Orthodontic Appointments Research Articles

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ЦИФРОВЫХ ТЕХНОЛОГИЙ ПРИ РЕАБИЛИТАЦИИ ПАЦИЕНТОВ С ПЕРВИЧНОЙ АДЕНТИЕЙ

Abstract. Introduction. Number of patients with hypodontia has increased at orthodontic appointments. According to different authors, the frequency of tooth rudiments absence ranges from 2 % to 16.5 %. The highest rank is held by maxillary lateral incisors hypodontia. Due the increased patients’ aesthetic requirements, it is a difficult task, especially with the alveolar ridge bone deficiency. Treatment of such patients requires a multidisciplinary approach and the use of digital technology. The aim of the study is to improve the treatment effectiveness for patients with hypodontia, using digital planning, surgical templates, intraoral scanning, and the CAD/CAM modelling of metal-free screw-retained crowns on dental implants. Materials and Methods. The clinical study was performed in the dental office PreziDent (Cheboksary) in 2018-2023. The total number of patients was 24 people (female), aged 16 to 34 years. There were two groups (n=12). The first group patients had their missing teeth replaced using dental implantation without using any digital technology. In the second group, those with the use of digital technologies. Gingival condition of the dentition defect area was assessed: Severity of stippling phenomenon degree, density gingival margin adherence to the structural materials, vacuum capillary resistance by Kulazhenko, and Mülleman-Cowell bleeding index. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for the statistical processing of the results obtained. Results and Discussion. The first stage of treatment included orthodontic treatment, bracket placement and canine distalization. Some patients were fitted with orthodontic miniscrews in the subclavicular region. After creating gaps for the future lateral incisors, a surgical template was fabricated and dental implants were placed. Four months after implantation, the bracket system was removed and the implant temporary crowns were placed; six months later, CAD/CAM digital metal-free prosthetics were placed. Not a single case of implant loss was detected. An algorithm framework was developed for managing patients with maxillary lateral incisor hypodontia. Conclusions. Using computer programs for planning dental implantation and in navigation surgery allows installing dental implants most accurately and making digital metal-free prosthetic constructions by computer-aided modelling and manufacturing. Thus, the risk of complications is reduced and an effective functional and aesthetic state of dentoalveolar system is achieved in patients with primary anodontia.

Orthodontists' use of remote monitoring platforms pre-, amid, and post-COVID-19: a survey study.

Did the COVID-19 pandemic affect orthodontists' use of remote monitoring platforms? The goal of this research was to examine orthodontists' experiences implementing remote monitoring platforms before, during, and after the initial COVID-19 lockdown. In this descriptive cross-sectional survey study, an electronic, anonymous questionnaire consisting of a series of 31 short-answer and multiple-choice questions was administered to an international sampling of practicing orthodontists. The target population in the study included currently practicing orthodontists who were graduates of an accredited orthodontic residency program. Participants were recruited in 2021 through collaboration with the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Partners in Research Program and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Orthodontic Alumni Association. Descriptive analysis was conducted, reporting frequency (N and %) distributions for each question. The questionnaire aimed to describe whether orthodontists incorporated remote monitoring platforms into their practices, their experiences doing so, and if the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their use of these resources. Orthodontists' use of remote monitoring platforms was negligible prior to the pandemic; however, a quarter of surveyed orthodontists began using a remote monitoring platform during COVID-19 and nearly all respondents plan to continue using remote monitoring for the foreseeable future. Approximately half of orthodontists believe most patients' treatment progress can be monitored to the standard of care between in-person orthodontic appointments using remote monitoring platforms. Half of the orthodontists who do not currently use a remote monitoring platform in their practice are interested in learning more about how to implement one. The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the interest and adoption of remote monitoring platforms in orthodontic practices. Most orthodontists had not incorporated remote monitoring platforms into their practices prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this study revealed that a subset of orthodontists utilized the pandemic as motivation to incorporate remote monitoring into their practices and an additional group of orthodontists were interested in incorporating one in the future. Remote monitoring platforms garnered interest and importance with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and may only have an increasing role in the field in years to come.

