Perceptions of undertaking a higher degree alongside dental specialty training: A cross-sectional survey of UK dental specialty trainees.

Introduction: The curricula for UK dental specialty training have recently been under review and until 2024, completion of a research component during training in Dental Public Health, Oral Microbiology and Orthodontics has been mandatory (with an alternative route for Orthodontics involving the submission of two scientific papers for those trainees not wishing to undertake a higher degree). Anecdotally, some trainees in other dental specialties choose to undertake higher degrees alongside specialty training.

Aims: The aims were to investigate how many dental specialty registrars study for higher degrees alongside specialty training, and whether undertaking a higher degree alongside specialty training has an impact on completion of training, research skills, research experience, patient care and career opportunities.

Study protocol for the management of impacted maxillary central incisors: a multicentre randomised clinical trial: the iMAC Trial.

Background: Failure of eruption of the maxillary permanent incisor teeth usually presents in the mixed dentition between the ages of 7 and 9 years. Missing and unerupted maxillary incisors can be regarded as unattractive and have a potentially negative impact on facial and dental aesthetics. The presence of a supernumerary tooth (or odontoma) is commonly responsible for failed eruption or impaction of the permanent maxillary incisors.

A clinical observational analysis of aerosol emissions from dental procedures.

Aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) are defined as any procedure releasing airborne particles <5 μm in size from the respiratory tract. There remains uncertainty about which dental procedures constitute AGPs. We quantified the aerosol number concentration generated during a range of periodontal, oral surgery and orthodontic procedures using an aerodynamic particle sizer, which measures aerosol number concentrations and size distribution across the 0.

Microbial colonisation associated with conventional and self-ligating brackets: a systematic review.

Background: Decalcification and gingivitis caused by plaque accumulation around brackets are common iatrogenic effects of fixed appliances. The influence of conventional versus self-ligating bracket design on microbial colonisation is unknown.

Objective: To assess the levels of microbial colonisation associated with conventional and self-ligating brackets.

Fabrication and mechanical properties of biomimetic nacre-like ceramic/polymer composites for chairside CAD/CAM dental restorations.

Objective: To fabricate and characterise a novel chairside CAD/CAM composite dental materials. These composites have a nacre-like anisotropic microstructure, consisting of highly aligned ceramic scaffolds infiltrated with polymer.

Method: Bi-directional freeze casting of alumina ceramic suspension was used to fabricate highly aligned ceramic scaffolds that were subsequently uniaxially pressed to control the ceramic volume fraction and then infiltrated with UDMA/TEGDMA polymer.

The perceptions of undertaking a higher degree alongside orthodontic speciality training: a cross-sectional survey of British Orthodontic Society members.

Introduction In the UK, orthodontic speciality training takes place over three years full-time. In addition to the clinical training, there is an expectation that trainees undertake a higher degree. Currently, there is little evidence regarding the impact of undertaking a higher degree on specialist orthodontists.

Duration of tooth alignment with fixed appliances: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: A key goal of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances is alignment of the dentition, and this remains a commonly selected outcome in clinical studies investigating orthodontic tooth movement. This systematic review has evaluated treatment duration to achieve alignment of the mandibular dentition using fixed appliances.

Methods: Systematic literature searches without restrictions were undertaken in 9 databases for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing duration and rate of tooth alignment using fixed appliances with or without treatment adjuncts published up to January 2021.

Patient reported experiences and treatment outcomes of orthodontic patients treated within secondary care settings in the South West of England during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To assess the impact of the temporary cessation of orthodontic services on patients undergoing treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Two-phase multicentre service evaluation.

Setting: Secondary care orthodontic departments in the South West of England.

Orthodontic retention and the role of the general dental practitioner.

Introduction Long-term orthodontic retention using removable or fixed retainers is needed to maintain the outcome of orthodontic treatment. The aim of this article is to describe how long-term retention is managed and to report on a survey of general dental practitioners (GDPs) as to how this management currently operates in the UK.Materials and methods GDPs were invited to complete a short online survey on orthodontic retention using an open notice posted in the British Dental Journal and a direct email to the members of a local dental clinical society.

Are dentists considering a career in orthodontic clinical academia? A qualitative study into the factors influencing a career in orthodontics.

Introduction Dental clinical academics are essential members of the dental workforce with roles in teaching, research and scholarship. There is currently a national shortage of UK dental clinical academics, with difficulties recruiting to all grades. In addition, there is evidence of gender inequality within academia, with segregation at a horizontal and vertical level.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of operator inhaled aerosols during routine motorised equine dental treatment.

Background: Routine equine odontoplasty is performed by both Veterinary Surgeons and Equine Dental Technicians. The production of aerosolised particulates from motorised equipment has been well documented in human orthodontics but has yet to be investigated in the veterinary industry.

Objectives: To assess the size, quantity and composition of particulates produced during routine motorised odontoplasty and to model their deposition in the human respiratory tree.

Chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate as a coating for elastomeric ligatures with sustained antimicrobial properties: A laboratory study.

Introduction: White spot lesions are a common side effect of orthodontic treatment. This laboratory study aimed to explore the suitability of chlorhexidine hexametaphosphate (CHX-HMP) as a coating for orthodontic elastomeric ligatures to provide sustained chlorhexidine (CHX) release.

Methods: Dissolution kinetics of CHX-HMP were firstly explored using spectroscopy and a colorimetric phosphate assay.

