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Introduction As a result of the rapid spread of the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Governments around the world adopted various measures to stop or slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). One widely used measure was “lockdown”; workers who could work from home were instructed to do so, and nonessential businesses – including dental clinics -- were closed for weeks or months. The purpose of this investigation was to document the incidence of fixed orthodontic appliance failures and the periodontal health status of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment during and after the lockdown period. Methods The sample comprised 350 orthodontic patients (mean age 16.85 ± 2.59 years; 249 female, 101 male) who underwent orthodontic and periodontal examinations in Adıyaman, Turkey after a mean lockdown period of 103.7 ± 21.3 days. Frequencies of orthodontic bracket, elastic ligature, molar band, and miniscrew failures and of oral ulcers were recorded and periodontal parameters were assessed. The effects of sex, age, and the bracket systems used in the patients on the frequencies of these failures were analyzed. Results It was revealed that 15.42% (n=54) of all patients had at least one bracket bonding failure and 8.16% (n=4) of the patients with miniscrew implantation had at least one miniscrew failure. The incidence of bracket bonding failure was significantly higher in men than in women. No significant relationship was found between periodontal parameters and bracket bonding failure. Plaque and gingival scores were higher than those reported for a similar population before a lockdown. Conclusions The results indicated that orthodontic appliances may have higher frequencies of failure during a lockdown when compared with normal times and lockdown periods may worsen the periodontal health status of the patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to unprecedented challenges in the arts, sports, education, finance, and healthcare. The aim of this study was to compare demographic characteristics of new-patient visits for orthodontic treatment in the pandemic year (2020) versus previous years. METHODS: The retrospective study included patients who sought care at a tertiary orthodontic referral center between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020. Clinical and demographic characteristics, including age, age group (child, young adult, adult), gender, and numbers of monthly and annual new-patient visits were compared between the pre-pandemic (2017-2020) and post-pandemic (2020) periods. The daily average numbers of appointments were compared for 2019 versus 2020. RESULTS: The average number of monthly new-patient visits was 240.69 ± 81.48 in the pre-pandemic period, as opposed to 113.75 ± 88.89 in the year 2020 (P < 0.001). The average number of monthly new-patient visits decreased by 48.3% in 2020 compared to 2019, while the average number of daily new-patient visits in 2020 decreased significantly in all months (P < 0.05), except for January (P = 0.613) compared to the monthly numbers from the previous year. No significant difference was found between the pre-pandemic period and 2020 with regard to gender (P = 0.410). In all years, the numbers of new-patient visits were higher for women, compared with men, and for children, compared with adults. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a sharp decrease in the number of new-patient visits for orthodontic treatment in the pandemic year (2020) compared to previous years.

