Prophylactic antibiotics not necessary after third molar extraction. Surgical removal of mandibular third molars is one of the most frequently performed procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery. This procedure is commonly recommended after orthodontic therapy. However, the prescribing of antibiotics after third molar surgery remains controversial. In a study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (2004;62:3–8), researchers evaluated the effect of the application of two different antibiotics, amoxicillin and clindamycin, after removal of third molars in a prospective, randomized controlled clinical study over a 2.5 year period. In this study, 528 mandibular third molars

Abstract

It has been reported that orthodontic services are being provided to a larger segment of the population by an increasing number of providers. The present study surveyed the dental and orthodontic experiences of 10th grade students attending 16 public and two parochial high schools in suburban Cuyahoga County, Ohio, as well as two schools from the city of Cleveland. Questionnaires were distributed in the classroom and data obtained for 2808 students. Approximately 50% of the sample were girls with an average age of 15.5 ± 0.8 years. Results of the survey revealed that 84% (2371/2808) had seen a dentist within the past year, and 37% (1047/2808) of the students had received orthodontic treatment from 171 different providers. Of those treated, 87.2% (913/1047) were treated by a specialist in orthodontics, 10.8% (114/1047) by a general dentist, and 0.7% (7/1047) by a pediatric dentist, with 1.3% missing or unknown (13/1047). Patients who had seen a dentist within the past year were more likely to have had orthodontic treatment. Only 7% of the untreated students were told by a dental professional that they needed braces compared with 71% of the treated group. Therefore, we conclude that orthodontic specialists provide most of the orthodontic services in the suburbs of Cuyahoga County, and visiting a general dentist positively influences the utilization of orthodontic services.

Abstract

For reasons of convenience and economy, orthodontists who routinely use and maintain pre- and posttreatment plaster casts are beginning to use computer-based digital models. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy (validity), reproducibility (reliability), efficacy, and effectiveness of measurements made on computer-based models. A plastic model occlusion ie, dentoform, served as a gold standard to evaluate the systematic errors associated with producing either plaster or computer-based models. Accuracy, reproducibility, efficacy, and effectiveness were tested by comparing the measurements of the computer-based models with the measurements of the plaster models—(1) accuracy: one examiner measuring 10 models made from a dentoform, twice; (2) reproducibility and efficacy: two examiners measuring 50 models made from patients, twice; and (3) effectiveness: 10 examiners measuring 10 models made from patients, twice. Reproducibility (reliability) was tested by using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Repeated measures of analysis of variance for multiple repeated measurements and Student's t-test were used to test for validity. Only measurements of maxillary and mandibular space available made on computer-based models differed from the measurements made on the dentoform gold standard. There was significantly greater variance for measurements made from computer-based models. Reproducibility was high for measurements made on both computer-based and plaster models. In conclusion, measurements made from computer-based models appear to be generally as accurate and reliable as measurements made from plaster models. Efficacy and effectiveness were similar to those of plaster models. Therefore, computer-based models appear to be a clinically acceptable alternative to conventional plaster models.

Abstract

The process of rapid canine distalization through the distraction of the periodontal ligament is similar to the process in the midpalatal suture during rapid palatal expansion. Rapid canine distalization can be achieved in three weeks with this technique. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of rapid canine distalization on dentoalveolar tissues during the rapid distalization of canine teeth with semirigid, individual tooth-borne distractors. The study was carried out on 43 canine teeth in 18 (seven male and 11 female) patients who required first premolar extractions. The mean age of the patients was 16.7 years. The second premolars and first molars were used as anchor units. Orthodontic models, cephalometric and panoramic radiographs, and standard photographs of all the patients were taken before treatment and after the consolidation period. Periapical radiographies of the canines and anchor units were obtained once a week during the distalization period. The distractors were activated 0.25 mm three times a day, and the canines were distalized efficiently an average of three weeks. The within-group differences were evaluated with the Wilcoxon test. The maxillary canines were distalized an average of 5.76 mm with 11.47° distal tipping. The maxillary first molars moved mesially 0.56 mm and extruded 0.64 mm. The maxillary incisors showed 1.44° of palatal tipping. The mean distal movement of the mandibular canines was 3.5 mm with 7.16° distal tipping. Anchorage loss was not observed in the mandibular first molars.