A comparison between indirect and objective wear-time assessment of removable orthodontic appliances.

Background/objectives: Patients do not always adhere to the wear times prescribed for removable orthodontic appliances. We evaluated the validity and usability of indirect wear-time assessment methods by comparing wear-time estimates with microelectronically measured wear times in patients with removable orthodontic appliances.

Methods: Wear times of 33 expansion plates, 34 functional appliances, and 42 retention plates of patients aged 6-20 years (12.

Quantifying patient adherence during active orthodontic treatment with removable appliances using microelectronic wear-time documentation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantify the wear times of removable appliances during active orthodontic treatment.

Materials And Methods: The wear times of 141 orthodontic patients treated with active removable appliances in different locations were documented over a period of 3 months using an incorporated microsensor. Gender, age, treatment location, health insurance status, and type of device were evaluated with respect to wear time.

Comparison of estimated and actual changes in gap widths of expansion screws in plate appliances with 7- and 14-day activation.

Objective: To determine how gap opening is affected by the activation intervals of expansion screws in removable orthodontic appliances and which gap widths are achievable during therapy.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, the increases in gap widths for transverse and distalizing screws activated at 7- and 14-day intervals were calculated. These estimates were based on measurements taken with a caliper of the gap widths of 242 screws integrated in the plates of 137 patients examined during 4-5 follow-up visits over a 6- to 7-month therapy period.