Objectives: To establish facial-type-specific cephalometric norms using the morphological facial index (FI) and to evaluate sex-specific relationships among skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue parameters in young Indian adults. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 396 untreated Indian adults with skeletal and dental Class I relationships. Subjects were classified as euryprosopic, mesoprosopic, or leptoprosopic based on standardized facial anthropometry. Skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue parameters were assessed on lateral cephalograms. All analyses were conducted separately for males and females. Comparisons across facial types were performed. Sex-specific Pearson’s correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to evaluate interrelationships and predictors of soft-tissue outcomes. Results: Significant facial-type-dependent differences were observed in skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue parameters in both sexes. Leptoprosopic individuals demonstrated greater vertical skeletal dimensions, increased incisor proclination, greater lip protrusion, increased incisor exposure, and larger interlabial gaps, whereas euryprosopic individuals exhibited a predominantly horizontal growth pattern with more restrained soft-tissue profiles. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed moderate to strong associations between sagittal skeletal discrepancies and facial convexity, as well as between incisor position and lip posture in both sexes. Regression analysis identified sagittal skeletal parameters and incisor position as significant independent predictors of facial convexity and lip position, with sex-specific variations. Conclusion: Facial types classified using the morphological FI exhibit distinct skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue cephalometric patterns. Soft-tissue facial profile is strongly influenced by underlying skeletal relationships and dental compensation, with notable sex-specific differences. Incorporating facial-type assessment and sex-specific multivariable analysis may enhance individualized orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate soft tissue profile changes resulting from different incisor movements. Methodology: The study involved 40 patients with Class I malocclusion (bimaxillary protrusion/crowding) treated using fixed orthodontic appliances. Pre- and posttreatment lateral cephalograms were analyzed with MAKHTER Facial Analysis Software to assess the correlation between incisor movements and soft tissue profile changes. Results: Maxillary incisor retraction resulted in significant changes in soft tissue landmarks, including labrale superius, sulcus superius, labrale inferius (LI), and stomion superius. In contrast, mandibular incisor retraction showed significant changes predominantly in lower lip landmarks, namely LI and sulcus inferius. Upper lip changes were minimal with mandibular incisor movement. Conclusion: Soft tissue profile alterations are primarily influenced by the horizontal movement of maxillary and mandibular incisors. Maxillary incisor retraction demonstrates a stronger impact on upper lip landmarks, while mandibular incisor retraction significantly affects the lower lip region.
Aim: This study aimed to compare apical debris extrusion and canal preparation time among 4 rotary Nickel–Titanium (NiTi) file systems – Edge X7 Utopia, TruNatomy (TN), JIZAI, and ProTaper Next (PTN) – in curved mesiobuccal canals. Materials and Methods: Eighty extracted human mandibular molars with mesiobuccal canals (curvature 25°–45°) were randomly distributed to four groups ( n = 20). Standardization of working length was achieved for all canals, and debris was collected in preweighed vials. Root canal preparation was performed using the respective file systems, and instrumentation time was recorded. Debris weight was measured after drying. Data followed normal distribution (Shapiro–Wilk). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and appropriate post hoc tests with SPSS (version 23). Results: All systems caused apical extrusion. Edge X7 Utopia exhibited the minimum amount of debris extrusion, followed by TruNatomy, JIZAI, and PTN. TruNatomy required the shortest preparation time. PTN had the highest debris extrusion and longest preparation time. Edge X7 Utopia and TruNatomy performed significantly better than PTN. Conclusions: Edge X7 Utopia and TruNatomy are effective rotary systems for curved canals, demonstrating reduced debris extrusion and shorter preparation times. Their performance highlights their clinical relevance in minimizing postoperative complications and enhancing treatment efficiency.
Background: Poor oral health among schoolchildren remains a significant public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings where awareness and preventive practices are often inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing student (NS)-led oral health education intervention in improving dental health knowledge among 10–15-year-old schoolchildren. Methodology: A quasi-experimental pre–posteducational intervention study without a control group was conducted among 100 schoolchildren aged 10–15 years. A validated and pretested questionnaire comprising 17 multiple-choice items assessing dental health knowledge was administered before and 2 weeks after a structured oral health education program delivered through four sessions by trained undergraduate NSs. Changes in knowledge scores were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in SPSS version 30.0. Results: Baseline knowledge was lower in domains such as dental caries, plaque, fluoride use, and brushing duration, while selected items showed satisfactory responses. Following the intervention, substantial improvements were observed across multiple knowledge domains. The mean knowledge score increased from 7.42 ± 2.31 at baseline to 12.68 ± 1.94 postintervention, with a mean difference of 5.26 (95% confidence interval: 4.88–5.64), demonstrating a statistically significant improvement ( Z = −3.18, P = 0.001). Conclusion: A structured oral health education intervention delivered by trained NSs significantly improved dental health knowledge among schoolchildren.
Rubber dam isolation is fundamental to achieving an aseptic operative field, protecting the patient’s airway, and facilitating restorative and endodontic procedures. However, clinicians may encounter practical difficulties related to hole positioning in heavy-gauge and opaque rubber dam sheets, tearing of the dam, inadequate stability during partial-arch isolation, fluid control, and placement. This clinical communication describes five simple chairside modifications to address these challenges. These include a custom-made perforated template for accurate hole marking, overlapping an additional rubber dam sheet to manage tears, placement of contralateral clamps on unpunched teeth to improve stability, adaptation of a surgical aspirator for fluid evacuation, and use of a water-soluble lubricant to facilitate dam placement. These modifications require minimal additional equipment and can be easily incorporated into routine clinical practice. They may help improve the efficiency, convenience, and effectiveness of rubber dam isolation in restorative and endodontic procedures.
