Robotic Archwire Bending in Orthodontics: A Review of the Literature

Malocclusion is a widespread oral health issue that adversely affects individuals' health and well-being. Currently, fixed orthodontics is considered the most efficient treatment for correcting malocclusion, with archwire bending playing a key role in orthodontic treatment. Traditionally, orthodontists manually performed archwire bending using various handheld pliers and other mechanical tools, requiring a significant amount of time, precision, and specialized training yet being unable to guarantee appliance accuracy. The process of shaping orthodontic wire is challenging due to its high stiffness and superelasticity, resulting in a time-consuming, laborious process that is prone to human errors. With advancements in orthodontics, traditional methods have taken a backseat, making way for innovative technologies that provide more accurate and personalized treatment options. The continuous efforts to enhance treatment efficiency, accuracy, efficacy, and patient experience have led to the integration of robotics into various orthodontic procedures. The use of robotics in archwire bending represents a breakthrough in orthodontics, offering unparalleled precision, consistency, and efficiency. This technology reduces treatment time and patient discomfort, overcoming the limitations of manual bending and enhancing orthodontic treatment overall. Hence, the present study aims to review the literature on robotic archwire bending in orthodontics, including their drawbacks and their impact on orthodontic treatment.

The morphological and microscopical characteristics of posterior layer of human thoracolumbar fascia; A potential source of low back pain

BACKGROUND

Posterior layer of thoracolumbar fascia (PTLF) is the deep fascia of back of the trunk, which connects the trunk, upper limb and lower limb muscles. Very few cadaveric studies of posterior layer of thoracolumbar fascia (PTLF) are found in the literature, which mention the presence of nerve receptors in it but, quantification of the nerve receptors where not found. Providing the morphological and morphometrical data of PTLF may help the exercise physiologists, sports physicians, occupational health assistants and, physiotherapists to modify or invent new protocol of treatment to help the society.

METHODS

In this study, twenty formalin embalmed human cadavers were used and we have documented the orientation of the PTLF and quantified the number of peripheral nerve endings at the different vertebral levels.

RESULTS

Mean distance of PTLF from vertebral spines to the musculofascial junction was at thoracic region 3.38cm and 3.34cm; at lumbar region, it was 7.4cm and 7.36cm and at sacral region it was 2.98cm and 2.96cm on right and left side, respectively. The angulation of PTLF varies from 18-110 degrees at different vertebral levels. The microscopic data shows the thickness of PTLF and number of nerve endings in the sacral level is increased compared to that of thoracic vertebral levels.

CONCLUSIONS

We have contributed the novel morphological and microscopical details to the limited existing data on PTLF. We also have provided the quantitative data of nerve fibers, which are possible nociceptors of PTLF.

Accessory Lobe of Liver Associated with a "Bean Shaped" Gall Bladder

Occurrence of accessory lobes of liver and anomalies of gall bladder is quite common. A thorough knowledge of their variation can minimise diagnostic and surgical errors. We found concurrent variations of liver and gall bladder. A small accessory liver lobe was attached to the quadrate lobe through a stalk formed by peritoneum. The gall bladder was "bean shaped" due to the presence of a constriction in the middle of its body. Since the accessory lobe was quite close to gall bladder, it could compress the gall bladder and hinder normal functioning of it. The knowledge of these variations might be of importance to radiologists and surgeons dealing with the hepatobiliary system.

Abnormal length and position of the sigmoid colon and its clinical significance

Sigmoid colon is one of the most variable parts of the large intestine. Here we report a very rare type of variation of the sigmoid colon. This variation was observed during the routine dissections for undergraduate medical students at Melaka Manipal Medical College (Manipal Campus) India in September 2012. In the current case, the sigmoid colon was about 60 cms long and made an inverted U shaped loop in front of the descending colon and the left kidney. It had a sigmoid mesocolon which covered the left kidney. The sigmoid colon had an ascending and a descending limb. This position of sigmoid colon and its mesocolon is dangerous as it can get twisted to form a volvulus. It also might cause confusions in radiologic and sigmoidoscopy techniques.

Atomic structure of interface states in silicon heterojunction solar cells

Combining orientation dependent electrically detected magnetic resonance and g tensor calculations based on density functional theory we assign microscopic structures to paramagnetic states involved in spin-dependent recombination at the interface of hydrogenated amorphous silicon crystalline silicon (a-Si:H/c-Si) heterojunction solar cells. We find that (i) the interface exhibits microscopic roughness, (ii) the electronic structure of the interface defects is mainly determined by c-Si, (iii) we identify the microscopic origin of the conduction band tail state in the a-Si:H layer, and (iv) present a detailed recombination mechanism.