Impact of irregular appointment interval on Orthodontic treatment amid COVID-19 Pandemic- A Cross sectional Observational Study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic situation has affected all professions including orthodontics. The present study proposed determination of impact of irregular appointments on Orthodontic treatment amid COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional observational study design enrolled 134 patients over period of 2 weeks were recorded such as treatment start date, total number of appointments scheduled and frequency of missed appointments after 24 March 2020, Stage of Orthodontic treatment on or before 24 March 2020 i.e., Alignment & levelling b) Space closure c) Finishing and Detailing d) Retention. Results: The distribution of malocclusion based on Angle Molar criteria showed prevalence of 53.73 % Class I, 37.32 % Class II and 8.95% Class III. The malocclusions were treated predominantly by extraction in 57.46 % and non-extraction in 42.44 % patients. The total treatment duration revealed that more than 51 % patients’ treatment lasted beyond 24 months but finished before 36 months. Similarly, 35.82 % patients’ treatment duration was less than 12 months. It was found that more than 47 % were in Stage I, 28.36 % were in stage II, 18.66 % in stage III and lastly 5.97 % were in stage IV. Conclusion: Orthodontic emergencies and un-schedule appointments had prevalence of Class I, followed by Class II and Class III with extraction treatment therapy. Majority patients treated with fixed mechanotherapy followed by Clear aligners and Retainers. More than half of the patients had increased treatment duration due to irregular follow up. Keywords: COVID-19, Corona Virus Disease, Orthodontic Appointment, Orthodontic Appliances.

Perception of Dental Caries Risk and Prevention among Orthodontic Patients – A Cross-Sectional Survey

Aim: To investigate the perception of dental caries risk and prevention among patients undergoing orthodontic treatment and to assess the influence of the oral hygiene information attained during orthodontic visits on patients’ perception of dental caries prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire gathered information from 207 orthodontic patients (aged 18 and older). The questionnaire included questions about patients’ demographics, perception of dental caries risk and prevention during orthodontic treatment, and oral hygiene information received in orthodontic visits. Frequency distributions of responses were evaluated. Chi-square test was used to assess the differences in patients’ perception of dental caries prevention by demographics, and the oral hygiene information received during orthodontic appointments. Results: 74.9% of orthodontic patients perceived to be responsible for dental caries during orthodontic treatment, and 30.4% of patients perceived that it is abnormal to develop dental caries during treatment. Patients receiving information about tooth brushing methods and oral hygiene accessories during orthodontic appointments had a better perception of appropriate oral hygiene in preventing dental caries (P= 0.01 and P= 0.04, respectively). Moreover, patients receiving dietary information during orthodontic appointments had a better perception of supporting a good diet and avoiding sweets in preventing dental caries (P< 0.001 and P= 0.02, respectively). Conclusion: There is a need to improve orthodontic patients’ perception of their risk of dental caries during orthodontic treatment and the manners that would help to avoid new decay lesions. Orthodontists should not underestimate the value of providing and reinforcing oral hygiene instructions throughout the course of orthodontic treatment.

Sustained antibacterial activity of orthodontic elastomeric ligature ties coated with a novel kombucha-derived bacterial nanocellulose: An in-vitro study.

Incipient carious lesions, the most common complication in orthodontic patients with fixed appliances, call for the development of novel preventive dental materials that do not rely on patient adherence. The present study aimed to assess the ability of elastomeric ligatures coated with bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) to deliver sustained antibacterial activity, during the standard 28-day interval between orthodontic appointments, without compromising their mechanical properties. Kombucha membrane was used to produce cellulose as a secondary product from the fermentation of tea broth with symbiotic bacteria and yeast culture. Characterization of BNC-coated elastomeric ligatures was performed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy analysis. The samples were pre-treated by immersion first in isopropyl alcohol, then in 8 mL nanocellulose solution for 7 days. Tensile strain and strength of the BNC-coated and conventional ligatures were evaluated using a tensile testing machine. Direct contact and agar diffusion tests were performed to assess the antibacterial activity of nanocellulose. In addition, the release profile of BNC was evaluated. Data analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post-hoc Tukey's test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. P values less than 0.05 was regarded as significant. There was no statistically significant difference in tensile strain and strength between the BNC-coated and conventional ligatures. The coated ligatures provided sustained antibacterial activity during the required 28 days. The use of BNC-coated elastomeric ligatures in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances might be a promising solution to plaque formation and subsequent enamel decalcification.

Treatment of Class II malocclusion with 2-maxillary premolar extractions: Monthly vs biweekly appointments, which is more efficient?

