PurposeProcedures such as Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) support the use of osteotomy to aid tooth movement and rapid distraction of the periodontal ligament by utilizing tissue engineering principles with periodontal regenerative surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the amount of tooth movement and the associated changes in buccal bone morphology between corticotomy and flapless Micro-Osteoperforation (MOP) assisted orthodontic treatment.Material and methodsA total of ten healthy patients between 18 and 25 years of age requiring orthodontic treatment were recruited for this clinical trial with a split mouth design. After orthodontic and periodontal examinations, Cone Beam Computed Tomography scans (CBCT) were done pre- (T1) and post- (T2) operatively for each patient to evaluate radiographic parameters such as buccal bone thickness, root resorption and dehiscence. Amount of tooth movement was also evaluated and compared.ResultsThe canine-premolar distance, measured in a time interval of 3 months and over a follow-up period of 6 months, reduced significantly from T1 to T2 at both corticotomy and MOP sites. At the corticotomy site, there was a mean increase in bone thickness of 1.15 ± 0.3 mm at coronal region, 0.48 ± 0.1 mm at mid-root region and 0.15 ± 0.0 mm at apical region. This increase in bone thickness was statistically significant at coronal level (p = 0.001) and mid-root level (p = 0.02). Significant increase in bone thickness was observed at MOP site. While on intergroup comparison, the difference was statistically significant at coronal level (p = 0.01).ConclusionBoth the techniques cause an increase in canine retraction in short period of time with almost no harm to periodontal structures. MOP being a flapless procedure allow clinicians to deliver an efficient orthodontic care.

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COVID-19 is a recent respiratory illness with high morbidity and mortality; therefore, the study and characterization of blood markers associated with the improvement or deterioration of COVID-19 patients are crucial. This study compared levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), c-reactive protein (CRP), 25-OH vitamin D, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies, and viremia in mild–moderate and severe–critical COVID-19 patients. In addition, the time course of blood markers was studied in severe–critical cases. The results show that levels of IL-6, PCT, D-dimer, and CRP, the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio, as well as positive viremia and anti-Spike IgGs were higher in severe–critical patients requiring hospitalization. During follow-up, most severe–critical cases displayed similar time patterns of IL-6 and viral load, whereas anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody curves showed an inverse pattern. A decrease in IL-6 levels was associated with the improvement of COVID-19 patients, mostly through a reduced oxygen requirement. This preliminary study suggests that an increase in serum IL-6, PCT, D-dimer and CRP levels and the cortisol/DHEA-S ratio could support the selection of patients with poorer prognosis and the need for an intensive or alternative treatment. Additionally, changes in IL-6 during hospitalization were associated with changes in patient’s status mainly with a decrease in oxygen requirements, which indicates that serial measurements of IL-6 could predict the outcome of severe–critical patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.