Retention: taking a more active role.

Retention may be particularly challenging after the correction of specific malocclusion features, such as tooth rotations, open bite and expansion, which are all inherently unstable. In this article, some indications for active retention are reviewed by highlighting a variety of clinical techniques and appliances. Active retention is discussed in relation to preservation of tooth alignment and in the three planes of space: sagittal, vertical and transverse.

Effect of different surface treatment methods on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets to temporary crowns.

Introduction: The number of adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment has been consistently increasing. Since the placing of the final restoration must be postponed until the completion of the orthodontic treatment, provisional restoration is recommended for the duration of the orthodontic treatment. These surfaces have special chemical properties, which necessitate the orthodontists to prepare the bonding area with special measures.

Effect of different surface treatment on the shear bond strength of metal brackets to bleached and desensitized enamel.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bleaching and desensitizing on shear bond strength (SBS) of metal brackets to enamel.

Methods: One hundred extracted human premolar were randomly assigned to 5 groups of 20. In the first group (control), no bleaching or desensitizing agent was used.

Evaluation of the effect of different surface conditioning methods on shear bond strength of metal brackets bonded to aged composite restorations.

Introduction: There are controversies regarding the most reliable conditioning method of the aged composite surface to ensure optimum bond strength. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength of metal brackets to microhybrid composite restorations after different surface preparation techniques.

Materials And Methods: A total of sixty microhybrid composite samples were prepared using upper right central incisor celluloid crown as a mold.

Agreement of treatment recommendations based on digital vs plaster dental models.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in orthodontists' treatment plans based on digital models compared with plaster models. Additionally, we assessed whether digital or plaster models influence the reliability of orthodontists' treatment plans, as well as the amount of time required to arrive at the plan.

Methods: Sixteen orthodontists planned treatment for 20 patients at 2 time points using either the same or different model formats (digital or plaster).

Recommendations for clear aligner therapy using digital or plaster study casts.

Background: Clear aligner therapy has evolved considerably since its introduction 20 years ago. Clinicians have become more experienced with aligner therapy, but little is known about the types of malocclusions that clinicians currently treat with aligners. Similarly, it is not known if viewing digital vs plaster models has any impact on the treatment planning process for aligners.

Esthetic evaluation of lip position in silhouette with respect to profile divergence.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the preferred lip position in silhouette profiles with different amounts of divergence.

Methods: A normal profile was constructed based on normal values and was altered using software (Photoshop CS, version 8.0; Adobe Systems, San Jose, Calif) to produce a series of 15 profiles in 3 sets (straight, anterior, and posterior divergent).

Evaluating Stress Distribution Pattern in Periodontal Ligament of Maxillary Incisors during Intrusion Assessed by the Finite Element Method.

Statement Of The Problem: The use of miniscrews has expedited the true maxillary incisor intrusion and has minimized untoward side effects such as labial tipping.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the stress distribution in the periodontal ligament of maxillary incisors when addressed to different models of intrusion mechanics using miniscrews by employing finite element methods. The degree of relative and absolute intrusion of maxillary incisors in different conditions was also evaluated.

Comparison of the effects of preemptive acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and meloxicam on pain after separator placement: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: This study aims to evaluate and compare the effect of pre-procedural administration of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and meloxicam in reducing pain after separator placement.

Methods: Three hundred twenty-one patients who needed orthodontic treatment and aged above 15 were randomly assigned to one of the three study groups: group A: 650 mg acetaminophen, group B: 400 mg ibuprofen, and group C: 7.5 mg meloxicam.

Esthetic evaluation of incisor inclination in smiling profiles with respect to mandibular position.

Introduction: The smile is a key facial expression, and a careful assessment of the facial profile in smiling is an essential part of a complete orthodontic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the preferred maxillary incisor inclination in the smile profile with regard to different mandibular positions.

Methods: A smiling profile photograph of a man with normal facial profile features was altered digitally to obtain 3 different mandibular sagittal positions in 4-mm decrements or increments from -4 to +4 mm.

Effect of low-level laser irradiation on the rate and short-term stability of rotational tooth movement in dogs.

