This cross-sectional study compared and contrasted the morphological characteristics of Class I, II and III malocclusions in an adolescent Saudi population. Adolescent Saudis with Angle’s Class I, II and III malocclusions were selected from orthodontic patients’ records. Angular and linear measurements were compared between the three groups. Cephalometric analysis was performed using the VistadentOC® software. Multifactorial ANOVA for angular and linear measurements between and within groups. Orthodontic records of 300 patients were included. There was no significant difference between and within groups in age and distribution of Angle’s classification, p > 0.05. Multifactorial ANOVA showed that there were significant interactions between gender and malocclusions in skeletal, dental and soft tissue measurements, p < 0.05. There were significant differences in the sagittal and vertical skeletal measurements between groups, p < 0.05. The dental measurements were also significantly different in most of the measurements (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significantly different readings among the groups in the soft tissue analysis. Morphological characteristics of adolescent Saudis show unique differences between gender and malocclusions, more so in Class III malocclusions. Class II and III malocclusions also show skeletal differences amongst the groups.
The objective was to evaluate the accuracy of ClinCheck® reliability in the sagittal, vertical, transverse, and arch length dimensions before and after Invisalign® (Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA) treatment. This retrospective study was conducted on 206 patients who underwent dual-arch clear aligner therapy exclusively with Invisalign®. Digital models were obtained from iTero® scanners from three different private practices where the treatment plans were performed and executed by multiple orthodontists with varying degrees of experience. The ClinCheck® models of the initial, achieved, and predicted outcome were obtained from Align Technology® and the values were compared using Pearson correlation (p < 0.05) to determine if predicted values were correlated with achieved values. ANOVA was used to compare the different centers. The highest reliabilities were associated with interincisal angle (96.23%), upper intercanine width (97.97%), lower intercanine width (97.67%), upper intermolar width (97.58%), and lower intermolar width (97.72%) (p < 0.001). The lowest reliabilities were associated with arch length parameters in which the upper was 38.79% and the lower at 30.02% (p = 0.03, p < 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the centers in terms of the accuracy of treatment provided. The mean predicted accuracy of Invisalign® was 76.85% overall; however, Invisalign® providers may need to exaggerate the digital tooth movements to achieve the desired outcome.
The study aimed to evaluate the effect of applying fluoride bioactive glass (FBAG) and Alpha-Glaze® (resin sealer) on the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets to enamel bonded by Transbond XT, brushing–abrasion durability, and their protective effect against simulated cariogenic acidic attack. Materials include 135 extracted premolars that were divided into three groups—FBAG, Alpha-Glaze, and control. The shear bond strength test was measured using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. The brushing abrasion challenge took place with a tooth-brushing simulator. Transmitted light microscopy examinations were performed after the specimens were demineralized for 4 days. The results show that the shear bond strength values of the three groups did not report any statistically significant differences: FBAG (28.1 ± 5.5 Mpa), Alpha-Glaze (32.5 ± 7.4 Mpa), and control (30.7 ± 6.5 Mpa) p < 0.05. The Adhesive Remenant Index (ARI) study showed chipping of enamel in 6.6% of Alpha-Glaze and control specimens and 40% of specimens had their enamel surface covered with resin. Furthermore, 30% of the FBAG and 100% of the Alpha-Glaze sealer specimens resisted the abrasion test. In conclusion, FBAG can serve as an orthodontic-sealer capable of protecting the enamel surface surrounding orthodontic brackets. However, the Alpha-Glaze sealer did not offer the capability of protecting the enamel.