This study compared whether there is a difference in treatment time (TT) and efficiency when appointments are held once a month or at 2-week intervals in patients with Class II malocclusion treated with 2-premolar extractions METHODS: The patients of this retrospective sample were treated with the same orthodontic mechanics and divided into 2 groups according to frequencies of orthodontic appointments. Group 1 consisted of 18 patients (10 males, 8 females), with an initial mean age of 14.38 ± 1.38 years and appointments once a month. Group 2 consisted of 19 patients (9 males, 10 females), with an initial mean age of 14.12 ± 1.38 years and biweekly appointments. Edgewise fixed appliances with a slot size of 0.022 × 0.028 mm were used, and the anterior teeth were retracted en-masse with a rectangular wire and elastic chains. The Peer Assessment Rating and Objective Grading System indexes were measured in the dental models at the beginning and the end of treatment. Efficiency was assessed by dividing the percentage of improvement of each occlusal index concerning the multiplication of TT and the number of appointments. Both groups presented similar Peer Assessment Rating and Objective Grading System indexes at the end of treatment. Groups 1 and 2 presented different TTs (28.06 and 22.05 months, respectively); however, there were no differences regarding the efficiency of both protocols. Patients with Class II malocclusion treated with 2-maxillary premolars had significantly shorter treatment times when seen on biweekly appointments than those with monthly appointments; however, there was no difference in efficiency between protocols.

Non-attendance of appointments at the orthodontic clinic

Abstract Aims To investigate the non-attendance of patients at orthodontic appointments and to determine related reasons. Methods Appointment data were collected from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago between August and October in 2013 (paper-appointment system using post letters) and 2019 (digital-appointment system using automatically generated short message service (SMS) texts before the Covid-19 pandemic). The demographic and time characteristics of patients who attended and failed their appointments were collected for statistical analysis. Results The total number of appointments was 5810, including 2761 by 1901 patients in 2013 and 3049 by 2009 patients in 2019. The overall fail to attend (FTA) rates were 16.1% in 2013 and 12.9% in 2019. Morning appointments showed a higher failure rate (16.0% in 2013 and 14.2% in 2019) than the afternoon appointments (12.1% in 2013 and 11.1% in 2019) (p < 0.05). Bonding appointments had a significantly lower failure rate (6.2%) compared with other treatment procedures with an attendance rate of 93.8% (p < 0.05). People living between the 901 and 950 (higher socioeconomic status, SES) suburb index were 1.5 times less likely to fail compared with people living in other categories (p < 0.05). Conclusion The fail to attend (FTA) of orthodontic appointments was approximately 15% in the Otago University Orthodontic Clinic, New Zealand. Patients from lower SES, Māori and Pasifika peoples, and morning appointments had higher FTA rates. Bonding appointments had the lowest FTA rate. FTA significantly decreased after the introduction of a SMS text reminder system. An effort is still required to improve the orthodontic attendance rate, and future studies could consider investigating the digital reminder systems, such as smart phone apps, to enhance clinical attendance in the electronic age.

Experience, oral hygiene practices, and perception of the patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment: A cross-sectional study

The aim of the study is to highlight the common difficulties faced and experiences of the patients while undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, along with their oral hygiene practices and perception of the treatment. The study was conducted to survey the patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment using an online questionnaire via Google forms, with four sections. An informed consent was taken from the patients. The questionnaire was divided into 4 sections.Section 1: Demographic details and Informed consentSection 2: Difficulties and Experience of the patient during Orthodontic treatmentSection 3: Oral Hygiene Practices during Orthodontic treatmentSection 4: Patient’s perception of the treatment The most common difficulty found to be faced by the patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment is pain due to activation of wire after an orthodontic appointment (63.5%), followed by ulcers on cheeks/lips (44.3%) and swollen gums (30.5%). It was also found that majority of participants (79.8%) used an orthodontic toothbrush and 66% of them brushed twice daily to maintain their oral hygiene. As per patient’s perception, 61.6% of participants were bothered by longer duration of the treatment. The study concluded that patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment face a number of difficulties. Although pain due to wire activation was the most often reported issue, quite few participants sought any medication for pain alleviation, suggesting that the pain was not particularly intense. The majority of participants used an orthodontic brush, while only a few used floss to maintain oral hygiene. Around half of the total participants were conscious of their appearance due to visible braces.

