Endodontic complications associated with orthodontic temporary anchorage devices: A systematic review of human studies

Ergonomic interventions and endodontic treatment outcomes: An analysis of dentist working posture and error rates

Purpose

Dentists spend a long time the day in the position. It is possible that this leads to discomfort that may translate to procedural errors during treatment, such as root canal treatment. This study aims to investigate the relationship of working posture and procedural errors in endodontic manipulations.

Materials and Methods

32 dentists (17 men, 53.13%, and 15 women, 46.88%) from the University Dental Polyclinic of Uzhhorod National University (Uzhhorod, Ukraine) were included in the study. REBA, RULA, frequency of procedural errors were analysed using regression.

Results

This study revealed a surprising trend where a decrease in errors during endodontic treatment was associated with higher RULA and REBA scores, contrary to the expected increase in errors with higher ergonomic stress. Additionally, the research highlighted the significant impact of a dentist's handedness and tooth position in the dental arch on treatment ergonomics and efficiency, as observed and analyzed through ergonomic assessments and statistical methods.

Conclusions

The study conclusively demonstrated that optimal positioning and alignment during dental procedures significantly contribute to a reduction in procedural errors, underscoring the importance of ergonomics in clinical dentistry.

Patient-related outcomes and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in endodontics

There is increased interest in outcome measures that complement the classic goal of endodontics, being the prevention and healing of apical periodontitis. Possible outcome measures can be subdivided into patient-centred outcomes (PCOs), encompassing data collected by nonpatients aiming to assess the effectiveness of an intervention and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), which are reported directly by the patient. PROs can be subsequently classed into PRO measures that ascertain patients' view of their symptoms, their functional status, and their health-related quality of life, and patient-reported experience measures that focus on aspects including the humanity of care, patient satisfaction, patient preference and adherence, personal costs, expectation fulfilment, and decision regrets. The present review aims to define various patient-related outcomes and discuss the literature available regarding PCOs and PROs in endodontics. This includes those proposed to assess the effectiveness of endodontic treatment for pulpitis and apical periodontitis for use in the development of European Society of Endodontology S3-level clinical practice guidelines that have been included by all working groups, except for the radiographic assessment of apical periodontitis. Based on limited evidence in the field, it can be summarized that after recall periods of various lengths, endodontic treatment is associated with a high likelihood of tooth survival and limited need for further intervention, including extraction and further restorative procedures. Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is likely to improve following the completion of treatment. Nonetheless, the literature assessing the association between OHRQoL and endodontics is hampered by the use of instruments that have not been previously validated. Amongst the remaining outcome measures discussed in the present review, it is worth highlighting that there is only one study assessing exacerbations in teeth with the presence of endodontic pathosis, which suggests a very low incidence of this adverse effect following endodontic treatment. Patients' expectation fulfilment, adherence, and satisfaction are closely inter-related and depend also on various nonclinical factors. Further studies assessing PCOs and PROs, in association with healing and prevention of apical periodontitis, are required to better understand endodontic treatment from the perspective of patients.

Optimization Analysis of Two-Factor Continuous Variable between Thread Depth and Pitch of Microimplant under Toque Force

Microimplant, an anchorage device, is widely applied in clinical orthodontic treatment. Since tooth torque is required to be controlled during orthodontic tooth movement, a novel microimplant needs to be developed to apply better torque force during orthodontic. In this study, the optimal value ranges of thread depth and pitch under toque force were studied for choosing microimplant with relevant value ranges in clinical design from biomechanical perspective. Finite element analysis (FEA) and optimization design technology were used for accessing the optimal value ranges of thread depth and pitch under toque force. Thread depth (D) (0.1 mm to 0.4 mm) and pitch (P) (0.4 mm to 1 mm) were used as continuous variables, with the other parameters as constant, and the optimal value ranges were obtained by analyzing the tangent slope and sensitivity of the response curve. When a torque force of 6 Nmm was applied on the microimplant, the maximum equivalent stress (Max EQV) of cortical bone and maximum displacements (Max DM) of microimplant were analysis indexes. When 0.55 mm ≤ P ≤ 1 mm, the Max EQV of cortical bone was relatively smaller with less variation range. When 0.1 mm ≤ D ≤ 0.35 mm, the Max DM of microimplant was relatively smaller with less variation range. So in conclusion, the initial stability of microimplants with pitch 0.55 mm ≤ P ≤ 1 mm and thread depth 0.1 mm ≤ D ≤ 0.35 mm was better with the torque force applied.

