Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare the accuracy of the orthodontic treatment outcome in predicted and achieved results using clear aligners. Material and Methods: The study involved 20 adult participants aged 18–35, with an average age of 22 years. Materials used included a lateral cephalogram, orthopantomogram (OPG), Addition silicone impression material, Duran thermoplastic material, Open Technology Lab scanner, Autolign software, Phrozen Sonic Mini 4k 3D Printer, Biostar Thermoforming Machine, Geomagic Software Control X 2020, and Orthokal plaster. The study recorded the impression of both arches and created a 3D virtual model using Autolign software. The virtual model was segmented using Autolign software to define individual teeth, and a treatment plan was stimulated. The aligner was constructed using Duran thermoplastic material and thermoformed using a Biostar thermoforming machine. The predicted and achieved models were superimposed in Geomagic Software Control X 2020 (Version 1.1) using the first molars as reference points to check the accuracy. Results: A statistically significant difference was seen in the accuracy of the orthodontic treatment outcomes in the maxilla and mandible, with a percentage mean of 70.42% and 66.35%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the gap distance (which signifies the linear measurement between the predicted and achieved Models) of the inter-canine width between the maxilla and mandible. There was a statistically highly significant difference seen between the predicted and achieved vertical and horizontal changes in relation to the tooth type (i.e., Central incisor, Lateral incisor, Canine, etc.). Conclusion: The study found that clear aligner treatment was highly accurate in predicting and achieving orthodontic treatment outcomes, with a mean accuracy of 68.38%. The maxilla had the overall highest accuracy, where no significant differences were found between predicted and achieved results. The study also found that mandibular arch width was more predictable than the maxillary arch. Patient compliance was a significant factor in achieving predicted tooth positions.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the parameters of the Grummons analysis applied to the cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) constructed posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms and multiplanar reconstructions (MPRs) slices. Material and Methods: Pre-treatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 39 orthodontic patients aged between 8 and 13 years old were retrospectively chosen from the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at the Lebanese University. PA cephalograms were reconstructed from CBCT scans. Skeletal landmarks were identified and analyzed on both imaging techniques using the Viewbox 4 cephalometric software. Results: For all eleven linear measurements (CoR, CoL, JR, JL, Me, CoAgR, CoAgL, CoMeR, CoMeL, AgMeR, AgMeL), two angular measurements (CoAgMeR, CoAgMeL), and six ratios (UFRa, LFRa, MxRa, MdRa, TMdRa, MxMdRa) showed a statistically significant difference between the CBCT constructed PA cephalograms and their respective three-dimensional (3D) volumes ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: PA reconstructions and MPR slices were not comparable according to Grummons’ analysis, especially for measurements evaluating the mandibular symmetry and point Juguale. New and reliable 3D analyses are recommended to account for accuracy and 3D reality.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate dental arch relationship and craniofacial characteristics in patients with non-syndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP) during mixed dentition between the one-stage repair at 12 months and the early two-stage palatoplasty with hard palate repaired at 18 months. Material and Methods: Patients with non-syndromic CUCLP were identified for participation in this retrospective study. All received pre-surgical nasoalveolar molding, and subsequently followed by cheiloplasty at 3–5 months. They were divided into two groups, dependent on the timing of their palate repair. The one-stage group underwent soft and hard palatoplasty at 12 months, while the two-stage group had soft and hard palate repair at 3–5 months and 18 months, respectively. One surgeon exclusively operated on all patients in each group. Pre-orthodontic dental models and cephalograms were collected for the assessment of dental arch relationships and craniofacial morphology during mixed dentition. Great Ormond Street, London and Oslo (GOSLON) scores and cephalometric measurements were compared between the two groups. The reliability of GOSLON ratings and cephalometric measurements was determined with intraclass correlation coefficients. Comparisons of the average GOSLON scores and cephalometric parameters were performed by the Mann–Whitney U-test. The percentage distributions of the GOSLON scores between the two groups were also compared using the Chi-square test. Results: Thirty-two patients with a complete set of pre-orthodontic records were identified. They were of Caucasian or Hispanic origins. The one-stage group consisted of 10 patients (6 males and 4 females). The two-stage group comprised 22 patients (16 males and 6 females). Timings of hard palate repair for the one-stage and two-stage group are 12.9 ± 1.8 months and 18.6 ± 3.1 months, respectively. The age that pre-orthodontic records were taken was not significantly different between the two groups (one-stage = 8.26 ± 0.93 years vs. two-stage = 7.96 ± 0.97 years; P = 0.345). The reliability of GOSLON ratings and cephalometric measurements showed very good agreement. The dental arch relationship was found to be significantly more favorable in the two-stage group (median GOSLON scores = 3 vs. 4, P < 0.05). The GOSLON scores distribution were also significantly different ( P < 0.001) between the two groups. The two-stage group demonstrated a higher proportion of favorable ratings and a lower of unfavorable outcomes. All cephalometric measurements were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated significantly more favorable dental arch relationships in patients who underwent the early two-stage repair. The two-stage group also exhibited a higher proportion of favorable ratings and a lower of unfavorable outcomes. However, all cephalometric measurements were not significantly different between the two groups.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors that motivate students to choose dentistry as a career and to examine their perspectives on future specialty choices, with particular emphasis on orthodontics. Material and Methods: A paper-based non-identifiable questionnaire was administered to the 4 th year undergraduate dental students from one public university and the 5 th year students from one private university. The questionnaire consisted of seven sections; (1) Demographic data, (2) factors influenced the choice of dentistry as a career?, (3) factors influenced the choice of dentistry over medicine?, (4) factors influenced the choice of a future specialty (After graduation from dentistry)?, (5) specialties were most preferred?, (6) factors influenced the choice of orthodontics as a future specialty?, and (7) factors influenced the choice of another specialty than orthodontics. The answers to the questions were designed as a five-point Likert scale. Results: A total of 135 responses showed that students choose dentistry mainly for “passion” ( n = 70 [51.9%]) and for being “practical study/working with hand” ( n = 63 [46.7%]). Students choose dentistry over medicine because dentistry offers more “practical training” ( n = 81 [60%]), “shorter career path” n = 66 (48.9%), “flexible working hours” ( n = 51 [37.8%]), and “less working hours than medicine” n = 28 (20.7%). Orthodontics came as the fourth choice for specialization. The most common reasons for not preferring orthodontics were as follows: “difficult to have a clinic specialized only in orthodontics” ( n = 32 [23.7%]) and “difficult to join a postgraduate orthodontic program” ( n = 29 [21.5%]). Conclusion: Dental students loved to work with their hands. They preferred dentistry over medicine because the study is more practical, offers a shorter career path, and provides more flexible working hours. Orthodontics ranked fourth among the students’ preferences due to the financial constraints associated with establishing specialized orthodontic clinics.