Orthodontic care in orthodontic patients during the COVID-2019 pandemic: emergency, emergency response and orthodontic treatment preference

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of emergencies and the requirement for emergency treatment after the suspension of orthodontic appointments. The attitude towards orthodontic treatment preference was evaluated as well, including receiving orthodontic treatment and the preference for orthodontic appliances.Subjects and methodsAn electronic questionnaire was distributed to the patients, including 4 sections: Section 1 – demographic and basic information; Section 2 – the characteristics of emergencies and emergency treatment requirements; Section 3 – the NRS-11 for pain and Manchester Orofacial Pain Disability Scale used to evaluate the intensity of orofacial pain and disability; and Section 4 – attitudes towards receiving orthodontic treatment and appliance preference. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square test, Wilcoxon's rank-sum test and stepwise generalized linear model (GLM) were performed with significance set at P < 0.05.ResultMost participants’ (91.61%) follow-up appointments were suspended. The emergency rate and emergency treatment requirements were not different between the fixed appliance (FA) and clear aligner (CA) groups. Patients who reported emergencies (P < 0.01) in the FA group (P < 0.05) and some emergencies in the FA (P < 0.05) suffered worse pain and disability. More FA participants preferred alternative appliances (P < 0.05) due to pain and disability (P < 0.05).ConclusionFA patients’ emergencies caused worse pain and disability when orthodontic appointments were suspended. Pain and disability were not the causes of emergency treatment requirements. The CA group seemed to show a tendency towards orthodontic appliance preference, which was an ideal modality to weather the epidemic, combined with telemedicine.

Tele-orthodontics and sensor-based technologies: a systematic review of interventions that monitor and improve compliance of orthodontic patients.

Recent advances in orthodontics offer appealing tools to monitor compliance and designate protocols to enhance it. This systematic review of systematic reviews (SRs) aimed to assess the effectiveness of digitized communication methods and sensor-based devices that track compliance in orthodontic patients. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) were searched from database inception up to 4 December 2022. SRs using digitized systems and sensor-based technologies to monitor and/or improve compliance with orthodontic treatment or during an active retention phase were included. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the AMSTAR 2 tool were performed independently by two review authors. A qualitative synthesis of outcomes from moderate- and high-quality SRs was provided, and evidence was graded in accordance with a scale of statements. A total of 846 unique citations were retrieved. After study selection, 18 SRs met the inclusion criteria, and 9 moderate- and high-quality reviews were further integrated into the qualitative synthesis. Digitized communication methods were found to be effective in improving compliance with oral hygiene practices and adherence to orthodontic appointments. Monitoring removable appliance wear with microsensors revealed sub-optimal levels of compliance with wear instructions of intra-oral and extra-oral appliances. One review discussed the informational value of social media platforms and their importance in guiding the decision-making process to seek orthodontic treatment and compliance-related experiences. The variability in the quality of included SRs and the limited number of primary studies on certain outcomes present as limitations within this overview. The integration of tele-orthodontics and sensor-based technologies to improve and monitor compliance within orthodontic practices is promising. There is sufficient evidence that establishing communication channels with orthodontic patients through reminders and audiovisual systems positively impact their oral hygiene practices throughout orthodontic treatment. However, understanding the informational value of social media as communication channels between clinicians and their patients, and their overall effect on modulating compliance is still insufficient. CRD42022331346.

A qualitative exploration of the experiences of young people and their parents regarding the impact of missing school to attend hospital-based orthodontic appointments.

To explore the experiences of young people and their parents regarding the impact on school performance due to time away from school for orthodontic appointments and to explore their views about a possible extension to the current service. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. UK district hospitals. A total of 11 pairs of interviewees: young people undergoing fixed appliances and their parents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people and their parents. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A framework approach was used to analyse the data. A thematic analysis of the data identified five main themes which were as follows: (1) expectations of the treatment process and appointments; (2) impact of school absences and treatment; (3) appointments; (4) implications for young people, parents and others; and (5) satisfaction with treatment. These themes were then further subdivided and analysed. Young people and their parents felt that attending appointments for orthodontic treatment had minimal impact on a young person's school performance. However, some young people did engage in coping mechanisms in order to ensure this was the case. Young people and their parents advised they were satisfied with the process of the treatment despite the time missed at school/work. Some young people and their parents saw a real benefit to appointments that could be fitted into a 'NHS seven-day' service model, but this did not apply to all interviewees.

