Is wearing orthodontic appliances associated with eating difficulties and sugar intake among British adolescents? A cross-sectional study

Orthodontic pain is related to oral health-related quality of life in orthodontic patients

INTRODUCTION

Orthodontic pain (OP) is a subjective experience induced by prolonged force on the teeth in fixed orthodontic treatment. OP acts as a predictor of aspects related to oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL). It is important to understand the extent of the impact of OP on a patient's daily life, especially on stomatognathic function and social impact.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the correlation between OP and OHRQOL in fixed orthodontic treatment patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The comparative pain rating scale is used to assess pain intensity, while the oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) assesses the impact of OP severity on OHRQOL of 57 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in the early stages of treatment (1-3 months of treatment) at the Dental Hospital, Universitas Airlangga. Gender, age, and malocclusion classifications were also analyzed for their influence. The data were analyzed using Spearman correlation and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

In the initial phase of treatment, most of the patients (53%) experienced mild OP and moderate OP (39%), and OP was reduced over a week. The overall OHRQOL score was 17.4 ± 8, which indicates a negative impact on OHRQOL. There were also positive correlation dimensions of OHRQOL, which include the dimensions of physical limitations, psychological discomfort, and psychological limitations (r > 0.50). There was a significant difference between age groups in OP perception and OHRQOL (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a positive correlation between OP intensity and OHRQOL experienced by fixed orthodontic patients at the Dental Hospital, Universitas Airlangga.

Bitter Taste Perception and Dental Biofilm Cariogenicity in Orthodontics

BACKGROUND

Bitter taste perception and sweetness preference have been associated with dental caries. Propylthiouracil (PROP) has been used to determine the genetic sensitivity to bitter taste in early childhood caries. However, the role of the bitter threshold in dental biofilm cariogenicity has not been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of individual taste sensitivity using PROP in dental biofilm cariogenicity in orthodontic patients.

METHODS

Forty orthodontic patients (12-42 years old) undergoing fixed appliance orthodontic treatment participated in this cross-sectional study. Their demographic, oral hygiene practice, and dietary habits data were obtained using a questionnaire. The patients' bitter taste threshold was measured using a PROP assay. The patients were subsequently classified as super-tasters (STs), medium-tasters (MTs), and non-tasters (NTs). Dental biofilm cariogenicity was determined using a 3-tone disclosing gel that becomes pink (new dental biofilm), purple (mature dental biofilm), and light blue (cariogenic dental biofilm) based on dental biofilm maturity.

RESULTS

The NT, MT, and ST groups comprised 10%, 27.5%, and 62.5% of the patients, respectively. Most of the STs (56%) and MTs (63.6%) were female, whereas no females were NTs. The dental biofilm cariogenicity was significantly different between the PROP bitterness groups (P < .05). The highest percentage of mature biofilm, followed by cariogenic and new biofilm, was found in the MT and ST groups. However, the cariogenic biofilm percentage was significantly higher compared with mature biofilm (P < .05) in the NT group. A low frequency (<1 time/d) of sugary and acidic food intake between meals was observed in the ST, MT, and NT groups with no significant difference amongst the groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cariogenic dental biofilm was highly present in orthodontic patients with the NT phenotype.

Motivation, Perception, and Behavior of the Adult Orthodontic Patient: A Survey Analysis

Purpose

The article is aimed at improving the understanding of the sociocultural profile of adult orthodontic patients and their expectations. In particular, it addresses three main aspects: the motivation and needs that underpin the decision to start orthodontic treatment, how it influences the patients' daily life, and the different oral hygiene demands.

Materials and Methods

An online survey was completed by 276 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with different techniques. The questions asked concerned gender, age, type of appliance, any previous orthodontic treatments, type of any previous retainers, reasons for therapy, satisfaction, pain, problems in eating, daily number of teeth brushings and flossings before and during the treatment, perception of cost, sensation of visibility of the appliance, and if they would recommend orthodontic treatment.

Results

A significant role within our sample is played by gender; 87.94% consisted of female patients out of which 72.57% wanted to improve their aesthetics, while only 54.84% of male patients cited the same reason. Invisible aligners were preferred by 67.70% of the patients due to them being considered the least painful, causing the fewest problems with eating, and the least visible. Metal braces were perceived as the less expensive treatment. Over a third of the patients (33.85%) had previously undergone orthodontic treatment, among them 54.05% wore a mobile retainer, 31.08% a fixed one, and 14.86% both. Daily tooth brushing and flossing increased during therapy with clear aligners by 48.94% and 126.39%, respectively.

Conclusions

The greatest demand for orthodontic treatments comes from women, as they pay more attention to aesthetics, which makes the clear aligners the most common choice. The relapse after orthodontic treatment seems to cause a higher demand for retreatment, and oral hygiene habits significantly improve during orthodontic treatment, especially with the clear aligners.