Background To evaluate the impact of the use of face masks on oral hygiene habits; oral conditions self-perception; reasons to seek dental treatment; and esthetic concerns. Material and Methods 1346 participants answered a web-based survey with questions related to the aims of the study. Descriptive statistic was performed and the responses were analyzed with chi-square test and regression analysis. Results With the use of masks, toothbrushing frequency decreased significantly, and people are significantly less concerned about oral hygiene. The number of subjects that reported to have halitosis increased significantly and this was associated with a decrease in toothbrushing frequency. The greatest complaints of subjects were teeth color and alignment. The prevalence of bruxism increased significantly. Overall, 94.1% considered that esthetics is important to seek dental care even with the use of masks, and 84.2% are maintaining usual periodic dental care. People are significantly less concerned with their smile and dental esthetics with the use of masks. Conclusions With the use of face mask, people must be motivated regarding maintaining oral hygiene habits. Some respondents will seek dental care only when masks were no longer necessary, therefore dentists must be aware of a reduction in the volume of patients. Key words: Dental health surveys, esthetics, oral hygiene, dental care, COVID-19, behavior.

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BackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate the dentoalveolar effects and the changes of buccal cortical bone in the posterior area after expansion obtained with TMA auxiliary expansion arch in adult patients.Material and MethodsA retrospective analysis of CT scans of 13 patients (6 male, 7 female) treated at a private clinic, taken immediately before and after the use of an auxiliary expansion archwire, was performed. Mean age at installation of TMA auxiliary expansion arch was 29.23 years (s.d.=9.13) and the mean age when the auxiliary arch was removed was 29.52 years (s.d.=9.16). Mean time of the use of the TMA auxiliary expansion arch was 0.29 years (s.d.=0.09). The patients used fixed appliances and after leveling and alignment, a TMA auxiliary expansion arch was installed, combined with the primary 0.017x0.025-inch thermoactivated Ni-Ti archwire. CBCT scans were taken at T1 and T2. Linear and angular measurements regarding the positioning of maxillary molar, premolars and canines were performed. Intragroup comparison of the variables at T1 and T2 was performed with dependent t tests.ResultsThere was statistically significant transverse increase and buccal inclination of all teeth. The cortical bone showed adaptability and displacement in the same direction of tooth movement, but in smaller amounts.ConclusionsThe auxiliary expansion arch proved to be effective to correct dentoalveolar constriction in adult patients, by increasing the buccal dental inclination with larger displacements than the bone crest adaptation and with significant transverse gains. Key words:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Maxillary Expansion, Adult treatment.

BackgroundThe objective of this work is to test the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the torque expression among different esthetic brackets.Material and MethodsFive ceramic self-ligating brackets (In-Ovation C – GAC, Damon Clear–Ormco, QuicKlear-Forestadent, Click-It -TP Orthodontics, Clarity SL-3M Unitek) and 4 ceramic conventional brackets (Inspire Ice–Ormco, InVu Ceramic-TP Orthodontics, Ceramic Roth–Morelli, Clarity Metal-Reinforced Ceramic Bracket-3M Unitek) were selected. Metallic Damon MX self-ligating bracket (Ormco) was used as control. Third-order moments were measured at 12º, 24º and 36º using an archwire torsion device associated with a Universal Testing Machine (EMIC DL2000), with 0.019x0.025-inch stainless steel wire. Anova followed by Tukey tests were used for intergroup comparisons.ResultsIn all tested angulations the Damon Clear bracket presented the highest torque expression, followed by Clarity, Clarity SL and Damon Mx brackets, with the worst torque expression shown by the InVu Ceramic bracket. The InVu Ceramic demonstrated the largest while the Damon Clear brackets demonstrated the smallest slot height and clearance.ConclusionsThe null hypothesis was rejected since torque expression was different among the esthetic brackets evaluated. It was also concluded that the slot height is directly related to torque expression. Key words:Torque, orthodontic brackets, orthodontic appliances, incisor, ceramics.