Saturdays Orthodontic Appointments, Demand, and Patients' Commitment.

The purpose of this study was to determine the demand for orthodontic appointments on weekends and the level of commitment the patients have for those appointments. A survey of 17 questions was created and given to 199 adult patients. The first six questions addressed demographic information, followed by three questions addressing whether coming to their orthodontic appointments required taking time off of work. The remaining questions asked if they would prefer to attend orthodontic appointments on Saturday if they would take advantage of a Saturday appointment, and what their preferred time and level of commitment would be for this appointment. The data were analyzed using the logistic-regression Chi-square test. About 77.4% of the participants indicated that they would take advantage of appointments on Saturdays if available. The most preferred time for Saturday appointments was 7:00 am-10:00 am, followed by 10:00 am-12:00 pm. About 60.6% of the participants reported that they would be willing to sign up for AutoPay in order to be seen on Saturday. Among those who would take advantage of weekend appointments, 82.6% reported that they would likely never miss or reschedule a Saturday appointment, and 75.3% would choose an orthodontist who is open on Saturday over another orthodontist who is not. Among participants who work more than 40 hours per week, 86.1% (106) wanted to take advantage of Saturday appointments. Participants with a high household income are less inclined to take advantage of Saturday appointments compared with those with a low household income. Participants who need to take time off of work are more inclined to take advantage of Saturday appointments [93% (106) favorable vs 7% (8) unfavorable]. Participants who need to take their child out of school early for their orthodontic appointments during the week are more inclined to take advantage of Saturday appointments [87% (97) favorable vs 13% (15) unfavorable] than those who do not need to. There is a demand for Saturday orthodontic appointments with a very high commitment level among the majority of those patients. The Saturday demographic tends to be participants with a low household income who work 40 or more hours per week. Orthodontic offices may consider working at least one Saturday per month to satisfy patient needs. They can use this survey to explore their own market for Saturday clinical practice.

3D Metal Printing in Orthodontics: Current Trends, Biomaterials, Workflows and Clinical Implications

Three-dimensional (3D) metal printing of customized orthodontic appliances is at the cutting edge of orthodontic technology. Different additive techniques as well as materials have been employed in order to directly 3D metal print an orthodontic appliance. The potential advantages of 3D metal printed appliances include greater treatment efficiency, increased patient's comfort, reduced orthodontic appointments, reduced workflow steps, thus reducing the chances of error and resulting in a more accurate fit and better standardization. This article aims to describe the current trends, biomaterials, workflows and clinical implications of metal 3D printing, in order to aid clinicians in gaining some insight on this novel technology and to allow for greater incorporation in contemporary digital orthodontic workflows.

Mental stress among patients undergoing orthodontic treatment during coronavirus-19 global pandemic

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most recent disease of corona virus family that impacted people all over the world. Subsequent lockdown and fear of disease transmission greatly affected the orthodontic appointments, treatments, as well as mental health. Objectives: To assess the mental stress among patients undergoing orthodontic patients during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment in the department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics in Dental Hospital of Kathmandu Medical College from 2020 December to 2021 February after institutional ethical approval. Data were collected from 108 participants by convenience sampling technique using questionnaire. Exclusion criteria included patients who answered &lt;75% questions and those who did not sign the informed consent form. Data were analysed for descriptive statistics in SPSS v.22. Results: Among all 108 patients, nine (8.3%) were very much worried that COVID-19 outbreak might cause teeth not to move as expected and 40 (37.1%) participants were very much depressed. Regarding perception of individuals concerning COVID-19 pandemic, 44 (40.7%) participants thought they had adequate knowledge about COVID-19. Almost half (48, 44.4%) patients in this study felt very much nervous that nothing could calm them. When participants were asked what were their main concerns for COVID-19 outbreak, more than half (60, 55.6%) responded risk of infection and 71 (65.7%) reported the impact on their work or study as their main concerns. Conclusion: As Orthodontists we must be aware of similar threats in future and take measures to improve the accessibility to dental practice.

