Mental distress in orthodontic patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Background: The palatal rugae are special constructions that are inalterable in their position and pattern during the lifestyles of an individual. This imparts them an exceptional role in the forensic dentistry and may play potential role in malocclusion identification. This study was aimed to see association of rugae pattern with sagittal skeletal malocclusion in orthodontic patients visiting tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional examination was completed on pretreatment records (lateral Cephalometric radiographs and maxillary dental casts) of 384 subjects at the orthodontic department of Ziauddin Dental Hospital, Karachi. The study duration was from January to July 2019. The samples were sub-divided into three sagittal skeletal groups based on ANB angle proposed by Steiner’s on lateral Cephalometric radiographs (Class I with ANB angle between 0° to 4°; Class II: ANB angle greater than 5°; Class III: ANB angle less than 0°). The shapes of three most-anterior primary rugae were then evaluated bilaterally using Kapali et al., Classification. Chi Square test was applied to find association of rugae pattern among sagittal skeletal malocclusions groups. Results: Circular and curved rugae shapes were the most prevalent in all skeletal malocclusions. The primary palatal rugae pattern was seen to be significantly different among three skeletal malocclusion groups (p<0.05). The right and left sided palatal rugae pattern showed significant difference in all three skeletal malocclusion groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed no specific palatal rugae pattern associated with sagittal skeletal malocclusion. Further studies on larger sample and use of modern 3D technologies to scan the maxillary casts are required for results that are more precise.

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Evaluation of Mandibular Arch Width Changes following Fixed Retention in Post Orthodontic Patients - a Randomized Clinical Trial

Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry ◽

10.36283/pjmd9-3/005 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nasreen Iqbal Nagani

Keyword(s):

Stainless Steel ◽

Steel Wire ◽

P Value ◽

Chi Square ◽

Mandibular Arch ◽

Arch Width ◽

Orthodontic Patients ◽

Mean Differences ◽

One Year ◽

The Stability

Background: Retention is an integral phase in which teeth are maintained in their newly adapted position for which retainers are inserted. Retainers are generally of two types: removable and fixed. Fixed retainers are indicated in the mandibular arch for an indefinite period specifically in the non-extraction cases. Changes in intercanine and intermolar widths are valuable parameters to evaluate the stability. The objectives of this study were to assess and compare the mandibular intercanine and intermolar width changes following orthodontic treatment after insertion of two types of fixed lingual retainers for one year. Methods: Total 54 subjects were recruited in which two types of fixed lingual retainers were inserted in the mandibular arch randomly. Intercanine and intermolar arch widths were measured by digital caliper of 0.01 mm accuracy. Data was analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS V-21). Chi-square and independent t tests were used to compare baseline characteristics. Intercanine and intermolar widths were assessed and compared using independent t test, p-value ≤ 0.05 is considered as statistically significant. Results: Intercanine width increased from baseline to T4 in both retainers. When mean differences of intercanine width were compared between two retainers significant differences were observed at T1, T2, T3 and T4 with significant p-values (< 0.05) and increased intercanine width with multistranded stainless steel wire (MSW) retainers. Conclusion: Mandibular intercanine width increases significantly in post retention phase with multistranded stainless steel retainers. Thus, fiber reinforced composite retainers are more effective in preserving the arch width changes.

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Mental distress and its associations with behavioral outcomes during the COVID-19: A national survey of Chinese adults (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25308 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lu Ma ◽

Liwang Gao ◽

Joseph Tak-Fai Lau ◽

Rahman Atif ◽

Blair T. Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Weight ◽

Educational Attainment ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Distress ◽

Structural Equation Models ◽

Behavioral Outcomes ◽

National Sample ◽

Negative Consequences

BACKGROUND This study primarily aimed to evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in behavioral outcomes, and potential modifiers (age, gender, and educational attainment) of such associations. OBJECTIVE The COVID -19 pandemic has led to elevated levels of mental distress attributed to prolonged lockdowns, business closures, and social isolation. Its impact on behavioral outcomes is however less known. This study is designed to primarily evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in drinking, smoking, physical activity and body weight, and potential modifiers of such associations including age, gender, and educational attainment. METHODS An online survey using anonymous network sampling was conducted in China during April-May, 2020 using a 74-item questionnaire distributed through social media. A national sample of 10,545 adults in 31 provinces provided data on socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related mental distress, and changes in behavioral outcomes. Structural equation models were used for data analyses. RESULTS About 13% of adults reported experiencing at least one symptom of mental distress. After adjusting for age, education, gender, ethnicity, marital status, residence, and number of chronic conditions, greater mental distress was associated with increased smoking and alcohol consumption (among current smokers and drinkers) and with both increased and decreased physical activity. Underweight adults were more likely to lose body weight (≥1 kg) whereas overweight adults were more likely to gain weight by the same amount. The association between mental distress and change in physical activity was stronger in adults aged 40 and above and those with high education. Mental distress was significantly associated with an increase in smoking in males but not females. CONCLUSIONS Mental distress was associated with increased smoking in males but not females. These findings inform the design of tailored public health interventions aimed to mitigate long-term negative consequences of mental distress on outcomes.

