Metin Nur

Validity of demirjian and nolla methods for dental age estimation for Northeastern Turkish children aged 5-16 years old

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of Demirjian and Nolla methods for northeastern Turkish population. Material and Method: A retrospective study was performed on panoramic radiographs of 673 subjects aged 5–15.9 years. The mean dental age (DA) according to the Demirjian and Nolla methods were compared to the mean chronological age (CA). Results: The mean CA of the study sample was 10.37±2.90 and 10.03±2.81 years for females and males, respectively. Using the Demirjian method, the mean estimated DA was 11.26±3.02 years for females and 10.87±2.96 years for males. For Nolla method, the mean estimated DA was 9.80±3.41 and 9.53±3.14 years for females and males, respectively. The mean differences between the CA and DA according to the Demirjian and Nolla methods were 0.86 and -0.54 years for total study sample. Conclusion: Nolla method was found to be a more accurate method for estimating DA in northeastern Turkish population. Key words:Dental age, demirjian method, nolla method, chronological age.

Conventional frontal radiographs compared with frontal radiographs obtained from cone beam computed tomography.

AIM To test the hypothesis that there is no difference between measurements performed on conventional frontal radiographs (FRs) and those performed on FRs obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study consisted of conventional FRs and CBCT-constructed FRs obtained from 30 young adult patients. Twenty-three landmarks were identified on both types of cephalometric radiographs. Twenty-one widely used cephalometric variables (14 linear distances, 4 angles, and 3 ratios) were calculated. Paired t-tests were performed to compare the means of corresponding measurements on two cephalometric radiographs of the same patient. RESULTS Reproducibility of measurements ranged from 0.85 to 0.99 for CBCT-constructed FRs, and from 0.78 to 0.96 for conventional FRs. A statistically significant difference was observed between conventional FRs and CBCT-constructed FRs for all linear measurements (eurR-eurL, loR-loL, moR-moL, zygR-zygL, lapR-lapL, mxR-mxL, maR-maL, umR-umL, lmR-lmL, agR-agL, me-ans) (P < .05), except for the ans-cr measurement (P > .05). However, no statistically significant differences were noted between conventional FRs and CBCT-constructed FRs for ratios and angular measurements (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS The hypothesis was rejected. A difference has been noted between measurements performed on conventional FRs and those performed on CBCT-constructed FRs, particularly in terms of linear measurements.

Patterns of third-molar agenesis and associated dental anomalies in an orthodontic population

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of dental anomalies in orthodontic patients with different patterns of third-molar agenesis, comparing them with patients without third-molar agenesis. METHODS A sample of 374 patients with agenesis of at least 1 third molar was divided into 4 groups according to the third-molar agenesis pattern, and a control group of 98 patients without third-molar agenesis was randomly selected from the patient archives. Panoramic radiographs and cast models were used to determine the associated dental anomalies, such as hypodontia, hyperdontia, impaction, dilaceration, microdontia, ectopic eruption, transposition, and transmigration. The Pearson chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to determine the differences in the distribution of the associated dental anomalies among the groups. RESULTS The prevalence of agenesis of other teeth (11.2%, n = 42) was significantly greater in our study sample (groups 1-4) than in the control group (group 5) (4.1%, n = 4; P <0.05). When we compared the groups according to the various third-molar agenesis patterns, we found that agenesis of other teeth was more common in patients with agenesis of 3 and 4 third molars. In addition, the patients with agenesis of 4 third molars exhibited maxillary lateral-incisor microdontia more frequently. Another important finding was a higher prevalence of total dental anomalies in patients with agenesis of 3 and 4 third molars compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS Permanent tooth agenesis, microdontia of maxillary lateral incisors, and total dental anomalies are more frequently associated with agenesis of 4 third molars than with the presence of third molars.

