Considering the widespread use of smartphones and their applications (apps), as well as the undeniable role of reminders and apps in behavioral interventions, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of a smartphone app (Brush DJ) for oral hygiene compliance of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. In this randomized clinical trial, 120 patients between 15 to 25 years who had just started fixed orthodontic treatment were randomly divided into two groups (n = 60). Control patients received conventional oral hygiene instruction, while patients in the intervention group were asked to use the Brush DJ smartphone app, after receiving conventional oral hygiene instruction. The plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were measured at baseline (T0), and at 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2) and 12 weeks (T3) after the onset of study. A questionnaire was given to all patients to assess the frequency and duration of tooth brushing per day, and the frequency of app usage and reminder noticing in the intervention group. Improvements in PI and GI were noted in the intervention group; while these parameters increased in the control group. Significant differences were noted in PI and GI changes between the two groups (p < 0.001). Brushing frequency and duration were positively correlated with app usage during the follow-up period. Ultimately, we believe that smartphone apps, as motivators and reminders, can greatly help in improving the orthodontic patients’ oral hygiene compliance, especially in adolescents

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Aim: Dental number anomalies are a group of congenital developmental disorders divided into two groups supernumerary and missing teeth. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of numeric dental anomalies using panoramic images in patients referred to the Hamadan Dental Faculty. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2,197 panoramic radiographs of patients aged 6-49 years were evaluated. These anomalies are divided into two groups: 1) Supernumerary teeth, including Mesiodens, Distodens, and Peridens, and 2) Missing teeth, including Hypodontia, Oligodontia, and Anodontia. A Chi-square test was performed to assess the relationship between the anomalies. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16, in which P-value < 0.05 was considered the statistical significance level. Results: Of 736 males (32.2%) and 1548 females (67.8%) in this study, 32 (4.3%) and 55 cases (3.8%) had supernumerary teeth, respectively. The prevalence of supernumerary teeth was 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.6% in males and 0.2%, 1% and 1.2% in females for mesiodens, distodens, and peridens, respectively. Also, 243 males (10.6%) and 655 females (28.6%) had missing teeth anomalies. Hypodontia in the maxilla was the most common anomaly in both genders, while mesiodens was the least common. Conclusion: Hypodontia was the most common anomaly, followed by peridens; the least common anomaly was mesiodens. The prevalence of supernumerary teeth was greater in males, though the difference was not statistically significant. In comparison, females had a greater prevalence of missing teeth.