Correlations of spheno-occipital synchondrosis, cervical vertebrae, midpalatal suture, and third molar maturation stages.

Objectives: To estimate the joint correlations among cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM), spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS), midpalatal suture maturation (MPS), and third molar mineralization (TMM) and to assess the predictive potential of SOS on CVM and MPS.

Materials And Methods: 570 pretreatment cone-beam computed tomogram (CBCT) scans from three private practices were analyzed, and MPS, CVM, SOS, and TMM stages were categorized and recorded by two independent investigators. Intra- and inter-rater reliability tests were evaluated with weighted Cohen's kappa tests.

Clinical evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Driven Remote Monitoring technology for assessment of patient oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment.

Introduction: This study aimed to clinically evaluate the accuracy of Dental Monitoring's (DM) artificial intelligence (AI) image analysis and oral hygiene notification algorithm in identifying oral hygiene and mucogingival conditions.

Methods: Twenty-four patients seeking orthodontic therapy were monitored by DM oral hygiene protocol during their orthodontic treatment. During the bonding appointment and at each of 10 subsequent adjustment visits, a total of 232 clinical oral examinations were performed to assess the presence of the 3 oral hygiene parameters that DM monitors.

Evaluation of upper airway characteristics in patients with and without sleep apnea using cone-beam computed tomography and computational fluid dynamics.

Objective: To determine if upper airway characteristics and airway pressure change significantly between low risk, healthy non-OSA subjects, and OSA subjects during respiration using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and steady-state k-ω model computational fluid dynamics (CFD) fluid flow simulations, respectively.

Materials And Methods: CBCT scans were collected at both end-inhalation and end-exhalation for 16 low-risk non-OSA subjects and compared to existing CBCT data from 7 OSA subjects. The CBCT images were imported into Dolphin Imaging and the upper airway was segmented into stereolithography (STL) files for area and volumetric measurements.

Novel Machine Learning Algorithms for Prediction of Treatment Decisions in Adult Patients With Class III Malocclusion.

Background: Management of Class III (Cl III) dentoskeletal phenotype is often expert-driven.

Purpose: The aim is to identify critical morphological features in postcircumpubertal Cl III treatment and appraise the predictive ability of innovative machine learning (ML) algorithms for adult Cl III malocclusion treatment planning.

Study Design: The Orthodontics Department at the University of Illinois Chicago undertook a retrospective cross-sectional study analyzing Cl III malocclusion cases (2003-2020) through dental records and pretreatment lateral cephalograms.

The use of teleorthodontics during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond - perspectives of patients and providers.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted dental services, resulting in reduced staff availability, limited appointments, and some dental clinics even being forced to close their doors. Despite these challenges, the need for dental consultants remained present, particularly in emergency situations. One area of orthodontics that had seen a surge in demand during the pandemic is Teleorthodontics.

In-vivo evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Driven Remote Monitoring technology for tracking tooth movement and reconstruction of 3-dimensional digital models during orthodontic treatment.

Introduction: An in-vivo evaluation of the Dental Monitoring (DM; Paris, France) Artificial Intelligence Driven Remote Monitoring technology was conducted in an active clinical setting. Our objectives were to compare the accuracy and validity of the 3-dimensional (3D) digital models remotely generated from the DM application to 3D Digital Models generated from the iTero Element 5D intraoral scanner (Align Technologies, San Jose, Calif) of patients' dentition during in-vivo fixed orthodontic treatment.

Methods: The orthodontic treatment of 24 patients (aged 14-55 years) was tracked across an average of 13.

Effectiveness of AI-driven remote monitoring technology in improving oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Dental Monitoring™ (DM™) Artificial Intelligence Driven Remote Monitoring Technology (AIDRM) technology in improving the patient's oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment through AI-based personalized active notifications.

Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted on two groups of orthodontic patients. DM Group: (n = 24) monitored by DM weekly scans and received personalized notifications on the DM smartphone application regarding their oral hygiene status.