Objectives: To evaluate external apical root resorption (EARR) and alignment time using three different alignment archwires at the end of alignment stage with CBCT. Material and Methods: 66 patients seeking orthodontic treatment were selected with inclusion criteria of moderate crowding in the mandibular arch and extraction of mandibular first premolars, equally divided into three groups (n = 22 per group) as follows: Group I – Copper Ni-Ti (CuNiTi) 37°C, Group II – Superelastic NiTi, and Group III – Nitinol classic. The study was started on those samples with fixed appliances (MBT prescription – 0.022 slot). CBCT images of six mandibular anterior teeth were taken before and after the completion of 4 weeks of 0.019-inch × 0.025-inch NiTi in each of the groups. Root length was determined using axial-guided navigation, and root volume was measured using ITK SNAP software. The alignment efficiency is measured, which is usually a passive engagement of a rectangular 0.019 × 0.025 NiTi wire in the slots of the attachments from the molar to the contralateral molar. Results: There was a significant reduction in average root length and volume in three groups. However, the reduction in average root length and volume after post-alignment was comparatively less significant in the CuNiTi group. The time span for alignment was significantly different between the groups, with the highest time in the nitinol group (118 days) lowest time in the CuNiTi groups (105 days). Conclusion: Root resorption was minimal with CuNiTi and maximum with conventional nitinol wires. CuNiTi exhibited superior alignment efficiency over superelastic NiTi and conventional nitinol wires.

Objectives Our study aims to examine, histologically and radiologically, the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applied locally into the midpalatal suture on bone formation during and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in rabbits. Material and Methods A total of 24 healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. All animals were subjected to 7-day maxillary expansion and 14-day retention. In the control group, physiological saline was injected into the midpalatal suture on the 1 st day of the retention. Group I received a PRP injection only 1 time just before retention. In group II, the PRP injection was given twice, once 24 h after the start of the expansion and once on the 1 st day of the retention. Radiographs were taken before and after the expansion and retention to assess the suture’s new bone density. All subjects in three groups were evaluated and compared histologically at the end of retention. Results A decrease in bone density after expansion and an increase in bone density after retention were seen in all groups. The decrease in bone density after expansion was the least in Group II, and the highest increase in bone density after retention was again in Group II. Inflammation, capillary dilatation, cell infiltration, osteoblastic activity, osteoclastic activity, bone morphogenetic protein-4, and transforming growth factor-beta scores of Group II were significantly higher than the control group. Conclusion Locally applied PRP during and after RME may contribute to bone formation in the midpalatal suture.

