Orthodontic Treatment of a Periodontally - Affected Adult Patient (Case Report)

Assessment of gingival biotype in different facial patterns: A cross-sectional study

Objective

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship of gingival biotype in different malocclusions.

Methods

A total of 157 periodontally healthy subjects (88 males and 69 females) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The study participants were divided into three groups of skeletal class I, class II, and class III. The probe transparency method was used to determine the quality and gingival tissue into thick and thin biotype.

Results

There was significant difference in gingival biotype among different skeletal malocclusion with high prevalence of thin gingival biotype in class I subjects and more prevalence of thick biotype in class II and class III individuals (P-value: 0.022). Pairwise comparison of gingival biotype in class I versus class II showed significant difference (P-value: 0.032); however in class I versus class III and class II versus class III, the test result was nonsignificant. The overall frequency of thin gingival biotype was significantly less in female subjects with respect to males (P-value: 0.025).

Conclusion

A significant relationship is present between skeletal malocclusion and quality of gingival biotype. The prevalence of thick gingival biotype is found more in females as compared to male individuals. The thin gingival biotype is more commonly seen in skeletal class I than class II and class III.

Who Seeks Clear Aligner Therapy? A European Cross-National Real-World Data Analysis

A key step prior to clear aligner therapy (CAT) is the clinical examination and case selection, which includes understanding the specific orthodontic problem to be managed and the wider evaluation of oral health. Seeking CAT may further differ along sociodemographic parameters or across countries, as may perceived orthodontic treatment needs and oral health. We aimed to characterize patients seeking CAT across five European countries. Anonymized real-life data from one large CAT provider (DrSmile, Berlin, Germany) was retrospectively sampled for the period 1 November 2021−31 December 2021. A total of 15,015 patients (68.4% females, 31.6% males, with an age range of 18−81 years, median 30.0 years) were included. The cross-national comparison revealed a significant difference in gender distribution (p < 0.001/Chi-square), with the highest proportion of males in Italy (434/1199, 36.2%) and the lowest in Poland (457/1600, 28.6%); generally, more females sought CAT. The largest motivational factor in all countries for seeking CAT was crowding, in both males and females. By and large, patients paid out of pocket for CAT. The prevalence of caries, periodontitis, and craniomandibular dysfunction as well as the numbers of missing teeth were generally low, albeit with significant differences between sociodemographic groups and countries for caries and periodontitis. Patients seeking CAT showed a low prevalence in oral conditions but differed in their sociodemographic characteristics across countries. Dentists and orthodontists should consider these country-specific differences when planning CAT.

Effects of mechanical strain on periodontal ligament fibroblasts in presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lysate

PURPOSE

Many adult orthodontic patients suffer from periodontitis, which is caused by oral pathogens such as the gram-negative Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Agac). Like orthodontic tooth movement, periodontitis is associated with inflammation and alveolar bone remodelling thereby affecting orthodontic treatment. Interactions of both processes, however, are not sufficiently explored, particularly with regard to oxidative stress.

METHODS

After preincubation with Agac lysate for 24 h periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) were either stretched or compressed for further 48 h simulating orthodontic forces in vitro. We analysed the expression of genes and proteins involved in the formation of reactive oxygen species (NOX-4, ROS) and nitric oxide (NOS-2), inflammation (TNF, IL-6, PTGS-2) and bone remodelling (OPG, RANKL).

RESULTS

Agac lysate elevated the expression of NOX-4, NOS-2, inflammatory IL-6 and PTGS-2 and the bone-remodelling RANKL/OPG ratio during compressive, but not tensile mechanical strain. Agac lysate stimulated pressure-induced inflammatory signalling, whereas surprisingly ROS formation was reduced. Pressure-induced downregulation of OPG expression was inhibited by Agac lysate.

CONCLUSIONS

Agac lysate impact on the expression of genes and proteins involved in inflammation and bone remodelling as well as ROS formation, when PDLF were subjected to mechanical forces occurring during orthodontic tooth movement.