Surachai Dechkunakorn

Relationships between dental calcification stages and skeletal maturity indicators in Thai individuals.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the stages of calcification of various teeth and skeletal maturity stages among Thai individuals. The study subjects consisted 139 male subjects and 222 female subjects ranging in age from 7 years to 19 years. A total of 361 hand-wrist and panoramic radiographs were obtained and analyzed. The tooth development of the mandibular canines, first and second premolars, and second and third molars were assessed according to the Demirjians system. Skeletal age and skeletal maturity stages were determined from hand-wrist radiographs by using the method outlined in the atlas of Greulich and Pyle and the Fishmans system, respectively. The Spearman rank order correlation coefficient revealed significant relationships (r = 0.31-0.69, P < .01) between dental calcification stages and skeletal maturity stages. The second premolar was the tooth showing the highest correlation (r = 0.66 in male subjects, r = 0.69 female subjects). The third molar demonstrated the poorest correlation (r = 0.47 in male subjects, r = 0.31 in female subjects). The canine stage F for both sexes (63.2% for female subjects, 54.1% for male subjects) coincided with the MP3 stage. The second molar stage E for female subjects (51.4%) and stage G for male subjects (66.7%) were related to the S stage and the MP(3cap) stage, respectively. This suggests that tooth calcification stages from panoramic radiographs might be clinically useful as a maturity indicator of the pubertal growth period. However, further study is recommended in a larger sample size, and future studies should address development of the canines and second molars.

Antimicrobial effects of silver zeolite, silver zirconium phosphate silicate and silver zirconium phosphate against oral microorganisms

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the antimicrobial activities of silver inorganic materials, including silver zeolite (AgZ), silver zirconium phosphate silicate (AgZrPSi) and silver zirconium phosphate (AgZrP), against oral microorganisms. In line with this objective, the morphology and structure of each type of silver based powders were also investigated. METHODS The antimicrobial activities of AgZ, AgZrPSi and AgZrP were tested against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus using disk diffusion assay as a screening test. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) were determined using the modified membrane method. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate the morphology and structure of these silver materials. RESULTS All forms of silver inorganic materials could inhibit the growth of all test microorganisms. The MIC of AgZ, AgZrPSi and AgZrP was 10.0 g/L whereas MLC ranged between 10.0-60.0 g/L. In terms of morphology and structure, AgZrPSi and AgZrP had smaller sized particles (1.5-3.0 µm) and more uniformly shaped than AgZ. CONCLUSIONS Silver inorganic materials in the form of AgZ, AgZrPSi and AgZrP had antimicrobial effects against all test oral microorganisms and those activities may be influenced by the crystal structure of carriers. These results suggest that these silver materials may be useful metals applied to oral hygiene products to provide antimicrobial activity against oral infection.

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.

Post-Retention Changes in Class II Division 1 Malocclusion Extraction Cases: Cephalometric Changes

Instability of the dental, skeletal and soft tissues is one of the most frequently associated problems with orthodontic correction of Class II division 1 malocclusion. Objective: To evaluate the stability of post-retention changes in skeletal type II orthodontic patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion. Materials and Methods: Analysis of cephalometric films was performed for 29 patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion with skeletal type II (14 males, 15 females, ages ranging from 10.2-18.0 years), who were treated with extractions of four premolars and edgewise-fixed orthodontic appliance. Twenty-six cephalometric variables of dental, skeletal and soft tissues were evaluated at three points of time: pre-treatment, posttreatment and post-retention period (mean, 4.15 years). Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the results of pre-treatment and post-treatment periods, and post-treatment and post-retention periods with level of significance set at p< 0.05. Results: The findings of the cephalometric data revealed that significant changes occurred in incisors inclination and position, ratio of facial height and soft tissue profile in the post-treatment period. However in the post-retention period, slight changes in dental, vertical skeletal profile and soft tissue profile were observed. Conclusion: In Class II Division 1 malocclusion treated with extraction of the biscupids and fixed orthodontics, the overall stability of the dental, skeletal and soft tissues in the post-retention period was relatively good.

Comparative Study of the Flexural Strength and Flexural Modulus of Local Made Orthodontic Resins: A Pilot Study

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the flexural strength and flexural modulus of three formulae self-curing acrylic resin with commercial orthodontic resin.

Investigation of Fluoride Release from Orthodontic Acrylic Plate

Objective: This study aimed to investigate fluoride release, flexural strength and surface characteristics of three orthodontic acrylic resins (A) blended with (1) sodium fluoride powder (NaF), (2) calcium fluoride powder (CaF2), and (3) glass ionomer cement powder (GIC). Material & Methods: Acrylic resin was blended with NaF, CaF2 , and GIC to make orthodontic acrylic plates. Each sample group was divided into subgroups at fluoride concentrations 5%, 10% and 20%. The acrylic resin was cured in a round stainless steel mold and kept in a bottle with 10 ml. deionized water then kept in an incubator at 37oC. The deionized water, changed every day, was tested for fluoride release up to six mo by Orion machine. For the flexural strength test, the samples were cured in a stainless steel mold, 64 mm. long, 10 mm. wide and 3.3 mm. high according to standard of ISO 20795-2 and testing was done up to 6 mo in deionized water. Scanning electron microscope determined surface characteristics after being blended. Results: Fluoride release was observed from orthodontic acrylic plates blended with NaF, CaF2 and GIC. The results of the A-NaF and the A- CaF2 group decreased fluoride level greatly at day 2, but the A-GIC group was observed at day 7. The A-NaF group and the A-GIC group could not detect fluoride level after mo 4 and 2, respectively. The A-CaF2 group found greater long term fluoride release than the A-NaF and the A-GIC group especially at 20% concentration (up to six mo). Significant differences (p<0.05) of fluoride release level (ppmF) among the A-NaF, A-GIC, and A-CaF2 groups at 5% concentration in every time point from day 1 to the mo 5, but not significant in mo 6 similar to the 10% concentration comparison. Whereas, comparing the 20% concentration among groups, significant differences (p<0.05) were found between groups in all periods of time (from the day 1 to mo 6). When comparing the different concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 20% in each group, significant differences (p<0.05) were found in every concentration at every time period of the A-GIC group from day 1 to mo 2, in the A-CaF2 group from day 1 to mo 6 and in the A-NaF group from day 1 to mo 4. Conclusion: Fluoride release was observed from orthodontic acrylic plates blended with NaF, CaF2 and GIC. The longest duration of fluoride release from orthodontic acrylic plates was found in the CaF2 group followed by the NaF and GIC groups. The flexural strength in every group decreased over time. This result implied that the flexural strength decreased during fluoride release. The acrylic surface was seen to be porous in every period of the fluoride release process.