To investigate the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue effects of reverse Forsus (RF; 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) and facemask/rapid palatal expansion (FM/RPE) appliances in growing subjects with class III malocclusions.The data of this prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) were derived from pre- and posttreatment/observation lateral cephalograms of 45 subjects with mild class III malocclusions: group 1 (8 girls, 7 boys; mean age 10.54 years) received a FM/RPE appliance; group 2 (6 girls, 9 boys; mean age 10.49 years) received the RF appliance; and an untreated control group (7 girls, 8 boys; mean age 10.66 years) was matched to the treatment groups with regard to sagittal skeletal and dental classifications. Angular and linear measurements were evaluated using lateral cephalograms. Statistical analyses were performed by one-way analysis of variance, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Wallis, paired-samples t‑test, and Wilcoxon test, whereby p 0.05 was accepted to be statistically significant.The intermaxillary (ANB), interdental (overjet), and sagittal lip relations in the FM/RPE and RF groups showed significant improvements compared to the control group (p 0.05). Although the anterior and inferior traction of the maxilla was greater in the FM/RPE group compared to the RF group (p 0.05), both treatment groups showed similar clockwise rotation of the mandible compared to the control group. While significantly more proclination of maxillary incisors occurred in the RF group compared to the FM/RPE and control groups (p 0.05), both treatments led to significantly retroclined mandibular incisors compared to the control group (p 0.001).Both therapies led to intermaxillary and interdental improvements. The RF appliance had a limited effect on the maxilla and it mostly had dentoalveolar effects when compared to FM/RPE therapy.ZIELSETZUNG: Untersucht werden sollten die skelettalen, dentalen und weichgewebigen Auswirkungen zweier Apparaturen – Reverse Forsus (RF; 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA) und Gesichtsmaske/Gaumennahterweiterung (FM/RPE) – bei heranwachsenden Patienten mit Klasse-III-Malokklusionen METHODEN: Die Daten für diese prospektive, randomisierte, kontrollierte Studie (RCT) wurden aus seitlichen Kephalogrammen vor und nach der Behandlung/Beobachtung von 45 Probanden mit leichten Klasse-III-Fehlstellungen gewonnen: Gruppe 1 (8 Mädchen, 7 Jungen; Durchschnittsalter 10,54 Jahre) erhielt eine FM/RPE-Apparatur, Gruppe 2 (6 Mädchen, 9 Jungen; Durchschnittsalter 10,49 Jahre) eine RF-Apparatur, und eine unbehandelte Kontrollgruppe (7 Mädchen, 8 Jungen; Durchschnittsalter 10,66 Jahre) war hinsichtlich der sagittalen skelettalen und zahnmedizinischen Klassifikationen an die Behandlungsgruppen angepasst. Winkel- und Längenmaße wurden anhand von lateralen Kephalogrammen ausgewertet. Statistische Analysen wurden mittels einseitiger Varianzanalyse, Kolmogorov-Smirnov-Test, Kruskal-Wallis, t‑Test für gepaarte Stichproben und Wilcoxon-Test durchgeführt, wobei p 0,05 als statistisch signifikant akzeptiert wurde.Die intermaxillären (ANB), interdentalen (Overjet) und sagittalen Lippenrelationen in der FM/RPE- und RF-Gruppe zeigten signifikante Verbesserungen im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe (p 0,05). Zwar war die anteriore und inferiore Traktion des Oberkiefers in der FM/RPE-Gruppe größer als in der RF-Gruppe (p 0,05), aber beide Behandlungsgruppen zeigten eine ähnliche Posteriorrotation des Unterkiefers im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe. Während in der RF-Gruppe im Vergleich zur FM/RPE- und zur Kontrollgruppe eine signifikant stärkere Proklination der Oberkieferschneidezähne auftrat (p 0,05), führten beide Behandlungen zu signifikant retroklinierten Unterkieferschneidezähnen im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe (p 0,001).Beide Therapien führten zu intermaxillären und interdentalen Verbesserungen. Die RF-Apparatur hatte einen begrenzten Effekt auf den Oberkiefer und im Vergleich zur FM/RPE-Therapie hauptsächlich dentoalveoläre Effekte.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different functional appliances on skeletal, dental, and uvulo-glossopharyngeal dimensions. Materials and Methods: Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms of 50 adolescent Class II patients with a retrognathic mandible were obtained from an archive and divided into two groups according to functional therapy. Twenty-five patients (14 females, 11 males, mean age: 13.5 ± 2.8) who were treated with Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FFRD) and 25 patients (17 females, eight males, mean age: 12.5 ± 0.4) who had received functional therapy through the twin block (TWB) were enrolled. Skeletal, dentoalveolar, tongue, uvula, hyoid position, and oropharyngeal airway parameters were measured using the Dolphin software, and uvulo-glossopharyngeal area measurements were performed with the AutoCAD software. Results: The TWB group exhibited remarkable mandibular advancement compared to the FFRD group (P < 0.05). Both of the treatments proclined mandibular incisors, and tongue dimensions increased significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). While the hyoid point moved forward and the oropharyngeal area increased significantly in the TWB group, no significant changes were observed in the FFRD group. The comparison of the TWB and FFRD groups with regard to uvulo-glossopharyngeal dimensions showed no significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Changes in uvulo-glossopharyngeal dimensions did not significantly vary between the two different functional therapies.