Educational Attainment of Children Born with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate in the United Kingdom.

Objective: This study evaluated association between functional outcomes in children born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and educational attainment.

Design: Cleft Care UK (CCUK) was a United Kingdom (UK) wide cross-sectional study.

Setting: UK Cleft Teams (data collected from all UK sites providing centralized cleft services).

The use of attachments in aligner treatment: Analyzing the "innovation" of expanding the use of acid etching-mediated bonding of composites to enamel and its consequences.

Orthodontic treatment with sequential aligners has seen a considerable surge in the last decades, and is currently used to treat malocclusions of varying severity. To enhance tooth movement and broaden the spectrum of malocclusions that can be treated with aligners, composite resin attachments are routinely bonded with the acid-etch technique on multiple teeth, a process known to impose irreversible alterations of the enamel structure, color, gloss, and roughness. Additionally, this clinical setting introduces a unique scenario of different materials applied in a manner that involves the development of friction and attrition between the attachment and the softer aligner material, all performing in the harsh conditions of the oral environment, which impact the aging of these materials.

Experiences of mentoring ST4-ST5s amongst a group of orthodontic trainers at Bristol Dental School and Hospital.

Objective: To explore the experiences of mentoring higher-grade trainees amongst senior orthodontic trainers at Bristol Dental School.

Design: Qualitative study using interpretive methodology.

Setting: University of Bristol Dental School.

Why dentists should consider a career in orthodontic academia.

Orthodontics, like all areas of dentistry, offers the option to pursue a career in academia. In addition to providing clinical care for patients, academic orthodontists have a role in educating dental students and the wider dental community. There is also the option to engage with and undertake research, which may advance treatment and improve patient care.

National British Orthodontic Society (BOS) Orthognathic Audit 2017-2018.

Objective: To carry out a UK national clinical audit of orthognathic acceptance criteria and information provided to orthognathic patients before treatment.

Design: National clinical audit.

Setting: Data collected using Bristol Online Surveys.

Is There a Correlation Between Nasolabial Appearance and Dentoalveolar Relationships in Patients With Repaired Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate?

Objective: To determine whether a relationship exists between the aesthetic scores given to photographic records of the nasolabial region of patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and the 5-Year Olds' Index scores of study models for the same participants.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: University of Bristol Dental Hospital, United Kingdom.

Particulate production during debonding of fixed appliances: Laboratory investigation and randomized clinical trial to assess the effect of using flash-free ceramic brackets.

Introduction: The aim of this laboratory and randomized clinical trial was to investigate particulate production at debonding and enamel clean-up following the use of flash-free ceramic brackets and to compare them with non-flash-free metal and ceramic brackets.

Methods: In the laboratory study, brackets were bonded to bovine teeth. After 24 hours of immersion in water, the brackets were debonded, the adhesive remnant scores noted, and the enamel cleaned with the use of rotary instruments.

Outcome Measures in UCLP: The Modified 5-Year-Olds'-Index-Development and Reliability.

Objective: Can we reliably discriminate severity within the existing categories of the 5-Year-Olds' Index?

Design: Retrospective method comparison and development study.

Setting: School of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol.

Methods: Dental study models of 5-year-olds with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were collected from the archives of 2 national cleft surveys (n = 351).

Chewing gum vs. ibuprofen in the management of orthodontic pain, a multi-centre randomised controlled trial - the effect of anxiety.

Objectives: Pain is a common side effect of orthodontic treatment. An objective of this study, part of a large previously reported RCT on pain and analgesic use, was to determine the effect of anxiety on perceived pain and use of analgesia.

Methods: 1000 patients aged 11-17 years, undergoing upper and lower fixed appliance treatment in nine hospital departments were recruited into this two-arm parallel design randomised controlled trial.

What is the truth behind the smile?

A number of arguments surround orthodontics and orthodontic treatment and this article aims to discuss the current thinking and evidence base associated with these controversies.

Microbiological assessment of aerosol generated during debond of fixed orthodontic appliances.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to describe bacterial load and diversity of the aerosol created during enamel cleanup after the removal of fixed orthodontic appliances and to assess the effect of a preprocedural mouth rinse.

Methods: The study involved the sampling of ambient air adjacent to the patient's mouth during adhesive removal using a slow-speed handpiece and a spiral fluted tungsten carbide bur without water irrigation. Sampling was carried out during enamel cleanup with or without a preprocedural mouth rinse of either sterile water or chlorhexidine.

Comparative assessment of chewing gum and ibuprofen in the management of orthodontic pain with fixed appliances: A pragmatic multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: The aim of this randomized trial was to investigate the effect of the use of a sugar-free chewing gum vs ibuprofen on reported pain in orthodontic patients.

Methods: This was a 2-arm parallel design randomized controlled trial in 9 sites in the southwest of England. Patients about to undergo orthodontic treatment with maxillary and mandibular fixed appliances were recruited and randomly allocated to an experimental chewing gum group or a control ibuprofen group.

Does a true knowledge of dental crowding affect orthodontic treatment decisions?

Objectives: To assess whether a true knowledge of crowding alters treatment decisions compared with estimates of crowding.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six orthodontists were asked to estimate crowding using visualization on eight mandibular arch study models and to indicate possible extraction choices. For each model, the intermolar widths, intercanine widths, and clinical scenarios were identical, but the true crowding varied from 0.