The purpose of this article is to evaluate how effective and efficient e-learning and blended learning is when compared with traditional face-to-face learning in orthodontic education. This article also provides a comparison between face-to-face learning, e-learning, and blended learning. An open PubMed literature search was done from 1980 to 2015, and a total of 23 relevant key articles were reviewed. Information emerging from studies in orthodontic education has indicated that e-learning classes are at least as good as and/or better than face-to-face classroom learning. Till date, only one study stated that the face-to-face conventional learning is better than e-learning. Two studies stated that blended approach using both traditional face-to-face learning and e-learning is the best method. In one study, the advantages of e-learning observed in the theoretical fields of orthodontics were not achieved in learning practical procedures for manual skills. Few studies found improvements in the efficiency of learning with e-learning program. Studies performed through questionnaires showed that student’s attitude and acceptance toward the use of e-learning was positive and favorable; however, blended learning was always rated high. Future research should be based on experiences of both faculty and student on a large scale for implementation of e-learning and blended learning in academic institutions. There is also need to provide professional development for faculty who will be teaching both in the physical and virtual environments.

Objectives: Contemporary preadjusted edgewise appliance is all about the precision in bracket design, prescription and positioning in addition to the orthodontist’s skill and training. However, achieving it is a bigger challenge as the anatomy of the lingual surface of a tooth is uneven, dissimilar, and moreover the tooth alignment on the lingual surface is variant. Thus, the need for an accurate method of bracket positioning with predetermined torque and angulation incorporated in the brackets according to the patients’ need is of key importance. Materials and Methods: A TADBPD machine used to enhance the accuracy of bracket positioning and bioplast accurate tray transfer technique was used. Results: A step-wise procedures in bracket positioning and fabricating an indirect bonding tray for lingual orthodontics using the torque angulation device-bracket positioning device. Conclusions: This technique facilitated unhindered bonding even in severely crowded cases and easy rebonding during mid-treatment stages.

Editorial

Purpose: This study aimed to reexamine the relationship between mandibular incisor inclination, prominence and vertical changes in position, and keratinized gingival tissue (KT) height changes labial to the mandibular incisors after orthodontic treatment with and without augmented corticotomy (Cort). Materials and Methods: Two orthodontically treated groups of 35 individuals each, with (Cort) and without (conventional [Conv]) alveolar decortication and augmentation bone grafting (periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics [PAOO]), were matched for sample size, gender, mandibular premolar extractions, pretreatment age, posttreatment observation period, and pretreatment KT height in this case–controlled retrospective study. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs were evaluated for mandibular incisor vertical, inclination, and prominence changes. Results: As reported previously (Wilcko 2015), KT height had significantly increased by 0.78 mm (P = 0.001) in the Cort group and decreased by 0.38 mm (P = 0.002) in Conv on an average of 1.5 years after completion of active orthodontic therapy. In this study, Cort mandibular incisors proclined and protruded significantly during therapy while Conv incisors did not. Changes in mandibular incisor inclination and prominence explained neither the decrease in keratinized gingiva height in Conv nor the KT height gain in Cort. Conclusions: In spite of mandibular incisor proclination and protrusion, orthodontic therapy combined with alveolar decortication and augmentation bone grafting resulted in a clinically significant increase in keratinized gingiva height 1.5 years’ posttreatment.

This article describes the principles of orthognathic surgical correction of skeletal anterior open bite (AOB), including a description of the aetiological factors involved in the development of predominantly skeletal AOBs, description of the presenting diagnostic features, the principles of treatment planning, orthodontic preparation, and postoperative requirements.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on head posture, postural stability, and fall risk. Materials and Methods: A sample of 51 adolescent patients was randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, which consisted of 28 patients (15 females and 13 males), RME was performed as a part of routine orthodontic treatment. The remaining 23 individuals (12 females and 11 males) served as the control group. Lateral cephalometric radiographs taken in natural head position, postural stability, and fall risk scores were obtained during the first visit. They were repeated on average 3.8 months and 3.5 months later for the study and control groups, respectively. The changes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, paired samples t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and independent samples t-test. Results: As a result of RME, a statistically significant decrease was detected in the fall risk score (P < 0.05) in the study group, while the head position and postural stability remained unchanged. For the control group, no significant changes were observed in all measurements. Conclusions: The result of the present study suggests that RME has a capacity of improving fall risk.

Aims: This study aims to evaluate and compare the antibacterial activity of three self-etching primers (SEP), namely, Transbond plus, Reliance, and Gluma against commonly encountered oral microflora (Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Actinomyces viscosus). Subjects and Methods: The antibacterial activity of the three SEPs was examined against microorganisms using agar diffusion test (ADT) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In ADT, Whatman’s filter paper disc of 5 mm was loaded with primer and polymerized. This was placed on previously inoculated brain heart infusion and blood agar plates and was incubated for 48– 72 h at 37°C according to the microorganism. For assessing MIC serial dilution method was used. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed with Kruskal–Wallis (P < 0.001) and Mann–Whitney tests. Results: Only Transbond plus SEP and Reliance SEP produced a clear growth inhibition halo against S. mutans, L. acidophilus and A. viscosus. Gluma SEP did not show any growth inhibition halo against S. mutans, L. acidophilus, and A. viscosus. Conclusions: TSEP and Reliance SEP did show antibacterial activity in an in vitro environment. Therefore, this study concludes that the use of these SEPs may contribute to a reduction in bacterial colonization.

Bracket positioning is the basic premise of pre-adjusted system, which allows the teeth to be placed with a straight wire into an occlusal contact with an excellent mesiodistal inclination (tip) and excellent faciolingual inclination (torque). Improper bracket placement may lead to poorly placed teeth and necessitate bracket repositioning and archwire adjustments. This can lead to an increased treatment time or poor occlusion. Therefore, a bracket positioning gauge has been designed using both the planes and evaluated for its accuracy in bonding of brackets. It was found that the gauge not only helped in the placement of brackets accurately, but also reduced chairside time.