Comparison of Orthodontic Medicaid Funding in the United States 2006 to 2015.

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment is reimbursed by Medicaid based on orthodontic and financial need with qualifiers determined by individual states. Changes in Medicaid-funded orthodontic treatment following the "Great Recession" in 2007 and the enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 were compared for the 50 United States and the District of Columbia to better understand disparities in access to care. The results from this 2015 survey were compared to data gathered in 2006 (1).

Comparison of pain perception during miniscrew placement in orthodontic patients with a visual analog scale survey between compound topical and needle-injected anesthetics: A crossover, prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: The use of a compound topical anesthetic (CTA) instead of an injection of a local anesthetic for placing miniscrew implants offers advantages to both the clinician and the patient. The purpose of this crossover, prospective, randomized clinical trial was to compare the clinical effectiveness of a CTA with that of a needle injection of local anesthetic for miniscrew placement.

Methods: Twenty-four orthodontic patients in a university clinic were recruited; they required bilateral buccal miniscrews for orthodontic anchorage.

Dimensional changes of extended-pour alginate impression materials.

Introduction: Recently, manufacturers have marketed alginate impression materials, claiming dimensional stability for up to 100 hours to allow shipping to a dental laboratory for digital model fabrication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dimensional changes of these newer materials after storage at different temperatures and times.

Methods: Two extended-pour alginates (claiming 100 hours of accuracy) (Kromopan; Lascod, Florence, Italy; and Triphasix; Parkell, Edgewood, NY), 2 traditional alginates (Jeltrate; Dentsply-Caulk, York, Pa; and Kromatica; Matech, Sylmar, Calif), and 1 vinyl polysiloxane (VP Mix; Henry Schein, Melville, NY) were used to impress a scored aluminum die.

Perceived vs measured forces of interarch elastics.

Introduction: Orthodontists depend on perceptions derived from education and clinical experience to judge the optimal forces in patient treatment. The purpose of this study was to survey practicing orthodontists to determine the interarch latex elastic forces they prescribe in different malocclusion scenarios.

Methods: Thirty orthodontists were presented with 4 clinical scenarios on study models, including Class II and Class III malocclusions in edgewise and light wires.

Bracket bond strengths of new adhesive systems.

Introduction: Amorphous calcium phosphate, antibacterial monomer MDPB (12-methacryloyloxydodecyl-pyridinium bromide), and self-etching primers are some of the novel elements now added to bonding systems. The purpose of this study was to compare bond strengths of newer bonding systems with either bioactive components or self-etching primers with a conventional bonding system.

Methods: Four new bonding systems, Aegis Ortho (with amorphous calcium phosphate) (Harry J.

Comparison of the efficacy of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in controlling pain after orthodontic tooth movement.

Introduction: Some patients undergoing orthodontic treatment report enough discomfort to affect their compliance or request treatment termination. The purpose of this preliminary study was to test the effectiveness of ibuprofen vs acetaminophen in controlling discomfort after initial orthodontic appliance and archwire placement.

Methods: A total of 60 patients (ages, 12-18 years) undergoing fixed comprehensive orthodontic treatment were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups: 600 mg of acetaminophen, 400 mg of ibuprofen, or a placebo.

Effect of aging on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets.

Introduction: Bracket loss during the later stages of orthodontic treatment is a relatively frequent occurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and isolate the effect of composite aging, one of many factors that can contribute to decreased bond strength during a normal 24-month orthodontic treatment period.

Methods: Two orthodontic bonding adhesives--Transbond APC II (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) and Quick Cure adhesive (Reliance Orthodontic Products, Itasca, Ill)--were used to bond brackets to 280 bovine incisors that were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes, 24 hours, and 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months before shear-peel testing.

Filled and unfilled restorative materials to reduce enamel decalcification during fixed-appliance orthodontic treatment.

Introduction: Enamel decalcification is a potential problem that can compromise the esthetic results of orthodontic treatment. Patient compliance with preventive measures is frequently inadequate to resolve this issue. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of sealing around the bracket periphery in reducing decalcification.

Effect of primer precuring on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets.

Two adhesive systems, Transbond APC II (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) and Quick Cure (Reliance Orthodontic Products, Itasca, Ill), were used to determine the efficacy of precuring the liquid resin primer phase of the systems to increase shear bond strength. One hundred sixty bovine incisors were divided into groups of 20 specimens. In 1 group, the primer was cured before placement of the bracket with the filled adhesive material, and, in the other group, the primer was not precured.

