Mesiodistal dimensions of teeth in Serbian orthodontic patients with hypodontia

Introduction/Objective. Hypodontia is a common dental anomaly that occurs either in a non-syndromic form or as a part of various syndromes. It is considered a multifactorial condition with genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences, the interplay of which can lead to various anomalies in tooth size and number. The aim of this study was to assess mesiodistal tooth dimensions in Serbian hypodontia orthodontic patients and compare them to healthy controls using digital study models. Methods. Fifty subjects (30 females, 20 males) divided into two groups - 25 with hypodontia (15 females, 10 males) and 25 gender-matched controls (15 females, 10 males) were included in the study. Alginate impressions were taken and plaster models poured, digitized and imported into the software where mesiodistal dimensions were obtained. Results. Intra-operator reliability was high. All teeth in the hypodontia group had smaller mesiodistal dimensions compared to controls. Statistical significance was noted for all teeth except for upper canines. No statistically significant differences were found between males and females in neither the hypodontia nor the control group, except for lower canines, which were significantly smaller in both hypodontia and control females. The most commonly missing teeth were upper lateral incisors, and lower and upper premolars. Conclusion. Hypodontia group presented with smaller mesiodistal dimensions compared to controls. The greatest difference in mesiodistal dimensions was found in upper lateral incisors and lower first molars. Lower canines were significantly larger in males compared to females in both groups.

Accuracy of Dental Photography: Professional vs. Smartphone’s Camera

There is a scant literature on the accuracy of dental photographs captured by Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) and smartphone cameras. The aim was to compare linear measurements of plaster models photographed with DSLR and smartphone’s camera with digital models. Thirty maxillary casts were prepared. Vertical and horizontal reference lines were marked on each tooth, with exception to molars. Then, models were scanned with the TRIOS 3 Basic intraoral dental scanner (control). Six photographs were captured for each model: one using DSLR camera (Canon EOS 700D) and five with smartphone (iPhone X) (distance range 16-32 cm). Teeth heights and widths were measured on scans and photographs. The following conclusions could be drawn: (1) the measurements of teeth by means of DSLR and smartphone cameras (at distances of at least 24 cm) and scan did not differ. (2) The measurements of anterior teeth by means of DSLR and smartphone cameras (at all distances tested) and scan exhibited no difference. For documentational purposes, the distortion is negligeable, and both camera devices can be applied. Dentists can rely on DSLR and smartphone cameras (at distances of at least 24 cm) for smile designs providing comparable and reliable linear measurements.

Use of 3-D Printed Models for Implant Placement - A Case Series

Long-term stability of a dental implant depends on various factors, one among them is proper position within the alveolar bone. Pre-operative thorough examination of the surgical site is preliminary step while planning dental implants. Conventional techniques such as Intra-Oral Periapical Radiograph and Ortho Pantamogram sometimes not sufficient and clinical scenario always surprises the surgeon. Later advent of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography alleviated this problem to some extent but there are some clinical situations such as resorbed ridge where better visualisation is needed. This led to the innovation of rapid prototyping techniques for the fabrication of three-dimensional complex structures. This technology has numerous applications from the development of an instrument, 3-D printed anatomical models to the fabrication of 3-D printed tissues for regeneration procedures. A 3-D printed model is much more useful than plaster models in many aspects such as demonstrating anatomical structures, better treatment planning, and better understanding for the patient. Hence, this case series focuses on the use of 3-D printed models in the placement of dental implants.

Virtual occlusal record: a literature review about the digital method

To produce prostheses through the digital flow, it is essential to transfer the correct patient’s interocclusal relationship to the digital software program, enabling the articulation of virtual models. Therefore, the aim of this study was to carry out a narrative literature review to describe and discuss aspects related to the virtual occlusal record realization, as well as its precision and accuracy in different clinical situations. Searches for scientific publications were performed in different databases and only articles in English related to the topic were selected. Different methods for the alignment of virtual models are described in the literature, the main one being the scanning of the patient in occlusion, usually in a position of maximum intercuspation. However, this technique may demonstrate disagreement with the patient's actual occlusal relationship due to several factors, and therefore studies were carried out to verify the precision and accuracy of these records. Most studies use plaster models and industrial scanner to capture the record, with few studies performed with intraoral scanner in patients. Despite the various scanner systems available and the different ways of evaluating them, in general, the studies show an adequate precision and accuracy of virtual occlusal records of dentate models. However, the absence of dental elements is related to the lower accuracy of these records, it being necessary to establish an appropriate method of scanning for these clinical situations.

