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To compare the shear bond strengths and modes of failure of three orthodontic brackets: a polycrystalline ceramic bracket, a collapsible polycrystalline ceramic bracket and a metal bracket.

This study determined which molar base retentive designs produced the greatest shear bond strength (SBS) to human molars when using different adhesives.

Purpose/objectives: White spot lesions (WSLs) are opaque white lesions on smooth tooth surfaces as a result of demineralization. Proven methods of prevention and resolution of these lesions are available yet the incidence rate, especially in orthodontic patients, is still high. Perhaps the way dental schools are educating students on the topic is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how predoctoral dental students are taught about the prevention and resolution of WSLs. Methods: An electronic survey was developed and sent out to each of the 66 accredited dental schools in the United States and Puerto Rico. The survey consisted of 13 questions and inquired about whether the school includes instruction of WSLs in its predoctoral curriculum. If the school indicated instruction WSLs was in the predoctoral curriculum, further questions were asked pertaining to the content and method of the instruction. Demographic data was also gathered from each institution. Results: Twenty‐eight of the 66 schools responded for a 42% response rate. Eighty‐two percent of schools indicated they were teaching about prevention of WSLs, while 50% indicated they were teaching about resolution, or treatment, of WSLs. The most commonly taught methods were patient education, over‐the‐counter fluoride mouthrinse, toothpaste, or gel, and high fluoride content toothpaste. Conclusion: The majority of responding dental schools are at least including some instruction of WSLs in the predoctoral curriculum. Many of the known prevention and treatment measures available, however, are not routinely taught. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental dental anomalies are a common finding in adolescent populations. The objective of this study was to utilize panoramic radiographs to determine the prevalence of dental anomalies and developmental disturbances in a heterogenous adolescent orthodontic patient population seeking care at a North American orthodontic residency program. A total of 1042 panoramic radiographs of 457 male and 585 female orthodontic patients aged 10 to 18 years were evaluated. Developmental and eruption anomalies were recorded and categorized, and chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. The evaluation revealed that 40.88% of patients had at least 1 anomalous finding. The most common finding overall was agenesis (12.00%), followed by deviations in eruption path (9.12%), delayed eruption (7.39%), and impaction (7.29%). There was no difference in the prevalence of having any anomalous finding or the prevalence of any specific category of anomalies based on the sex or Angle classification of the patients. Comparison of developmental dental anomalies in 3 age groups (10 to 12, 13 to 15, or 16 to 18 years) revealed no statistically significant difference in the overall prevalence of anomalous findings. Statistically significant differences for some specific categories of anomalies were explainable by correlating dental development with chronologic age, such as a greater frequency of blocked out teeth and eruption path deviation among patients aged 10 to 12 years. Black patients were found to have a significantly greater prevalence of impac-tions (P = 0.030), and Asian patients had a significantly greater prevalence of anomalies categorized as "other pathology," which could not be definitively diagnosed by panoramic radiograph alone (P = 0.007). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To (1) determine if there are different preferences among general dentists, a combined group of dental specialists, and orthodontists concerning whether a patient with congenitally missing lateral incisors should have the teeth restored or if the canines should be orthodontically moved into the position of the missing teeth; (2)determine the role that esthetics and function of the final result has on the respondents' treatment preferences; and (3)compare the respondents' opinions about treatment preferences to their rankings of esthetics reported in part 1. Methods: The questionnaire accompanied the photographic evaluation in part 1. Percentages were computed and chi-squares were used to compare response patterns. Results: Compared to orthodontists, a significantly greater percentage of general dentists and combined dental specialists would restore the lateral incisors and would do so primarily for esthetic reasons. Interestingly, for those dental professionals who responded that the missing teeth should be restored, many did not rank any photograph of a restorative option as the best option. Conclusions: Dental professionals should attempt to eliminate their personal opinions when recommending treatment options for a congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisor because discrepancies exist between the treatment result judged as most esthetic and the one most likely to be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine how general dentists, orthodontists, combined dental specialists, and laypeople judged the relative attractiveness of a series of