Do clear aligners accumulate less plaque than fixed appliances? Readers can find the answer to that question while earning C.E. credit in the latest collection of the Journal of the California Dental Association.
The collection also includes a case study of jawbone metastasis as a rare first sign of follicular thyroid carcinoma, a narrative review of the role of artificial intelligence in the progression of orthodontics, and an observational study of the demographic factors associated with differences in prior antibiotic use among patients undergoing teeth extraction in a hospital emergency department.
Impact of clear aligners and fixed appliances on microbial profiles
Current research on the microbiological differences between orthodontic therapy with clear aligners and fixed appliances focuses on later periods. The authors of a study published in October 2024 in the CDA Journal investigate the initial impact of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances versus clear aligners on microbial profiles and gingival/plaque indices.
The 12-month study of nine patients receiving treatment with either fixed appliances or clear aligners showed that “significant changes in clinical and microbial parameters had manifested themselves already at the first recall appointment after 1 month of starting treatment.”
The authors discuss the possible risks revealed by the study and present treatment suggestions and implications for dentists and patients.
Read “The Effect of Initial Orthodontic Therapy with Clear Aligners and Fixed Appliances on Microbial Profiles and Clinical Parameters” and successfully complete a short quiz to earn .5 units C.E. credit.
Demographic factors associated with prior antibiotic use
An observational study completed at a tertiary-care children’s hospital with a dental residency program found that health inequities likely contribute to the significant difference in prior antibiotic use in Black children presenting to the emergency department with facial swelling due to odontogenic infection.
And the odds of female patients not using antibiotics were significantly lower than their male counterparts, the study found.
The authors suggest that the severity and progression of infections in these children may result in the inability to complete care without the use of an advanced dental management technique and that patients at risk for ED admission for routine care should be identified and follow-up resources provided “to prevent repeated visits.” Read “Demographic Factors Associated with Antibiotic Use for Patients Undergoing Extraction of Primary Teeth in the Emergency Department.”
Asymptomatic mandibular radiolucency as a first sign of follicular thyroid carcinoma
Metastatic carcinomas to the jaws represent just 1-4% of all head and neck malignancies, but occasionally jawbone metastases are the first indication of malignancy with no primary symptoms, as demonstrated in a case study of a 72-year-old patient.
The authors describe the patient’s medical history, diagnostic imaging, surgery and post-surgery care, illustrating the importance of interdisciplinary treatment for an optimal outcome for the patient’s prognosis.
Noting the five-year survival rate, the authors conclude that “early diagnosis of primary thyroid malignancies and frequent post-treatment monitoring for recurrence is essential.
”Read “An Asymptomatic Mandibular Radiolucency: First Sign of Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma.”
Also in this Journal collection:
- In the Contemporary Era of Artificial Intelligence, the Trajectory of Orthodontics: Past and Future Perspectives – A Narrative Review
- Immunohistochemical Expression of Adult Stem Markers in Salivary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma with Relevance to Molecular Profiling
- ‘Don’t Get Old, Kid’ – Dentistry and Choosing Age Wisely