A qualitative analysis of orthodontic-related posts on Twitter

Objective:To investigate the content of orthodontic-related Twitter posts in order to improve our understanding of orthodontic patients'' perceptions and treatment experiences.Materials and Methods:Some 131 consecutive posts were collected from Twitter over a 5-day period. Twitter''s advanced-search function was used to limit the sampling frame to New Zealand. The posts were qualitatively analyzed for themes using discourse analysis.Results:Four main themes were identified: (1) excitement about getting braces off, (2) problems with braces, (3) positive comments about braces, and (4) negative comments about braces. Various language tools and symbols were often used to convey different degrees of emotion. The present study explores these themes and discusses how they relate to modern-age orthodontics.Conclusion:This is the first study to qualitatively analyze orthodontic-related posts in the social media era. Our findings suggest that orthodontic patients use social media sites such as Twitter to convey positive and negative feelings about braces.     

YouTube as a source of information about orthodontic clear aligners

ObjectivesTo evaluate the content, reliability, and quality of videos about orthodontic clear aligners on YouTube.Materials and MethodsResearchers used the Google Trends website to determine that the most frequently used search term for orthodontic clear aligners on the Internet was: “Invisalign.” A search was then conducted on YouTube using the key word “Invisalign.” From the first 140 results, 100 videos were selected for analysis. A 13-point content score was used to classify poor-content and rich-content videos, and the global quality scale (GQS) was used to examine quality of the videos. To evaluate reliability of the information, a five-question scale was used. The Mann-Whitney U-test, χ² test, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for statistical evaluations.ResultsOf the YouTube videos, 33 were classified as rich content and 67 as poor content. Most videos (73%) were uploaded by laypeople, and most uploaders (71%) were women. The most commonly discussed content was instructions (65%), followed by procedure (57%) and pain (52%). Regarding the GQS, most of the videos were evaluated as moderate quality (51%). Compared with the poor-content video group, the rich-content video group had a significantly higher GQS score (P = .004). There was no significant difference between the poor-content and rich-content groups regarding information reliability (P > .05).ConclusionsVideo content on YouTube relating to aligner orthodontics was generally insufficient. The quality of videos was moderate, but the reliability of information was generally poor. Specialists should refer patients to reliable sources of information.     

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of human salivary micelle-like globules.

In the present study we examined the protein proportion and amino acid profile of the salivary micelle-like globules (SMGs) of human whole saliva and parotid saliva (HWS, HPS). Saliva and SMG samples from each subject (clarified HWS and HPS from 6 subjects, and unclarified HWS from 3 subjects) were analysed for amino acids using standard acid hydrolysis procedures. HPS, clarified HWS and the respective supernatant samples (remaining after removal of the SMGs) were also measured for protein using the micro-Kjeldahl method. SMGs from clarified and unclarified HWS made up 4.7% and 19.7%, respectively, of the total salivary protein based on amino acid analyses. With the micro-Kjeldahl method SMGs from clarified HWS made up 7.3% of the total saliva protein. SMGs isolated from HPS were found in only small amounts. The amino acid profile for the SMGs was strikingly similar to that known for the 2-h pellicle, and differed significantly from HWS or HPS. The results support previous morphological studies indicating that the SMGs represent a major component of the newly formed pellicle.     

Dental students' interest in orthodontic careers: do orthodontic-related experiences and faculty and practitioner role models matter

ObjectivesTo assess the percentage of dental students interested in orthodontics and likely to apply to orthodontic residency programs, the role of orthodontic-related experiences, and of orthodontic faculty and practitioner role models for student career decision-making.Materials and MethodsThis study had a cross-sectional design. A total of 335 students from seven U.S. dental schools responded to an anonymous web-based survey.Results35% were much/very much interested in becoming orthodontists and 26% were likely to apply for this specialty training. A total of 80.1% had orthodontic treatment, 58.7% knew an orthodontist in their community, 44% had shadowed an orthodontist, and 10.8% had worked in an orthodontic practice before dental school. Respondents evaluated orthodontic practitioners more positively than orthodontic faculty. They considered practitioners as more compassionate providers than faculty members (5-point scale with 5 = agree strongly: mean = 4.25 vs 3.83; P < .001), making more of a difference in their patients'' lives (4.44 vs 4.05; P < .001), and as better role models (4.21 vs 3.94; P < .001) who encouraged students more to pursue orthodontics (4.03 vs 3.65; P < .001). Their interest in becoming an orthodontist and in applying for an orthodontic residency program correlated with educational experiences (r = 0.35; P < .001 / r = 0.34; P < .001) and positive impressions of orthodontic faculty (r = 0.23; P < .001 / r = 0.22; P < .001) and practicing orthodontists (r = 0.29; P < .001 / r = 0.27; P < .001).ConclusionsBetter understanding of factors motivating dental students to pursue orthodontics is crucial. Orthodontic practitioners and faculty play an important role in this context.     