Comparison of the Mechanical Properties of Three Commercial Orthodontic NiTi Round Archwires

To compare mechanical properties of three commercial NiTi orthodontic round wires, three commercial brands of NiTi round wire (Nic-China, Ormco-USA, and Smart-Thailand) with sizes 0.014’’, 0.016’’, and 0.018’’were studied. Five specimens each size of each brand were used to test mechanical properties; unloading force (N), spring back (mm), and yield strength (N/mm) with three-point bend test using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and one-way ANOVA were employed to test the differences among groups with statistical difference at p<0.05.The average unloading force from lowest to highest were Ormco, Smart and Nic with 0.014”, Smart, Ormco and Nic with 0.016”and Smart, Nic and Ormco with 0.018”, respectively. The Nic brand had the highest value of unloading force, spring back, and yield strength in all wire sizes, except unloading force 0.018” Ormco and spring back 0.018” Smart. There were no statistically significant differences in unloading forces among all wire sizes. The three brands of commercial orthodontic NiTi wires presented similar unloading force, spring back, and yield strength properties. These mechanical properties are related to lower rates of deformation and are appropriate to be used in the initial phase of orthodontic treatment.

Mechanical Properties of Several NiTi Alloy Wires in Three-Point Bending Tests

Objective: To clarify mechanical properties of 14 superelastic NiTi orthodontic wires by three-point bending tests. Materials and Methods: The three-point bending test was conducted with a midspan deflection rate of 5 mm/min under constant temperature range 36±1°C. Wires were deflected to 3.1 mm. All data were recorded during the unloading process at deflections 3, 2, 1 and 0.5 mm. to simulate the force a wire exerts as a tooth is moved into the dental arch from a position of malocclusion. Results: The delivered forces changed slightly when the deflection varied during loading and unloading. Sentalloy wire applied the lowest continuous force. Conclusions: Commercial wires may not behave similarly due to minor differences in the production process, and force varies greatly from brand to brand. NiTi wire brands must be selected carefully considering the severity of malocclusion and stage of orthodontic treatment.

Residual Force of Orthodontic Elastomeric Ligature

Objectives:The study aimed to compare the residual forceoflocally produced Thai orthodontic elastomeric ligatureswith 2 commercial brands.Materials and Methods: The study compared Thai clear and blue orthodontic elastomeric ligatures with clear and blue commercial brands[Unitek (USA) and W&H (China)]. The dimensional characteristics of the ligatures (i.e., inner diameter, outer diameter and cross-section thickness) were measured. Then initial extension force was measured. After that, the residual force was determined at day 1and repeated on day 2,3,4,5,6,7,14,21, and 28 andthe percentage of residual force wascalculatedaccording to ISO 21606:2007. The data were analyzed with Two-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression (p<0.05). Results: Thai ligatures had significantly greater inner diameter(clear 1.22 mm, blue 1.21 mm) and cross-section thickness (clear 0.78 mm, blue 0.79 mm) in both colors when compared with Unitek and W&H brands. Thai ligatures had no significant difference in cross-section thickness between clear and blue.Thai clear ligatures hadthe highest initial extension force(2.30 N). Thai ligatures showed similar force decay patterns as other brands, rapidly decreasing the first day, gradually decreasing over 7 days and remaining nearly constant until 28 days.However, both clear and blue Thai elastomeric ligatures had significantly less outer diameters (clear 3.12 mm, blue 3.15mm). Thai blue ligatures had the lowest initial extension force (1.96 N).TheThai clear and blue demonstrated less percentage of residual force in the first day (clear 53.00%, blue 50.66%) and28 days (clear, 37.69%, blue, 37.00%) butthey were clinically acceptable. In general, clear ligatures exhibited a greater percentage of residual force than blue ligatureamong the 3 brands. Conclusion:Thai orthodontic elastomeric ligature properties are comparable to commercially available brands and acceptable for clinical application.

Assessment of Corrosion Behavior in Artificial Saliva of Wires for Orthodontic Applications

The aim of this study, the corrosion behavior of TiNiCu in artificial saliva (pH5.35) at 37°C was assessed by the use of electrochemical methods. Ti50Ni43Cu7 (at%) used in this study were made from ingots prepared by the vacuum arc melting (VAM) method. The furnace was purged with argon gas during melting. All melted ingots were then homogenized at 800°C for 3.6 ks. Open circuit potential (OCP) was monitored at 3.6 ks followed by potentiodynamic techniques. The results showed that all chemical composition of orthodontic wires by EPMA were Ti, Ni, Cu, Cr, Fe and Mn. Surface roughness was measured in order to ensure that TiNiCu and SS was significant difference which might affect corrosion resistance. It was seen that TiNiCu orthodontic wires, presented a good corrosion resistance, compared to the stainless steel, probably due to the formation of a protective oxide film mainly constituted by titanium oxide.