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This study aims to examine the effectiveness of miniscrew assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) treatment in late adolescents and adult patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Literature search was conducted in five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) based on the PICOS keyword design focusing on MARPE. Out of the 18 CBCT screened outcomes, only nine parameters were sufficient for the quantitative meta-analysis. The parameters were classified into three main groups: 1) skeletal changes, 2) alveolar change, and 3) dental changes. Heterogeneity test, estimation of pooled means, publication bias, sensitivity analysis and risk of bias assessment were also performed.Upon database searching, only 14 full-text articles were qualified from the 364 obtained results. Heterogeneity test indicated the use of the random-effects model. The pooled mean estimate were as follows: 1) Skeletal expansion: zygomatic width, 2.39 mm; nasal width, 2.68 mm; jugular width, 3.12 mm; and midpalatal suture at the posterior nasal spine and anterior nasal spine, 3.34 mm and 4.56 mm, respectively; 2) Alveolar molar width expansion, 4.80 mm; and 3) Dental expansion: inter-canine width, 3.96 mm; inter-premolar width, 4.99 mm and inter-molar width, 5.99 mm. The percentage of expansion demonstrated a skeletal expansion (PNS) of 55.76%, alveolar molar width expansion of 24.37% and dental expansion of 19.87%.In the coronal view, the skeletal and dental expansion created by MARPE was of the pyramidal pattern. MARPE could successfully expand the constricted maxilla in late adolescents and adult patients.

Objectives To promote the development of professional orthodontic apps and to grow app engagement, many contributing factors should first be scrutinized. The main purpose of this research was to assess whether gap analysis facilitates strategic app design. Materials and Methods Gap analysis was first conducted to reveal users' preferences. Then, the OrthoAnalysis app was developed on an Android operating system using Java programming language. Finally, a self-administered survey was issued to 128 orthodontic specialists to assess their satisfaction toward usage of the app. Statistical Analysis The content validity of the questionnaire was ascertained using an index of Item-Objective Congruence of more than 0.5. The reliability of the questionnaire was also analyzed with Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient (ɑ = 0.87). Results Besides the most important factor, “content,” many issues were listed, and all were required to engage users. A strong and engaging app should show accurate, trustworthy, and practical clinical analysis that operates smoothly and fast with ease, along with a user-friendly, appealing, and trustworthy interface. In short, because of the preliminary gap analysis that was done to evaluate the potential app engagement power prior to app design, the result of the satisfaction assessment showed that nine traits including overall satisfaction were of high levels. Conclusions Orthodontic specialists' preferences were assessed using gap analysis and an orthodontic app was designed and appraised. This article presents the orthodontic specialists' preferences and summarizes the process of achieving app satisfaction. Therefore, to create a clinical app with strong engagement power, a strategic initial plan using gap analysis can be recommended.

Objective This study aimed to develop the Moyers' prediction equation to be used with tooth widths predicting app on smartphone.Materials and Methods Four equations were developed separately for sex and dental arches. Internal validation with Moyers' table was finished. External validation on 37 subjects with agreement test of both Moyers' prediction equations and Moyers' prediction tables was performed.Statistical Analysis A general linear model procedure was used to create four prediction equations. Internal validation was evaluated using the coefficient of determination. External validation was performed using Bland and Altman (BA) test.Results Four equations were developed for OrthoAnalysis app on smartphone. The overall coefficient of determination of all equations and prediction table was 0.998 (p Conclusions In summary, four novel estimation equations were developed and showed very low difference to the well accepted original Moyers' prediction tables. Therefore, the equations used in the orthodontic app for predicting unerupted tooth width were verified and valid for clinical use.

Background This study assessed the cleft lip/palate (CL/P) healthcare provision using data from the Thailand National Health Security Office from fiscal years 2012–2016. Methods Four national databases of Thailand comprising 1) admitted patient visit, 2) non-admitted patient visit, 3) birth defects registry and 4) civil registration databases were analyzed. All duplicate records were removed by a matching process using national identity number and date of birth prior to data extraction. Modified Geographic Information System was also used to compare each provincial patients with CL/P of Thailand to the number of provincial live births with CL/P. Results The results showed that the number of live births with CL/P during this period was 7,775 cases (1,555 cases/fiscal year). While the number of cases with CL/P registered under the Universal Health Care Coverage with hospital stay was 6,715 (86.37%), 927 cases (11.92%) visited hospitals without a stay, and the remaining 133 cases (1.71%) never visited any hospital. Modified Geographic Information System result showed that the provincial CL/P healthcare was relatively well-balanced with the provincial live births with CL/P (r = 0.92, p Conclusion This study showed that the percentage of patients with CL/P receiving hospital treatment was 98. The Thai Universal Health Care Coverage scheme has promoted the accessibility to CL/P treatment. In order to achieve the best possible comprehensive cleft care coverage, periodical assessment and improvement of the function and accuracy of the national database registry are recommended.