Evaluation of root resorption following orthodontic intrusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

To quantify the expected amount of orthodontically induced root resorption (OIRR) after orthodontic intrusion and assess the treatment-related factors.

SEARCH METHODS AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Six electronic databases and partial grey literature were searched without limitations regarding language or publication year until April 2020. Randomized clinical trials and non-randomized prospective and retrospective studies evaluating root resorption after orthodontic intrusion were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Risk of bias (RoB) assessment was performed with the Cochrane Collaboration's RoB Tool 2.0 and ROBINS-I tool for the randomized and non-randomized studies, respectively. The data were combined into two random-effects meta-analyses estimating OIRR following orthodontic intrusion. One evaluated OIRR in the anterior region, while the other assessed OIRR in the posterior region. Sub-group analyses regarding the type of mechanics applied, duration of intrusion, amount of force, and sensitivity analysis of the study design and imaging examinations were also performed. The certainty of the evidence was assessed through the Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS

The qualitative analysis included 14 studies; however, the meta-analysis was performed with 7 records. The random-effects model assumes that 0.72 mm [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.16 to 1.28] and 0.41 mm (95% CI: -0.24 to 1.07) of OIRR should be expected in the incisors and the molars, respectively. Sub-group analyses showed that the assessed treatment-related factors presented minimum impact in OIRR after orthodontic intrusion. The GRADE resulted in moderate and low certainty regarding the meta-analysis.

LIMITATIONS

The major limitation of the present meta-analysis is that OIRR can be affected by several factors, some of which are assessed in this review.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthodontic intrusion, evaluated as an isolated mechanic, caused less than 1 mm of OIRR, which is within the acceptable limits for clinical implication. Treatment-related factors did not show a significant influence on OIRR.

REGISTRATION

This review was registered in PROSPERO, protocol number CRD42018098495.

Assessing Safety and Clinical Effectiveness of New Approaches to Planning and Integrated Implementation of Full-Mouth Reconstruction

Objectives  Planning, adequate preparation, and further prosthodontic management are the most important steps in the treatment of this population of patients with dental and mandibular anomalies. The purpose of the article is the improvement of safety and clinical effectiveness of prosthodontic rehabilitation of patients after full-mouth reconstruction.

Materials and Methods  A single-center open prospective nonrandomized study, examination, and treatment of 198 patients with partial or total absence of teeth were performed. Higher safety and clinical effectiveness of the treatment were found in the patients of the main group who showed a significant reduction in the rate of complications relative to the comparison group. In the main group, the number of aesthetic defects and cases of repeated prosthetics decreased in comparison with the corresponding occurrence rate of such cases in patient groups.

Results  It showed statistically significantly reduction in the rates of occurrence of the complications when using the proposed algorithm: the rate of inflammation of the marginal periodontium and peri-implant tissues in the main group was 2.9 times less frequent and loosening of the supporting implants was 3.9 times less frequent. The rate of polymer chipping or abrasion in the area of the incisal edge or masticatory surface was two times lower in the main group of patients, short crowns were found 1.9 times less often, sores in the area of the dental pontic in the main group were 1.8 times less frequent than in the comparison group, and no fractures of bridgework were found in the main group. The frequency of neuralgic facial pain in the patients of the main group was 5.2 times less than in the comparison group, complaints about pain in the temporomandibular joint area were 8.4 times less frequent, increased abrasion of antagonist teeth was 3.9 times less frequent, and phonetics disorders were 8.4 times less frequent.

The effectiveness of the algorithm developed by us is also confirmed by the fact that the number of aesthetic defects and cases of the need for repeated prosthetic treatment was reduced in comparison with the corresponding frequency of such cases in groups of patients where standard approaches to prosthetics were applied. In particular, aesthetic defects found in the main group of patients were 2.5 times less frequent than in the comparison group, and repeated prosthetics was performed 2.7 times less frequently.

Conclusion  Application of the developed comprehensive approach to planning of prosthodontic rehabilitation provides for significant reduction in the frequency of complications and aesthetic defects, as well as cases of repeated need for prosthetics.