Previous studies have suggested that probiotic supplements in dairy products may affect the oral microbial ecology, but the effect in orthodontic patients has not previously been reported. The aim of the present study was to examine whether short-term consumption of fruit yogurt containing probiotic bifidobacteria would affect the levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. A double-blind, randomized crossover study was performed and 24 healthy adolescents (12-16 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment were followed over four periods. During periods 2 and 4 (2 weeks each), the subjects ingested 200 g fruit yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173010 (2 x 10(8) colony forming units/g) once daily or a control yogurt without viable bacteria. Periods 1 and 3 were run-in and wash-out periods of 1 and 6 weeks, respectively. Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were enumerated with chair-side kits before and after the yogurt consumption periods. Pre- and post-treatment values within each regimen were compared with a two-tailed marginal homogeneity test for categorical data. A statistically significant reduction of salivary mutans streptococci was recorded after probiotic yogurt consumption (P < 0.05), which was in contrast to the control yogurt. No significant alterations of the salivary lactobacilli counts were observed. Short-term daily consumption of fruit yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DN-173010 may reduce the levels of mutans streptococci in saliva during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

No abstract

The aim of this investigation was to compare the classic method of tracing by hand with a computerized method, where the lateral cephalograms were scanned at 300 dpi and digitized onscreen. The inter- and intra-observer errors were investigated for tracing and digitizing errors. Thirty lateral cephalograms were scanned into digital format at 300 dpi, displayed on a high-resolution monitor, and processed twice by two operators using Dolphin Imaging Software 9.0. The same radiographs were then traced and measured manually by the same two operators. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used for detecting intra- and inter-rater agreement for each cephalometric variable. The results showed that each operator was consistent in the repeated measurements; all ICC were greater than or equal to 0.90 and none of the 95 per cent confidence limits on these ICC had a lower boundary less than 0.84. Inter-rater agreement also showed correlation coefficients greater than 0.75. The angles, maxillary height, maxillary depth, y-axis, FMA, and nasolabial, and the distance N perpendicular point A had a wider reliability interval and lower correlation than the other parameters tested. The findings demonstrated that the use of computer software for cephalometric analysis carried out on scanned images does not increase the measurement error when compared with hand tracing.

This study was done to determine the amount of lasing time required to remove ceramic brackets safely without causing intrapulpal damage by using Er:YAG laser with the scanning method. Part 1: 80 bovine mandibular incisors with ceramic brackets were randomly assigned into four groups of 20 as one control and three study groups. In the study groups, brackets were debonded after lasing for 3, 6, and 9 s, whereas debonding was performed without lasing in the control group. Shear bond strengths and ARI scores were also measured. Part 2: 30 human premolars with ceramic brackets were randomly divided into three groups of ten, as 3, 6, and 9 s of lasing durations. Intrapulpal temperature was measured at the same lasing times by a thermocouple. Statistically significant lower shear bond strengths were found in study groups compared to the control. A negative correlation was seen between the bond strengths and ARI scores in such a way that, as the shear bond strengths decreased, the ARI scores increased. Temperature increases for all the study groups were measured below the 5.5°C benchmark. All lasing times were effective for debonding without causing enamel tear outs or bracket failures. The temperature proportionally increased with the extension of the lasing duration. Six-second lasing by the scanning method using Er:YAG laser was found to be the most effective and safest way of removing the ceramic brackets without causing damage to the enamel and pulpal tissues.

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term dentoalveolar and soft tissue changes in late adolescent patients treated with the Forsus™ FRD.Methods:A prospective study was carried out on 54 lateral cephalometric radiograms that were taken before placement and after removal of the appliance in the treatment group (15 subjects) and at the beginning and six months after in the control group (12 subjects). The patient selection criteria were as follows: skeletal and dental Class II malocclusion due to retrognatic mandible, normal or low-angle growth pattern, post-peak growth period, no extracted or congenitally missing permanent teeth, and minimum crowding in the lower dental arch.Results:The statistical assesment of the data suggested the following results: No sagital and vertical skeletal changes were induced. The mandibular incisors were protruded and intruded, while the maxillary incisors were retruded and extruded. The occlusal plane was rotated in clockwise direction as a result of these dentoalveolar changes. Overbite and overjet were reduced in all patients. Soft tissue profile slightly improved.Conclusions:The results revealed that, in late-adolescent patients Forsus™ FRD corrected Class II discrepancies through maxillary and mandibular dentoalveolar changes.