SUMMARY: Unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) is an alteration of the mandibular condyle growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate condyle volume, surface area, and Morphological Index (MI) differences between the affected condyle and an unaffected one in patients with UCH, evaluated through 3D reconstructions cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images by two open-source softwares. A retrospective cross-sectional study of 16 patients with a certain UCH, 9 females and 7 males with mean age 25.13 ± 6.8 years was made. The image obtained from the CBCT of each condyle were reconstructed using the open-source software 3D SLICER 4.6 ®. The volumetric and area measurements of the 3D reconstruction of the mandibular condyle were made using the open-source soft- ware NETFABB basic 5.0 ®. The mean condylar volume of the hyperplastic condyles was 2.07 ± 1.51 cm3 and the non-hyperplastic condyles was 1.16 ± 0.82 cm3 (p<0.05). The mean area surface of the hyperplastic condyle was 11.77 ± 3.71 cm2 and the non-hyperplasic condyle mean was 8.05 ± 2.17 cm2 (p < 0.05). The mean area surface difference was 3.72 ± 3.57 cm2 (28.0 %). The MI of the hyperplastic condyle was 1.8 ± 0.3 mm and the non-affected condyle was 1.3 ± 0.6 mm (p < 0.05). The use of open-source software for 3D reconstruction with manual segmentation for evaluation of the volume and the condylar surface is a valid tool available to the clinic in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with condylar hyperplasia.

RESUMEN: La hiperplasia condilar unilateral (HU) es una alteración del crecimiento del cóndilo mandibular. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar en pacientes el volumen del cóndilo, el área de superficie y las diferencias del índice morfológico (IM) entre el cóndilo afectado y el no afectado en pacientes, mediante tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC), por medio de dos softwares. Se realizó un estudio transversal retrospectivo de 16 pacientes con determinada HU, 9 mujeres y 7 hombres con edad media 25,13 ± 6,8 años. La imagen obtenida del TCHC de cada cóndilo se reconstruyó utilizando el software de código abierto 3D SLICER 4.6 ®. Las medidas volumétricas y de área de la reconstrucción 3D del cóndilo mandibular se realizaron utilizando el software de código abierto NETFABB basic 5.0 ®. El volumen condilar medio de los cóndilos hiperplásicos fue de 2,07 ± 1,51 cm3 y el de los cóndilos no hiperplásicos fue de 1,16 ± 0,82 cm3 (p <0,05). La superficie media del cóndilo hiperplásico fue de 11,77 ± 3,71 cm2 y la media del cóndilo no hiperplásico fue 8,05 ± 2,17 cm2 (p <0,05). La diferencia de superficie de área media fue 3,72 ± 3,57 cm2 (28,0 %). El IM del cóndilo hiperplásico fue de 1,8 ± 0,3 mm y el cóndilo no afectado fue de 1,3 ± 0,6 mm (p <0,05). Para el clínico, el uso de software de código abierto en la reconstrucción 3D con segmentación manual, para la evaluación del volumen y la superficie condilar, es una herramienta efectiva en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes con hiperplasia condilar.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the reliability of infrared (IR) thermal camera connected to smartphones, already used in medicine for diagnostic purposes, as an easy tool for access screening to pediatric dentistry services. Material and Methods: After the preventive telephone triage, thirty orthodontic patients (7-13 years) underwent temperature measurement in the office with two no-contact IR devices: forehead digital thermometer and thermal-camera connected to a smartphone (reference areas: forehead, inner canthi, ears). Measurements were compared and differences were statistically investigated with T student’s test (p<0.01). Results: Forehead digital thermometer temperatures were superimposable to those recorded in ear areas and inner canthi with the thermal camera connected to a smartphone. Differences were not statistically significant even in comparison between the sexes. Forehead temperature values detected with a thermal camera are lower than those detected with a digital forehead thermometer. Conclusion: Thermal camera on a smartphone could be reliable in measuring body temperature. Mobile thermographic values of ears and inner canthi areas can be used as an alternative to forehead digital thermometer measurements. Further applications in pediatric dentistry of thermography on smartphones should be examined.

