Level of Knowledge, Understanding, and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Continuing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment in Adults: A Questionnaire Study

Objectives: To evaluate the level of knowledge, understanding, and impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on adult patients regarding their ongoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive survey was conducted on 108 adult patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment at GSL Dental College (GSLDC), India. All the candidates were aged 18 years and above, who were in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and devoid of treatment. Results: Among the patients 43.5% were male and 56.5% were female; 22.3% were not at all aware that the COVID-19 virus spreads quickly in a dental setup; 64.8% were definitely willing for their status disclosure and to undergo pretreatment screening; 71.3% were definitely willing to adhere to strict appointment timings for adequate sanitization of the clinical area; 60.2% thought that missed appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic would prolong their overall orthodontic treatment and affect their treatment outcome; and 51.9% were financially affected due to the pandemic. Conclusions: Not all adult orthodontic patients were in knowledge of COVID-19 cross infection. The majority were in a state of understanding and willing to follow infection-eradicating protocols. Patients’ view on overall orthodontic treatment was altered due to the psychological and financial impact of COVID-19.

Immediate orthodontic load on dental implants: an option for adult treatment

ABSTRACT The demand for orthodontic treatment in adults has been increasing. However, these patients often require a multidisciplinary approach, due to the lack of posterior teeth, requiring additional anchorage. The skeletal anchorage by endosseous implants is an option, since they may be used later for prosthetic rehabilitation. The application of immediate load on these appliances for orthodontic movement may reduce the costs and total treatment time. This paper discusses the utilization of endosseous dental implants with immediate load for absolute anchorage for orthodontic movement, with later utilization for prosthetic rehabilitation.

Effect of incisal loading during orthodontic treatment in adults: A randomized control trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure the changes in tooth mobility, alveolar bone, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during orthodontic treatment to regain incisal function in the presence and absence of biting exercises. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six females (42.3 ± 6.5 years old) with periodontally compromised upper incisors received orthodontic treatment to obtain ideal incisor relationships. Eighteen subjects in the experimental biting exercise group were instructed to bite a soft plastic roll for 5 min/d; the 18 control subjects were not given plastic rolls. Alveolar bone thickness, height, and density around the upper incisors were assessed at three root levels using cone-beam computed tomography. GCF was collected at the labial and palatal sites of the upper incisors at pretreatment (T0), end of treatment (T1), 1 month after T1 (T2), and 7 months after T1 (T3). RANKL/OPG was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Labial and palatal bone thickness significantly increased (>twofold) from T1 to T3 in the experimental group at all three root levels (all P < .05). Bone thickness correlated negatively with RANKL/OPG ratio between T1 and T2 (P < .05). Tooth mobility, bone height, and density were not significantly different between T1 and T3. Conclusions: Biting exercises significantly increased bone thickness but did not affect tooth mobility, bone height, or density. The RANKL/OPG ratio decreased 1 month after treatment (T2) and correlated with increased bone thickness. (ClinicalTrials.in.th TCTR20170625001).

Impact of orthodontic treatment on self-esteem and quality of life of adult patients requiring oral rehabilitation

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate whether orthodontic treatment in adults requiring oral rehabilitation is effective for increasing patients’ self-esteem and quality of life (QoL). Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 102 adult patients (77 women and 25 men) aged between 18 and 66 years (mean, 35.1 years) requiring oral rehabilitation and orthodontic treatment simultaneously. Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem (RSE) Scale and a questionnaire about QoL based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) were used to determine self-esteem and QoL scores retrospectively. Questionnaires were carried out in two stages, T1 (start of treatment) and T2 (6 months after). To compare score changes between T1 and T2, the data obtained from the RSE Scale were evaluated with paired t tests, and data from the quality-of-life questionnaire were assessed by applying descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed a statistically significant increase in self-esteem (P < .001) and a great improvement on patients’ QoL. Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment causes a significant increase in self-esteem and QoL, providing psychological benefits for adult patients in need of oral rehabilitation.

Assessment of Awareness and Social Perceptions of Orthodontic Treatment Needs in Adult Age Group: A Questionnaire Study

Aim The scope of orthodontics has widened to include not only children and adolescents but also adults, thereby abolishing the upper age limit. The aim of this study was to assess awareness and social perceptions of orthodontic treatment in adults. Material and methodology A cross saectional questionnaire study was conducted on parents of school children who were randomly selected from Private schools of Belgaum city. Questionnaire forms were distributed both in Hindi and English to a sample of 800 school students. Results Majority of the subjects in the study knew about orthodontic treatment and took treatment in their early age group with more percentage of males. Out of which only 46% subjects stated that their treatment was completed with proper retention and stability. Near about half of the subjects reported that they need orthodontic treatment in adult age. Conclusion Adult population is aware about orthodontic treatment needs and to improve smile and to straighten their teeth were the prime motivating factors for seeking treatment.

Factors related to orthodontic treatment time in adult patients

INTRODUCTION: The length of time that it takes an orthodontist to treat adult patients varies widely. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate how different variables influence treatment time. METHODS: Seventy clinical case reports of successfully treated adult patients were examined. The patients were selected from 4,723 records held by three experienced orthodontists. The influence exerted by the following variables on treatment time was assessed: age, sex, facial pattern, severity of malocclusion (measured by the PAR index), sagittal relationship of canines, type of brackets (ceramic or metal), tooth extractions, missed appointments and orthodontic appliance issues/breakages, the latter being the dependent variable. Assessment was performed by multiple linear regression analysis, followed by the stepwise method with P < 0.05. RESULTS: The number of times a patient missed their appointment (no-show) (R² = 14.4%, p < 0.0001) and the number of appliance issues/breakages (R² = 29.71%, p = 0.0037) significantly affected variability in treatment time, and these two variables together can predict 43.75% (R² total) of the overall variability in treatment time. Other factors, such as canine relationship at the beginning of treatment, bracket type (metal or ceramic), tooth extractions, age at start of treatment, severity of the initial malocclusion, sex and facial pattern had no significant bearing on treatment time. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of orthodontic treatment in adults, when performed by experienced orthodontists, is mainly influenced by factors related to patient compliance. However, several factors which were not included in this study may contribute to variability in orthodontic treatment time.