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Customization of Diet May Promote Exercise and Improve Mental Wellbeing in Mature Adults: The Role of Exercise as a Mediator

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11050435 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 435

Author(s):

Lina Begdache ◽

Cara M. Patrissy

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Mental Distress ◽

Rank Order ◽

Principal Component ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Modifiable Risk Factors ◽

Food Groups ◽

Dietary Practices

Diet, dietary practices and exercise are modifiable risk factors for individuals living with mental distress. However, these relationships are intricate and multilayered in such a way that individual factors may influence mental health differently when combined within a pattern. Additionally, two important factors that need to be considered are gender and level of brain maturity. Therefore, it is essential to assess these modifiable risk factors based on gender and age group. The purpose of the study was to explore the combined and individual relationships between food groups, dietary practices and exercise to appreciate their association with mental distress in mature men and women. Adults 30 years and older were invited to complete the food–mood questionnaire. The anonymous questionnaire link was circulated on several social media platforms. A multi-analyses approach was used. A combination of data mining techniques, namely, a mediation regression analysis, the K-means clustering and principal component analysis as well as Spearman’s rank–order correlation were used to explore these research questions. The results suggest that women’s mental health has a higher association with dietary factors than men. Mental distress and exercise frequency were associated with different dietary and lifestyle patterns, which support the concept of customizing diet and lifestyle factors to improve mental wellbeing.

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Mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: Its association with public perceptions toward government’s pandemic responses and lifestyle changes

Current Psychology ◽

10.1007/s12144-021-01547-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Juliet Honglei Chen ◽

Eilo Wing-yat Yu ◽

Xiaoyu Su ◽

Kwok Kit Tong ◽

Anise M. S. Wu

Keyword(s):

Mental Distress ◽

Public Perceptions ◽

Lifestyle Changes

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Environmental Cadmium Exposure and Dental Indices in Orthodontic Patients

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9040413 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 413

Author(s):

Hui-Ling Chen ◽

Jason Chen-Chieh Fang ◽

Chia-Jung Chang ◽

Ti-Feng Wu ◽

I-Kuan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cadmium Concentration ◽

Class Ii ◽

Cadmium Exposure ◽

Class I ◽

P Value ◽

Tooth Decay ◽

Class Iii ◽

Orthodontic Patients ◽

Urine Cadmium ◽

The Mean

Background. Previous studies have shown that environmental cadmium exposure could disrupt salivary gland function and is associated with dental caries and reduced bone density. Therefore, this cross-sectional study attempted to determine whether tooth decay with tooth loss following cadmium exposure is associated with some dental or skeletal traits such as malocclusions, sagittal skeletal pattern, and tooth decay. Methods. Between August 2019 and June 2020, 60 orthodontic patients with no history of previous orthodontics, functional appliances, or surgical treatment were examined. The patients were stratified into two groups according to their urine cadmium concentrations: high (>1.06 µg/g creatinine, n = 28) or low (<1.06 µg/g creatinine, n = 32). Results. The patients were 25.07 ± 4.33 years old, and most were female (female/male: 51/9 or 85%). The skeletal relationship was mainly Class I (48.3%), followed by Class II (35.0%) and Class III (16.7%). Class I molar relationships were found in 46.7% of these patients, Class II molar relationships were found in 15%, and Class III molar relationships were found in 38.3%. The mean decayed, missing, and filled surface (DMFS) score was 8.05 ± 5.54, including 2.03 ± 3.11 for the decayed index, 0.58 ± 1.17 for the missing index, and 5.52 ± 3.92 for the filled index. The mean index of complexity outcome and need (ICON) score was 53.35 ± 9.01. The facial patterns of these patients were within the average low margin (26.65 ± 5.53 for Frankfort–mandibular plane angle (FMA)). There were no significant differences in the above-mentioned dental indices between patients with high urine cadmium concentrations and those with low urine cadmium concentrations. Patients were further stratified into low (<27, n = 34), average (27–34, n = 23), and high (>34, n = 3) FMA groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the urine cadmium concentration among the three groups. Nevertheless, a marginally significant p-value of 0.05 for urine cadmium concentration was noted between patients with low FMA and patients with high FMA. Conclusion. This analysis found no association between environmental cadmium exposure and dental indices in our orthodontic patients.

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