Changes in Pulpal Blood Flow Between Conventional and Self-ligating Fixed Orthodontic Brackets During Leveling and Alignment Stage
Condition: Orthodontic Appliances
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      - Evaluate and compare initial changes in PBF between conventional and self-ligating fixed
      orthodontic brackets during leveling and alignment stage using 0.016" Nickle titanium (NiTi)
      and 0.016X0.022" NiTi archwires at different time intervals (20min, 24h, 72h, 1 week and 1
      month) of initial arch wire placement.
    

Detailed description: 
      Objectives: to evaluate and compare the initial changes in pulpal blood flow (PBF) between
      conventional and self-ligating fixed orthodontic brackets during leveling and alignment
      stage.

      Materials and Methods: A total of 22 patients (16 females and 6 males) aged 19± 2.53 years
      who presented with mild lower arch crowding were selected to participate in the study. A
      split mouth study design was applied for each patient. Two different fixed appliance brackets
      were used in the lower arch (self-ligating brackets on one side and conventional brackets on
      the other side of the same patients). PBF was measured for the lower right and left sides
      using Laser Doppler Flowmetry at different time intervals (20min, 24h, 72h, 1 week and 1
      month) after the fitting of 2 alignment archwires; 0.016" NiTi and 0.016X0.022" NiTi. A
      repeated measures analysis of variance test and a Bonferroni post-hoc comparison test were
      applied to detect differences in PBF between the 2 groups.
    

Intervention name(s): A Pre-adjusted edgewise brackets: 3M Gemini Unitek, 0.022" Roth prescription brackets; Self- ligating brackets: Unitek™ Gemini SL Self-Ligating Brackets, 0.022" Roth prescription brackets
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): A pre-adjusted edgewise fixed appliance (3M Gemini Unitek, 0.022" Roth prescription brackets) on one side of lower arch. The standardized bonding technique was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. Teeth alignment was initiated using round 0.016" NiTi arch wire until 0.016X0.022" NiTi was reached. The NiTi arch wires were placed into brackets slots and tied with elastomers (figure of 8).; Self-ligating brackets (Unitek™ Gemini SL Self-Ligating Brackets, 0.022" Roth prescription brackets) on the other side of lower arch. The standardized bonding technique was applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. Teeth alignment was initiated using round 0.016" NiTi arch wire until 0.016X0.022" NiTi was reached. The NiTi arch wires were placed into brackets slots and held in place by bracket's gate in the self-ligating brackets side.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A split mouth study design was applied for each patient. Two different fixed appliance brackets were used in the lower arch (self-ligating brackets on one side and conventional brackets on the other side of the same patients).
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Pulpal blood flow; self ligating brackets; orthodontics