Clincal implications of orthodontic patients during covid -19 pandemic: A review article

Abstract

Introduction: Corona-virus 2019 also known as COVID-19 is highly contagious and rapidly growing disease. A severe acute respiratory condition syndrome SARS-COV-2 affected more than 200 countries. The quick advancing of the pandemic has gripped the entire community making it as Public Health Emergency. Dentists, including Orthodontist are at a very high risk of acquiring and transmission of infection. The transmission mainly occurs through respiratory tract, aerosol and droplets. Clinical symptoms mainly vary from mild, moderate and severe type of sickness. So, the objective of this review is to give an expansive overview of the clinical implications of orthodontic patients during COVID-19 pandemic and to increase awareness about the strategies for infection control and prevention. Methods: A comprehensive literature from orthodontic relevant sources and information was searched with the help of Pubmed, Medline, Google scholar, Scopus, World Health Organization and various National Orthodontic associations. Results: Due to rapidly evolving nature of disease, this review mainly emphasizes on the strategies for infection control measures, minimizing aerosol production, restricting appointments to emergencies only during the outbreak. Conclusion: During the outbreak, electric orthodontic treatment should be suspended and should only be resumed when allowed by the state, local health regulatory authorities. Emergency orthodontic treatment should be followed with the help of proper strict control measures and guidelines. Minimizing personal contact and aerosol production are keys to prevent contamination with the orthodontic settings.