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Background and Objectives : Evaluation of the levels of cytokine and bone metabolic biomarkers (BMBs) in patients receiving fixed orthodontic therapy (FOT) and Invisalign. Materials and Methods : Sixty participants were enrolled after meeting the predefined inclusion criteria. Patients then underwent either FOT or Invisalign by allocating them randomly to each group (n = 30). The basic periodontal assessment was performed, including the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BoP), at baseline and again after 4 weeks. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken from each individual at baseline and after 4 weeks. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to determine the cytokine and BMB levels. An unpaired t -test compared the FOT and Invisalign group's means and SDs. Paired t -tests examined the difference between T0 baseline and T1. Results : Patients treated with either FOT or Invisalign presented no statistically significant difference in terms of periodontal parameters such as PI, GI, and BoP ( p > 0.05). The levels of IL-6 were significantly higher in patients treated with FOT as compared to Invisalign at T1 ( p < 0.05) The other tested cytokines, IL-10, 13, 17, and GM-CSF, were not significantly different in either the FOT or Invisalign group at baseline and 4 weeks follow-up ( p > 0.05). Regarding BMBs, it was detected that NTx and OC levels in both of the investigated groups were not significantly different at baseline and after 4 weeks ( p > 0.05). However, NTx levels rose significantly ( p < 0.05) and OC levels fell from T0 to T1. Conclusions : FOT and Invisalign displayed comparable outcomes in terms of cytokine and BMB levels. However, only IL-6 and NTx were significantly different at week 4 from baseline.

Background and Objectives : To investigate the antiplaque properties of two plant-based mouthwashes, Morinda citrifolia (MC) and Ocimum sanctum (OS), and their effect on TNF-α, IL-α, IL-β, IL-2, and IL-6 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods : Seventy-five individuals were recruited according to defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study was structured into two distinct phases. Phase I was a combination of toothbrushing using toothpaste containing fluoride (Protocol A), while Phase II toothbrushing included fluoride toothpaste and use of a mouthwash (Protocol B). For Phase II, individuals participating in this study were allocated into different groups through a randomization process: Group 1-0.12% CHX, Group 2-5% MC, and Group 3-4% OS. Each individual's Phase I and Phase II scores were assessed. GCF was measured in three phases to determine the level of inflammatory biomarkers. The paired t -test evaluated the disparities between the pre- and post-plaque index. Categorical data were subjected to crosstab analysis to assess qualitative variables. The mean values of cytokine levels were presented. An unpaired t -test was employed to assess the levels of cytokines between individuals in Phase I and Phase II. Results : Toothbrushing, fluoride toothpaste, and the supplementary use of mouthwash (Phase II) resulted in mean plaque scores significantly lower than group A ( p < 0.001). Cytokines TNF-α, IL-α, and IL-β demonstrated a significant downward trend in herbal mouthwash users. Conclusions : In conjunction with fluoridated toothpaste and brushing, OS and MC can serve as a viable alternative to conventional synthetic mouthwash CHX. This combination demonstrates reducing mean plaque scores and diminishing the levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-α, and IL-β.

Objectives: To explore whether there were any differences in orthodontic treatment need, treatment complexity, treatment time, or the number of visits between a group of children receiving early intervention (extraction of upper and lower deciduous canines) and an age- and condition-matched control group without intervention., Materials and Methods: Patient records and study casts in the late mixed or early permanent dentitions of 46 subjects (20 from the extraction group and 26 from the control group) of an earlier prospective longitudinal study were retrieved. Orthodontic treatment need and complexity were assessed by the index of complexity, outcome, and need (ICON). Statistical calculations were performed by t-test for parametric outcome variables (treatment time, number of visits, and orthodontic treatment need) and Fisher exact test for the categorical variable (tooth extractions)., Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in ICON scores of orthodontic treatment need (extraction group, mean score 59.8; control group, mean score 52.8), number of visits (mean of about 15 visits for both groups), or treatment time (extraction group, mean 21.5 months; control group, mean 20.3 months). The extraction of permanent teeth was more prevalent in the deciduous canine extraction group (59%) as compared with the control group (28%); however, this was not statistically significant (P = .07) but showed a tendency toward worsening the crowding and the future need of orthodontic extractions., Conclusions: Early removal of deciduous primary canines will reduce neither the need for later orthodontic treatment nor its complexity, nor will it shorten the treatment time., (© 2021 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc.)

Objective: To know the prevalence of tobacco associated changes among male population of Aljouf province of Saudi Arabia., Materials and Methods: This study included 536 male subjects with positive history of tobacco habits. All the participants were asked to fill a questionnaire regarding the habit details and were examined clinically for the oral changes., Results: Majority of the subjects used tobacco in smoked form (69.0%). Out of the 536 patients with tobacco smoking and chewing habits 72% showed changes in oral mucosa. Smokers melanosis (43.28%) was the most commonly observed oral change followed by leukoedema (27.05%) and smoker's palate (22.76%). Leukoplakia (3.17%) was the most commonly seen premalignant lesion., Conclusion: The study confirms the fact that use of tobacco can be positively correlated to the occurrence of various benign, premalignant and malignant oral changes. This study aids in creating awareness among the public regarding the deleterious effects of tobacco and may motivate them for cessation of tobacco use.