45 ± 6.63 years and a mean treatment time of 3.17 ± 1.59 years. Dolphin software measured gingival recession in initial and final intraoral photographs. Initial and final lateral cephalograms were used to measure the position of the mandibular incisors. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were performed by dependent and independent t tests, respectively. RESULTS: In both groups, there was no significant increase in gingival recession with orthodontic treatment, and there was significant protrusion and buccal inclination of the mandibular incisors. When changes with treatment were compared between the groups, there was no statistically significant difference in gingival recession and mandibular incisor position. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant increase in gingival recession immediately after orthodontic treatment performed with intermaxillary elastics and the Twin Force appliance.

Evaluation of enamel deproteinization in bond strength of orthodontic accessories: A split-mouth randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: This split-mouth randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the influence of dental enamel deproteinization with sodium hypochlorite on orthodontic accessories breakages using 2 orthodontic adhesives. METHODS: Forty patients with indications for orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the orthodontic adhesive used: Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) (n = 20) and Orthocem (FGM Dental Products, Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil) (n = 20). A split-mouth trial was conducted in the maxillary teeth; the deproteinization process with 5% sodium hypochlorite was performed on the experimental side. The opposite side served as a control without deproteinization. The primary outcome was the number of orthodontic accessories breakages. The randomization was performed using the BioStat software (AnalystSoft Inc, Walnut, Calif). Single-blind was applied for patients. Orthodontic accessories were bonded according to the manufacturer's instructions. The accessories breakages were followed during the first 6 months of treatment. Intergroup comparisons were performed with t tests and 1 and 2-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients concluded the trial. The Transbond XT group comprised 20 patients (9 male, 11 female), with a mean age of 20.77 ± 6.44 years. The Orthocem group included 19 patients (9 male, 10 female), with a mean age of 23.14 ± 7.98 years. The application of sodium hypochlorite before bonding did not influence the number of orthodontic accessories breakages (P = 0.867). The type of adhesive used, associated or not with the deproteinization, did not affect the number of orthodontic accessories breakages (P = 0.929). CONCLUSIONS: Enamel deproteinization with 5% sodium hypochlorite did not impact the number of orthodontic accessories breakages. In addition, the 2 bonding adhesives used showed similar clinical results, with or without the enamel deproteinization. REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at ensaiosclinicos.gov.br, ReBEC (no. RBR-39ntmjk). PROTOCOL: The protocol was not published before trial commencement. FUNDING: This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies.

Impact of coronavirus pandemic in appointments and anxiety/concerns of patients regarding orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the quarantine in orthodontic appointments, and patients' anxiety and concerns about their ongoing orthodontic treatment. SETTINGS AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Patients from private dental clinics of two orthodontists that were undergoing active orthodontic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online anonymous questionnaire regarding their anxiety about the coronavirus situation, availability/acceptance to attend an appointment, among others, was answered by orthodontic patients. Descriptive statistics with percentages was performed and responses were compared between sexes, cities, and association of the feelings/level of anxiety of patients and willingness to attend an appointment were performed with chi-square, independent t test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 354 patients (231 female; 123 male) with mean age of 35.49 years. Most patients are respecting the quarantine, 44.7% related to be calm and 46.3% afraid or anxious. The level of anxiety was greater for females than males. There was significant association of the level of anxiety and the willingness to attend an appointment. The greatest concern of patients was delay in the end of treatment. CONCLUSION: The quarantine and coronavirus pandemic showed to have impact on orthodontic appointments and patients' anxiety. Patients willing to attend an orthodontic appointment presented significantly lower level of anxiety than patients that would not go or would go only in urgency/emergency. Females were more anxious than males about coronavirus pandemic, quarantine and impact on their orthodontic treatments. Delay in treatment was the greatest concern of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

Evaluation of the influence of mandibular third molars on mandibular anterior crowding relapse.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of mandibular third molars on relapse of mandibular anterior crowding in orthodontically treated patients.Material and Methods: Sample included orthodontic records of 108 patients: Group 1: 72 patients (39 female; 33 male) with third molars present in the postretention evaluation stage. Group 2: 36 patients (18 female; 18 male) who did not present the third molars in the postretention evaluation stage. Panoramic radiographs and dental models were evaluated at three different stages: pre-treatment; posttreatment and postretention. Panoramic radiographs showed the presence or absence of third molars in the 3 evaluated stages and on the dental models, overbite and mandibular anterior crowding was measured by the Little Irregularity Index. For intergroup comparisons, t-tests and a multifactorial regression analysis were used.Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the relapse of mandibular anterior crowding among the groups with and without mandibular third molars at the postretention stage.Conclusion: The presence or absence of mandibular third molars did not influence the relapse of mandibular anterior crowding in orthodontically treated patients.