Objective: Two main objectives were established. First objective was to determine the prevalence of the cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) in Thailand from 2012 to 2015 using the orofacial clefts (OFCs) registry and civil registration. Second objective was to conduct a quality control of this OFC registry especially for the Birth Defects Registration (BDR). Design: Registry-based survey. Setting: Analyzing data from the Thailand National Health Security Office. Participants: Registered patients with CL/P in Thailand from 2012 to 2015. Intervention: None Main Outcome Measure: Duplicated records were verified using National Identity Number (Thai ID#) and date of birth. The prevalence of CL/P and specific phenotypes was then calculated. From this prevalence estimate method, quality assurance of the OFCs registry was possible. Results: For the main outcome, the population-weighted pool prevalence of CL/P was 2.14 per 1000 live births (95% confidence interval of 2.08-2.20). Thai ID# and expense reimbursement systems were the main factors driving this cases capturing. However, this OFCs registration still requires active case finding with clinical verification, improvement of staff training and databases networking. Conclusions: This study reported a very high CL/P prevalence of Thailand. Strengths and limitations of these OFCs registry and BDR were described.

Aim: Accidental swallowing of dental objects can occur at any time during dental treatment, especially in child patients. Its severity and sequelae can range from minor to life-threatening. The study aimed to find out the occurrence of accidental swallowing and type of swallowed objects regarding pediatric dental treatment in Thailand. Materials and Methods: A nationwide questionnaire survey was performed among Thai dentists to anonymously report child patients’ accidental swallowing throughout their working experience for up to 10 years. Percentage and frequencies of accidental swallowing in child patients, as well as types of dental objects swallowed, were investigated. Association between factors of the respondents and their experiences was assessed by the logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 408 respondents, 99 respondents [24.26%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 20.10–28.42] had experienced accidental swallowing during pediatric dental treatment. All of them reported ingestion with only one respondent reporting aspiration. Extracted teeth, stainless steel crowns, and rubber cups were top on the list of swallowed items experienced by 11.52%, 8.33%, and 3.92% of respondents, respectively. Dental sharps such as endodontic files and orthodontic wires were reported as well. Dentists with higher educational backgrounds, mostly exposed to more complicated cases, were more likely to experience accidental swallowing (odds ratio of 2.90, 95% CI: 1.61–5.21). Conclusion: Our results indicate that accidental swallowing in child patients appeared to occur more frequently than anticipated. Awareness on patient safety of dental professionals and preventive measures against accidental swallowing when dealing with child patients should be greatly emphasized.

Oral dryness can contribute to several diseases in the oral cavity. The objective of the present study was to compare the subjective oral dryness, salivary flow rates, the number of oral microbiota, and the dental status between medicated hypertensive patients and control subjects.Four hundred subjects including 200 ambulatory hypertensive patients who were taking antihypertensive medications and 200 control subjects were included. Each subject's medical history was reviewed. The subject's oral health status, salivary flow rate, and the number of oral microbiota were also evaluated.The prevalence rate of xerostomia in the medicated hypertensive group was 50% whereas only 25.5% of the control group had xerostomia (p0.05). Using modified Schirmer test (MST), the mean unstimulated salivary flow rate of the medicated hypertensive group (23.11 +/- 6.08 mm/3 min) was significantly lower than that of the control group (31.30 +/- 3.36 mm/3 min) (p0.05). In addition, the mean stimulated salivary flow rate of the medicated hypertensive group (0.73 +/- 0.30 ml/min) was also significantly lower than that of the control group (1.31 +/- 0.34 mi/min) (p0.05). The strongest associated factor for dry mouth was the use of antihypertensive medications (OR = 6.28). The mean levels of mutans streptococci, Lactobacilli spp. and Candida spp. in the medicated hypertensive group were significantly higher than in the control group (p0.05). Furthermore, medicated hypertensive patients were more likely to have missing teeth compared to control subjects.Xerostomia, hyposalivation, and increasing number of oral microbiota were more prevalent in hypertensive patients taking antihypertensive medications.

Proper occlusion depends on the correct width ratio between upper and lower teeth, known as Bolton's ratio. In fact, this ratio can be calculated for each pair of teeth from the central incisor to the first permanent molar. This set of ratios, known as comprehensive cumulative percentage ratios (CPRs), can be used not only to determine which tooth or teeth have a tooth width discrepancy, but can also enable the partial graphical analysis of tooth width discrepancy when there is agenesis of certain permanent teeth. Although CPRs have been calculated for Caucasians, tooth width is known to vary depending on racial origin. Therefore, a test of differences between racial groups should be carried out. If these ratios of the Caucasians and Bangkokians are significantly different, the ratio of the Bangkokians is recommended. The objective of this study was to measure tooth size disproportion for Thai patients and to calculate a corresponding set of CPRs. Thirty-seven pairs of dental models were made from a group of Bangkok residents with normal occlusion. Mesiodistal tooth width was measured for each model. The intra- and inter-examiner measurement errors were ascertained as insignificant (p > 0.05). CPRs were then calculated and compared to those derived from other studies. Ten of thirteen CPRs were significantly different from corresponding values derived from Caucasians. We conclude that tooth width ratios vary between different racial groups, and therefore that these should be calculated specifically for each patient racial group.