Objective
To analyse three protocols in maintaining the stability of orthodontic therapy results and their effect on gingival health.
Materials and methods
Sixty-six subjects (pre-therapeutic age ...11–18 years; 68% female) randomly allocated into three retention groups of equal size were analysed. The first group had a 0.673 × 0.268 mm (0.027 × 0.011 inches) rectangular braided steel retention wire bonded to the lingual surfaces of all mandibular teeth from canine to canine, and the second group had a 0.406 mm (0.016 inches) round twisted steel wire. The third group was the control, without wires, and only with vacuum-formed retainers. All three groups had vacuum-formed removable retainers in the maxilla. The frequency of wire detachment/breakage/loss of retainer, the occurrence of crowding of mandibular incisors, and changes in intercanine width and gingival health were monitored.
Results
Incidence and severity of relapse differed between groups (
p
= 0.001 and 0.049) being most common in the removable retainer group (incidence 68.2%; severity 0.7 ± 1.0 mm), followed by the round wire group (36.4%; 0.5 ± 1.2 mm) and rectangular wire group (13.6%; 0.1 ± 0.1 mm). The intercanine width decreased more without a bonded retainer (incidence 68.2%; severity 0.5 ± 0.7 mm) and with the round wire more (45.5%; 0.5 ± 0.7 mm) than with the rectangular (27.3%; 0.1 ± 0.3 mm). The difference was significant for incidence (
p
= 0.025), but not severity. Detaching of the wires/breakage/loss of retainer was similar. There were no significant differences in the accumulation of biofilm, calculus and gingivitis between appliances.
Conclusion
A rectangular wire is the most effective in retention, and the impact of retention appliances on gingival health is similar.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05121220. Registered 02 October 2021 - Retrospectively registered.
Clinical Relevance
Studying guidelines for reducing relapse, proper use of materials and appliances, the behavior of retention wires according to their profile in the retention phase, and possibilities of maintaining oral health will contribute to improving the stability of orthodontic therapy results.
The molecule NAD+ is a coenzyme for enzymes catalyzing cellular redox reactions in several metabolic pathways, encompassing glycolysis, TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, and is a substrate ...for NAD+-dependent enzymes. In addition to a hydride and electron transfer in redox reactions, NAD+ is a substrate for sirtuins and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerases and even moderate decreases in its cellular concentrations modify signaling of NAD+-consuming enzymes. Age-related reduction in cellular NAD+ concentrations results in metabolic and aging-associated disorders, while the consequences of increased NAD+ production or decreased degradation seem beneficial. This article reviews the NAD+ molecule in the development of aging and the prevention of chronic age-related diseases and discusses the strategies of NAD+ modulation for healthy aging and longevity.
Ion‐selective electrode pocket meters available for use with saliva could be a convenient tool to assess how diseases, drugs, exercise or nutrition affect salivary composition. This study compared ...salivary sodium and potassium concentrations measured by handheld LAQUAtwin meters and a fully‐automated biochemical analyzer. Agreement between two methods was assessed with Passing‐Bablok regression and Bland‐Altman plots. LAQUAtwin meters measured lower values of both analytes and provided repeatable though not accurate results. The meters may serve as an alternative to laboratory methods to gain insight into between‐group differences in electrolyte concentrations, or a concentration change induced by an experimental procedure.
Tobacco heating systems (THS) are new products on the market, advertised as a less harmful alternative for smokers, in which tobacco is heated and not burned like in conventional cigarettes. This ...research explored the effect on periodontal tissues in contact with heating and burning tobacco residual products (smoke and tobacco).
The sample included 66 subjects, patients of the Clinic of Dentistry in Rijeka, Croatia, aged 26-56 (median 38), 64% females. Three age- and gender-matched groups were formed (each
= 22): non-smokers, classic cigarettes smokers and THS smokers. Probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were primary research parameters.
Three groups differed in average PD and CAL (
≤ 0.002), with cigarette smokers having the highest and non-smokers the lowest values (
≤ 0.002). THS consumers generally had lower values of periodontal indices than smokers, but only CAL differed significantly (
= 0.011). Periodontal indices CAL and PD were worse in THS consumers than non-smokers, but they did not reach a level of statistical significance. Cigarette smoking was the only predictor of periodontitis (average CAL ≥ 4 mm) in logistic regression models, with an odds ratio of 4.7 (95% confidence interval 1.2-18.3;
= 0.027).