Analysis of the sagittal root angle and its correlation with hard and soft tissue indices in anterior teeth for immediate implant evaluation: a retrospective study

Background To assess the root angle characteristics of maxillary incisors, and to analyze the relationship between the root angle and other implant-related anatomical indices to use the sagittal root angle as an index for immediate implant evaluation and design. Methods A random sample consisting of 400 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and 65 maxillary plaster models were selected for the present study. CBCT and stereolithography (STL) scan images were imported as DICOM files into coDiagnostiX software for matching the hard and soft tissue. The angle between the long axis of the anterior tooth and the corresponding alveolar bone and implant-related hard and soft tissue indices were measured in the sagittal section. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, multi-level comparisons, and correlation analyses were performed. Results The average sagittal root angles were 15° at the central incisor and 19° at the lateral incisor. The root angle in males was significantly larger than that in females, and increased with age. The largest angle, 22.35°, was found in the lateral incisors of the oldest (> 50 years old) male group. The root angle was found to correlate with coronal buccal bone thickness, coronal palatal bone thickness, apical buccal bone thickness, palatal bone thickness, and the below apex bone thickness. Conclusions The sagittal root angle could reflect the distribution of other implant-related anatomical indices, which may provide additional reference for the evaluation of immediate implant placement.

MORPHOMETRIC PATTERNS OF MAXILLAR Y APICAL BASE VARIABILITY IN PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS DENTAL ARCHES AT PHYSIOLOGICAL OCCLUSION

Morphometric data on the structure of the craniofacial complex are reliable and diagnostically significant values that are of applied nature in terms of practical dentistry. Within this study, analysis of conebeam computed tomograms, biometric indicators of plaster models obtained from the jaws of 83 people (aged 21–35) with physiological occlusion and various types of dental, gnathic dental arches, the degree of proportion between the maxillary apical base and the inter-canine distance were identified. Depending on the dental arch type, the patients were divided into three groups. The morphometric study in the CBCT frontal plane was the distance between the canines tearing tubercles and the inter-canine distance in the apical area. The study outcomes revealed discrepancies between the calculated and actual indicators of the apical base width for all types of dental arches in people with physiological occlusion. In case of mesotrusive dental arches (incisional angle — 127–143°), the width of the apical base corresponded to the width of the dental arches between the canines, while the differences in indicators were not statistically significant. In people with retrusive dental arches (incisional angle exceeding 144°), the width of the dental arch was found to be significantly above the width of the apical bases. As far as protrusive dental arches are concerned (incisional angle below 126°), these patients featured predominance of the apical bases width over the inter-canine distance. The obtained data add to that already available in research literature regarding the relationships and dimensional features pertaining to the craniofacial complex structures, as well as have applied value in orthodontic clinical practice

The Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on Pre-Existing Gingival Recessions: A Retrospective Study

(1) Background: This retrospective study aimed to examine the change of gingival recessions (GR) before and after orthodontic treatment (OT). (2) Methods: Patients who had at least one GR on the vestibular surface of maxillary/mandibular teeth mesial to first molars were included. GR was measured on good quality plaster models before and after OT. (3) Results: Significant improvement of mean GR at patient level was found between T0 and T1 (0.45 mm, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.62) (p < 0.001). In 51.4% of patients GRs became better, in 37.8% GRs did not change. and in 10.8% GRs became worse. At tooth level the mean GR improvement was 0.54 mm (CI: 0.42, 0.65; median 0.55 mm Q1; Q3: 0.12, 0.96) (p < 0.001). GR improved in 67 teeth (58.7%), did not change in 41 (36.0%), and worsened in 6 (5.3%). Full healing was observed in 15 teeth. A reduced GR improvement was found in cases with pre-treatment open bite (OR 3.89; CI: 1.35, 11.16; p = 0.008) and dental Class III patients (OR 2.6; CI: 1.11, 6.0; p = 0.026). (4) Conclusion: There was an improvement of GR after OT in more than half of the patients. Class III malocclusion and reduced pre-treatment overbite had a negative impact on GR improvement.

