A few weeks ago, I posted about the poor performance of a CAD/CAM retainer. Here is a new study on the same retainer, with more encouraging results. An increasing number of papers report the results of randomised trials of different types of retainers. We are, therefore, starting to gain much more knowledge about the effectiveness of retention regimes. When we consider the new publications, we need to remember that not all trials agree. This is why we need to see systematic reviews combining evidence from several trials.  This new paper looked at CAD/CAM and a conventional bonded ret ..read more

One goal of my blog is to challenge the claims and assertions of companies and their paid clinical salespeople. I hope that by bringing attention to unethical advertising practices, I can influence some companies to change their ways. Though I strive to be successful in this aim, at times, I feel as though I am losing the battle. I am concerned about the latest campaign by Invisalign and their introduction of the Invisalign Palatal Expander (IPE). This is part of their attempts to develop appliances used in Phase I interceptive treatment of children.  The IPE is a single piece of plastic ..read more

It seems that the demand for orthodontic treatment among adults is rising continually. The primary reasons behind this trend are the growing awareness of modern orthodontic procedures and the availability of less noticeable appliances than traditional metal fixed appliances. Adults’ decision-making process and preference for orthodontic treatment methods are poorly understood. Understanding these factors can help develop personalised care and support adult patients in making informed treatment decisions. A recent qualitative study of adult orthodontic patients investigated these factors.  ..read more

Maintaining orthodontic correction is a significant challenge. Despite extensive research, no retention method seems to be superior to any other. Currently, there are two main types of retainers: removable and fixed bonded retainers. The primary benefit of a bonded retainer is reducing the need for patient cooperation. However, the downside of these retainers is that they can become detached or may deform and move the teeth. Recently, there has been a new development in retainers – the introduction of CAD/CAM nitinol retainers. One is Memotain, which claims to have a precise fit and ultra-thin ..read more

“The gardener plants an evergreen Whilst trampling on a flower I chase the wind of a prism ship To taste the sweet and sour The pattern juggler lifts his hand The orchestra begin As slowly turns the grinding wheel In the court of the Crimson King”. What is he on about now? During my teenage years, I spent a considerable amount of time listening to UK progressive rock music. One of my all-time favourite songs is “The Court of the Crimson King”, which is the title track of the debut album of the British band King Crimson. The song is about a mythical court that is governed by nature, symbolism ..read more

The debate between extraction and non-extraction in orthodontics has been ongoing since the dawn of time. Over the years there have been three main groups with differing views. The first group believed every patient needed teeth extracted, the second group treated everyone without extractions, and the third group, the largest, carefully evaluated each patient’s case and decided whether to extract teeth based on their professional judgement. After analysing the factors that affect the decision to extract teeth, investigators have found that dental crowding is the most common influence. While th ..read more

Almost one in three students report bullying at school. This may have significant short- and long-term effects on their mental and physical health. A recent study from the UK highlights the significance of malocclusion to bullying. It is well-established that certain features of malocclusion, such as crooked teeth, can make students a target for bullying. Teasing is often a motivator for orthodontic treatment. Surprisingly, this area of orthodontic care has not been extensively studied. A team from the beautiful County of Kent in the UK did this study. The Journal of Orthodontics published&nbs ..read more

It’s about time that we had some interesting papers on sleep disorders, orthodontics, and malocclusion. These topics have been discussed a lot on this blog, but the research covered so far has been low quality. Moreover, the evidence quoted in discussions and social media has been almost nonsensical. Therefore, this new paper on childhood sleepiness comes as a breath of fresh air. Studies have estimated that 4-11% of children suffer from sleep-disordered breathing, which may be associated with their craniofacial morphology. Typically, treatment is done in collaboration with an otolaryngologist ..read more

This is a great guest post by Philip Benson, an Emeritus Professor of Orthodontics at the University of Sheffield, UK. He reflects on how we deal with and adopt emerging technologies.   Introduction SmileDirectClub ceased to trade in December 2023. It was founded in 2014 and at one point was valued at nearly 9 billion dollars*. Before ceasing to trade, SmileDirectClub had an advertisement on their website making claims about their treatment. The advertisement implied that orthodontic treatment time using SmileDirectClub aligners worn for 22 hours a day was between one-fifth to one-th ..read more

The role of orthodontics in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders is rather confusing and controversial. A new clinical practice guideline has recently been published. Martyn Cobourne takes us through this important piece of work. I think that this will be as controversial as my RME and breathing post a couple of weeks ago! Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the second-most common cause of chronic pain (pain that lasts for ≥3 months) after lower back pain. They are now classified as a primary pain condition in the chronic pain coding system of the International Classificati ..read more