Introduction: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has many biostimulative effects such as acceleration of mesiodistal orthodontic tooth movement. However, its effects on the extent and short-term stability of rotational tooth movement have not been researched. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser irradiation during rotational tooth movement on the rate of movement and the amount of relapse in dogs.

The effect of different environmental factors on force degradation of three common systems of orthodontic space closure.

Background: Different environmental conditions, such as high temperature or exposure to some chemical agents, may affect the force decay of different methods of space closure during orthodontic treatment. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the force decay pattern in the presence of tea as a popular drink in some parts of the world and two mouthwashes that are usually prescribed by the orthodontist once the treatment is in progress.

Materials And Methods: Elastic chain (EC), nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) closed coil spring and tie-back (TB) method were used as the means of space closure.

Changes in cephalometric variables after orthognathic surgery and their relationship to patients' quality of life and satisfaction.

Objectives: This study was designed to assess the relationship between postsurgical cephalometric changes and quality of life and satisfaction after orthognathic surgery.

Material And Methods: Sample size consisted of 30 patients with class III and 25 patients with class II malocclusion treated with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and Le Fort I osteotomy. Profile convexity, lower facial height proportion, lip position and length, nose, and chin position were measured on pre and post-treatment cephalograms.

Evaluation of the effect of four surface conditioning methods on the shear bond strength of metal bracket to porcelain surface.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of superpulse CO2 laser irradiation and deglazing of porcelain surfaces on the shear bond strength (SBS) of metal orthodontic brackets, and compared it with two conventional etching techniques.

Methods: Forty-eight Feldspathic porcelain fused to metal specimens embedded in cylindrical acrylic resin tubes were fabricated, and all the specimens were divided into four groups. In Group 1, the specimens were roughened with a diamond bur and etched with hydrofluoric acid (HFA) gel for 4 min.

Clinical and radiographic comparison of the effects of two types of fixed retainers on periodontium - a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Most orthodontists believe that fixed retainers are necessary to maintain ideal dental relationships. However, untoward side effects might result from their long-term placement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic effect of two commonly used fixed retainers on the health of the periodontium.

Laser applications in orthodontics.

A laser is a collimated single wavelength of light which delivers a concentrated source of energy. Soon after different types of lasers were invented, investigators began to examine the effects of different wavelengths of laser energy on oral tissues, routine dental procedures and experimental applications. Orthodontists, along with other specialist in different fields of dentistry, can now benefit from several different advantages that lasers provide during the treatment process, from the beginning of the treatment, when separators are placed, to the time of resin residues removal from the tooth surface at the end of orthodontic treatment.

Comparison of the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets in bonding and rebonding: preparation with laser versus conventional acid etch technique.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strength of orthodontic brackets using laser versus acid etching.

Background Data: Debonding of brackets is a common problem in orthodontic treatments.

Materials And Methods: Eighty extracted premolar teeth were divided into two groups.

Fracture Resistance of Composite Fixed Partial Dentures Reinforced with Pre-impregnated and Non-impregnated Fibers.

Background And Aims: The mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures (FPDs) are af-fected by fiber impregnation. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the fracture resistance of composite fixed partialdentures reinforced with pre-impregnated and non-impregnated fibers.

Materials And Methods: Groups (n=5) of three-unit fiber-reinforced composite FPDs (23 mm in length) from maxillary second premolar to maxillary second molar were fabricated on two abutments with pontic width of 12 mm.

The association of oral health-related quality of life and self-perceived esthetic impairment with orthodontic treatment seeking.

Aim: To assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) and self-perceived esthetic impairment in patients seeking orthodontic treatment and to compare them with peers in the same age group who had never undergone orthodontic treatment. A correlation between OHRQOL and lower self-perceived esthetic impairment was also searched for.

Methods: The sample comprised 209 individuals (12 to 20 years of age), of whom 110 were about to receive or had already started orthodontic treatment at Shiraz Dental School, Shiraz, Iran, (orthodontic group) and 99 participants who had never received orthodontic treatment (control group).