Concerns and Problems of Orthodontic Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to find the main concerns of patients undergoing active orthodontic treatments and their orthodontic treatment-related (OTR) problems during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A researcher-made questionnaire addressing several aspects of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment was distributed among 181 orthodontic patients receiving active treatment. Anxiety, concern, problems, and willingness to attend orthodontic appointments and to undergo other dental procedures was questioned. The correlation of gender, age, COVID-19-related anxiety and OTR anxiety was statistically analyzed. Patient satisfaction level with different aspects of dental-clinic performance was also evaluated. The participants included 117 females and 64 males, of which 94% adhered to the pandemic restrictions. The mean COVID-19-related- and OTR-anxiety were 51.7% and 52.7%, respectively. Higher COVID-19-related anxiety was significantly correlated with higher OTR anxiety (P<0.001). There was an inverse correlation between general COVID-19-related anxiety and OTR anxiety and willingness to attend orthodontic appointments (P<0.05). A positive insignificant (P=0.07) correlation existed between age and willingness to attend appointments. The main concern was prolongation of treatment and the most common problem was irritation of oral soft tissues by appliances. The majority (65.3%) were willing to attend their orthodontic appointments. Orthognathic surgery (62%) had the highest while, dental restorations and radiography had the lowest refusal rates (9.9%). COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected orthodontic treatment. The level of COVID-19-related anxiety was moderately high and patients were concerned about the impact of lockdown on their orthodontic treatment outcome. Young adults demonstrated higher levels of stress than other age-groups.

Patient Concerns and Anxiety Regarding Orthodontic Treatment and appointments during COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: To determine patient concerns and anxiety regarding orthodontic treatment and appointments during COVID-19 Pandemic Methodology: After approval from Sharif Medical Research Center (SMRC) and the Ethics Committee of Sharif Medical City Hospital (SMCH), 247 orthodontic patients were selected from the Orthodontics Department of SMCH, Lahore, who had on-going orthodontic treatment. The total duration of the study was two and a half months from 12th March to 30th May 2021. Data was analyzed by IBM SPSS version 25. Percentages of the responses in each domain of the questionnaire were calculated. Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were applied where applicable to determine the significance of associations between different variables, with p&lt;0.05 taken as significant. Results: Two hundred and forty seven patients were sent the questionnaire links, while 213 patients responded, out of which 132 were females and 81 were males, with mean age 22.81±2.93 years. Anxiety about the coronavirus pandemic ranged from 5.32 ±2.30. Patients were particularly concerned about the length of time it would take to complete their orthodontic treatment as a result of quarantine (55.9 percent). 5.68±2.15 was the mean anxiety level. Conclusion: The quarantine recommended due to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted orthodontic appointments and patients' anxieties and anxiety, since a statistically significant correlation was established between quarantine and coronavirus sentiments and orthodontic appointment willingness. Males were more willing to get braces than females. Delay in treatment end, bracket breaking, and growing malocclusion were patients' top concerns. Patients said the most critical precaution in orthodontics was changing the dentists' disposable lab coats after every visit to avoid cross-contamination. Keywords: Anxiety, Coronavirus, Cross-infection, Dental care, Orthodontic braces.

Knowledge and Attitude towards Orthodontic Treatment among Non-Orthodontic Specialists: An Online Survey in Croatia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and attitudes towards orthodontic treatment among non-orthodontic specialists. Methods: A web-based survey was formulated for non-orthodontic dental specialists to respond to statements regarding an orthodontic treatment. It contained 20 multiple-choice questions with three or more possible answers. Two hundred and fifty questionnaires were sent via email, with explanatory letters, to randomly selected non-orthodontic Croatian dental specialists. Data were assessed using IBAM SPSS 23.0. and p < 0.01 was considered significant. Results: The results indicate that the majority of respondents were well informed about principles and practices in orthodontics. All the respondents (100%) were aware that malocclusions can affect a patient’s facial aesthetic and masticatory function. The results also showed statistically significant differences in answers about contraindications for orthodontics therapy among different non-orthodontic specialists (p < 0.01). Private health practitioners were better informed about the ideal time for the first orthodontic appointment (74.2%) and that implants and periodontal problems are not contraindications for orthodontic treatment (over 70%), in comparison with public health practitioners. Conclusion: Non-orthodontic specialists in this sample exhibit encouraging awareness and knowledge of the principals and practices of orthodontic treatment. Additional improving of practitioners’ knowledge and awareness can help patients with malocclusion to decide upon orthodontic treatment at earlier stages and avoid later complications in the future.