Evaluating YouTube as a Patient Information Source for the Risks of Root Canal Treatment

IntroductionYouTube is one of the most used social media platforms for health care information. Misinformation and poor educational content on this platform can exacerbate public anxiety and fear of root canal treatment. This study aimed to investigate the quality of videos examining risks of root canal treatment on YouTube.MethodsYouTube was searched using a combination of keywords relating to endodontic complications to replicate goal-orientated browsing. Video quality was assessed using a modified DISCERN score and global quality score by 2 authors independently. Manifest quantitative content analysis was used to capture information about the video and extent of interactions. The 10 most viewed videos were further analyzed in terms of the messaging and format of the videos.ResultsThe mean overall quality of the videos was relatively low (2.20). Videos produced by regulatory bodies had the highest mean score (3.00) and the shortest mean length (2 minutes 23 seconds) but had the fewest views and interactions. The poorest quality videos (mean 1.5) were produced by nonclinicians and news/media, which tended to be longer (mean 8 minutes 49 seconds) and received more engagement. Across all videos, information related to patient decision making tended to be poorly presented.ConclusionsThe dental community, particularly institutions and organizations, need to strategically create engaging videos to redress patients’ concerns about root canal treatment. This can counterbalance the existing misleading information and improve access to evidence-based content, which will ultimately affect patient decision making.     

YouTube™ as an information resource for orthognathic surgery

Objective: To investigate video content on YouTube? related to orthognathic surgery.

Materials and methods: YouTube? was searched using the terms: orthognathic surgery; orthodontic surgery; jaw surgery; jaw corrective surgery. Inclusion criteria included English language; primary content orthognathic surgery and acceptable audio-visual quality. Videos were sorted into the top 50 for each search term by view-count and into an overall top 60 from the four searches. The following parameters were recorded for each video: number of views; likes; dislikes; source; primary intention. Each was classified according to information content as ‘excellent’, ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’. A pre-determined list of orthognathic surgery-related information domains was also evaluated.

Results: The top 60 videos had a combined total of 6,986,141 views. Videos predominantly involved patients describing their personal experience (41.67%) with the majority positively biased (61.67%). Only 9.17% of videos were classified as having excellent general information content and 55.83% were rated as poor. Surgical procedures were described in 45% whilst the need for pre- and post-surgical orthodontics was discussed in 33% and 16%, respectively. Post-operative paraesthesia was discussed in 17.5% of videos outcome.

Conclusions: Video content on YouTube? relating to orthognathic surgery is substandard and patients should be advised to view it with caution.     

Evaluation of YouTube videos about smile design using the DISCERN tool and Journal of the American Medical Association benchmarks

Statement of problemYouTube contains many videos on health-related topics. “Smile Design” is one that is frequently searched on YouTube. Whether YouTube can be considered useful for patients seeking information on smile design is unclear.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess and validate the features of the most popular YouTube videos on smile design.Material and methodsIn September 2019, the keyword “smile design” was searched on YouTube in North America using a virtual private network (VPN). The top 100 videos in a constantly updated list were recorded. The DISCERN instrument (Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information) and the benchmarks established by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) were used to evaluate these 100 videos. A spreadsheet (Excel v2016; Microsoft Corp) was used to process statistical data, calculated as mean and frequency.ResultsOf the 100 videos identified, some were excluded as duplicates (11), irrelevant (4), and not presented in English (7). No video met all the JAMA criteria. Adherence to authorship and currency principles was observed in each video, and those adhering to attribution and disclosure principles were categorized as “good.” The average DISCERN score for the 78 included videos was fair (39.6 points); all videos scored poor or fair—very poor, good, or excellent scores were not found.ConclusionsThe quality of information on YouTube videos relating to smile design was only fair. Patients should use smile design information found on YouTube with caution. When professionals upload a video to YouTube, they should use evaluation tools as a quality guide.     

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of student feedback on ePortfolio learning

At the University of British Columbia, we introduced an ePortfolio assignment in the operative dentistry clinical simulation module and conducted a pilot study to explore the usefulness of ePortfolios as a learning tool for dental students. Qualitative assessments included student self-reflections on the ePortfolio experience. In the quantitative evaluation, ePortfolio learning was hypothesized as a multidimensional experience with four dimensions: 1) an ePortfolio experience is valuable for learning operative dentistry; 2) an ePortfolio is time-consuming, but overall a useful experience; 3) ePortfolio learning requires technical skills that are manageable; and 4) ePortfolio experience may be beneficial for lifelong learning. Overall, both quantitative and qualitative assessments demonstrated that students valued ePortfolio learning as a positive experience. In multivariate analyses (confirmatory factor analysis), the four-dimensional model of ePortfolio learning was confirmed. Future studies are needed to validate or revise the four-factor model of ePortfolio learning in different student cohorts.     

