Decontamination of tried-in orthodontic molar bands

Molar bands are commonly used to retain orthodontic attachments on posterior teeth and due to the variation in the size of such teeth, it is usually necessary to 'try in' several bands before the correct one is selected. A possible concern with re-using such bands is the lack of cross-infection control, even following autoclaving, due to the presence of one or more small bore lumen (the archwire and headgear tubes). The aim of this experiment was, therefore, to determine whether such bands could be successfully decontaminated so that they could be re-used without a cross-infection risk. Two hundred orthodontic molar bands that had previously been tried in patients' mouths, but not cemented into place, were tested. Each band was decontaminated using an enzymatic cleaner/disinfectant and then sterilized using either a downward displacement (n = 100) or a vacuum cycle autoclave (n = 100). Following autoclaving each band was inoculated into brain heart infusion culture broth and incubated at 37 degrees C for 5 days. None of the decontaminated bands exhibited growth after 5 days. It would appear that, using this methodology, there is little risk of a cross-infection hazard occurring with the re-use of previously tried-in and decontaminated molar bands.     

Biocompatibility of orthodontic bands following exposure to dental plaque

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the biocompatibility of orthodontic bands following exposure to the human oral environment.

Methods

Cell adherence and cell morphology of gingival fibroblasts grown on 32 orthodontic bands were tested. The bands were in place intraorally for 6 to 37?months.

Results

We observed cell adherence in 76% of the previously plaque-free surfaces. Cell morphology was 50% spherical and 50% elongated. The surfaces that had had plaque attached demonstrated cell adherence in 84% of the given areas; those cells were spherical in 42% and elongated in 58%.

Conclusion

We conclude that individual oral hygiene habits during orthodontic treatment seem to have no effect on the biocompatibility of orthodontic bands, as we failed to discern a difference in either cell adherence or cell morphology in areas with and without prior plaque attachment.     

Salivary pH level and bacterial plaque evaluation in orthodontic patients treated with Recaldent® products

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 8, 2010; 232–236
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2009.00374.x
Marchisio O, Esposito MR, Genovesi A. Salivary pH level and bacterial plaque evaluation in orthodontic patients treated with Recaldent^® products. Abstract: Dental caries and resulting tooth decay can produce a multifactorial destructive process with a very high incidence. Cariogenic bacteria attack enamel with acids that produce subsurface lesions, thereby weakening the enamel and allowing bacterial progression into the dentin. The formation of dental decay, because of demineralization of the tooth structure, can be prevented or delayed by increasing the rate of the tooth’s remineralization and replacement relative to the tooth’s rate of demineralization. This rebuilding of enamel may be accelerated by the addition of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) with the aid of casein phosphopeptide (CPP) (Recaldent^® molecule). In this study, the role of CPP in stabilizing and releasing ACP on the tooth surface has been investigated to better understand its efficacy in the prevention of tooth demineralization in orthodontic patients. Twenty‐five patients who wore fixed orthodontic appliances were enrolled in this clinical trial. It was explained to the patients that CPP–ACP would be used for 3 weeks and then suspended for an additional 3 weeks. Salivary pH evaluation, plaque pH evaluation and oral hygiene index (OHI) were performed at T0, T1 and T2. Results showed an increase in OHI level and an increase of the salivary pH (76% of the patients). Instead of plaque pH level that showed trivial results, only 48% of the patients showed a bacterial plaque pH increase. In conclusion, this study has not provided unequivocal evidence for the protective properties of Recaldent® molecule. Long‐term studies are necessary to better understand the role of this molecule.     

Prevalence of third molar impaction in orthodontic patients treated nonextraction and with extraction of 4 premolars.

The purposes of this study were to confirm that premolar extraction treatment is associated with mesial movement of the molars concomitant with an increase in the eruption space for the third molars and to test the hypothesis that such treatment reduces the frequency of third molar impaction. Lateral cephalograms, panoramic or periapical radiographs, and study models made before (T1) and after (T2) treatment and a minimum of 10 years postretention (T3) of 157 patients were selected from the postretention sample at the Department of Orthodontics of the University of Washington, Seattle. Treatment for 105 patients included the extraction of 4 premolars; the other 53 were treated nonextraction. These patients represented all the extraction and nonextraction patients in the sample who had at least 1 third molar at T1 or T2 and who showed evidence of full eruption or closure of the root apex at T2 or T3. Student t tests showed higher scores for third molar impaction (P <.01), less mesial movement of the molars from T1 to T2 (P <.01), and smaller retromolar space at T2 (P <.001) in both arches of the nonex patients than in the ex patients. Similarly, molar movement was more mesial from T1 to T2 in the maxilla (P <.01) and in the mandible (P <.05), and the retromolar space was larger in both arches (P <.001) of the patients with eruption than in those with impaction of the third molars. Our results suggest that premolar extraction therapy reduces the frequency of third molar impaction because of increased eruption space concomitant with mesial movement of the molars during space closure.     

