Orthodontics
Atefe Saffar shahroudi; Farahnaz Fazeli; Behrad Tanbakuchi
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to assess the frequency of using clear aligners by orthodontists and their perspective in this respect.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study evaluated 86 orthodontists practicing in Iran in 2021. An online questionnaire was designed by an expert panel to collect information ...
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Aim: This study aimed to assess the frequency of using clear aligners by orthodontists and their perspective in this respect.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study evaluated 86 orthodontists practicing in Iran in 2021. An online questionnaire was designed by an expert panel to collect information regarding the frequency of use of clear aligners (CA) by orthodontists, their satisfaction rate with this treatment approach, their perception of CA's advantages and disadvantages and the challenges they encountered while using CA. The results were analyzed by descriptive analysis methods and regression analysis.Results: Eighty-six orthodontists filled out the questionnaire. Less than one-third of participants reported using CA, and the majority of them reported using it for less than 10% of their patients. Of those not using CA, 75% were interested in using them. The mean satisfaction score with CA was 9.26 out of 20. The main reason for not using CA was difficult access to reputable companies and suboptimal quality of work of the available laboratories. The majority of orthodontists stated that CA could not be used for cases with impacted teeth, orthognathic surgery patients, and syndromic, cleft lip and palate patients. The main shortcoming of CA was perceived to be in the space closure phase, and their cost was 50-100% higher than regular orthodontic treatment. Older orthodontists were less interested in using CA while faculty members were more interested.Conclusion: The frequency of use of clear aligners by Iranian orthodontists is low and their satisfaction rate with this approach is <50%.
Andrea Bargellini; Tommaso Castroflorio; Federica Casasco; Maria Giacone; Francesco Garino; Giovanni Cugliari; Andrea Deregibus
Abstract
Background: In the last years an increasing number of patients have sought for comfortable and aesthetic alternatives to fixed appliances. Aligners, due to the protection against tooth wear, can be compared to occlusal splints used in patients suffering from sleep bruxism (SB). The aim of the study was ...
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Background: In the last years an increasing number of patients have sought for comfortable and aesthetic alternatives to fixed appliances. Aligners, due to the protection against tooth wear, can be compared to occlusal splints used in patients suffering from sleep bruxism (SB). The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of clear aligners on SB episodes using a validated portable device (Bruxoff®, OTBioelettronica, Torino, Italy) allowing a simultaneous recording of electromyographic signals from both the masseter muscles as well as heart frequency to evaluate variation on SB activity.
Methods: Forty patients were analyzed for the study. Twenty of them were assigned to orthodontic treatment with clear aligners (Invisalign®, Align Technology). The other twenty patients were used as control group observed for a period of twelve months. Intra-group and inter-group variances were analyzed by using a two-way ANOVA test. For each analysis a P < 0.05 was set. Results: After the first month of clear aligners therapy, all patients in the case group showed a significant reduction in the number of SB episodes (P < 0.05). However, after three months SB values returned to baseline levels. The number of tonic contractions were reduced even after three months of orthodontic treatment (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: While clear aligners seem to be capable to reduce clenching, i.e. occlusal load, in SB patients, the grinding activity seems to be not influenced by those appliances at least in the short term of the present investigation.