COVID-19 infection rates and mitigation strategies in orthodontic practices.

Background: COVID-19 has impacted and increased risks for all populations, including orthodontic patients and providers. It also changes the practice management and infection control landscape in the practices. This study aimed to investigate the COVID-19 infection and vaccination status of orthodontic providers and mitigation approaches in orthodontic practices in the United States during 2021.

The Effects of Staining and Cleaning on the Color and Light Transmittance Changes of a Copolyester Retainer Material with Different Surface Textures.

This study evaluated the efficacy of different cleaning methods with respect to changes in the color and light transmittance of both rough and smooth thermoformed, copolyester retainer specimens, after staining in different solutions. Four hundred copolyester sheets (Essix ACE) specimens were fabricated over molds with different surface textures, smooth and rough. The specimens were stained in four different solutions ( = 100 per solution) over 28 days; then, each of the four groups of 100 stained specimens was sub-divided into five groups of 20 specimens and subjected to a different destaining solution.

Cone-beam computed tomography assessment of maxillary anterior alveolar bone remodelling in extraction and non-extraction orthodontic cases using stable extra-alveolar reference.

Objective: To explore alveolar cortical positional change in response to tooth movement in extraction and non-extraction orthodontic cases, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and stable extra-alveolar references.

Materials And Methods: The pre-treatment (T1) and post-treatment (T2) CBCT scans of 25 extraction (EXT) and matched 25 non-extraction (Non-EXT) orthodontic cases were imported into Dolphin Imaging 3D, and oriented uniformly. Sagittal and axial CBCT cross-sections were traced using customized software-generated guides.

Positivity rates of SAR-CoV-2 infection in orthodontic patients at the orthodontic clinic, University of Illinois Chicago.

COVID-19 has impacted and increased risks for healthcare providers, including orthodontists. There is no information regarding the potential transmission risks in the orthodontic community. This study aims to compare the positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in orthodontic patients at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) orthodontic clinic to the positivity rate of the local population in Chicago.

Assessment of Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation index scoring methods and their effect on orthodontic treatment coverage by Medicaid.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation index (HLDI) scoring methods as calculated by digital models (DM) and visual inspection (VI) and their agreement to either meet or fail to meet the Medicaid coverage threshold. An additional objective was to assess the agreement with Medicaid managed care organizations (MCO) coverage decisions.

Methods: The study included the orthodontic records of 401 patients who applied for Medicaid coverage.

Assessment of automatic cephalometric landmark identification using artificial intelligence.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of cephalometric landmark identification between artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning convolutional neural networks (CNN) You Only Look Once, Version 3 (YOLOv3) algorithm and the manually traced (MT) group.

Setting And Sample Population: The American Association of Orthodontists Federation (AAOF) Legacy Denver collection was used to obtain 110 cephalometric images for this study.

Materials And Methods: Lateral cephalograms were digitized and traced by a calibrated senior orthodontic resident using Dolphin Imaging.

Validation of an instructional module to help dental students learn to avoid plagiarism.

Objective: This study aimed to validate the learning effectiveness of an instructional module in helping first-year dental students and international graduate advanced standing students learn to avoid plagiarism in their scientific writing.

Method: The module was administered to a total of 226 first year dental students (157 at the University of Pittsburgh, in 2018 and 2019; 69 at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in 2019), and a total of 102 international graduate advanced standing students at the University of Illinois at Chicago, in 2019 and 2020. Psychometric analysis of the module's test items confirmed reliability and validity.

The implementation of the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation index on access to orthodontic care.

Objectives: In 2017, the state of Illinois changed the system by which they define severe malocclusion from the DentaQuest Orthodontic Criteria Index to the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation Index (HLD). The purpose of this study was to compare subjects who were submitted for coverage under either the DentaQuest Orthodontic Criteria Index or the HLD index to see if a difference exists in the number of subjects who received coverage and the type of malocclusions that were covered.