Bond strength of ceramic brackets bonded to enamel with amorphous calcium phosphate-containing orthodontic composite

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) and failure modes of a conventional resin-based composite with a recently developed amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-containing orthodontic composite system. Forty freshly extracted human maxillary premolar teeth were randomly divided into two equal groups. Conventional composite (group 1; Transbond-XT; 3M Unitek) and ACP-containing orthodontic composite (group 2; Aegis-Ortho; Harry J. Bosworth Co.) were used for bonding ceramic orthodontic brackets. The SBS of these brackets were measured and recorded in megapascals (MPa). Adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were determined after bracket failure. Data were analysed with a Students t-test for two independent variables and Pearsons chi-square tests. Statistical analysis showed that the bond strength of group 1 (mean: 36.7 +/- 6.8 MPa) was significantly higher than group 2 (mean: 24.2 +/- 5.4 MPa; P < 0.01). Although a greater percentage of the fractures were cohesive at the composite interface (Score 1 + Score 2 = 70 per cent in group 1 and 90 per cent in group 2), statistically significant differences were observed between the groups (P < 0.05). The ACP system is suitable for bonding ceramic orthodontic brackets due to the lower SBS values compared with conventional composite. The ACP-containing composite is recommended for use in clinical orthodontic practice in order to achieve lower decalcification scores under ceramic orthodontic brackets.

Shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets to aged resin composite surfaces: effect of surface conditioning

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of surface conditioning protocols on the shear bond strength (SBS) of metal brackets to aged composite resin surfaces in vitro. Ninety composite resin discs, 6 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height, were prepared and treated with an ageing procedure. After ageing, the specimens were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (1) control with no surface treatment, (2) 38 per cent phosphoric acid gel, (3) 9.6 per cent hydrofluoric acid gel, (4) airborne aluminium trioxide particle abrasion, (5) sodium bicarbonate particle abrasion, and (6) diamond bur. The metal brackets were bonded to composite surfaces by means of an orthodontic adhesive (Transbond XT). All specimens were stored in water for 1 week at 37°C and then thermocycled (1000 cycles, 5-55°C) prior to SBS testing. SBS values and residual adhesive on the composite surface were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference (P = 0.000) between the groups. Group 6 had the highest mean SBS (10.61 MPa), followed by group 4 (10.29 MPa). The results of this study suggest that a clinically acceptable bond strength can be achieved by surface conditioning of aged resin composite via the application of hydrofluoric acid, aluminium trioxide particle abrasion, sodium bicarbonate particle abrasion, or a diamond bur.

Effects of maxillary molar distalization with Zygoma-Gear Appliance.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the dentoalveolar, skeletal, and soft tissue effects of the Zygoma-Gear Appliance (ZGA) when used for bilateral distalization of the maxillary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group included 15 patients (mean age, 15.87 ± 1.09 years; range: 14-18 years) treated with the ZGA system supported with zygomatic anchorage miniplates. The changes due to the distalization were evaluated from the lateral cephalometric films taken before and after distalization by means of a paired t-test. RESULTS The mean treatment period required to achieve a Class I molar relationship was 5.21 months. The distalization amount of the maxillary molars was 4.37 ± 2.15 mm (P < .001), and, thus, the rate for the distal movement of the molars was 0.84 mm per month. Maxillary first molars showed a slight intrusion (0.50 mm) (P > .05), while distal tipping was only 3.30° ± 2.31° (P > .05). Furthermore, there was a decrease in overjet (-0.50 mm) (P > .05), indicating that there was no anchorage loss with use of the ZGA. CONCLUSIONS Maxillary molar distalization without anchorage loss can be achieved in a short time with ZGA.

Unilateral maxillary molar distalization with zygoma-gear appliance

The aim of this study was to present the orthodontic treatment of a 15-year-old boy with a unilateral maxillary molar distalization system, called the zygoma-gear appliance. It consisted of a zygomatic anchorage miniplate, an inner bow, and a Sentalloy closed coil spring (GAC International, Bohemia, NY). A distalizing force of 350 g was used during the distalization period. The unilateral Class II malocclusion was corrected in 5 months with the zygoma-gear appliance. The maxillary left first molar showed distalization of 4 mm with an inclination of 3°. The maxillary premolars moved distally with the help of the transseptal fibers. In addition, there were slight decreases in overjet (-0.5 mm) and maxillary incisor inclination (-1°), indicating no anchorage loss from the zygoma-gear appliance. Preadjusted fixed appliances (0.022 × 0.028-in, MBT system; 3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif) were placed in both arches to achieve leveling and alignment. After 14 months of unilateral distalization with the zygoma-gear appliance and fixed appliances, Class I molar and canine relationships were established with satisfactory interdigitation of the posterior teeth. Acceptable overjet and overbite were also achieved. This article shows that this new system, the zygoma-gear appliance, can be used for unilateral maxillary molar distalization without anchorage loss.