The appropriate treatment of pediatric mandibular condyle fractures is subject to much debate and concern among surgeons, with improper treatment potentially resulting in a number of adverse outcomes. Such outcomes include the disruption of mandible growth, decreased posterior facial height, facial asymmetry, and temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Several surgical and nonsurgical approaches to these fractures have been described in the literature; however, each one carries its own risk of various complications. In this study, the authors illustrate a new atraumatic approach for mild to moderately displaced subcondylar fractures, with least possible complications and unexpected outcomes. In this study, 6 patients (2 female and 4 male) with unilateral medially displaced condylar base and neck fractures, angulated between 30 and 45 degrees, were treated using a novel intraoral approach. The follow-up period varied from 12 to 18 months. All patients achieved normal occlusion and had painless functioning of the temporomandibular joint with proper mouth opening (>35 mm) without any recurrence at long term follow up. This minimally invasive approach could eliminate the possibility of major complications and be considered a safe and feasible surgical technique for certain cases of pediatric mandibular condyle fracture.

Background/purpose: The rapid maxillary expansion is accepted as the gold standard for the treatment of unilateral posterior crossbite in growing children. This study used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to evaluate the effects of a modified asymmetric rapid maxillary expansion (ARME) appliance on the upper airway volumes. Materials and methods: A modified ARME appliance was used on 12 adolescent male patients (mean age: 13.92 ± 0.82 years) with a class I skeletal relationship and posterior unilateral crossbite. Lateral cephalometric measurements and upper airway volume were evaluated using CBCT images. The posterior airway volumes of the oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways were measured. Results: Cephalometric measurements showed significant (P

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using plaque-disclosing tablets (PDTs) on the plaque and gingival index scores of patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. METHODS: In group A (n=16), the subjects were motivated by conventional oral hygiene instructions, including verbal information about tooth brushing. The patients in group B (n=17) were motivated using PDTs used in the dentists’ office to show the locations of biofilms in addition to the instructions given to group A. Both the chairside demonstration performed in group B and the at-home use of disclosing tablets were undertaken by those in group C (n=15). The periodontal parameters were recorded before applying the fixed appliance (T0) and after the first (T1) and third (T2) months. RESULTS: The plaque index (PI) scores of group C were significantly lower (p0.05) were found between groups A and B. The gingival status of group C did not change significantly (p>0.05) over the three months and was statistically lower when compared to groups A and B. CONCLUSION: The use of PDTs at home may enhance the plaque removal efficiency and gingival health stability, by facilitating self-examination.

Coeliac disease (CD) is a common disorder that usually originates from calcium malabsorption. Thus, it is accepted that patients with CD have lo- wer bone mineral density than that of healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to assess condylar height, width, area, and perimeter on digital panoramic radiographs in patients with CD.Panoramic radiographs obtained from 44 patients with CD were age- and sex-matched with 44 Class 1 (ANB: 2 ± 2°) patients, and out- comes were analysed. Radiographs were digitised using Image J software, and condylar height, width, area, and perimeter were compared.Condylar area (3.66 ± 1.02 cm2), perimeter (9.29 ± 1.38 cm), and height (2.69 ± 0.46 cm) values were significantly higher (p0.05) in the control group than those in the patient group (area: 2.52 ± 0.63 cm2, perimeter: 8.47 ± 1.42 cm, height: 2.51 ± 0.37 cm), whereas width (coeliac: 2.83 ± 0.63 cm, control: 3.00 ± 0.59 cm) did not differ between the groups (p0.05).These outcomes may be due to the low bone density of patients with CD. A controlled trial conducted using a larger sample is needed to support and extend these data.