耳点的准确性及其对头影测量值影响的研究

目的 探讨耳点的准确性及其对头影测量值的影响。方法 选取年龄在11－15岁的年轻恒牙列患者50名，在正中咬合位时拍摄头颅定位侧位片，测量机械耳点与解剖耳点的距离以及不同耳点定位FH平面时NPg－FH、SGn-FH、MP-FH、FMIA、OP－FH的测量值。结果 50例中有46例机械耳点位于解剖耳点的前下方，4例机械耳点位于解剖耳点的上方；机械耳点与解剖耳点的距离集中在3．5－6．5mm范围内，共有26例。以不同耳点定位FH平面时除FMIA外，其余4种项目的测量值相差显著并影响临床诊断。机械耳点与解剖耳点的距离越大，所选的五个指标折测量值差异越大。结论 耳点的准确性影响头影测量值及临床上分析和诊断的结果。     

滑动直丝弓矫治技术在术前术后正畸中的应用

目的　对利用滑动直丝弓矫治器进行术前术后正畸治疗的牙颌面畸形病例进行疗效分析 ,供临床工作参考。方法　牙颌面畸形患者 5 1例 ,男 16例 ,女 35例 ,年龄最大者 34岁 4个月 ,最小15岁 ,平均 18岁 9个月。所有患者均来自北京大学口腔医学院正畸与正颌外科联合门诊 ,均进行系统的术前术后正畸治疗和正颌外科手术。结果　患者中拔牙病例 18例 ,非拔牙病例 33例。平均术前正畸时间 13 3个月 ,术后正畸时间 10 4个月。全部疗程时间为 2 5 5个月。结论　直丝弓矫治器预制了牙齿冠舌腭向与近远中倾斜度 ,在术前术后正畸时利用平直方弓丝即可达到对牙齿在三维方向的有效控制 ,因而取得良好的矫治效果     

Quantitative and qualitative investigations of surface enlarged titanium and titanium alloy implants

Screw shaped implants of commercially pure (c.p.) titanium and titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium (Ti₆AI₄V) were blasted with particles of TiO₂ of mean sizes of 25 μm (Group I) and 7.5 μm (Group II) and inserted in rabbit bone for 3 months. The surface roughness of the implants was examined and quantified with an optical scanning 3-dimensional instrument (TopScan 3D system), revealing the two alloy surfaces in each group had similar surface roughness. Biomechanical (removal torque) tests showed the c.p. titanium implants to be significantly more stable in the bone bed than those of Ti₆AI₄V. In Group I, the c.p titanium implants demonstrated a mean removal torque of 38 N cm while the Ti₆AI₄V demonstrated a mean removal torque of 27 Ncm (P=0.004). Group II implants revealed a mean removal torque of 70 Ncm for the c.p. ti and 50 Ncm for the alloy samples (P=0.003). The removal torque values were converted to shear forces/strengths by three calculation methods, based on (a) the entire length of the implant surface in the cortical region, (b) the thickness of the cortical bone measured in close vicinity to the thread peaks and *lpar;c) the bone-metal contact length measured on the non-unscrewed neighbouring implants. Group I: (a) the c.p. ti implants revealed a mean shear force of 4 vs a mean of 3 N/mm² for the alloy samples. Shear strengths based on (b); were 8 for c.p. ti vs 6 N/mm² for the alloy. The mean shear strength/force if calculated according to (c) revealed 23 for c.p. ti vs 18 N/mm² for the alloy. Corresponding numbers for Group II; (a) cp. ti 8 compared to 6 N/mm² for the alloy, (b) c.p. ti demonstrated a mean value of 17 vs 11 N/mm² for the alloy. According to method (c); c.p. ti had a mean shear strength of 26 vs 22 N/mm² for the alloy samples. Histomorphometrical comparisons were performed on 10 urn thick undecalcified ground sections in the light microscope. In both Group I and Group II, the calculations of the mean bone-to-metal contact demonstrated more bone in contact to the c-p. titanium implants than to the Ti₆AI₄V ones. Whereas comparisons of the bone volume inside the threads demonstrated slightly higher bone volumes around the alloy samples, no statistically significant difference was obtained between the two materials histomorphometrically.     

牙周炎致错位前牙正畸治疗后牙根吸收的临床研究

目的：观察牙周炎导致的唇向散开前牙经正畸治疗后牙根吸收情况,并与牙周健康的正畸患者进行比较。方法：选择安氏Ⅰ或Ⅱ1前牙散在间隙的成人牙周炎患者和牙周健康的成人正畸患者各12例,均无需拔牙,采用MBT直丝弓固定矫治,应用Nemoceph头影测量软件测量矫治前后前牙的牙冠与牙根比值,并作配对t检验,判断其牙根吸收程度。结果：矫治后两组均有轻度牙根吸收（P〈0.05）,牙周炎组牙根吸收程度较牙周健康组大,但二组间差别无统计学意义。结论：牙周炎患者和牙周健康患者正畸治疗后牙根均有一定程度吸收,但是可接受的。牙周炎患者通过正畸关闭前牙散在间隙并不会加重牙根吸收。