Long-term occlusal changes and patient satisfaction in patients treated with and without extractions: 37 years after treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this research was to evaluate the treatment outcomes, long-term occlusal changes, and patient satisfaction after 37 years of nonextraction and extraction treatments. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with Class I and Class II malocclusion were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 16 patients treated with nonextraction therapy, with mean initial (T1), final (T2), and long-term posttreatment (T3) ages of 13.2, 15.0, and 50.3 years, respectively. Mean treatment time (T2 - T1) and long-term follow-up time (T3 - T2) were 1.8 and 35.2 years, respectively. Group 2 included 41 patients treated with extraction of 4 first premolars, with mean ages at T1, T2, and T3 of 13.3, 15.6, and 53.6 years, respectively. Mean treatment (T2 - T1) and long-term follow-up (T3 - T2) times were 2.3 and 37.9 years, respectively. The Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index and Objective Grading System (OGS) indexes were evaluated at T1, T2, and T3 stages. The subjects also answered an online questionnaire regarding esthetic and occlusal self-perception at T3. Intergroup comparison was performed with t tests. RESULTS: The PAR index improved with treatment and similarly worsened at T3 for both groups. OGS scores were close to the passing score at T2 for both groups. The nonextraction group presented worse OGS scores at T3 than the extraction group. Nonextraction patients perceived more changes in alignment over time, but overall satisfaction was similar. CONCLUSIONS: The PAR index improved with treatment, and the PAR and OGS scores showed a significant increase, indicating great occlusal changes in the long-term stage. The nonextraction group showed more occlusal changes and perceived more changes in their alignment over time, but overall patient satisfaction was similar in both groups.

Anterior tooth alignment and arch dimensions changes: 37-year follow-up in patients treated with and without premolar extraction.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this research was to evaluate the anterior tooth alignment and dental arch dimension changes after orthodontic treatments with and without premolar extractions in the long-term. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with Class I and Class II malocclusion were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 16 patients treated with nonextraction therapy, with mean initial (T1), final (T2), and long-term follow-up (T3) ages of 13.20 years, 15.07 years, and 50.32 years, respectively. The mean treatment (T2 - T1) and long-term follow-up (T3 - T2) times were 1.86 years and 35.25 years, respectively. Group 2 included 41 patients treated with extraction of 4 first premolars, with T1, T2, and T3 ages of 13.31 years, 15.63 years, and 53.60 years, respectively. The mean treatment and long-term follow-up times were 2.32 years and 37.96 years, respectively. The mean retention time was 2.26 years for both groups. The dental casts were obtained and digitized at T1, T2, and T3 stages. The following measurements were obtained: Little irregularity index, arch length, perimeter, and intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar widths. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons were performed with repeated measures analysis of variance and t tests, respectively. RESULTS: Anterior tooth irregularity index increased at T3 in both groups. In addition, all arch dimensions, except the intercanine width, were significantly smaller in the extraction group at T3. Both groups showed similar arch dimension changes at T3, except for the mandibular arch perimeter. The percentage of mandibular anterior tooth alignment change was significantly greater in the nonextraction than in the extraction group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the changes of anterior alignment and transverse arch dimensions in patients treated with and without premolar extraction at T3, but the percentage of mandibular anterior tooth alignment changes was higher in the nonextraction than in the extraction patients at T3. The mandibular arch perimeter showed more of a decrease at T3 in extraction patients.

Urgencies and emergencies in orthodontics during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Brazilian orthodontists' experience.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to evaluate the most common urgencies and emergencies in orthodontics during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to assess how orthodontists in Brazil were dealing with patients and challenges. METHODS: Early in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, routine dental care was suspended in many countries, and only patients needing urgent or emergency care could be seen. During this period, orthodontists in Brazil were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey. Over 48 hours (May 1-3, 2020), 395 orthodontists (specialists, MScs, and PhDs) responded. They answered questions regarding dental office and appointments during the pandemic, the type of urgency or emergency care provided, the type of appliance and urgencies, etc. The level of concern about the impact of the pandemic on patients' orthodontic treatments and the financial impact on the dental office was also evaluated. Descriptive statistics were performed with percentages, and responses were compared between specialists, MScs, and PhDs, using chi-square tests. RESULTS: Specialists were the majority of respondents. Most orthodontists were handling only emergencies or urgencies. The most frequent urgencies were bracket breakage, archwire breakage, and breakage of molar tubes and/or bands. Stainless steel fixed appliances were the most common type of appliance related to unscheduled appointments. The majority of patients got in touch with the orthodontist using the professional WhatsApp messenger (WhatsApp Inc, Menlo Park, Calif). Orthodontists were more concerned with the financial impact of the pandemic than with the orthodontic treatment itself. CONCLUSIONS: Breakage of brackets, archwires, or tubes and/or bands were the most common causes of urgency and/or emergency appointments during the pandemic. The level of concern about the financial impact of the stay-at-home orders and the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly greater for specialists and MScs than for PhDs.

