PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of panoramic imaging in measuring the right and left gonial angles by comparing the measured angles with the angles determined using a lateral cephalogram of adult patients with class I malocclusion.Materials and MethodsThe gonial angles of 50 class I malocclusion patients (25 males and 25 females; mean age: 23 years) were measured using both a lateral cephalogram and a panoramic radiograph. In the lateral cephalograms, the gonial angle was measured at the point of intersection of the ramus plane and the mandibular plane. In the panoramic radiographs, the gonial angle was measured by drawing a line tangent to the lower border of the mandible and another line tangent to the distal border of the ascending ramus and the condyle on both sides. The data obtained from both radiographs were statistically compared.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was observed between the gonial angle measured using the lateral cephalograms and that determined using the panoramic radiographs. Further, there was no statistically significant difference in the measured gonial angle with respect to gender. The results also showed a statistically insignificant difference in the mean of the right and the left gonial angles measured using the panoramic radiographs.ConclusionAs the gonial angle measurements using panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms showed no statistically significant difference, panoramic radiography can be considered in orthodontics for measuring the gonial angle without any interference due to superimposed images.

Introduction:Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an orthopedic treatment procedure routinely used to treat constricted maxillary arches and also a potential additional treatment in children presenting with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).Aims and Objectives:The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of RME on sleep characteristics in children.Materials and Methods:Polysomnography was done on children of 8-13 years of age before expansion (T0), after expansion (T1) and after a period of 3 months after retention (T2). Bonded rapid maxillary expander was cemented in all children. Inter-molar distance was also measured at T0 and T2.Statistical Analysis:Nonparametric Friedman test was used for comparing the averages of sleep parameters at different time period (T0, T1, T2). Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used for comparing the averages of inter-molar width (T0-T2). P < 0.05 were considered as significant.Results:All children showed an improvement in sleep parameters with an increase in sleep efficiency, decreased in arousal and desaturation index after expansion. Total sleep time showed a statistically significant increase after expansion. A statistically significant increase in inter-molar distance was obtained after expansion.Conclusions:Rapid maxillary expansion is a useful treatment option for improving quality of sleep even in normal children without SDB. It also induces widening of the maxilla, corrects posterior crossbites and improves maxillary and mandibular dental arch coordination.

As the COVID-19 pandemic is steadily rising, there is an increase in psychological distress among the orthodontic patients regarding their ongoing treatment. Thus aim of the study was to assess the anxiety and perceptions among orthodontic patients regarding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic treatment. A closed end online questionnaire was sent as Google forms to 300 adult patients’ currently undergoing orthodontic treatment at a tertiary care center. 266 patients answered the survey with a response rate of 88.7%.  Online consent was taken before participation in the study and the survey was anonymized and did not contain any identifying information. The descriptive data included the participants' responses using frequency and proportions. The difference in the distribution of responses were compared using Chi-square goodness of fit test and the level of significance was fixed at p < 0.05. Level of anxiety between males and females was compared using independent t-test. Among the respondents, 126 were males and 140 were females.  The mean level of anxiety level among males was 4.28 ± 2.28 whereas for females it was 5.85 ± 2.48. The differences in the distribution of responses by the participants were statistically significant. The COVID-19 pandemic showed to have a greater impact on orthodontic appointments and anxiety levels of patients. Females showed greater anxiety than males for visiting the dental clinics. The greatest concern that patients reported was the increase in their treatment duration and they also recognized the importance of monthly orthodontic reviews.

The present research was aimed at developing surface coatings on NiTi archwires capable of protection against nickel release and to investigate the stability, mechanical performance and prevention of nickel release of titanium sputter coated NiTi arch wires. Coated and uncoated specimens immersed in artificial saliva were subjected to critical evaluation of parameters such as surface analysis, mechanical testing, element release, friction coefficient and adhesion of the coating. Titanium coatings exhibited high reliability on exposure even for a prolonged period of 30 days in artificial saliva. The coatings were found to be relatively stable on linear scratch test with reduced frictional coefficient compared to uncoated samples. Titanium sputtering adhered well with the Ni-Ti substrates at the molecular level, this was further confirmed by Inductive coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICPE) analysis which showed no dissolution of nickel in the artificial saliva. Titanium sputter coatings seem to be promising for nickel sensitive patients. The study confirmed the superior nature of the coating, evident as reduced surface roughness, friction coefficient, good adhesion and minimal hardness and elastic modulus variations in artificial saliva over a given time period.

Objective:The objective of this study was to compare the surface morphology and dimensional stability of the bracket slot at the onset of treatment and after 12 months of intraoral exposure. The study also compared the amount of calcium at the bracket base which indicates enamel loss among the three orthodontic brackets following debonding after 12 months of intraoral exposure.Materials and Methods:The sample consisted of 60 (0.022” MBT) canine brackets. They were divided into three groups: self-ligating, ceramic bracket with metal slot, and stainless steel (SS) brackets. The slot dimensions, micromorphologic characteristics of as-received and retrieved brackets were measured with a stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The amount of calcium at the bracket base which indicates enamel damage was quantified using energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX).Results:The results showed statistically significant alterations (P < 0.05) in the right vertical dimension, internal tie wing width (cervical), right and left depth of the slot (Kruskal–Wallis test). Multiple comparison using Mann–Whitney test showed that ceramic brackets underwent (P < 0.05) minimal alterations in the right vertical dimension, internal tie wing width (cervical), right and left depth of the slot (0.01 mm, −0.003 mm, 0.006 mm, −0.002 mm, respectively) when compared with the changes seen in SS and self-ligating brackets. SEM analysis revealed an increase in the surface roughness of ceramic with metal slot brackets and self-ligating bracket showed the least irregularity. The presence of calcium was noted on all evaluated brackets under EDX, but ceramic with metal slot brackets showed a significantly greater amount of enamel loss (P = 0.001).Conclusion:Ceramic brackets were found to be dimensionally stable when compared to SS and self-ligating. Self-ligating bracket showed minimal surface irregularity. Ceramic with metal slot brackets showed a greater amount of enamel loss following debonding.

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