Concerns of orthodontic patients during the COVID-19 quarantine period.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Quarantine protocols for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has modified orthodontic appointments. Objective: to evaluate self-reported experience and needs of orthodontic patients during the quarantine period without in-person appointments. Methods: Thirty patients, aged 8 to 21 years, under active orthodontic treatment were randomly selected. A phone call questionnaire including questions on physical and emotional impacts of the quarantine of COVID-19 was applied during the second month of Brazilian quarantine. Results: Sixteen percent of the patients reported pain related to the orthodontic appliance. Appliance breakage was observed in 23.33%. Twenty percent felt the need of an emergency orthodontic appointment and 3.33% visited a private practice. Moreover, 23% reported that even in an emergency need, they would not search for an appointment, preferring to communicate with the orthodontist by WhatsApp. Oral hygiene self-perception status showed improvement in 36.67% and worsening in 6.67% of the patients, while 56.66% reported maintenance of the same hygiene status. Sixty percent were concerned about the orthodontic treatment. General concerns were primary related to health and a possible extension of the quarantine time. Conclusions: During COVID-19 quarantine, orthodontic patients demonstrated a low frequency of orthodontic appliance interference in daily life, and most of them reported a maintenance of oral hygiene habits. The frequency of appliance related pain and breakage was 16.67% and 23.33%, respectively. Patients’ main concern during the quarantine period was the fear of getting sick and the uncertainness about the extension of the quarantine period.

Assessment of the anxiety levels of orthodontic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: This study aims to determine the anxiety levels of orthodontic patients related to the coronavirus pandemic and to evaluate the effects of quarantine on orthodontic appointments and orthodontic treatment.&#x0D; Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted as an online survey with the participation of patients who were actively receiving orthodontic treatment. A total of 281 orthodontic patients (191 [67.97%] females and 90 [32.03%] males) participated in the survey. The questionnaire consisted of five sections that included questions about demographics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the patients’ orthodontic status. Anxiety levels were measured using Turkish versions of the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale. Descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk normality tests, the Pearson correlation test, and the Mann Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis.&#x0D; Results: Regarding patients’ perceptions of the pandemic, 251 patients (89.32%) reported that they were sufficiently informed about COVID-19. The main concern about the effects of quarantine on orthodontic treatment was the delay of orthodontic treatment at a rate of 58.36% (164/281). This study found that 36% (103/281) of the participants exhibited anxiety symptoms. The prevalence of dental anxiety specifically was 33% (95/281). Our study results reveal a significant relationship between dental anxiety and general anxiety, which indicates that dentally anxious people tend to also be generally anxious. Females had significantly higher anxiety levels than males (p &lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: The coronavirus pandemic and quarantine seem to impact orthodontic patients’ anxiety. Delay of treatment was the primary concern of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Female patients were more anxious than males.&#x0D; &#x0D; How to cite this article: Yıldırım E, Adıgüzel A, Karaçay Ş. Assessment of the anxiety levels of orthodontic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Dent Res 2021;11(Suppl.1):73-9. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.suppl1.12&#x0D; &#x0D; Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.&#x0D;

A two-centre study assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthodontic patients in secondary care.

To evaluate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on patients in active orthodontic treatment. Digital online survey. Two secondary care orthodontic departments in the United Kingdom. A prospective convenience sample of 103 patients in active orthodontic treatment. A 12-item questionnaire developed using the platform SurveyMonkey was used to assess the following: (1) patient's feelings towards attending their orthodontic appointments; (2) their desire to continue with their treatment; (3) how many patients encountered problems with their appliance during the lockdown; (4) how patients sought help during the first national lockdown period; and (5) any other concerns regarding impact on their orthodontic treatment. A total of 103 participants responses were collected over a four-week period across two departments. Of them, 45% required a face-to-face appointment to solve a problem with their appliance; 45% of patients who had problems with their orthodontic appliance were able to resolve the issue through digital means either via telephone/email advice from their provider or from accessing help via the Internet; and 99% of patients wanted to continue with their orthodontic treatment. Our study has shown that a significantly higher percentage of patients are more concerned regarding attending face-to-face appointments after the first national lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Providers of orthodontic care should ensure they support their patients by providing digital support and adopt virtual means of managing emergency cases patients in the event of any further imposed national or local lockdowns. Furthermore, access and availability of emergency face-to-face orthodontic care is necessary for many patients in active orthodontic treatment.