Are you stressed at work?
Vinod Krishnan
Published in issue: October 2024 p197-198
Work-related stress has been declared a health epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasizing its widespread and serious impact. Chronic exposure to stressors without adequate recovery can lead to severe psychological, behavioral, and physical health consequences. In the dental profession, stress is pervasive, with a 2019 survey revealing that over half of dentists experience stress beyond their coping ability, often due to patient-related fears, high-pressure work conditions, and demanding physical labor.
Highlights:
- Widespread Issue: Stress is a common concern across all professions, with dentistry being particularly affected.
- Top Stressors for Dentists: Fear of patient litigation, adverse work conditions, anxious patients, and physical demands are major stressors.
- Isolation and Physical Strain: Dentists often work in confined, isolated environments, contributing to feelings of loneliness and health issues.
- Impact of Delays: Running late and trying to accommodate more patients or procedures can lead to increased stress and missed personal time.
- Social Media Pressure: Unrealistic expectations set by curated posts can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy among dental professionals.
- Coping Strategies: Physical activity, open communication, and keeping a healthy perspective on social media are effective ways to manage stress.
Comparison of the accuracy of bracket axial positioning with and without radiographic support and according to practitioner experience: A three-dimensional study
Tatiana Saliba, Elie Khoury, Rami Aboujaoude, Adib Kassis
Published online: May 13, 2024 p199-210
The research aimed to evaluate and compare the precision of axial bracket positioning during direct orthodontic bonding using three distinct methods: without any radiographic support, with conventional panoramic radiography, and utilizing panoramic reconstruction from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Additionally, the study examined how the level of practitioner experience and the specific teeth being treated impacted positioning accuracy.
Highlights:
- Comparative Accuracy: Panoramic reconstruction from CBCT ensures the highest precision in bracket positioning, effectively reducing angulation errors.
- Influence of Experience: Practitioners with less experience are more prone to significant errors when bonding without radiographic guidance, while experienced practitioners maintain accuracy across all methods.
- Radiographic Necessity: Using radiographic support is crucial for less experienced practitioners, particularly when positioning brackets on canines and premolars.
- CBCT Benefits: Despite offering the most accurate results, the use of CBCT must be weighed against the higher radiation exposure it entails, ensuring patient safety remains a priority.
Evaluation of incipient enamel-carious–like lesion treated with hydroxyapatite-chitosan nanocomposite hydrogel
Salma M. Fathy, Alsayed Abdelhafez, Fawzy A. Darwesh, Tarek A. Elkhooly
Published online: May 17, 2024 p211-220
The exploration centers around a non-invasive approach to addressing incipient enamel carious-like lesions by assessing the effectiveness of hydroxyapatite-chitosan (HAp-CS) nanocomposite hydrogel treatments. Emphasis is placed on understanding how varying ratios of the nanocomposite influence enamel’s mineral composition, surface morphology, and cross-sectional microhardness, with sodium fluoride gel serving as a reference for comparison.
Highlights:
- Contemporary Dentistry Goal: Emphasizes the necessity of non-invasive treatments for non-cavitated carious lesions.
- Optimal Composition: A higher nano-hydroxyapatite to chitosan ratio (70/30) demonstrated superior improvement in enamel mineral quality compared to a lower ratio.
- Microhardness Enhancement: Significant increases in subsurface cross-sectional microhardness were observed with the nanocomposite hydrogel application.
- Surface Morphology: The application protocol effectively minimized surface irregularities in demineralized enamel, enhancing structural integrity.
Validity of digital analysis versus manual analysis on orthodontic casts
Malin Lam, Adnan Hajdarević, Emina Čirgić, Nina Sabel
Published online: June 02, 2024 P221-228
The increasing integration of digital technology in orthodontics highlights the importance of assessing the reliability of digital analysis tools compared to traditional manual methods. With advancements in artificial intelligence, digital cast analysis is becoming a vital part of streamlining clinical workflows. This study evaluates how digital analysis of orthodontic casts—both manual and automated—compares in terms of validity and efficiency with conventional plaster model analysis.
Highlights:
- Streamlined Workflow: Digital cast analysis can significantly enhance efficiency in orthodontic practice.
- Developmental Needs: Automated analysis tools require further refinements for full reliability.
- Metrical Variables: Digital cast analysis provides clinically acceptable measurements compared to manual assessments.
- Categorical Variables: Manual digital analysis is reliable for basic occlusal assessments but still has limitations with automatic methods.
Evaluating the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma on orthodontic tooth movement rate: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abhijeet Jaiswal, Saraa Angel L, Karthik Sennimalai, … Hamza Parvez Siddiqui, Virat Galhotra, Rhea Gandham
Published online: June 10, 2024 P229-239
Minimally invasive methods are becoming increasingly popular for accelerating tooth movement in orthodontics. Among these, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown potential for enhancing the rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) when applied locally. This comprehensive review delves into both the qualitative and quantitative evidence on the impact of PRP, exploring its effectiveness and sustainability over time.
Highlights:
- Rising Interest: Techniques to speed up tooth movement have gained significant attention, especially non-surgical options.
- PRP Application: Local injection of PRP has been utilized as a method to boost the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in human studies.
- Evidence Assessment: The review presents an in-depth evaluation of how PRP influences the acceleration of tooth movement, backed by statistical analysis.
Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH): The “Why, What and How” of decision making for orthodontists
Nikhillesh Vaiid, Adith Venugopal, Narayan Gandedkar, M. Ali Darendeliler, Samar M. Adel, Ludovica Nucci
Published online: September 16, 2024 p240-249
Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) presents unique challenges for orthodontic treatment planning. With global prevalence rates reaching up to 40.2%, MIH often complicates enamel integrity, caries risk, and bonding procedures. This article explores MIH through Simon Sinek’s “Golden Circle” approach to help orthodontists navigate diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management effectively.
Highlights:
- Prevalence and Impact: Affects up to 40.2% globally, leading to higher caries risk and enamel complications.
- Orthodontic Challenges: Specialized bonding techniques are crucial for long-term stability on MIH-affected teeth.
- Variable Presentation: MIH complicates diagnosis and impacts treatment planning, especially in extraction decisions.
- Oral Health Quality of Life: MIH has significant social-emotional implications, particularly when anterior teeth are affected.
Nonsurgical treatment of an adult patient with severe transversal skeletal discrepancy: Tooth bone-borne tandem expander and hybrid aligner approach
Filippo Pepe, Edoardo Mannelli, Mario Palone, Luca Lombardo, Francesca Cremonini
Published online: May 07, 2024 p250-256
The presented approach showcases an innovative, nonsurgical solution for severe transverse skeletal discrepancies in adults, employing a tooth bone-borne tandem expander combined with a hybrid clear aligner and partial fixed lingual appliance technique. The method successfully achieved optimal alignment and bilateral Class I occlusion while effectively addressing the biomechanical challenges associated with clear aligners in complex cases.
Highlights:
- Effective Skeletal Expansion: Accomplished using a tandem expander anchored by miniscrews.
- Hybrid Approach: Integrated clear aligners with a partial fixed lingual appliance to overcome biomechanical limitations.
- Alignment and Bite Correction: Reached Class I occlusal relationships, improved alignment, and closed the anterior bite.
