METHODS: Fifteen intact, non-carious single-rooted teeth were decoronated at the cementoenamel junction. Visually, working length was determined by using a #15 K-file under stereomicroscope (×20). The effect of cellular phones on electronic working length (EWL) was determined under 2 experimental settings: (1) in a closed room with poor signal strength and (2) in a polyclinic set up with good signal strength and 5 conditions: (1) electronically, without cellular phone in room; (2) electronically, with cellular phone in physical contact with EAL; (3) electronically, with mobile phone in physical contact with EAL and in calling mode for a period of 25 seconds; (4) electronically, mobile phone placed at a distance of 40 cm from the EAL; and (5) electronically, mobile phone placed at a distance of 40 cm and in calling mode for a period of 25 seconds. The EWL was measured 3 times per tooth under each condition. Stability of the readings was scored from 1 to 3: (1) good stability, (2) stable reading after 1 attempt, and (3) stable reading after 2 attempts. The data were compared by using analysis of variance.
RESULTS: The EWL measurements were not influenced by the presence of cellular phone and could be determined under all experimental conditions.
CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that mobile phones do not interfere with the EWL determination.
METHODS: Muscle ultrasound was prospectively performed on 252 individual muscles from 21 CMT patients (9 CMT1A, 8 CMTX1, 4 CMT2A) and compared to 120 muscles from 10 age and gender-matched controls. Muscle ultrasound recorded echogenicity and thickness in representative muscles including first dorsal interosseus (FDI) and tibialis anterior (TA).
RESULTS: Muscle volume of FDI and thickness of TA correlated with MRC strength. Muscle echogenicity was significantly increased in FDI (65.05 vs 47.09; p<0.0001) and TA (89.45 vs 66.30; p<0.0001) of CMT patients. In TA, there was significantly higher muscle thickness (23 vs 18 vs 16mm; p<0.0001) and lower muscle echogenicity (80 vs 95 vs 108; p<0.0001) in CMT1A compared to CMTX1 and CMT2A. This corresponded to disease severity based on muscle strength (MRC grading CMT1A vs CMTX1 vs CMT2A: 59 vs 48 vs 44; p=0.002).
CONCLUSION: In CMT, quantitative muscle ultrasound of FDI and TA is a useful marker of disease severity.
SIGNIFICANCE: The current findings suggest that quantitative muscle ultrasound has potential as a surrogate marker of disease progression in future interventional trials in CMT.
METHODS: Thirty adult participants (25 females and 5 males; mean age, 22.66 ± 3.27 years) with moderate upper labial segment crowding were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups using block randomization. All participants had first premolar extractions, bonded conventional fixed appliances, and 0.014-in, followed by 0.018-in nickel-titanium archwire placement for initial alignment. The intervention group received a 3-mm deep MOPs procedure under local anesthesia using a Propel device (Propel Ortho Singapore, Pte, Ltd, Winstedt Rd, Singapore) on the labial attached gingivae of maxillary incisors at monthly visits until complete alignment. Little's irregularity index was used to assess the overall changes and measure the change of tooth alignment of the 6 maxillary anterior teeth. Assessor blinding was employed.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the median overall alignment duration between MOPs and control groups (139 days [95% confidence interval, 115.32-161.83] vs 143 days [95% confidence interval, 107.12-179.74]; hazard ratio, 0.829; P = 0.467). The MOPs procedure had no significant effect on the alignment duration (P = 0.657) and no overall significant difference in alignment improvement percentage among 2 groups on the basis of time (F = 2.53; P = 0.124). No harm was encountered.
CONCLUSIONS: The application of MOPs is no more effective in accelerating initial orthodontic alignment than conventional treatment.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered at the ISRCTN registry with the study ID ISRCTN15080404.
PROTOCOL: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15080404.
FUNDING: This work was supported by the Postgraduate Trust Fund, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples were randomly selected from different states of Pakistan. Total 7168 variables were measured on plaster dental casts (128) and SM digital dental models (128) according to the selection criteria. For IMTSD, the 6 variable measured as for anterior tooth size (maxilla, mandibular), overall tooth size (maxilla, mandibular), Bolton's anterior ratios (BAR), and Bolton's overall ratios (BOR). The independent t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical analyses.
RESULTS: Significant sexual disparities in the sum of anterior tooth size and overall tooth size via DC and SM methods. No significant sexual disparities for BAR and BOR. No statistically significant differences were found in BAR and BOR between DC and SM. No significant differences were found on IMTSD ratio among different arch length and arch perimeters groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Norms were developed based on DC and SM for IMTSD. Sexual disparities were observed in the sum of teeth size. However, no significant differences in BAR and BOR for IMTSD between the two methods.
METHOD: A questionnaire containing 19 single-answer, multiple-choice type questions was mailed to 503 GDPs practising in the Greater Manchester area in January 2002. An explanatory covering letter and a stamped addressed return envelope were enclosed. The data obtained were processed using SPSS statistical software.
RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty-one (70%) of the practitioners responded to the questionnaire. The restoration of root-filled teeth was normally undertaken within 1-2 weeks of completing root canal therapy by 63% of the practitioners. Only 35% of the GDPs used posts routinely in the restoration of root-filled anterior teeth; the corresponding figure for posterior teeth was 15%. While a cast, precious metal post was the preferred choice in the restoration of anterior teeth, the use of prefabricated posts and related techniques predominated in the restoration of posterior teeth. Composite resin was the most popular choice of material for core build-up procedures in anterior teeth. Amalgam tended to be favoured for core build-ups in posterior teeth. The majority of the practitioners (56%) routinely restored root-filled anterior teeth by means of porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Seventy-three per cent of the GDPs preferred to restore root-filled posterior teeth by means of a full veneer crown.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the practitioners surveyed had a sound understanding of the principles involved in the restoration of endodontically treated teeth, with the possible exception of the need to establish a durable coronal seal as soon as possible after the placement of a root filling.