No abstract

Purpose. There is no consensus about the mechanism and efficacy in alleviating pain of the lower-level laser therapy (LLLT) during orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the LLLT effectiveness clinically in reducing pain caused by orthodontic movement that occurs in the early stages of treatment. Methods. The sample consisted of 54 patients in need of orthodontic treatment divided into two groups. A 28 experimental patients group (initial mean age: 26.84 years old) was undergone gallium-aluminum-arsenide infrared laser application on 12 points for each tooth immediately after the installation of the first alignment archwire, and a 26 patients control group (initial mean age: 29.13 years old) was undergone to no pain control intervention at all. Pain intensity was measured by using a visual analog scale, which was marked pain level (mm) reported in 06, 24, 48, and 72 hours. The perception of pain (beginning, peak, decline, and absence) was evaluated by filling up a questionnaire. To compare the intensity and perception of pain between groups, a nonparametric Mann–Whitney has been performed. Results. The experimental group showed levels (mm) at 6 ( p < 0.001 ), 24 ( p = 0.004 ), and 48 hours ( p = 0.007 ) and perception of pain (hours) in the peak ( p = 0.026 ), decline ( p = 0.025 ), and absence ( p = 0.008 ) significantly lower compared to the group control. Conclusion. Low-level laser therapy is effective in reducing pain severity caused by orthodontic forces activation, and it promotes the analgesic action lasting effect during the most painful feeling time.

No abstract

No abstract

Objective: To evaluate the attractiveness of the profile and smile between the different protocols for treating the anterior open bite. Methods: The sample comprised 39 patients with anterior open bite treated with or without extractions, divided into 2 groups: The Surgical group (G1) comprised 21 subjects (10 male, 11 female) with mean initial age of 21.86 years (SD=5.09), treated with fixed orthodontic appliance followed by orthognathic surgery, for a total mean period of 2.53 years (SD=0.61). The mean open bite severity was 4.12mm (SD=1.35). The Compensatory group (G2) comprised 18 subjects (9 male, 9 female), with mean initial age of 20.47 years (SD=4.19), treated only with fixed orthodontic appliance, for a total mean period of 2.56 years (SD=0.94). The mean open bite severity was 3.54mm (SD=1.01). Lateral photographs from pretreatment and posttreatment were used. These photographs were evaluated by 46 laypeople and 67 dentists, who rated the attractiveness of each profile from 0 (most unattractive profile) to 10 (most attractive profile). Intergroup comparisons were performed with independent t tests. Results: At the final stage, the surgical presented a more attractive profile and smile than the compensatory group. The surgical group presented a greater improvement of the profile and smile attractiveness with treatment than the compensatory group. Conclusion: At the final stage, the surgical presented a more attractive and a greater improvement of the profile attractiveness than the compensatory group. The laypeople and dentists judged similarly the initial profile attractiveness.