Exposure to nicotine-containing aerosol of THS in adults has a less harmful effect on periodontal tissues, measurable through periodontal indices (PD and CAL), compared to burning tobacco of conventional cigarettes. THS, presented as an alternative product to classic cigarettes, also has a detrimental effect on the periodontium.
This study investigated the impact of tobacco exposure, specifically through heating and burning, on periodontopathogens in the subgingival microbiome among clinically healthy individuals and those ...diagnosed with periodontitis. The sample comprised 66 subjects (26–56 years, median 38 yrs; 64% females) classified as non-smokers, classic cigarette smokers, and tobacco heating system (THS) smokers (each N = 22). Full-mouth periodontal examination was performed, and 330 paper-point samples from periodontal pockets were collected. Next-generation sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was conducted to identify the composition of subgingival microbiome. Periodontitis prevalence among the groups was ranked as THS (41%) < non-smokers (44%) < cigarette smokers (68%), without statistically significant differences between the groups. The number of perio-pathogenic species was higher in subjects with periodontitis compared to those without (median 7 vs. 6 species; p = 0.005) but without significant differences between exposure groups: non-smokers (6) = smokers (6) < THS (6.5). When combining exposure and periodontal status, each smoker group had more perio-pathogenic species than non-smokers: non-smokers without periodontitis (5) < smokers without periodontitis (5.5) < THS without periodontitis (6); non-smokers with periodontitis (6.5) < THS with periodontitis (7) = smokers with periodontitis (7). Multiple linear regression indicated periodontitis as the sole predictor of perio-pathogenic species quantity, irrespective of the type of tobacco consumption, sex, age, or oral hygiene (R2 = 0.163; p = 0.005). In conclusion, the quantity of perio-pathogenic species in the subgingival microbiome was more influenced by periodontitis than by exposure to tobacco smoke, regardless of whether it was heated or burned.
Objectives
The study compared clinical characteristics and caries risk assessments between tobacco heating system (THS) smokers, cigarette smokers and non-smokers.
Materials and methods
General data, ...data regarding fluoridation, smoking and dietary habits was obtained through a questionnaire. Caries experience was assessed by the DMFT index; the amount of biofilm by the Full mouth plaque score index; the amount of salivation by the quantum of stimulated salivation test; salivary pH with pH indicator strips and salivary number of
S.mutans
and
Lactobacilli
by cultivation on agar plates. The Cariogram method was used to assess caries risk.
Results
No differences between the groups was detected regarding education level, average daily number of meals, fluoridation programs, systemic diseases, and caries experience. The groups significantly differed in the amount of salivary
S.mutans
and
Lactobacilli
(
p
< 0.001), accumulated biofilm (
p
= 0.034), salivation quantum (
p
< 0.001), and saliva pH (
p
= 0.009). Exposure to tobacco smoke and heated tobacco aerosol increased the accumulation of biofilm and decreased salivary pH. Smoking increased
S. mutans
, while THS consumption decreased salivation and
Lactobacilli
the most. The Cariogram analysis found no differences in chances of avoiding new caries lesions between the groups, but a significant difference in developing caries lesions due to dietary habits was detected (
p
< 0.001) with non-smokers having higher risk than smokers, but not than THS consumers.
Conclusions
THS and cigarette smoking were related to clinical characteristics that affect caries activity even though the caries risk assessment revealed no significant difference in the chances of avoiding new caries lesions between the groups.
Clinical relevance
THS and cigarette smokers could have higher caries activity than non-smokers. The clinical study protocol has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov under the ID number: NCT06314100.
To analyze the effect of various coating formulations on the mechanical and corrosion properties of nickel-titanium (NiTi) orthodontic wires.
Uncoated, rhodium-coated, and nitrified NiTi wires were ...observed with a three-point-bend test, surface roughness (Ra) measurement, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electrochemical testing (open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic polarization scan). Differences in the properties of tested wire types were analyzed with analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test.
