Stainless steel rectangular wires, when exposed to the intraoral environment for 8 weeks, showed a significant increase in the degree of debris and surface roughness, causing an increase in friction between the wire and bracket during the mechanics of sliding.

Self-ligating and conventional brackets, when exposed to the intraoral environment, showed a significant increase in frictional force during the sliding mechanics. Debris accumulation was higher for the self-ligating system.

Dental material science has paid more attention to mechanical properties of as-received materials than to changes produced after intraoral exposure. Orthodontic archwires when exposed to the intraoral environment have shown a significant increase in the degree of debris, surface roughness (Ra), and frictional force. The purpose of this split-mouth study was to evaluate the effects of two methods of archwire cleaning on these variables after clinical use for 8 weeks. For eight individuals, four sets of three brackets each (n = 32) were bonded from the first molar to the first premolar. A passive segment of 0.019 × 0.025 inch stainless steel (SS) archwire was inserted into the brackets and tied by elastomeric ligature. Debris level [via scanning electron microscopy (SEM)], Ra, and frictional force were evaluated in a paired comparison after 8 weeks of intraoral exposure and after cleaning with a steel wool sponge (SWS) for 1 minute or ultrasound (US) cleaning for 15 minutes. Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman's, and Spearman and Pearson correlation tests were used for statistical analysis. The debris and Ra of SS rectangular wires increased significantly (P < 0.05) during clinical use, causing a significant increase in the frictional force level. These changes can be effectively eliminated by either of the investigated cleaning methods, although a SWS seems to be clinically more practical.

How to cite this article: Araújo AM, Miguel JAM, Gava ECB, Oliveira BH. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of an instrument designed for the assessment of quality of life in orthognatic patients. Dental Press J Orthod. 2013 Sept-Oct;18(5):99-106.Submitted: August 22, 2011 -Revised and accepted: January 09, 2012 » The authors report no commercial, proprietary or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article. Introduction:The Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ) was developed in 2000 and validated in 2002, aiming at assessing the impact and the benefits of orthosurgical treatment on patients' quality of life. Objective: Cross-culturally translate into Brazilian Portuguese and back-translate into English a quality of life instrument, assuring maintenance of its properties. Methods: At first, equivalence of concepts and items was discussed by a group of specialists who scrutinized all questionnaire items. Additionally, four patients in need of orthosurgical treatment were interviewed by means of the focus group methodology. Relevance of the questionnaire items was assured prior to its translation which was carried out by two translators who worked independently. Both translations were tested in 20 patients and then consolidated. The consolidated questionnaire version was back-translated into English by two translators who worked independently, and the consolidated back-translation was assessed by the authors of the original questionnaire as well as by the researchers. Results: The OQLQ was translated into Brazilian Portuguese. This translation was tested in a pilot study comprising 12 patients, aged between 16 and 34 years old. Conclusion: The OQLQ Brazilian Portuguese translation proves to be an appropriate instrument to access the impact of dentofacial deformities on the quality of life of patients in the Brazilian public health system and who are in need of orthosurgical treatment. Keywords : Quality of life. Oral surgery. Validation studies.Introdução: o Questionário de Qualidade de Vida para Pacientes Orto-cirúrgicos (Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire -OQLQ) foi desenvolvido em 2000 e validado em 2002, com o objetivo de analisar os impactos e benefícios do tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Objetivo: realizar a tradução e adaptação transcultural desse instrumento para o português, assegurando a manutenção de suas propriedades. Métodos: primeiramente, realizou-se a equivalência conceitual e de itens, onde um grupo de especialistas debateu cada item do questionário, e quatro pacientes com necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico-cirúrgico foram entrevistados, utilizando o método de grupo focal. Após verificar a pertinência e relevância dos itens, o questionário foi traduzido por dois tradutores, de forma independente. As duas versões foram testadas em 20 pacientes e, depois, unificadas. Essa versão unificada foi retraduzida para o inglês por dois tradutores independentes, e a unificação das retraduções foi avaliada pelos auto...

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