Methods: All subjects evaluated for orthodontic coverage by the Illinois Department of Human Services for treatment at the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry during the years 2016 and 2017 were included in this study.

Bimaxillary transverse constriction in adults: Short-term follow-up of non-surgical arch expansion.

Objective: Concurrent maxillary and mandibular expansion is a treatment option for patients with maxillary and mandibular transverse constriction. These patients do not present with crossbite but require expansion due to narrow arches and associated crowding, dark buccal corridors and decreased anterior arch contour. The objective of the study is to first establish Bimaxillary Transverse Constriction as an under-recognized malocclusion and second to evaluate whether in adults the maxillary and mandibular arches can be successfully and safely expanded.

Accuracy of Dental Monitoring 3D digital dental models using photograph and video mode.

Introduction: This study aimed to test the accuracy of the 3-dimensional (3D) digital dental models generated by the Dental Monitoring (DM) smartphone application in both photograph and video modes over successive DM examinations in comparison with 3D digital dental models generated by the iTero Element intraoral scanner.

Methods: Ten typodonts with setups of class I malocclusion and comparable severity of anterior crowding were used in the study. iTero Element scans along with DM examination in photograph and video modes were performed before tooth movement and after each set of 10 Invisalign aligners for each typodont.

Long-term effects of various cleaning methods on polypropylene/ethylene copolymer retainer material.

Objectives: To evaluate long-term light transmittance, surface roughness, and flexural modulus of polypropylene/ethylene copolymer retainer material after exposure to different cleaning methods.

Materials And Methods: Standardized polypropylene/ethylene copolymer retainer specimens (n = 70, 50.8 mm × 12.

Long-term effects of different cleaning methods on copolyester retainer properties.

Objective: To evaluate light transmittance, surface roughness, and flexural modulus of copolyester retainer material after long-term exposure to different cleaning methods.

Materials And Methods: Standardized copolyester retainer specimens (ACE) were subjected to seven chemical cleaning solutions for 6 months: Invisalign cleaning crystals, Retainer Brite, Polident, Listerine mouthwash, 2.5% acetic acid, 0.

Secretory microRNA-29 expression in gingival crevicular fluid during orthodontic tooth movement.

Secretory microRNAs (miRNAs) have been used increasingly as biomarkers for cancers, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases. They are reported as being freely circulated or encapsulated in microvesicles such as exosomes. This study was performed to elucidate the presence of miRNAs with exosomes in human gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and the expression profile of miRNA-29 during orthodontic tooth movement.

Long-term effects of seven cleaning methods on light transmittance, surface roughness, and flexural modulus of polyurethane retainer material.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term effects of seven different cleaning methods on light transmittance, surface roughness, and flexural modulus of a polyurethane retainer material.

Materials And Methods: Polyurethane retainer specimens (Vivera®, Align Technology Inc) (70 specimens, n = 10 per method, 50.8 mm × 12.

Effects of unilateral premolar extraction treatment on the dental arch forms of Class II subdivision malocclusions.

Introduction: A retrospective study evaluating posttreatment symmetry in dental arch form and midlines was carried out in Class II subdivision patients treated with unilateral and bilateral maxillary premolar extractions.

Methods: Using Geomagic (version 14; Geomagic, Research Triangle Park, NC) and MATLAB (version 8.4; MathWorks, Natick, Mass) software, best-fit curves expressed as quartic polynomials were generated for 13 Class II subdivisions treated with unilateral extractions and 20 treated with bilateral maxillary premolar extractions.

3D Evaluation of Palatal Rugae in Identical Twins.

The study of identical twins can point out potential limitations in biometrics and forensic odontology. This case report presents three-dimensional (3D) palatal rugae analysis in monozygotic twins utilizing digital models obtained directly by scanning the maxillary dental arch with the iTero® intraoral digital scanner. The results show that the rugae patterns contain related but not identical features between the pair of identical twins.