Objectives New Zealand (NZ) young rabbits with the administration of insulin-like growth factor-1 and transforming growth factor-β with and without mandibular anterior repositioning appliances are explored for the growth of the mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC). Genetic expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), decorin (DCN), and matrix gla protein (MGP) in MCC has been studied which is confirmed by histomorphometry. Material and Methods Twenty-four growing NZ rabbits were divided into three groups; a group with saline injection in temporomandibular joints, a group that received anterior positioning appliance, and a group that received growth factors injection as well as mandibular repositioning appliance. Results Administration of growth factors along with mandibular repositioning appliances has induced (i) 4.59-fold expression of DCN ( P < 0.0005), (ii) 3.22-fold expression of MGP ( P < 0.0005), and (iii) 2.80-fold expression of VEGF gene ( P < 0.0005). In contrast, the administration only of mandibular repositioning appliances has induced (i) 2.78-fold expression of DCN ( P < 0.0005), (ii) 2.58-fold expression of MGP ( P < 0.0005), and (iii) 1.23-fold expression of VEGF gene ( P < 0.0005). Histomorphometry confirmed an increase in the length of the condylar cartilage. Conclusion Administration of growth factors along with mandibular advancement appliance has increased genetic expression of markers of condylar growth. Thus, the injection of growth factors along with functional appliances could be an excellent treatment modality for the treatment of mandibular retrognathism.

Objectives Crowding is a type of malocclusion commonly seen in mandibular anterior teeth, which may be positioned buccally or lingually or rotated at occlusion and can occur with both thick and thin periodontal biotypes (PBs). However, the association between PB and gingival recession (GR) in crowded lower anterior teeth remains unclear. Material and Methods A total of 75 sites were evaluated in 30 subjects with malpositioned mandibular anterior teeth. Clinical parameters, including gingival thickness (GT), GR, radiographic parameters crown form (CF), and alveolar bone thickness (ABT), are measured using cone-beam computed tomography. Results were analyzed to determine the association of PB with GR in the lower anterior. Statistical analysis used was Spearman’s correlation coefficient (k) used to assess the affiliation between GT, CF, ABT, and GR. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The average age of the subjects was 27.5 ± 5.5 years. The mean values of GT, CF, ABT, and GR were 1.01 ± 0.53, 0.85 ± 0.32, 0.4 ± 0.3, and 1.6 ± 1.6, respectively. A statistically significant ( P < 0.0001) association was found between GT and ABT, with a strong positive correlation between ABT and GR. No considerable correlation was observed between GT and CF with GR. Conclusion In this study, GR was present in both thick and thin gingival biotypes. Buccal ABT was independent of CF and GT and was considered to be the determining factor with the presence or absence of GR.

Objectives The objectives of this article were to analyze the bone thickness and bone depth in the mandibular buccal shelf area at four sites, that is, a mesiobuccal section of mandibular first and second molar and distobuccal section of first and second molar and to analyze the bone thickness and bone height with respect to the spatial position of inferior alveolar nerve canal (IANC) at the right and left side and in males and females. Material and Methods Cone-beam computed tomography scans of 34 individuals were analyzed at four sites, that is, mesiobuccal section of the mandibular first and second molar and distobuccal section of first and second molar at both right and left sides and bone thickness as well as the bone depth of buccal shelf and IANC was measured and compared between right and left side and in between males and females. Results Bone thickness increased progressively in the distal direction. The highest bone depth was recorded in the distobuccal section of the second molar. IANC was also mapped and the result showed that the bone height from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to IANC decreased posteriorly but the bone depth was >18 mm at all sites. Very few parameters showed statistically significant differences between the right and left sides. Bone height to IANC from CEJ showed statistically significant differences between genders at a few sites with male subjects having higher values. Bone thickness in the IANC region showed no gender dimorphism. Conclusion The appropriate site for mandibular buccal shelf mini-implant placement is the distobuccal region of the mandibular second molar.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive and patient-centered evaluation of chatbot responses within the field of orthodontics, comparing three prominent chatbot platforms: ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini. Material and Methods: Twenty orthodontic-related queries were presented to ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini by ten orthodontic experts. To assess the accuracy and completeness of responses, a Likert scale (LS) was employed, while the clarity of responses was evaluated using a Global Quality Scale (GQS). Statistical analyses included One-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey tests to assess the data, and a Pearson correlation test was used to determine the relationship between variables. Results: The results indicated that ChatGPT-4 (1.69 ± 0.10) and Microsoft Copilot (1.68 ± 0.10) achieved significantly higher LS scores compared to Google Gemini (2.27 ± 0.53) (P < 0.05). However, the GQS scores, which were 4.01 ± 0.31 for ChatGPT-4, 3.92 ± 0.60 for Google Gemini, and 4.09 ± 0.15 for Microsoft Copilot, showed no significant differences among the three chatbots (P > 0.05). Conclusion: While these chatbots generally handle basic orthodontic queries well, they show significant differences in responses to complex scenarios. ChatGPT-4 and Microsoft Copilot outperform Google Gemini in accurately addressing scenario-based questions, highlighting the importance of strong language comprehension, knowledge access, and advanced algorithms. This underscores the need for continued improvements in chatbot technology.