The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of normative treatment need, perceived social impact of malocclusion and satisfaction with dental appearance on self-perceived treatment need, self-perceived aesthetics, and self-esteem; the influence of self-perceived need and aesthetics on self-esteem; and whether receipt of orthodontic treatment influences self-esteem. A questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 410 students (195 males and 215 females) aged 14-16 years. Self-esteem was measured using the Global Negative Self-Evaluation (GSE) scale. The Aesthetic and Dental Health Components (AC and DHC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) were used to assess orthodontic treatment need. Students' AC scores determined their self-perceived dental aesthetics. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyse the association between all variables, and multiple stepwise regression analysis to study the effect of independent variables on self-perceived need for treatment, self-perceived aesthetics, and self-esteem. A correlation existed between the students' and examiner's AC scores (P < 0.01); however, students were less critical in evaluating their aesthetic appearance. Students who perceived themselves in need of treatment had a great need for treatment, as assessed by the DHC and the AC of the IOTN (r = 0.421 and 0.489, respectively), were dissatisfied with their dental appearance (r = 0.542) and avoided smiling to hide their teeth (r = 0.457). Students who scored high on the GSE scale perceived a need for orthodontic treatment, evaluated their dental aesthetics poorly, perceived an impact of malocclusion on social acceptance, and had a great normative orthodontic treatment need; the correlation, however, was weak with r values ranging from 0.134 to 0.317. Students who had received orthodontic treatment showed greater self-esteem than those who had not, although the correlation was weak. Dissatisfaction with dental appearance had a strong predictive effect on self-esteem.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of a lower lingual holding arch (LLHA) in maintaining arch length, and to compare the effectiveness of two LLHAs made of two different gauges (0.9 and 1.25 mm) of stainless steel (SS) wire. The sample comprised 44 subjects (24 males and 20 females) who for various reasons attended orthodontic clinics at Jordan University of Science and Technology Dental Teaching Center. The subjects were randomly divided into two treatment groups. The first group contained 20 subjects (12 males/8 females, average age 10.76 ± 0.75 years). The LLHA used in this group was made of 0.9 mm SS wire. The second group comprised 24 subjects (12 males/12 females, average age 10.57 ± 0.54 years). The LLHA used in this group was made of 1.25 mm SS wire. The third group consisted of 23 subjects (15 males/8 females, average age 10.63 ± 0.66 years) who served as the control. The records consisted of lateral cephalograms, dental pantomograms, and study casts. Paired t-test, analysis of variance, and chi-square tests were used to determine whether significant differences existed between the groups. In both treatment groups, the lower incisors proclined and moved forward, and space loss of the lower primary second molar occurred. The LLHA made of 0.9 mm SS was superior to that made of 1.25 mm SS in terms of arch length preservation.

Photo-elastic models replicating a lower arch with a moderate degree of lower incisor crowding and a palatally displaced maxillary canine were used to evaluate the stresses transmitted to the roots of the teeth by initial alignment archwires. Six initial alignment archwires were compared, two multi-strand stainless steel wires, two non-super-elastic (stabilized martensitic form) nickel titanium wires, and two stress-induced super-elastic (austenitic active) nickel titanium wires. Three specimens of each archwire type were tested. Analysis of the photo-elastic fringe patterns, in the medium supporting the teeth, revealed that the non-super-elastic nickel titanium archwires produced the highest shear stresses (P = 0.001). However, the shear stresses generated by the super-elastic alignment archwires and the multi-strand stainless steel archwires were very similar (P = 1.00). These results show that even in situations where large deflections of initial alignment archwires are required, super-elastic archwires do not appear to have any marked advantage over multi-strand stainless steel alignment archwires in terms of the stresses transferred to the roots of the teeth.

Objective: To assess the morphology and dimensions of mandibular symphysis (MS) in different anteroposterior jaw relationships and to investigate whether craniofacial parameters have any correlation with its shape and/or dimensions. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalograms of subjects with Class I, Class II, and Class III skeletal relationships were traced. Several craniofacial and MS parameters were measured. MS parameters were compared between the three groups using analysis of variance and were correlated with the craniofacial parameters using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Larger angle of concavity of the chin, more inclination of the alveolar bone toward the mandibular plane, and larger MS dimensions and area (P , .001) were found with a Class III skeletal relationship compared to Class I and Class II relationships. The Pearson correlation coefficient between Id-Me and AFH was r 5 0.83 and between Id-Me and LAFH it was r 5 0.81. Conclusions: The dimensions and configuration of MS in the Class III relationship were different than those in Class I and Class II relationships; the alveolar part of MS compensated for the skeletal relationship in the Class III pattern. MS dimensions were strongly correlated to anterior facial dimensions. (Angle Orthod. 2014;84:304-309.)

Low SEC had a strong predictive effect on treatment uptake; socioeconomically deprived individuals were less likely to undergo orthodontic treatment.