Peerapong Santiwong

Photobiomodulation accelerates orthodontic alignment in the early phase of treatment

BackgroundNumerous strategies have been proposed to decrease the treatment time a patient requires in orthodontic treatment. Recently, a number of device-accelerated therapies have emerged in orthodontics. Photobiomodulation is an emerging area of science that has clinical applications in a number of human biological processes. The aim of this study was to determine if photobiomodulation reduces the treatment time in the alignment phase of orthodontic treatment.MethodsThis multicenter clinical trial was performed on 90 subjects (73 test subjects and 17 controls), and Littles Index of Irregularity (LII) was used as a measure of the rate of change of tooth movement. Subjects requiring orthodontic treatment were recruited into the study, and the LII was measured at regular time intervals. Test subjects used a device which produced near-infrared light with a continuous 850-nm wavelength. The surface of the cheek was irradiated with a power density of 60 mW/cm2 for 20 or 30 min/day or 60 min/week to achieve total energy densities of 72, 108, or 216 J/cm2, respectively. All subjects were fitted with traditional orthodontic brackets and wires. The wire sequences for each site were standardized to an initial round alignment wire (014 NiTi or 016 NiTi) and then advanced through a progression of stiffer arch wires unit alignment occurred (LII < 1 mm).ResultsThe mean LII scores at the start of the clinical trial for the test and control groups were 6.35 and 5.04 mm, respectively. Multi-level mixed effect regression analysis was performed on the data, and the mean rate of change in LII was 0.49 and 1.12 mm/week for the control and test groups, respectively.ConclusionsPhotobiomodulation produced clinically significant changes in the rates of tooth movement as compared to the control group during the alignment phase of orthodontic treatment.

Property Improvement of TiNi by Cu Addition for Orthodontics Applications

This study aims to investigate mechanical properties and transformation behavior of TiNiCu shape memory alloys to obtain optimal conditions for utilizing as orthodontic wires. TiNi binary alloys with Ni-content 50.6 at.%, TiNiCu alloys with Cu-content ranging from 5 to 10 at.% were prepared. The alloys were melted by electrical arc-melting method and then homogenized at 800°C for 3600 s. The alloys were subsequently sliced into thin plates (1.5 mm) by EDM wire cutting machine. To evaluate mechanical properties, the specimens were cold-rolled with 10, 20 and 30%, followed by heat treatment at 400°C and 600°C for 3600 s, respectively. A Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) was used to detect transformation temperatures. Mechanical properties were evaluated by micro hardness and three-point bending tests. The results showed that transformation temperatures were strongly increased with increasing Ni-content. Moreover, the decrease in transformation temperature after increasing level of cold-rolling reduction ratio suggests that internal stress can depress transformation. However, internal stress seemed to support the introduction of superelasticity for each specimen. In addition, specimens heat treated at 400°C have, more appropriate properties as orthodontic wires than those heat-treated at 600°C due to the remaining effect of cold-working. These results can be take into consideration for optimizing alloy composition and mechanical properties of TiNiCu shape memory alloys for orthodontics wires purposes.

Effect of Direct Electric Resistance Heat Treatment on Mechanical Properties of NiTi Orthodontic Arch Wires

Two types of rectangular orthodontic archwires; NiTiTM and 40oCuNiTi, were heat treated by Direct Electric Resistance Heat Treatment (DERHT) using different electric currents for 4 s. Their mechanical properties were then evaluated by micro hardness and three-point bending tests. After applying 4.5-5.5 A current, the hardness of NiTiTM increased with the increased current, whereas the change in hardness of 40oCuNiTi was slight. When 6 A current was applied, the hardness of the midspan of both wires significantly decreased. From the three-point bending test, unloading forces of NiTiTM increased after treating with 5.5 A current, while those of 40oCuNiTi decreased. However, both specimens lost their superelasticity when applied with 6 A current. In conclusion, after DERHT, various changes in mechanical properties can be noted in the different types of nickel titanium archwire.

Development and terminal differentiation of pulp and periodontal nerve elements in subcutaneous transplants of molar tooth germs and incisors of the rat.

Ectopic tooth transplants are known to receive rich innervation of local neurons, but the precise location and structural features of neurites in the pulp and periodontal ligament (PDL) of such transplants are unclear. In this experiment, the molar tooth germs of rat embryos and incisors of young rats were subcutaneously transplanted into the dorsal regions of rats and processed, at various time intervals, for immunohistochemical demonstration of neural elements. Teeth with periodontal tissue elements developed in most of the molar transplants in 6 or 8 wk and received rich innervation, including some autonomic fibres, in the pulp. Nerve elements were also confirmed to be present in the PDL of these transplants, including specialized nerve ending-like structures reminiscent of the periodontal Ruffini endings. Mechanoreceptor-like structures were also induced in the regenerated PDL of similarly transplanted incisors, although the success rate was low. We conclude that rich and highly ordered innervation of the pulp, and occasional development of mechanoreceptors in the regenerated PDL of ectopic dental transplants, imply a high probability of successful induction of teeth with both nociceptive and mechanical sensations in the ectopic tooth and/or tooth germ transplant systems, although differentiation of mechanoreceptor-like nerve endings occurred in only a few rare cases.