Comparison of smile attractiveness in cases with gummy smile treated with botulinum toxin and maxillary impaction surgery: A retrospective study.

This study aimed to compare the smile's attractiveness in patients submitted to the treatment of gummy smiles with botulinum toxin or maxillary impaction surgery. The retrospective sample comprised 26 patients divided into two groups: Group 1 (BTX): 13 patients (12 females and 1 male) with a mean age of 28.06 years (s.d. = 6.09) and mean gingival exposure during smile of 5.18 mm (s.d. = 1.51) treated with botulinum toxin; Group 2 (SURGICAL): 13 patients (9 females and 4 males) with a mean age of 30.59 years (s.d. = 5.72) and mean gingival exposure during smile of 5.21 mm (s.d. = 1.55) treated with orthognathic maxillary impaction surgery. The group of evaluators comprised 317 participants, divided into 143 orthodontists (85 females and 58 males) with a mean age of 41.40 (s.d. = 9.30); 62 dentists (47 female and 15 male) with a mean age of 35.44 (s.d. = 10.44), and 112 lay people (74 female and 38 male) with a mean age of 46, 91 (s.d. = 10.11) in a questionnaire on Google Forms. Without knowing the therapy used, the evaluators assigned scores to the photographs of the posed smile taken before (T1) and after (T2) treatment. Intergroup comparison of smile attractiveness was performed using the t-independent, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey tests. There was a significant improvement in smile attractiveness with treatment in both groups; however, the improvement was significantly better in the surgical group than in the BTX group. Orthodontists rated smile attractiveness significantly higher than dentists and laypersons for the final phase of the BTX and surgical groups. There was a significant improvement in the smile attractiveness with botulinum toxin application and orthodontic-surgical treatment. However, orthognathic surgery promoted a greater improvement in smile attractiveness than the application of botulinum toxin.

Relationship Between Dentofacial Features and Bullying in School children.

Purpose: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between clinician-assessed (actual) and self-assessed (perceived) dentofacial features and their association with bullying in schoolchildren. Methods: The sample comprised 519 schoolchildren aged 10 to 12 years old (235 boys and 284 girls) randomly selected from private and public schools. Clinical evaluations were performed to record dento- facial features, and the children were asked a self-reported questionnaire about their personal experience of bullying and perceived dentofacial features. Descriptive statistics (counts and percentages) as well as chi-square to analyze the association between variables were applied. Results: The results showed that 57.2 percent of the children reported being bullied, and the mainly perceived dentofacial features cited were: "crooked teeth" (46.3 percent), "shape or color of teeth" (45.5 percent), "upper front teeth sticking out" (43.8 percent), and "having a gap between the teeth or having missing teeth" (35.5 percent). Statistically significant associations between actual and perceived dentofacial features and involve- ment in bullying were observed for anterior crowding (P=0.01), anterior crossbite (P<0.001), lip competence (P=0.008), and anterior dental trauma (P=0.04). Conclusion: Some actual and perceived dentofacial traits are associated with bullying, so these features and the schoolchil- dren's compliances should be considered to determine the treatment need.

Incisors' bone height and inclination changes after orthodontic treatment with a self-ligating passive system.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate changes in the alveolar buccal bone height of maxillary and mandibular incisors after orthodontic treatment with a self-ligating passive system and to assess the correlation between bone height and incisor inclination. Material and Methods: Pre (T1) and post-treatment (T2) cone-beam computed tomography images of patients treated with the Damon 3MX appliance system were measured to quantify the alveolar buccal bone height of the maxillary incisors. The incisor's inclination was measured in digital models. Paired t-test was used to evaluate the changes between T1 and T2, and Pearson's coefficient was used to test the correlation. Results: All teeth presented statistically significant alveolar buccal bone loss at T2. A statistically significant buccal inclination was observed only for the lower left lateral incisors. There was no correlation between bone height changes and incisor inclination. Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment with a self-ligating passive system showed changes in alveolar height, but these changes were not correlated with incisor inclination. Key words:Passive self-ligating brackets, orthodontics, corrective, treatment outcome, alveolar bone loss.