Patient/parent expectations of orthodontic treatment

Orthodontic and oral health literacy in adults

Objective

The primary aim of the study was to determine levels of literacy in both oral health and orthodontics in an adult population. The secondary study aim was to investigate differences in literacy between males and females.

Methods

Participants included individuals 18 years or older seeking dental treatment at the East Carolina University (ECU) School of Dental Medicine. To determine levels of oral health literacy (OHL) and orthodontic literacy (OrthoL), validated instruments were administered, including the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine and Dentistry, the Oral Health Literacy Instrument and its separate scales, and a questionnaire on orthodontic literacy. Summary statistics were computed, and statistical significance was set at 0.05.

Results

One hundred seventy-two individuals participated in the study and had a mean age of 55.03 (range:18–88). Greater than 70% of the sampled population exhibited inadequate or marginal oral health knowledge. Additionally, greater than 70% of the sample possessed no more than an 8th grade reading level, with regard to basic medical and dental terms. Higher education was weakly associated with higher OrthoL and OHL. Higher age was also weakly associated with lower OrthoL and OHL. Males on average exhibited significantly higher OHL (p < .05) but there were no OrthoL differences between males and females. Dental visit frequency was not associated with OrthoL or OHL.

Conclusion

Low levels of OrthoL and OHL were observed in the study. While males demonstrated a higher level of OHL than females, neither age nor the occurrence of dental appointments significantly influenced levels of literacy.

Cross-cultural adaptation of a questionnaire assessing the child and parents' expectations of orthodontic treatment in Brazil

INTRODUCTION

The Sayers and Newton questionnaire was developed in England to assess the child's and parent's expectations about orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to carry out the cross-cultural adaptation of the questionnaire for the Brazilian Portuguese language, to test its reliability, and to compare patients' and their parents' expectations of orthodontic treatment.

METHODS

After translation and cross-cultural adaptation, the questionnaire was applied to 98 patients (12-14 years), who had been referred for treatment, and their caregivers. The internal consistency of the instrument was assessed by Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient and the test-retest reliability, by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

Internal reliability was confirmed by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.75. Test-retest reliability revealed satisfactory reproducibility (ICC = 0.85). The results showed some significant differences between the expectations of the patients and their caregivers (p < 0.05). There were no significant gender differences (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The process of cross-cultural adaptation of the Sayers and Newton questionnaire for the Brazilian Portuguese was concluded. This study demonstrated that this instrument is reliable and applicable to assess the child's and parent's expectations about orthodontic treatment in Brazil, and it has acceptable psychometric properties.

Biological Anchorage and Canine Orthodontic Movement Rate with a New Technique for Micro-Osteoperforations

Introduction

The differential management of anchorage and the acceleration of tooth movement are some of the current greatest challenges for orthodontists. Diverse techniques and devices to reinforce anchorage and increase the rate of tooth movement have been proposed. Whether micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) can be used for both purposes is currently investigated.

Objectives

To propose and describe a new technique for biological anchorage, which involves six MOPs performed every four weeks, and to present its results in a clinical case of upper premolar extraction. Intervention. In a dental class II patient who met the selection criteria, three MOPs both on the buccal and palatine sides on the intervention side were performed on the extraction area following the protocol described. No MOPs were performed on the control side. The allocation of the intervention was randomised. The MOPs were performed three times at an interval of four weeks. A 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel wire was activated with calibrated NiTi springs. The three-dimensional movement of the first molars and upper canines was evaluated. In addition, the comfort, periodontal status, and canine root resorption of the patient were evaluated.

Results

Clinical and radiographic results suggest that the MOPs had a positive effect in reducing the loss of biological anchorage of the posterior sector and in the rate of canine tooth movement, without damaging changes in the soft and hard tissues.

Conclusion

The proposed protocol involving six MOPs every four weeks improved the behaviour of biological anchorage and increased distalization on the intervention side in this clinical case.