The performance of first molar orthodontic bands cemented with glass ionomer cement--a retrospective analysis.

Various factors influencing the survival time of orthodontic bands cemented to first permanent molars with glass ionomer cement (KETAC-CEM, Espe) have been investigated. Data on 513 patients with 1424 first molar bands who completed orthodontic treatment between 1985 and 1989 inclusive were analysed. Performance of bands cemented to first permanent molars varied according to the operator, age of the patient and treatment mechanics, but not according to the sex of the patient or quadrant in which the band was fitted.     

Nickel in dental plaque and saliva in patients with and without orthodontic appliances

The aim of this study was to compare the content of nickel in the saliva and dental biofilm in young patients with and without orthodontic appliances. The possible influence of a dietary intake of nickel on recorded nickel levels was examined. Nickel content in unstimulated whole saliva and in dental plaque of 24 boys and girls (mean age 14.8 years) with intraoral fixed orthodontic appliances was compared with 24 adolescents without such an appliance. Sample collection was set up to exclude nickel contamination. Diet intake was recorded for the preceding 48 hours to account for the influence of recent nickel content in food. Saliva and plaque were analysed for nickel content using an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (ETAAS) method. The acidified saliva samples were analysed as Millipore-filtered saliva with filter-retained fractions and plaque following dissolution in acids. No significant difference in nickel content of filtered saliva was found between the test and the control samples (P = 0.607); the median values of nickel content were 0.005 and 0.004 mug/g saliva, respectively. On the other hand, a significant difference was found for the filter-retained fraction (P = 0.008); median values for nickel were 25.3 and 14.9 mug/g, respectively. A significant difference in nickel content between test and control samples was also found in plaque collected at various tooth sites (P = 0.001; median values 1.03 and 0.45 mug/g, respectively). A stronger difference was found when comparing plaque collected from metal-covered tooth surfaces than from enamel surfaces of orthodontic patients. No association could be found between calculated dietary intake of nickel and recorded nickel in the test and control samples. It is concluded that nickel release occurs into the dental plaque and components of saliva of orthodontic patients, a situation that may reflect time dependence of its release from orthodontic appliances into the oral cavity and an aggregation of nickel at plaque sites.     

Prediction of maxillary third molar impaction in adolescent orthodontic patients

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for maxillary third molar impaction in adolescent orthodontic patients. Radiographs made before treatment (T1) and after treatment (T2) and at a minimum of 10 years postretention (T3) of 132 patients that allowed accurate diagnosis of impaction vs eruption of one or both maxillary third molars were evaluated. Although univariate logistic regression revealed that the decision to extract premolars reduced the risk of impaction by 76% (P < .01), this parameter was not included in the final prediction model at T1. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that third molar impaction could be predicted at T1 according to the size of the retromolar space and the amount of mesial molar movement that will occur during active appliance therapy, reducing the risk of impaction by 22% and 34% for every millimeter increase in distance, respectively (P < .01). At T2, multiple logistic regression revealed that the odds of impaction were more than 60 times higher (P < .01) if the third molar was angulated mesially as compared with less than 30 degrees distally relative to the occlusal plane and almost five times (P < .05) higher if the third molar was angulated more than 30 degrees distally as compared with less than 30 degrees distally. Similar analyses at T2 showed 29% reduced risk of impaction for every millimeter increase in retromolar space and 18% reduced risk for every degree increase in angle MP/SN (P < .01).     

The effect of micro-etching on the retention of orthodontic molar bands: a clinical trial

Failure of orthodontic bands occurs most frequently at the band-cement interface, when conventional glass ionomer cements are used. Modification of the band surface may improve clinical performance by increasing the mechanical interlock at this junction. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the retention of micro-etched and untreated first molar orthodontic bands in a randomized, half-mouth trial. Seventy-nine patients had 304 bands cemented as part of routine fixed appliance therapy. The effect of micro-etching, patient age and gender, operator, molar crossbite, treatment mechanics, and arch on band failure was investigated. Failure rates and survival times were compared for each variable assessed. Micro-etched molar bands showed a significant reduction in clinical failure rate over untreated molar bands and an increase in mean survival time (P < 0.001). Of the other variables examined, only the presence of a molar crossbite had any significant effect on band failure (P = 0.004).     

