A randomized clinical trial to evaluate the plaque removal efficacy of an oscillating-rotating toothbrush versus a sonic toothbrush in orthodontic patients using digital imaging analysis of the anterior dentition.
ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the plaque removal efficacy of an oscillating-rotating electric toothbrush with an orthodontic brush head versus a sonic toothbrush in adolescent patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, examiner-blind, replicate single-use, two-treatment, four-period, crossover study with a washout period between visits of approximately 24 hours. Forty-four adolescent patients with fixed orthodontic appliances in both arches were randomized based on a computer-generated randomization schedule to one of four toothbrush treatment sequences. The primary outcome was plaque score change from baseline, measured using digital plaque i…
Plaque levels of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances measured by digital plaque image analysis
Introduction A digital plaque image analysis system was developed to objectively assess dental plaque formation and coverage in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. Methods The technique was used to assess plaque levels of 52 patients undergoing treatment with fixed appliances in the Department of Orthodontics at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. Results Plaque levels ranged from 5.1% to 85.3% of the analyzed tooth areas. About 37% of the patients had plaque levels over 50% of the dentition, but only 10% exhibited plaque levels below 15% of tooth coverage. The mean plaque coverage was 41.9% ± 18.8%. Plaque was mostly present along the gum line and around the or…
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists and Dental Students in Germany
Background: Dentists are at a higher risk of suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) than the general population. However, the latest study investigating MSD in the dental profession in Germany was published about 20 years ago. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the current prevalence of MSD in dentists and dental students in Germany. Methods: The final study size contained 450 (287 f/163 m) subjects of different areas of specialization. The age of the participants ranged from 23 to 75 years. The questionnaire consisted of a modified version of the Nordic Questionnaire, work-related questions from the latest questionnaire of German dentists, typical medical conditions and…
Comparative assessment of plaque removal and motivation between a manual toothbrush and an interactive power toothbrush in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances: A single-center, examiner-blind randomized controlled trial
Introduction The objective of this 2-arm parallel trial was to determine the plaque removal efficacy (main outcome) and the motivation assessment (secondary outcome) comparing a manual versus an interactive power toothbrush in orthodontic patients. Methods Sixty adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances in both arches were randomized in a 1:1 ratio in this parallel, randomized, examiner-blind controlled clinical trial. Eligibility criteria included at least 16 natural teeth, 1-6 “focus care areas,” plaque score of ≥1.75, no severe caries, gingivitis and periodontitis, no dental prophylaxis, no smoking, no antibiotics, and no chlorhexidine mouth rinse. Subjects were to brush unsupervised…
Ergonomic Risk Assessment of Dental Students—RULA Applied to Objective Kinematic Data
Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is already prevalent in dental students despite their young age and the short duration of dental practice. The current findings state that the causes of MSD are related to posture during dental work. This study aims to investigate the ergonomic risk of dental students. In order to analyze the ergonomic risk of dental students, 3D motion analyses were performed with inertial sensors during the performance of standardized dental activities. For this purpose, 15 dental students and 15 dental assistant trainees (all right-handed) were measured in a team. Data were analyzed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), which was modified to evaluate objective data.…
A randomized controlled trial of a power brush/irrigator/mouthrinse routine on plaque and gingivitis reduction in orthodontic patients
ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess plaque and gingivitis reduction in orthodontic patients after 4 weeks' use of an oscillating-rotating power brush, irrigator, and mouthrinse. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, examiner-blind, clinical trial comparing plaque and gingivitis outcomes for an experimental power brush/irrigator/mouthrinse oral hygiene routine vs a dental prophylaxis followed by regular manual brushing (positive control). Fifty-one participants with fixed orthodontic appliances in the upper and lower jaw and a minimum of 15 gingival bleeding sites were randomly assigned to experimental or positive control treatment. Both groups were instructed to use their products at lea…
Efficacy of 3 toothbrush treatments on plaque removal in orthodontic patients assessed with digital plaque imaging: a randomized controlled trial.