Estimation of Distances in 3D by Orthodontists Using Digital Models

In the field of orthodontics, digital dental arch models are increasingly replacing plaster models in orthodontic diagnostics. This change in interface from physical plaster models to digital image-based models raises the question of how orthodontists interpret intra- and inter-arch relationships from an image on a screen. In particular, the issue of the accuracy of the distances estimated on numerical models is crucial since the estimation of distances is the basis of the therapeutic decision-making process. Studies have shown that distances were well estimated on plaster models, but no study has verified this point on numerical models. This is the question that our study addresses. The experimental protocol consisted of collecting estimates of measurements made by orthodontists using digital models. The reliability of these measurements was then assessed by comparing them to the actual physical distances. We asked 31 orthodontists (19 women and 12 men; an average age of 37 years) to generate 3D model-based measurements of seven different elements: mandibular congestion, the maxillary intermolar distance, Spee’s curve, 16/26 symmetry, the right canine class, overbite, and overjet. These values were then compared to the actual measurements calculated using Insignia® software (ORMCO Corporation: Brea, CA, USA), using single sample t-tests. This test makes it possible to compare a distance estimated by the participants with a reference value, which corresponds here to the real distance. The results indicate that, overall, the distance estimates made on the 3D models differ significantly from the actual distances measured using the Insignia® software. This was particularly so for mandibular crowding (test value = 0; t (30) = 10.74; p ≤ 0.01), test value = 1; t (30) = 6.23; p ≤ 0.01). Although no study has focused on distance estimation on numerical models in the field of orthodontics, our results agree with the conclusions of studies showing that distances are not estimated in the same way in real environments and virtual environments. Additional studies will make it possible to identify more clearly the parameters (individual factors, equipment, etc.), which make it possible to improve the estimation of distances in the practice of orthodontics. In any case, these studies are necessary to improve the training of future practitioners in the use of virtual models for decision-making and to support them in the digital transition.

Orthodontic Treatment Need at Nishter Institute of Dentistry

Background: The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is one of the important index to find out orthodontic need of patients. Aim: To find out the need of orthodontic treatment in patients visiting Nishter Institute of Dentistry, Multan (NID). Method: The index was applied using plaster models and intraoral examination. The measurements of various components of IOTN index was taken with the help of digital vernier calliper. Results: The results of various measurements of IOTN index was taken, recorded and analyzed statistically. Result of the present cross-sectional study showed that 65% patients were in grade 4 and 5 of IOTN. The analysis showed that 13% were in grade 4 of IOTN, 52% were in grade 5, 15% were in grade 3, 16% were in grade 2 and 4% patients was in grade 1 of IOTN index. Conclusion: No significant sex differences were shown for the need of orthodontic therapy in any category of IOTN. The need of orthodontic treatment is very high in patients of Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Keywords: Treatment Need; IOTN; Orthodontics.

Evaluating the Influence of Reminder Text Messages to Wear the Removable Retainers in Orthodontic Patients- A Randomized Prospective Study

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence and cooperation of Orthodontic patients to wear removable retainer by sending reminder text messages. 54 orthodontic patients (24 males and 30 females) aged between 18 to 25 year were enrolled for the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: an Experimental group (27 patients) who received timely reminder text messages and a Control group (27 patients) who did not receive any messages. Text Messages were sent thrice a week for a period of 6 months. Two measurements were calculated on plaster models i.e. Inter canine width and extraction spaces at three time intervals during the observation period. The plaster models were made at the time of insertion of retainer (T0) after 3 month of wearing the retainer (T2) and then after 6 months (T3). A statistically significant differences were observed in the intra- and intergroup comparisons. Group 1(Control) showed increase in both inter canine width and extraction spaces. Whereas Group 2 showed non-significant differences for both parameters. It was concluded from the results that reminder text messages had a positive influence on patient compliance regarding wearing the removable retainer after completion of fixed orthodontic treatment.