Traumatic dental injuries in preschool-age children: Prevalence and risk factors.

This study examined the prevalence, socio-demographic correlates, and clinical predictors of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) in the primary dentition among a community-based sample of preschool-age children. The sample comprised 1,546 preschool-age children (mean age 49 [range: 24-71] months) in North Carolina public preschools, enrolled in a population-based investigation among young children and their parents in North Carolina. Information on socio-demographic, extraoral, and intraoral characteristics was collected and analyzed with bivariate and multivariate methods, including logistic regression modeling and marginal effects estimation.

Diagnostic accuracy of intraoral photographic orthodontic records.

Objective: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate how relevant intraoral photographs are to contemporary orthodontic diagnosis and (2) to assess orthodontists' ability to accurately diagnose angle classification and dental midlines using standardized intraoral photographs.

Methods: Study participants were orthodontists who completed a survey regarding photography protocols and their use of intraoral photographs for diagnosis. Each participant was randomized to complete 1 visual diagnostic task regarding either angle classification or midlines.

Executive Function as a Risk Factor for Incisor Trauma.

Background/aim: Executive function is the ability to guide behavior to achieve goals or complete tasks. This study explored the relationship between executive function, as assessed by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Parent Form Questionnaire (BRIEF ) and incisor trauma.

Material And Methods: This study included children in the mixed dentition with recent incisor trauma (n=28) and a control group (n=30) without recent incisor trauma.

Self-Directed Digital Learning: When Do Dental Students Study?

The Growth and Development (G&D) curriculum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry uses self-directed web-based learning modules in the place of lectures and includes scheduled self-study times during the 8 am-5 pm school hours. The aim of this study was to use direct observation to evaluate dental students' access patterns with the self-directed, web-based learning modules in relation to planned self-study time allocated across the curriculum, proximity to course examinations, and course performance. Module access for all 80 students in the DDS Class of 2014 was recorded for date and time across the four G&D courses.

Characterizing the orthodontic patient's purchase decision: A novel approach using netnography.

Introduction: A deeper and more thorough characterization of why patients do or do not seek orthodontic treatment is needed for effective shared decision making about receiving treatment. Previous orthodontic qualitative research has identified important dimensions that influence treatment decisions, but our understanding of patients' decisions and how they interpret benefits and barriers of treatment are lacking. The objectives of this study were to expand our current list of decision-making dimensions and to create a conceptual framework to describe the decision-making process.

The Impact of Non-nutritive Sucking on the Risk for Sleep-disordered Breathing in Children.

Purpose: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is not uncommon in children. The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between non-nutritive sucking (NNS) and the risk of SDB in children as well as assess the effect of infant feeding practices on SDB.

Methods: Eighty-four healthy four- to 12-year-old children were categorized either as high or low risk for SDB based on the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ).

Effectiveness and efficiency of a CAD/CAM orthodontic bracket system.

Introduction: The first straight-wire appliance was introduced over 40 years ago to increase the consistency and efficiency of orthodontic treatment. More recently, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology has been used to create individualized orthodontic appliances. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness and efficiency of CAD/CAM customized orthodontic appliances compared with direct and indirect bonded stock orthodontic brackets.

Effect of quality of life measures on the decision to remove third molars in subjects with mild pericoronitis symptoms.

Purpose: To assess how quality of life (QoL) measures affect the decision for third molar (3M) removal in patients with mild symptoms of pericoronitis.

Patients And Methods: Healthy subjects, aged 18 to 35 years, with mild symptoms of pericoronitis were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved study. The demographic, clinical, and QoL data were collected at enrollment.

In-vivo force decay of nickel-titanium closed-coil springs.

Introduction: Nickel-titanium closed-coil springs are purported to deliver constant forces over extended ranges of activation and working times. In-vivo studies supporting this claim are limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in force-decay properties of nickel-titanium closed-coil springs after clinical use.

Relationship between adjusted body mass index percentile and decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant relationship between adjusted body mass index (BMI) percentiles and the frequency of decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) in a retrospective cohort of 3- to 5-year-old children.

Methods: Data was collected from 215 3- to 5-year old children with an American Society of Anesthesiologists class I or II physical status who had received dental treatment under general anesthesia at a university hospital between 2007 and 2008. The diagnosis of dental caries and dmft scores were confirmed by oral and radiographic examination.

Relationship between body mass index percentile and skeletal maturation and dental development in orthodontic patients.

Introduction: The rate of obesity in children and adolescents is a current public health concern. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) percentile and skeletal and dental maturity in adolescent orthodontic patients.

Methods: Orthodontic patients between 8 and 17 years of age were assessed with a retrospective chart review.

Interactive distance learning for orthodontic residents: utilization and acceptability.

Introduction: Sharing resources through distance education has been proposed as 1 way to deal with a lack of full-time faculty in orthodontic residency programs. To keep distance education for orthodontic residents as cost-effective as possible while retaining interaction, we developed a "blended" interactive distance learning approach that combines observation of Web-based seminars with live postseminar discussions. For the 2009-2010 academic year, a grant from the American Association of Orthodontists opened access to the blended learning experience to all orthodontic programs in the United States and Canada.

Association between childhood obesity and dental caries.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate dental caries and body mass index (BMI percentile) in pediatric dental patients.

Methods: A 3-year retrospective review of patient records included all 6- to 9-year-olds seen for a new patient examination who had at least 1 recall examination. Decayed permanent teeth (DT) and primary teeth (dt), plaque score, gingival score, height, and weight were recorded at the initial examination and each recall visit.

Effectiveness of web-based teaching modules: test-enhanced learning in dental education.

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-tests as a component of web-based self-instruction in predoctoral orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. To this end, the usage patterns of online teaching modules and self-tests by students enrolled in three courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry were monitored and correlated to final exam grade and course average. We recorded the frequency of access to thirty relevant teaching modules and twenty-nine relevant self-tests for 157 second- and third-year D.

Efficiency of serial extraction and late premolar extraction cases treated with fixed appliances.

Introduction: Severe crowding can be treated with serial extraction (SE) in the mixed dentition or with late premolar extraction (LPE) in the permanent dentition. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of orthodontic treatment in SE patients and LPE patients.

Methods: Retrospective chart review identified 51 SE patients and 49 LPE patients treated with fixed appliances.

Influence of sex and ethnic tooth-size differences on mixed-dentition space analysis.

Introduction: Most mixed-dentition space analyses were developed by using subjects of northwestern European descent and unspecified sex. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive accuracy of the Tanaka-Johnston analysis in white and black subjects in North Carolina.

Methods: A total of 120 subjects (30 males and 30 females in each ethnic group) were recruited from clinics at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.

External apical root resorption in Class II malocclusion: a retrospective review of 1- versus 2-phase treatment.

External apical root resorption (EARR) is an imperfectly understood problem of orthodontic treatment. The records of 138 children with Class II malocclusion (overjet > 7 mm) participating in a randomized clinical trial of early orthodontic treatment were reviewed. The patients were treated in either 1 phase with fixed appliances only (n = 49) or 2 phases with headgear (n = 49) or bionator (n = 40) followed by fixed appliances.

Incisor trauma and early treatment for Class II Division 1 malocclusion.

This study investigated incisor trauma in children with overjets greater than or equal to 7 mm who were enrolled in a clinical trial of 2-phase early orthodontic treatment for Class II malocclusion. In phase 1, children were randomly assigned to treatment in the mixed dentition with either modified bionator or combination headgear or to a group in which treatment was delayed until the permanent dentition. All children received comprehensive treatment during phase 2 if necessary.