Good oral hygiene is a challenge for orthodontic patients because food readily becomes trapped around the brackets and under the archwires, and appliances are an obstruction to mechanical brushing. The purpose of this study was to compare plaque removal efficacy of 3 toothbrush treatments in orthodontic subjects.This was a replicate-use, single-brushing, 3-treatment, examiner-blind, randomized, 6-period crossover study with washout periods of approximately 24 hours between visits. Forty-six adolescent and young adult patients with fixed orthodontics from a university clinic in Germany were randomized, based on computer-generated randomization, to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) oscillating-rotating …
Motion analysis in the field of dentistry: a kinematic comparison of dentists and orthodontists
Objectives: To conduct a kinematic comparison of occupational posture in orthodontists and dentists in their workplace. Design: Observational study. Setting: Dentist surgeries and departments of orthodontics at university medical centres in Germany. Participants: A representative sample of 21 (10 female, 11 male) dentists (group G1) and 21 (13 female, 8 male) orthodontists (G2) with one male dropout in G2. Outcome measures: The CUELA (computer-assisted acquisition and long-term analysis of musculoskeletal loads) system was used to analyse occupational posture. Parallel to the recording through the CUELA system, a software-supported analysis of the activities performed (I: treatment; II: off…
Ergonomic Comparison of Four Dental Workplace Concepts Using Inertial Motion Capture for Dentists and Dental Assistants
When the inventory is arranged in a dental practice, a distinction can be made between four different dental workplace concepts (DWCs). Since the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in dental professionals is very high, preventive solution need to be investigated. As the conventionally used DWCs have, to date, never been studied in terms of their ergonomics, this study aims to investigate the ergonomic risk when working at the four different DWCs. In total, 75 dentists (37 m/38 f) and 75 dental assistants (16 m/59 f) volunteered to take part in this study. Standardized cooperative working procedures were carried out in a laboratory setting and kinematic data were recorded using an inerti…
Combining Ergonomic Risk Assessment (RULA) with Inertial Motion Capture Technology in Dentistry—Using the Benefits from Two Worlds
Traditional ergonomic risk assessment tools such as the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) are often not sensitive enough to evaluate well-optimized work routines. An implementation of kinematic data captured by inertial sensors is applied to compare two work routines in dentistry. The surgical dental treatment was performed in two different conditions, which were recorded by means of inertial sensors (Xsens MVN Link). For this purpose, 15 (12 males/3 females) oral and maxillofacial surgeons took part in the study. Data were post processed with costume written MATLAB® routines, including a full implementation of RULA (slightly adjusted to dentistry). For an in-depth comparison, five newly i…
Development of a novel histological and histomorphometric evaluation protocol for a standardized description of the mid‐palatal suture – An ex vivo study
The hard palate and mid‐palatal suture are highly important for orthodontic treatment. In cases of transverse maxillary deficiency, palatal expansion is the treatment of choice. As nowadays a growing number of adult patients receive orthodontic treatment, an understanding of suture development throughout life is important to derive tailored orthodontic treatment techniques for each age group. Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical stains (haematoxylin & eosin, Azan, Movat pentachrome, Masson–Goldner trichrome, Sirius Red, CD 31, osteopontin and TRAP) and histomorphometric analyses were re‐established to detect the structural conditions of the mid‐palatal suture in human cadaver…
Dimensional stability of contemporary irreversible hydrocolloids: humidor versus wet tissue storage.
Statement of problem The storage time and conditions of irreversible hydrocolloid impressions affect their accuracy and in turn the precision of the definitive cast. Recommendations for proper storage are, however, based on theoretical assumptions rather than facts. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the 2 most common storage conditions on the dimensional stability of 7 contemporary irreversible hydrocolloids (IH) for a period of up to 7 days. Material and methods Twelve specimens per material (Blueprint, Cavex CA37, Cavex ColorChange, Jeltrate, Orthoprint, Cavex Orthotrace, and Tetrachrom) were fabricated according to ISO/CD 21563. The specimens were either st…
Influence of dental occlusion on postural control and plantar pressure distribution.
The number of studies investigating correlations between the temporomandibular system and body posture, postural control or plantar pressure distribution is continuously increasing. If a connection can be found, it is often of minor influence or for only a single parameter. However, small subject groups are critical. This study was conducted to define correlations between dental parameters, postural control and plantar pressure distribution in healthy males.In this study, 87 male subjects with an average age of 25.23 ± 3.5 years (ranging from 18 to 35 years) were examined. Dental casts of the subjects were analyzed. Postural control and plantar pressure distribution were recorded by a force…
Influence of dental occlusion conditions on plantar pressure distribution during standing and walking – A gender perspective
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate gender-specific influences of different symmetric and asymmetric occlusion conditions on postural control during standing and walking. The study involved 59 healthy adult volunteers (41 f/19 m) aged between 22 and 53 years (30.2 ± 6.3 years). Postural control measurements were carried out using a pressure plate by measuring plantar pressure distribution during standing and walking test conditions. Seven different occlusion conditions were tested. Prior to a MANOVA model analysis, the relationship between the two test conditions were checked using a factor analysis with a varying number of factors (between 2 and 10). The plantar pressure dist…