The 3D laser scanner provides accurate and reliable measurements of tooth displacement and can be considered an alternative to cephalometric radiographs.

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BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between the severity of permanent tooth impaction and a number of predefined factors, including tooth type, age, gender, tooth agenesis, microdontia of maxillary lateral incisor, and retained deciduous predecessors.MethodsA sample of 2979 dental patients, aged 15 to 40 years, was surveyed by two calibrated examiners for permanent tooth impaction (excluding third molars). On panoramic radiographs, the impacted teeth were initially ranked based on their vertical, horizontal, and angular positions, and the ranking was then analysed for distribution by the predefined factors. To test the age factor, patients were divided into younger (15 to 25 yr) and older (between 25 and 40 yr) age groups. The statistical significance of the ranked vertical, horizontal, and angular positions of impacted teeth by the investigated factors was determined using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsThe angular position of the impacted teeth was more severe in the older age group (P = 0.012) and in females (P = 0.018). The maxillary canine had more severe horizontal (P = 0.001) and angular (P = 0.003) impactions in females. Tooth agenesis was associated with less severe horizontal impaction (P = 0.041) in the mandibular second premolar. In addition, microdontia of the maxillary lateral incisor was associated with more severe horizontal impaction in general, and more severe horizontal (P = 0.024) and angular (P = 0.010) impaction of the mandibular second premolar in particular. Finally, our results showed that a retained deciduous predecessor was linked to a less severe vertical impaction of the mandibular second premolar (P = 0.030) and horizontal impaction of the maxillary second premolar (P = 0.037) but more severe angular impaction of the mandibular canine.ConclusionsThis study suggests that the more delayed the treatment, being a female, the presence of maxillary lateral incisor with microdontia, and retained lower deciduous canines might be associated with more severe position of the impacted teeth. Because the severity of tooth impaction would follow different patterns when considering the investigated factors, it is mandatory to include such factors during dental diagnoses and the planning of preventive or interceptive interventions for young patients.

Background: Little prevalence studies relating to molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) exist for Middle East populations in general and among Jordanian children in particular. Aim: To assess the prevalence and severity of MIH in a group of 3rd year class school children resident in Amman, Jordan as well as to describe its distribution in first permanent molars and incisors. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a representative sample was used. A simple random sampling technique produced 1412 school children aged 8-9-years. All children were examined by a single calibrated examiner. The first permanent molars and incisors were examined for molar incisor hypomineralization using the chart of Ghanim et al. based on the criteria of European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD). Analysis of data was performed with a p value set at 0.05. Results: Of a total of 1412 schoolchildren 186 (13.17%) were diagnosed with MIH. Maxillary teeth were more commonly affected than the mandibular but the difference was not significant (p>0.05) and the maxillary molar was the most affected. Demarcated creamy white opacities were most frequently encountered followed by post eruptive breakdown. Atypical restorations and caries because of MIH were uncommon. More than the half of teeth was diagnosed with severe form of MIH. The severity increases with the increase of number of affected molars. Conclusion: Molar incisor hypomineralization was high among the children examined. Demarcated opacities were more frequent than breakdown. The severity of the lesions increased with the number of affected teeth.

Objectives To compare the efficacy of traditional and digital communication strategies in improving compliance with fixed orthodontic therapy and to investigate the effect of gender, baseline oral hygiene habits, socioeconomics, and parents' education on orthodontic compliance. Materials and Methods Orthodontic patients were randomly allocated to three groups. Group 1 received traditional communication including verbal and written instructions, whereas group 2 and group 3 received, in addition to traditional communication, weekly text messages or e-mails with audiovisual links, respectively. Baseline demographics (age, gender, baseline oral hygiene habits, socioeconomics, and parents' education) as well as compliance indicators (treatment duration, failed appointments, incidence and total number of appliance breakages) were recorded. For statistical analysis, Pearson chi-square, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were used (P < .05). Results Of 120 patients (aged 12 to 18 years) recruited, 108 completed the trial (G1 = 37, G2 = 35, G3 = 36). Weekly text messages failed to improve patient compliance. On the other hand, sending weekly e-mails with audiovisual links significantly (P = .014) reduced the incidence of appliance breakage as compared with the control group. Females had a significantly lower incidence of breakage (P = .041) and a fewer total number of breakages (P = .021). Patients from households with high income had significantly better compliance (P < .05). A higher level of parents' education was significantly associated with a lower incidence and total number of breakages (P < .01). Conclusions Communication with patients using link-rich e-mails and reminders could improve patient compliance with fixed orthodontic treatment. Female patients, high household income, and high parent education are associated with better compliance with fixed orthodontic treatment.