West African Journal of Orthodontics

Artificial Intelligence in Orthodontics

2024-06-27T05:04:29+00:00

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in orthodontic practice has revolutionized the way orthodontists diagnose, plan treatments, and monitor progress, leading to more efficient and accurate outcomes. AI is being applied in the evolution of Intelligent Aligner Systems, Robot-Assisted Orthodontics, AI-Enhanced Bracket Placement, Adaptive Orthodontic appliances and others. AI plays a crucial role in improving patient communication and engagement by assisting orthodontists in creating interactive treatment simulations and visualizing potential treatment outcomes. This empowers patients to make informed decisions about their treatment options and fosters a stronger doctor-patient relationship. There is the need for ethical considerations such as: Patient Data Privacy and Confidentiality, Informed Consent, Accountability and Responsibility and Regulatory Compliance asAI technology is embraced. The limitations of AI include the need for large datasets, lack of interpretability, limited incorporation of subjective factors, and ethical considerations. In Nigeria, the challenges of constant power outage, rising inflation, lack of good internet connectivity and lack of regulatory compliance compound these challenges. In conclusion, the integration of AI into orthodontic practice holds immense potential for enhancing treatment outcomes, improving efficiency, and strengthening patient engagement. The decision to embraceAI technology is not just a choice but a necessity for orthodontists and trainees who strive to deliver the highest quality of care to their patients.

Knowledge and Practice of Oral Habits in Children by Medical Practitioners at The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

2024-06-27T05:37:14+00:00

Background: Oral habits existing beyond the age of 4 years are a major risk factor for malocclusion, which negatively impacts on the functional and psychosocial well-being of a child. The majority of these patients present first to a physician, which is why their ability to detect these habits and refer them to the orthodontist is crucial. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of medical practitioners at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) concerning oral habits in children.

Methods:Asurvey was conducted among medical resident doctors in LASUTH. Questionnaires were distributed through an online data collection platform. Data collected was analysed using SPSS IBM 2023. Results: Amajority of the respondents (57.8%) were unaware that malocclusions are more likely to develop in children with oral habits. Although 93.3% agreed that patients with oral habits should be referred to paediatric dentists, only 66.7% (n = 120) of the respondents referred their patients.

Conclusion: The results showed inadequate knowledge and practice concerning oral habits in children by medical practitioners. This highlighted the need to educate more medical practitioners about oral habits and their effects on occlusion.

Orthodontic Bond Failure Rate using Light Cure Adhesive in a Tertiary institution in North Central Nigeria.

2024-06-27T06:07:53+00:00

Background: Orthodontic treatment involves many procedures including direct bonding of an orthodontic bracket to the tooth using a variety of techniques, including the acid etch technique. An orthodontic bracket bond failure is said to have occurred when the bracket attachment to the enamel surface of a tooth ceases to be attached by the adhesive bond.

The aims of this study were to determine the failure rate of Orthodontic brackets bonded using light-cure adhesive and to determine the effect of age and sex on bracket failure rate. Methods: One hundred and one patients (101) made up of forty-one males and sixty females respectively (41 M, 60 F), with a mean age of 16.52 ± 8.32 years participated in the study, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of one thousand five hundred and twenty-six brackets were bonded by a single operator using light cure adhesive. Data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean statistics, t-test, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses. A p-value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant. Results: The orthodontic bond bracket failure rate was 10.2%.Age and sex were significant predictors of bracket failure rate ( p-values of 0.001 and 0.013) respectively.

Conclusion: The bracket failure rate was similar to other studies. In this study, age and sex had a significant influence on the bracket failure rates of orthodontic brackets.

Multidisciplinary Management of a Class III Malocclusion with Congenitally Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisor using a one-couple force system approach: A Case Report

2024-06-27T06:15:08+00:00

A case of a 12 year old female who presented at the Orthodontics and Paedodontics Department of the University of Ghana Dental School. She was diagnosed with a Class III malocclusion on a Class 3 skeletal base with reduced vertical proportions and a congenitally missing upper right lateral incisor. Treatment involved the extractions of mandibular second molars and the use of a one-couple system to correct the malocclusion, followed by the prosthetic replacement of the upper lateral incisor.

The Spontaneous Correction of Anterior Cross Bite in an Eleven-Year-Old Boy

2024-06-27T06:28:32+00:00

Anterior cross-bite, a malocclusion affecting the alignment of upper and lower incisors, poses significant challenges necessitating early diagnosis and intervention to mitigate potential complications. This case study presents an eleven-year-old Nigerian boy exhibiting anterior cross-bite involving teeth 11, 12, 21, and 22, diagnosed asAngle's Class III malocclusion on skeletal pattern 1. Of particular interest was the spontaneous correction observed within six months. This unexpected selfcorrection stands in contrast to conventional orthodontic patterns recommended in numerous studies, including removable appliances, fixed bracket systems, and clear aligners. In conclusion, this case study underscores the significance of early diagnosis and intervention in anterior cross-bite cases while shedding light on the rare occurrence of spontaneous correction, potentially attributable to distinct physiological factors in individual cases