ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00893711.

Teenagers treated with removable appliances display better compliance with oral hygiene, less plaque, and fewer gingival inflammatory reactions than their peers with fixed appliances.

Objective:The aim of this prospective study was to compare the periodontal health and the microbiological changes via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances and Invisalign® system (Align Technology, Santa Clara, California).Materials and Methods:Seventy-seven patients were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups (Invisalign® group, fixed orthodontic appliances group and control group). Plaque index, probing depth, bleeding on probing were assessed. Total biofilm mass and periodontal pathogens were analyzed and detected via real-time PCR. All these data were analyzed at the T0 (beginning of the treatment) T1 (1-month) and T2 (3 months); and statistically compared using the Mann–Whitney test for independent groups.Results:After 1-month and after 3 months of treatment there was only one sample with periodontopathic anaerobes found in patient treated using fixed orthodontic appliances. The Invisalign® group showed better results in terms of periodontal health and total biofilm mass compared to the fixed orthodontic appliance group. A statistical significant difference (P < 0.05) at the T2 in the total biofilm mass was found between the two groups.Conclusion:Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with the Invisalign® System show a superior periodontal health in the short-term when compared to patients in treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. Invisalign® should be considered as a first treatment option in patients with risk of developing periodontal disease.

No abstract

This methodological study was conducted to test the psychometric properties of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy‐Health Professional Student's version (JSE‐HPS), in a convenience sample of 797 Italian nursing students and to describe their empathic engagement. Data were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, test–retest, correlation analysis, t‐test, and analysis of variance method. Principal component factor extraction with Oblimin rotation on the first half of the sample was conducted. The analysis suggested a three‐factor solution for 14 items: “compassionate care/emotional engagement,” “perspective‐taking,” and “standing in the patient's shoes.” Confirmatory factor analysis on the second half of the sample showed good fit indexes for the 14‐item solution, indicated by the exploratory factor analysis, and the 20 item solution of the scale, with the exception of one item. Test–retest correlation was 0.50 (P < 0.001) for the overall scale. Results from group comparisons and correlations are also provided and discussed. The Italian version of the JSE‐HPS is a psychometrically sound tool. The translated 20‐item solution is also suitable to carry out cross‐cultural comparisons.