Presence of third molar germs in orthodontic patients in Japan.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the existence of third molar germs in orthodontic patients in Japan and to examine the relationship between the existence of third molars and sagittal maxillomandibular jaw relationships. The subjects comprised 306 patients from the orthodontic clinic of Hokkaido University Dental Hospital who were younger than 15 years. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: 1 group included 144 patients who were born between 1966 and 1969 (60s group), and the other group included 162 patients who were born between 1980 and 1987 (80s group). Assessments were made from panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms. The following results were obtained: (1) all 4 third molar germs were present in 77% of subjects, (2) mandibular third molars were present significantly more often than maxillary third molars, and (3) the percentage of skeletal Class III subjects who had all 4 third molars was lower than that of skeletal Class II subjects. The chi(2) test was used to determine statistical significance in differences.     

The effect of orthodontic appliances on the distribution of Candida and plaque in adolescents

The site prevalence and intra-oral density of Candidal organisms may be increased by local factors including prostheses. However, whether significant changes in Candidal carriage occurs with denture wearing is not clearly established. This study employed the imprint culture technique to assess the effects of fixed and removable orthodontic appliances on oral carriage, site prevalence and intra-oral density of Candida in adolescents. Moreover, alterations in plaque distribution were measured. Groups of 12-16 year olds without or wearing fixed and removable appliances were studied. Imprint cultures were taken from six intra-oral sites and colony counts recorded after 48 hours incubation on selective media. Plaque scores were recorded from non-appliance and removable appliance wearers. The prevalence of Candidal carriage in the groups was not significantly different being 46 per cent of non-appliance, 51 per cent of fixed appliance and 52 per cent of removable appliance wearers. However, the prevalence of Candidal recovery at some sites and Candidal densities at all sites were significantly increased in both fixed and removable appliance wearers. Thus orthodontic appliances may predispose to Candidal proliferation in oral carriers. However, the results do not permit the conclusion that appliances may change non-carriers of Candida to carriers. Plaque distribution was significantly altered in removable appliance wearers when compared with non-appliance wearers as a result of increases in palatal plaque scores. These findings again emphasize the particular need for oral hygiene instruction in patients wearing appliances or partial prostheses.     

Third molar angulation during and after treatment of adolescent orthodontic patients

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of premolar extraction therapy on third molar angulation during active treatment, and to test the significance of such changes on subsequent impaction of the third molars. Lateral cephalograms made before (T1) and after (T2) treatment and at long-term follow-up (T3) of 157 patients treated non-extraction (non-ex) or with extraction of four premolars (ex), all accurately diagnosed for impaction versus eruption of at least one third molar at T3, were evaluated. Linear regression models demonstrated that the maxillary third molars uprighted more from T1 to T2 (P < 0.05) and were less distally angulated at T2 (P < 0.01) in the ex than in the non-ex patients. No such differences were detected in the mandible (P > 0.05). The regression models also showed similar uprighting of the maxillary and mandibular third molars from T1 to T2 and similar angulation of the maxillary third molars at T2 in those patients with subsequent eruption and impaction (P > 0.05), but more mesially angulated mandibular third molars at T2 in the impaction patients (P < 0.01). Chi square testing demonstrated a higher frequency of distal tipping of the maxillary third molars from T1 to T2 in the impaction patients (P < 0.01), while mesial tipping from T1 to T2 of the mandibular third molars occurred with similar frequency in the two patient groups (P > 0.05). Chi square analysis also showed a higher frequency of greater than 30 degree distal angulation as well as an amount mesial angulation of the maxillary third molars at T2 (P < 0.01), and a higher frequency of greater than 40 degree mesial angulation of the mandibular third molars at T2 (P < 0.01) in patients with impaction than in those with eruption.     

Retention of orthodontic bands with new fluoride-releasing cements

The prevalence of enamel decalcification beneath orthodontic bands has indicated the need for a fluoride-releasing, enamel-adhesive orthodontic luting cement. The purpose of this study was to compare the retentive bond strengths of orthodontic bands cemented with two new fluoride-releasing cements, a zinc polycarboxylate and a glass ionomer, with the retentive bond strength of bands cemented with the standard orthodontic cement zinc phosphate. The site of cement failure was also evaluated. One hundred eighty extracted human molar teeth were embedded in resin blocks and randomly assigned to three cement groups. Adapted bands were cemented by a clinically acceptable technique. The cemented teeth were then assigned to one of three time intervals--24 hours, 7 days, and 60 days--and thermocycled in synthetic saliva. The force required to initially fracture the cement bond was used as a measure of cement retention. By means of the Instron, a tensile load was applied to each cemented band. The maximum retentive strength (cement failure) was interpreted from the stress-strain curve at the point where linearity deviated. The failure site was judged subjectively: between cement and enamel, within the cement, or between cement and the band. Using stress at failure, an analysis of variance showed no significant differences among the retentive strengths of the three cements. The chi-square test revealed a significant difference (P less than 0.01) between failure sites of the zinc phosphate and glass ionomer cements. Significantly more bands cemented with the glass ionomer failed at the cement/band interface, leaving the cement adhered to the tooth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)