Uncoated and nitrified NiTi wires showed similar mechanical and anticorrosive properties, while rhodium-coated NiTi wires showed the highest Ra and significantly higher modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and delivery of forces during loading but not in unloading. Rhodium-coated NiTi wires also had the highest corrosion current density and corrosion potential, lowest impedance modulus, and two time constants on Bode plot, one related to the Rh/Au coating and the other to underlying NiTi.
Working properties of NiTi wires were unaffected by various coatings in unloading. Nitrification improved corrosion resistance. Rhodium coating reduced corrosion resistance and pronounced susceptibility to pitting corrosion in artificial saliva because of galvanic coupling between the noble coating and the base alloy.
To explore the interaction effects of ciprofloxacin and ampicillin with nickel on the growth of bacteria,
Staphylococcus aureus
strain ATCC 29213,
Enterococcus faecalis
ATCC 29212 and
Escherichia ...coli
ATCC 25922 were used. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for nickel, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin, and the checkerboard method was used to assess their cumulative effects on bacterial growth. The interactions between the metal and antibiotics were assessed by the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC). The MICs for ciprofloxacin and ampicillin were 0.31 and 1 mg/L for
E. faecalis
, 0.62 and 1 mg/L for
S. aureus
and 0.005 and 2.5 for
E. coli
, respectively. The MIC for nickel was 1000 mg/L for all bacteria. The FIC results for ciprofloxacin and nickel demonstrated an antagonistic effect of the two agents on the growth of
E. coli
and
E. faecalis
and an additive effect on
S. aureus
. The FICs for ampicillin and nickel demonstrated a synergistic effect on the growth of
E. faecalis
and
E. coli
. Different interactions of metals and antibiotics were observed depending on the bacteria and the type of antibiotic.
The aim was to assess the views and practice of Croatian orthodontists concerning retention protocols. A total of 150 questionnaire copies were distributed, of which 92 were validly completed. The ...survey included sociodemographic characteristics, practices of informing patients about retention options, commonly used appliances, and reasons for choosing a particular type of retention and treatment duration. Orthodontists informed patients about retention mostly verbally, the retention period was 3-5 years, the choice of method depended on the malocclusion (76%), and the protocol was influenced by clinical experience of the orthodontist (39%). The most commonly used appliance in the maxilla was the vacuum-formed retainer (52%), whereas a combination of fixed and removable retainers was most common in the mandible (34%). Modus of acquiring knowledge, biological reasons (malocclusion type, oral health, treatment outcome, and growth) and the patient's wishes were not a predictor of retention duration or recall frequency. With an increase in orthodontic experience, the duration of retention decreased and orthodontists were more likely to change the duration of retention (p=0.001), as well as the type of retention appliance (p<0.001). In conclusion, retention protocols among Croatian orthodontists were influenced mostly by their clinical experience and clinical situation. Key words: Croatia; Clinical protocols; Orthodontic appliances; Orthodontic retainers; Orthodontics, corrective--methods; Surveys and questionnaires
The study explored whether television commercials change the perception of one's own dentofacial attractiveness and to identify if it is influenced by personality traits.
The sample included 83 ...participants, aged 19-27 years. The experimental group (N=42) watched commercials portraying famous young individuals with high smile esthetics, bright teeth and no visible malocclusions, while the control group (N=41) watched neutral commercials (without people or visible teeth). The perception of subjects` own orofacial esthetics and its psychosocial effects were assessed a month before the exposure and immediately after it. The subjects` malocclusion severity and personality characteristics (extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, intellect, self-esteem and perfectionism) were assessed.
In their second report, respondents were inclined to report less psychosocial impacts with small differences (ranging from 0-3 scalar points on average) and less significant in the active group compared to neutral group (2 out of 7 vs. 5 out of 7 aspects). Types of visual stimuli were a significant predictor only of changes pertaining to psychological impact of dental esthetics (p=0.045; r=0.221). The intellect moderated perception of smile esthetics, after having been exposed to commercials, accentuated beautiful smiles as a suppressor (ΔR
=0.076; p=0.005; total model R
=0.347; p=0.033). In subjects with higher cognitive abilities, an increase in the self-perceived malocclusion level induced a smaller decrease in psychological impact of dental esthetics as compared to those with lower intellect.
Psychosocial influences of malocclusion are not stable and tend to decrease during time. However, the exposure to a high smile esthetic of other individuals can inhibit that process in persons with more severe malocclusion and higher cognitive abilities.
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