Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on new patient visits for orthodontic treatment: A comparison of 2020 and the previous 3 years

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Orthodontists' Interest in Various Orthodontic Appliances?

Objective

To determine the changes in orthodontists' interest in various orthodontic appliances during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

A questionnaire probing respondents' interest in orthodontic appliances and techniques, including standard buccal metal brackets, self-ligating brackets, standard ceramic brackets, lingual brackets, clear aligners, orthodontic facemasks, removable functional appliances, fixed functional appliances, orthognathic surgery, orthodontic miniscrews, and lingual retainers, was prepared using Google Forms and then sent to the Turkish Orthodontic Society to invite all members of the society to participate in the survey. Of the 1903 members invited, 230 (response rate, 12.08%) orthodontists completed the questionnaire.

Results

The respondents' interest in brackets did not change among 70% of the respondents (standard buccal metal bracket 80%, self-ligating bracket 72.2%, standard ceramic bracket 77%, and lingual bracket 76.5%). A significant difference was observed between the genders only about the interest in standard metal brackets and fixed functional appliances (p<0.05 for both). Interest in standard metal brackets decreased as respondents' work experience increased (p<0.05). The interest in self-ligating brackets was higher among respondents with 1-5 years of experience than among other respondents (p<0.05). Interest in self-ligating brackets increased more among lecturers and residents than among clinicians (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The interest of orthodontists in clear aligners showed the highest increase during the COVID-19 pandemic among all orthodontic appliances, whereas their interest in other appliances, particularly standard buccal metal brackets, did not change.

Technology-enhanced simulation-based learning in orthodontic education: A scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Technology-enhanced simulations seem to be effective in dentistry, as they can support dental students to improve competencies in simulated environments. However, implementation of this technology in orthodontic education has not been reviewed.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to comprehensively summarize the use of technology-enhanced simulations in orthodontic practice.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted to identify literature on technology-enhanced simulation-based learning in orthodontic education published from 2000 to 2021. The search was conducted up to September 2021 to identify articles from Scopus, Embase, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, Google Scholar and the reference lists of identified articles.

RESULTS

The search identified 177 articles. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles of 14 digital simulators were included in this review. The findings demonstrated an increasing use of technology-enhanced simulations in orthodontic education. They were designed in several formats, including three-dimensional virtual format, augmented reality, virtual reality, automaton, haptic, and scenario-based simulations. These simulations were implemented in varied areas of orthodontics including diagnosis and treatment planning, bracket positioning, orthodontic procedures, facial landmark, removable appliance and cephalometric tracing. Most included articles demonstrated the development process without outcome evaluation. Six studies provided outcome evaluations at reaction or learning levels. None of them provide the evaluation at behaviour and results levels.

CONCLUSION

Insufficient evidence has been generated to demonstrate the effectiveness of technology-enhanced simulations in orthodontic education. However, high-fidelity computer-based simulations together with robust design research should be required to confirm educational impact in orthodontic education.

Effect of COVID-19 on orthodontic treatment/practice- A systematic review and meta-analysis

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), which has affected almost all medical professions, has had a significant negative influence on dental care. Additionally, non-urgent dental procedures were stopped during the epidemic in a number of countries. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on individuals who had undergone or are currently having orthodontic treatment in any capacity during/after the pandemic's occurrence. After a thorough search of the online journals, a total of 634 documents were found, and 416 of the papers were initially chosen. The removal of 362 similar or duplicate publications that followed led to the initial availability of 54 separate papers. The final selection consisted of 23 documents, mostly in vitro investigations, cross-sectional studies, and comparative evaluations, which satisfied the necessary inclusion and exclusion criteria. COVID-19 had a significant impact on nearly every sphere of the patients' lives who were undergoing orthodontic treatment. However, people who are currently availing of various orthodontic treatment modalities did not experience the same issues as the ones faced by patients earlier. Teleorthodontics emerged as a viable option to access treatment during the lockdown period caused due to the pandemic. COVID-19 also had an overall negative impact on the psyche and morale of orthodontists around the world. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42022380823.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on total treatment time of fixed appliances

Background

Several aspects of the orthodontic routine seem to have been affected since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the duration of fixed orthodontic treatment.

Methods

This retrospective study evaluated consecutive cases of patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment that completed treatment before (n = 37) or during (n = 26) the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of the pandemic on treatment time was adjusted for the patient’s initial age, sex, number of debonds/breakages, number of missing teeth, initial PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) index (T0) and operator (n = 2), through multiple linear regression. The impact generated by months of treatment conducted during the pandemic period was also examined. Seven poorly finished cases were previously excluded, including five finished during the pandemic.

Results

Although the number of absences/missed appointments of patients treated during the pandemic was four months more than those treated in the previous period (p < 0.001), there was no significant effect of the pandemic on total orthodontic treatment time for both operators. There was also an effect of operator (β = 10.42, p < 0.001) and gender, which was lower in females (β = 4.77, p = 0.03), on treatment time (R² = 0.27). The other variables showed no significant association (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant effect on total orthodontic treatment time, although a greater number of absences/missed appointments were observed.