Comparative bond strength of brackets cured using a pulsed xenon curing light with 2 different light-guide sizes.

Light curing of composite resin material beneath orthodontic brackets is common in clinical orthodontics. Experiences with composite resins and high-intensity lights indicate some advantages to staged curing of the composite. In this study, the shear/peel bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded to bovine enamel and cured with a pulsed xenon plasma arc light was compared with that of bonds cured with a conventional tungsten-quartz-halogen light and a nonpulsed xenon plasma arc light.

Bracket bond strength with transillumination of a light-activated orthodontic adhesive.

The literature describes transillumination as a means of curing orthodontic light-cured composite adhesive. The literature also recommends a 2 to 3 times increase in light exposure time when light curing using transillumination. The purpose of this study was to determine the transmittance of the curing light through human enamel and the effect of transillumination on the bond strength of orthodontic brackets.

Enhancing wire-composite bond strength of bonded retainers with wire surface treatment.

Bonded orthodontic retainers with wires embedded in composite resin are commonly used for orthodontic retention. The purpose of this study was to test, in vitro, various wire surface treatments to determine the optimal method of enhancing the wire-composite bond strength. Coaxial wires and stainless steel wires with different surface treatments were bonded to bovine enamel and then pulled along their long axes with an Instron universal testing machine.

Rapid curing of bonding composite with a xenon plasma arc light.

The use of light-cured orthodontic adhesives is an increasingly popular method for the bonding of orthodontic brackets. However, one of the disadvantages of light-cured adhesives is their long curing times. The xenon plasma arc curing light is purported to dramatically reduce the required curing time.

Uprighting molars without extrusion.

Background: Orthodontic molar uprighting often results in extrusion of the molar, which is not always beneficial. The authors present a strategy for accomplishing molar uprighting without extrusion.

Description Of The Procedure: The authors review and compare the benefits of molar uprighting with and without extrusion.

Maxillary midline diastemas: a look at the causes.

Background: Maxillary midline diastemas are a common esthetic problem that dentists must treat. Many innovative therapies have been used, varying from restorative procedures to surgery (frenectomies) and orthodontics. At times, these procedures have been performed by the dentist without full appreciation of the factors contributing to the diastemas.

The use of bovine enamel in bonding studies.

Bovine enamel is commonly used in enamel bonding studies, therefore, a familiarity with some aspects of bovine enamel bonding are important in order to evaluate the studies. Bovine enamel has the advantages of easy attainability and similar microstructure to human enamel. In this study the strength of the enamel bond using an orthodontic adhesive was compared between deciduous bovine, permanent bovine, and human enamel, as well as, the effect on bond strength of multiple rebonding to bovine enamel.

Case report: management of significant incisor root resorption associated with maxillary canine impaction.

Orthodontic and periodontic management of a patient with bilaterally impacted maxillary canines and advanced resorption of the adjacent lateral incisors is presented. In treating the patient, the affected laterals were retained and the canines were surgically exposed, then moved away from the roots of the laterals and into position in the arch. Alternative treatment strategies are discussed.

A prospective study of lip adaptation during six months of simulated mandibular dental arch expansion.

The stability of dental arch expansion with conventional orthodontic treatments is disappointing. An increase in labial soft tissue pressure resulting from the expansion may contribute to this instability. An 8-month study of lip pressure changes resulting from lip bumper wear has been conducted, but no long-term studies have been conducted on pressure changes resulting from conventional expansion using fixed appliances.

Effective orthodontics: achieving objectives, avoiding misadventures.

The authors outline four principles that should be considered when planning orthodontic tooth movement. They suggest that dentists have clear treatment objectives, know the force requirements to achieve those objectives, choose the best equipment to provide the needed forces and prevent unwanted tooth movement during treatment. To illustrate use of these principles, the authors refer to a sample treatment scenario.

Lip adaptation to simulated dental arch expansion. Part 2: One week of simulated expansion.

An increase in resting lip pressure and the resulting disruption of the intraoral pressure equilibrium may be responsible for the poor stability found with orthodontically expanded dentitions. Passive expansion strategies seek improved stability by altering lip pressure, thus creating a new equilibrium. One of these strategies has been shown to alter pressure favorably.

Lip adaptation to simulated dental arch expansion. Part 1: Reliability and precision of two lip pressure measurement mechanisms.

Understanding the influence of lip and tongue pressure on tooth position requires a reliable method of measuring pressure. A transducer with a beam mechanism has been used extensively in the past. A transducer with a diaphragm mechanism has been recently introduced.