The effect of light-emitting diode irradiation at different wavelengths on calcification of osteoblast-like cells in 3D culture

This study aimed to investigate the effect of four different light-emitting diode (LED) wavelengths on calcification and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells in vitro. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded within three-dimensional collagen scaffolds and irradiated daily by LED light with peak emission wavelengths of 630-, 680-, 760- and 830-nm at constant fluency of 3.1 J/cm2 (irradiance intensity 2 mW/cm2). Cultures were measured for calcium content at day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42. The significant enhancement in calcium content was observed at the early stage of culture (days 7 and 14) (p<;0.05). After that, the calcium content of irradiated groups was similar to that of the controls group. This suggests the transient effect of light irradiation on osteoblastic cell calcification. Only 680-nm irradiated samples revealed a significant enhancement of calcium content until the late stages of culture (from days 21 to 42) (p<;0.001). The cyclin D mRNA expression that was investigated 3 hours after stimulation at day3 also show that the 680-nm LED irradiation can enhance cyclin D expression more than others. For enhancing bone mineralization, LED irradiation at the 680-nm is more effective than those at 630-, 760- and 830-nm. Further studies should be investigated in order to obtain the most effective parameters of LLLI on bone regeneration in clinical setting.

Stability of miniscrews with different continuous orthodontic forces as measured by cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract Purpose Miniscrew stability is a key for successful orthodontic anchorage reinforcement. Light force as 50 g has been proposed to efficiently retract canine; however, for miniscrew stability, its efficiency is still questionable. This study aimed to evaluate and compare miniscrew displacements loaded with 50 and 150 g to retract upper canines. Subjects and methods Twenty four miniscrews (1.4 mm diameter and 7 mm length) were placed in twelve orthodontic patients (female, 22.55 ± 4.8 years old) who required miniscrews for maximum anchorage. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken to assess the miniscrew displacement in three dimensions. The X, Y, Z coordination points at the miniscrew head and tail with anterior nasal spine as a reference point were recorded and analyzed the displacements during 3 months using one-sample t-test and pair t-test. Results Miniscrews were significantly displaced after loading 50 and 150 g at 2 and 3 months compared to baseline (P < 0.001). At 2 months, the displacement of the miniscrews at head and tail had no statistical significance between 50 and 150 g (P > 0.05). However, at 3 months, there were statistically significant displacements between 50 and 150 g. This displacement was found to be greater in 150 g and at head more than at tail (P < 0.05). Conclusion This study concluded that miniscrews could be significantly displaced with 50 and 150 g during 3 months wherein the heavier loading force essentially caused more miniscrew mobility. Clinically, it is suggested to use proper magnitude of force to miniscrews with care in order to overcome orthodontic anchorage failure.

Comparison of Facial Measurement using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography and Three-Dimensional Photography

The purpose of this study was to determine the equivalence of facial measurement between skin surface images derived from two different three-dimensional scanning systems, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and structured-light system three-dimensional photogrammetry (3D photogrammetry). The study samples consisted of 35 orthodontic patients requiring orthognathic surgery. Image fusions by the registration of a 3D photograph upon a CBCT were performed. Facial landmarks and proportion were calculated on both images and compared. Statistically significant differences were observed at around the eyes, mouth, and lateral face. The non-equivalence was most likely due to the differences in facial expressions and artifacts during image acquisition. Soft tissue derived from CBCT in orthodontic patients appeared to be most likely inaccurate and unreliable for clinical uses. Future midcourse evaluations of soft tissues could be made more accurately with the 3D photogrammetry, providing an alternative method for soft-tissue evaluation with no radiation exposure

Metal Ion Release and Cytotoxicity of Titanium Orthodontic Miniscrews

The aim of this study was to investigate the metal ion release and cytotoxicity of MU orthodontic miniscrews as well as two other brands of orthodontic miniscrews over time. Twenty-four orthodontic miniscrews were tested, divided into three groups of eight. Each sample extraction was performed following the ISO 10993-12:2012 method. Solutions were collected after 1, 7, and 30 days (T1, T2, and T3). The supernatants extracted from these three groups were added and exposed to mouse L929 fibroblastic cell line using an MTT cytotoxicity test. They were also tested for ion release by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Element analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to analyze the surfaces of the miniscrews. The quantification of three elements, namely, titanium (Ti), aluminum (Al), and vanadium (V) were assessed. The results indicated that there were no statistical differences between the self-made orthodontic miniscrews and those from two commercial groups (p<0.05). Throughout the testing period, the quantity of ions increased from T1 to T3. After 24 h, vanadium was the first to appear on the surface in small quantities in other two commercial groups. The self-made orthodontic miniscrews exhibited no toxic effects on living cells.

Assessment of the Accuracy and Reliability of Cephsmile v.2 in Cephalograms and Model Measurements

Objective: The study compared the measurement values from lateral cephalometric analysis, postero-anterior cephalometric analysis and study models between CephSmile version 2.0 and hand-traced method.

Effect of Cu and Co Additions on Corrosion Behavior of NiTi Alloys for Orthodontic Applications

The aim of this study is to investigate effect of Cu and Co additions on corrosion behavior of NiTi shape memory alloys for orthodontic application. Ni50.6Ti49.4, Ti49Ni46Cu5 and Ti50Ni47Co3 (at%) alloys were prepared. The specimens were melted by arc-melting furnace and homogenized at 800oC for 3.6 ks. Transformation temperatures were analyzed by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The corrosion behavior was assessed electrochemically in artificial saliva (pH 5.35) at 37oC. Open circuit potential (OCP) was monitored 3.6 ks followed by potentiodynamic techniques. The results show that all of specimens revealed transformation temperature close to oral temperature which may be utilized as orthodontic wire. Surface roughness was measured in order to ensure that there is no significant difference which might affect corrosion resistance. It is seen that by adding Co and Cu into NiTi alloys, the corrosion potential (Ecorr) and pitting corrosion potential (Ebreak) increase resulting in lower corrosion rate. Conceivably, Co and Cu additions considerable affect the corrosion behavior of NiTi alloys by improving corrosion resistance in artificial saliva.