photographs of teeth that included cases with congenitally missing incisors to compare the esthetic appeal of various treatment options. Methods: The photographs included cases with Maryland bridges, dental implants, and orthodontic substitution of the lateral incisors with the canines. Cases with no missing teeth were included as controls. The subjects rated each photograph independently, assigning a number between 1 and 5 for each of a series of 7 bipolar adjectives. Each photograph was given an overall score from 7 (best) through 35 (worst) for use in statistical analysis (ANOVA). Results: Results indicated that general dentists, orthodontists, combined dental specialists, and laypeople differed in their evaluations of the photographs, which represented multiple treatment options for congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors. Conclusions: Including esthetics of the finished result as an advantage or disadvantage for either restoration or canine substitution of the lateral incisors could be misleading to the patient because the judgment of esthetics of a smile can vary from one person to another or from one dental professional to another, as indicated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Various alternatives to metal orthodontic archwires have produced varied successes over the years. This study sought to evaluate the bending properties of fiber-reinforced polymeric composite (FRC) archwires compared with similarly sized nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) archwires. Methods: Two different 0.018-inch translucent FRC orthodontic wires (Translucent Archwire I and Translucent Archwire II) were tested against 0.014-, 0.016-, and 0.018-inch nonsuperelastic nickel titanium orthodontic wires. The wires in each group (n = 10) were evaluated with threepoint bending using a universal testing machine. Wire segments were deflected at midspan to 3.1 mm at a rate of 2 mm/min. Loading and unloading slope and modulus were calculated, as were force values during activation and deactivation and elastic recovery. Results: It was found that the 0.018-inch Ni-Ti archwire demonstrated the highest force values at different deflection distances followed by Translucent Archwire II, 0.016-inch Ni-Ti, Translucent Archwire I, and finally 0.014-inch Ni-Ti. 0.016-inch Ni-Ti exhibited the highest modulus value, followed by 0.018-inch Ni-Ti, 0.014-inch Ni-Ti, Translucent Archwire II, and finally Translucent Archwire I. During deactivation, the elastic recovery of 0.014-inch Ni-Ti and 0.016-inch Ni-Ti was significantly greater than Translucent Archwire II. Conclusion: The bending properties of BioMer's FRC archwires were found to be comparable to Ni-Ti, as advertised by the manufacturer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) by examining standard orthodontic intraoral photographs. Methods: A total of 690 patients were evaluated retrospectively for the presence or absence and extent of MIH using standardized assessment criteria. Results: Fourteen percent of all patients examined presented with MIH on at least one tooth. There was no significant difference in the presence of MIH when compared to age, race, or gender. MIH is most commonly presented on maxillary molars and maxillary central incisors as demarcated opacities with less than one-third of the tooth affected. More severe clinical status groups were associated with higher average age and were more commonly seen in molars than incisors. Conclusions: At 14 percent, the prevalence is reflective of the worldwide prevalence previously determined from other studies. MIH most commonly presents in its mildest form; however, older individuals tend to present with more severe forms, indicating that it continues to cause problems as patients age. Future studies should extend to further areas to continue to ascertain the extent and severity of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Various alternatives to metal orthodontic archwires have produced varied successes over the years. This study sought to evaluate the bending properties of fiber-reinforced polymeric composite (FRC) archwires compared with similarly sized nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) archwires., Methods: Two different 0.018-inch translucent FRC orthodontic wires (Translucent Archwire I and Translucent Archwire II) were tested against 0.014-, 0.016-, and 0.018-inch nonsuperelastic nickel titanium orthodontic wires. The wires in each group (n = 10) were evaluated with three-point bending using a universal testing machine. Wire segments were deflected at midspan to 3.1 mm at a rate of 2 mm/min. Loading and unloading slope and modulus were calculated, as were force values during activation and deactivation and elastic recovery., Results: It was found that the 0.018-inch Ni-Ti archwire demonstrated the highest force values at different deflection distances followed by Translucent Archwire II, 0.016-inch Ni-Ti, Translucent Archwire I, and finally 0.014-inch Ni-Ti. 0.016-inch Ni-Ti exhibited the highest modulus value, followed by 0.018-inch Ni-Ti, 0.014-inch Ni-Ti, Translucent Archwire II, and finally Translucent Archwire I. During deactivation, the elastic recovery of 0.014-inch Ni-Ti and 0.016-inch Ni-Ti was significantly greater than Translucent Archwire II., Conclusion: The bending properties of BioMer's FRC archwires were found to be comparable to Ni-Ti, as advertised by the manufacturer.