RESUMO Introdução: Vários métodos são comumente usados para diminuir a dor proveniente do tratamento ortodôntico, mas ainda faltam ferramentas versáteis e com protocolos padronizados. Objetivo: Em resposta à necessidade de alternativas aos métodos analgésicos convencionais, o presente estudo avalia os efeitos analgésicos da auriculoterapia (AT) durante os primeiros três meses de tratamento ortodôntico com aparelhos fixos. Métodos: Foi selecionada uma amostra de 36 indivíduos, e os pacientes foram alocados aleatoriamente em dois grupos homogêneos: Grupo Experimental (GE) e Grupo Controle (GC), com aplicação / não aplicação da AT, respectivamente. Os pacientes registraram seus escores de dor de 0 a 10, mensalmente, em escalas visuais analógicas (EVA) logo após a colagem do aparelho (T0) e novamente em duas consultas de manutenção do aparelho (T1 e T2). Em cada uma dessas fases do tratamento, a EVA foi aplicada em seis momentos diferentes (MT): antes, imediatamente após, após 4 horas, após 8 horas, após 24 horas e após 72 horas. Uma análise estatística descritiva, o teste t de Student e o teste do Qui-quadrado foram aplicados aos dados coletados (significância estatística para p <0,05). Resultados: Os pacientes do GE relataram níveis de dor mais baixos do que os pacientes do GC, tanto em T0 quanto em T1 e T2. Além disso, os valores médios de intensidade da dor foram menores no GE em todos os MTs analisados, com o teste t significativo (p <0,05) para a maioria das MTs. Conclusão: A AT foi eficaz no tratamento da dor em pacientes com aparelhos ortodônticos fixos. Mais estudos são necessários, com um grupo de controle placebo, para comprovar a validade desses resultados.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Several methods are commonly used to decrease orthodontic pain, but versatile tools and standardized protocols are still lacking. Objective: In response to the need for alternatives to conventional analgesic methods, this study evaluates the analgesic effects of auriculotherapy (AT) during the first three months of fixed orthodontic treatment. Methods: A sample of 36 subjects was selected, with patients randomly allocated into two homogeneous groups, Study Group (SG) and Control Group (CG), depending on the application/non-application of AT. Patients rated their pain scores monthly from 0 to 10, on visual analogue scales (VAS) at the time of bonding (T0) and again at two appliance adjustments (T1 and T2). At each of these treatment phases, VAS was applied in six different time moments (TM): immediately before, immediately after, after 4 hours, after 8 hours, after 24 hours, and after 72h hours. Descriptive statistical analysis, a Student’s t-test, and a Chi-square test were applied to the collected data (statistical significance for p< 0.05). Results: SG patients reported lower pain levels than CG patients, both at T0, T1 and T2. Moreover, average pain intensity values were lower in the SG for all TM analyzed, with the t-test significant (p< 0.05) for most TMs. Conclusion: AT was effective in the pain treatment of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Further studies are needed with a sham control group to confirm the validity of these results.

Abstract Objective: To assess the possibility of controlling patients at a distance according to principles of teleorthodontics to understand its possible usefulness in the future routine activity and the impact pandemic may have had on different types of orthodontic treatments. Material and Methods: One hundred orthodontic patients (57 F, 43 M, age 7-46) during quarantine were checked through videocalls and photos sent by patients following proper instructions. Three groups have been distinguished based on the type of therapy: A-fixed appliances; B-removable appliances; C-clear aligners. Relevant events about dental and gingival health, integrity of appliances, orthodontic therapies related symptoms and overall progress of treatments were recorded. Results: A and B groups reported higher percentages of gingival inflammation (27 and 22%), dental plaque (16 and 13%), deciduous tooth loss (8 and 16%). Bracket and attachment detachment were the most frequent events in A and C groups (22 and 23%). Pain and discomfort were reported in A and B groups (35 and 32%). Therapies continued to progress better in C (51% improved dental alignment) and B (31% improved malocclusions) groups. Conclusion: Orthodontics is safe and allows during emergencies to postpone checks. Everyday mobile-technology is useful in managing orthodontic patients unable to carry out in-person control. When their effectiveness equals other systems, treatments with clear aligners without attachments should be preferred in patients unavailable for regular checks.