Abstract : Objective: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess and compare the accuracy of 3 different Invisalign® treatment regimens in terms of variations of aligner change frequency and type of aligner material in achieving maxillary dental buccal expansion. Methods: Altogether, 120 adult patients whose treatment involved maxillary dental expansion with Invisalign® were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups, with each group comprising 40 patients as follows: SmartTrack® 1-week changes (ST1), SmartTrack® 2-week changes (ST2), and EX30® 2-week changes (EX2). The groups were assessed by comparing actual changes achieved with those prescribed by ClinCheck®. The rates of clinically significant inaccuracies (CSI) observed for buccal expansion (≥ 0.5 mm) and buccolingual inclination (≥ 2°) during expansion were then determined. Results: In terms of expansion, the ST1 group demonstrated the highest CSI rate at all tooth levels, whereas the ST2 group had the lowest rate of CSI and the lowest mean inaccuracy for each tooth level. In terms of buccolingual inclination, the ST1 group had the highest CSI rate across all tooth levels, whereas the EX2 group had the lowest CSI rate at all tooth levels except for the canine level where the ST2 group had the lowest CSI rate. A tendency toward overexpression of buccal crown inclination, and underexpression of buccal expansion was observed at all tooth levels. Conclusions: Two-week aligner change regimens offer improved accuracy compared with 1-week aligner changes. SmartTrack® 2-week changes were the most accurate for buccal expansion, whereas EX30® 2-week changes were the most accurate for buccolingual inclination.
Abstract : Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of commonly consumed hot drinks on the force decay of orthodontic elastomeric chains. Methods: This in vitro experimental study evaluated 375 pieces of elastomeric chains with six rings placed on a jig. Four rings were stretched by 23.5 mm corresponding to the approximate distance between the canine and the second premolar. Fifteen pieces served as reference samples at time zero, and 360 pieces were randomized into four groups: control, hot water, hot tea, and hot coffee. Each group was further divided into six subgroups (n = 15) according to the different exposure periods. The specimens in the experimental groups were exposed to the respective solutions at 65.5°C four times per day for 90 seconds at 5-second intervals. The control group was exposed to artificial saliva at 37°C. The force decay of the samples was measured at 1, 2, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Maximum force decay occurred on day 1 in all groups. The minimum force was recorded in the control group, followed by the tea, coffee, and hot water groups on day 1. At the other time points, the minimum force was observed in the tea group, followed by the control, coffee, and hot water groups. Conclusions: Patients can consume hot drinks without concern about any adverse effect on force decay of the orthodontic elastomeric chains.
Marco Migliorati , Sara Drago , Tommaso Castroflorio , Paolo Pesce , Giovanni Battista , Alessandra Campobasso , Giorgio Gastaldi , Filippo Forin Valvecchi , Anna De Mari
Abstract : Objective: Owing to the availability of 3D software, scanners, and printers, clinicians are encouraged to produce in-office aligners. Recently, a new directprinting resin (Tera Harz TC-85DAC) has been introduced. Studies on its mechanical characteristics and biological effects have been published; however, evidence on its efficacy in orthodontic treatment remains scarce. This pilot study aimed to investigate the accuracy of teeth movement achieved with directprinted aligners. Methods: Seventeen patients (eight males and nine females) with a mean age of 27.67 ± 8.95 years, presenting with dental rotations < 30° and spaces/crowding < 5 mm, were recruited for this study. The teeth movement was planned starting from a T0 digital dental cast. The 3D direct-printed aligners were produced using Tera Harz TC-85DAC resin. Once the orthodontic treatment was completed, a final digital cast was obtained (T1). The planned teeth positions were then superimposed onto the T0 and T1 digital models. The differences between the programmed movements and the achieved overall torque, tip, rotation, and transverse dimensions were assessed using the paired t test or Wilcoxon’s signed rank test. Results: The overall accuracies for torque, tip, and rotation were 67.6%, 64.2%, and 72.0%, respectively. The accuracy of the change in transverse diameter was 99.6%. Conclusions: Within the limits of the present pilot study (difficulties with abnormally shaped teeth and use of attachments), it can be concluded that 3D printed aligners can be successfully printed in-house and utilized for mildly crowded cases, with a comparable accuracy of tooth movement to that of other aligners.
Abstract : Objective: This study aimed to determine the maxillary and mandibular basal bone regions and explore the three-dimensional positional relationship between the dentition and basal bone regions in patients with skeletal Class I and Class II malocclusions with mandibular retrusion. Methods: Eighty patients (40 each with Class I and Class II malocclusion) were enrolled. Maxillary and mandibular basal bone regions were determined using cone-beam computed tomography images. To measure the relationship between the dentition and basal bone region, the root position and root inclination were calculated using the coordinates of specific fixed points by a computer program written in Python. Results: In the Class II group, the mandibular anterior teeth inclined more labially (P < 0.05), with their apices positioned closer to the external boundary. The apex of the maxillary anterior root was positioned closer to the external boundary in both groups. Considering the molar region, the maxillary first molars tended to be more lingually inclined in females (P = 0.037), whereas the mandibular first molars were significantly more labially inclined in the Class II group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Mandibular anterior teeth in Class II malocclusion exhibit a compensatory labial inclination trend with the crown and apex relative to the basal bone region when mandibular retrusion occurs. Moreover, as the root apices of the maxillary anterior teeth are much closer to the labial side in Class I and Class II malocclusion, the range of movement at the root apex should be limited to avoid extensive labial movement.
Abstract : Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of orthodontic problems and the proportion of patients who underwent orthodontic diagnosis among children aged 6 (n = 300), 7 (n = 400), and 8 (n = 400) years who had undergone panoramic radiography. Methods: Children were divided into five groups according to their chief complaint and consultation: conservative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics). Chief complaints investigated included first molar eruption, lack of space for incisor eruption, frequency of eruption problems, lack of space, impaction, supernumerary teeth (SNT), missing teeth, and ectropion eruption. The number of patients whose chief complaint was not related to orthodontics but had dental problems requiring orthodontic treatment was counted. The proportion of patients with orthodontic problems who received an orthodontic diagnosis was also examined. Results: Dental trauma and SNT were the most frequent chief complaints among the children. The proportion of patients with orthodontic problems increased with age. However, the orthodontic diagnosis rates based on panoramic radiographs among children aged 6, 7, 8 years were only 1.5% (6 years) and 23% (7 and 8 years). Conclusions: Accurate information should be provided to patient caregivers to correct misconceptions regarding the appropriateness of delaying orthodontic examination until permanent dentition is established.