Validity and reliability of the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire in Kosovar adolescents.

Objective: To test the validity and reliability of the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ)-Albanian version in Kosovar adolescents and assess gender-based differences of malocclusion on PIDAQ subscales.

Methods: A sample of 200 adolescents aged 12-15 years were evaluated for orthodontic treatment need by a previous calibrated dental examiner, using the aesthetic component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need-Aesthetic Concern (IOTN-AC) and the dental aesthetic index (DAI). Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, discriminant validity and gender-based impact of malocclusion on psychosocial impact was assessed.

Comparison of Shear Bond Strength Orthodontic Brackets Bonded to Zirconia and Lithium Disilicate Crowns.

Aim: of this study was to analyze Shear Bond Strength (SBS) and Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) of ceramic and metallic orthodontic brackets bonded to zirconia or lithium-disilicate ceramics used for prosthetic restorations, conditioned with hydrofluoric acid (HFA) or phosphoric acid (PhA), as well as to determine the Porcelain Fracture Index (PFI), in order to examine the condition of the ceramic surface after debonding.

Material And Methods: The research was conducted on 96 prepared all-ceramic samples divided into 8 groups combined from the type of ceramic material, orthodontic brackets, and surface conditioning. SBS was tested with Universal Testing Machine, and the samples were analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope, to determine ARI and PFI.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy and Light-Activated Disinfection Against Bacterial Species on Titanium Dental Implants.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and light-activated disinfection (LAD) against a 3-day-old bacterial suspension prepared from three different bacterial species present on titanium dental implants, and to analyze the possible alterations of the implant surfaces as a result of the PDT and LAD.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted on 72 titanium dental implants contaminated with a bacterial suspension prepared from three bacterial species: Prevotella intermedia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The contaminated implants were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 72 hours and then were randomly divided into four experimental groups and two control groups (n = 12 each), according to the following treatment protocols: group 1 (PDT1): PDT (660 nm, 100 mW, 60 seconds) with toluidine blue; group 2 (PDT2): PDT (660 nm, 100 mW, 60 seconds) with phenothiazine chloride dye; group 3 (LAD): light-emitting diode (LED) with toluidine blue; group 4 (toluidine blue): treatment with only toluidine blue for 60 seconds.

Dental age estimation using four Demirjian's, Chaillet's and Willems' methods in Kosovar children.

Background: Tooth formation was recognized as useful body system to assess maturity and predict age. Tooth mineralization is much less affected by the endocrine and different nutritional status than bone mineralization, and teeth formation provides a more reliable indication of chronological age. Demirjian et al.

Antimicrobial efficacy of photodynamic therapy and light-activated disinfection on contaminated zirconia implants: An in vitro study.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and light-activated disinfection (LAD) on zirconia dental implants contaminated with three bacterial species and investigate if the PDT and LAD cause implant surface alterations.

Methods: Seventy-two zirconia dental implants were contaminated with a bacterial suspension of Prevotella intermedia, Actinomyces actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The implants were subsequently randomly divided into four groups (n = 12 dental implants/each) according to the decontamination protocol: Group 1 (PDT1) - PDT (660 nm, 100 mW) with toluidine blue; Group 2 (PDT2) - PDT (660 nm, 100 mW) with phenothiazine chloride dye; Group 3 (LAD) - light emitting diode (LED) with toluidine blue; and Group 4 (TB) - toluidine blue without the application of light.

The third molar maturity index in indicating the legal adult age in Kosovar population.

The third molar tooth, known as the "wisdom tooth," is the only tooth that can be used to determine legal adult age. This study aimed to test the accuracy of Cameriere's third molar maturity index (I) in assessing the legal adult age of 18 years in the Kosovar population. Orthopantomographs (OPTs) of 1221 healthy living Kosovar individuals, aged between 12 and 23 years and with no congenital or developmental anomalies, were analyzed.

Shear Bond Strength of Orthodontic Brackets Bonded to Zirconium Crowns.

Background: An increasing demand for esthetic restorations has resulted in an increased use of all-ceramic restorations, such as zirconium. However, one of the challenges the orthodontist must be willing to face is how to increase bond strength between the brackets and various ceramic restorations.Bond strength can beaffected bybracket type, by the material that bracketsaremade of, and their base surface design or retention mode.