Objective:To explore the effect of persuasion system-based health intervention in orthodontic patients treated with clear aligners.Methods:From January 2022 to December 2023, convenience sampling was used to select patients treated with clear aligners at the Department of Orthodontics in Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University as participants. Patients admitted from January to December 2022 were included in the control group ( n=60), and those admitted from January to December 2023 were included in the observation group ( n=59). The control group received health guidance based on the theory of knowledge, attitude, and practice. Based on the control group, the observation group added health intervention with the assistance of a persuasion system. After one year of intervention, the oral care self-efficacy, enamel demineralization, periodontal health index (gingival index, plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing depth), and restart rate of both groups were evaluated. Results:After the intervention, the scores of the Self-efficacy Scale for Self-care in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant [ (71.03±1.97) vs. (57.82±2.58), P<0.01]. The enamel demineralization rate, periodontal health index (plaque index, gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, probing depth) score, and restart rate in observation group were all lower than those in control group ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Persuasion system system-based health intervention can improve the oral care self-efficacy of orthodontic patients treated with clear aligners, alleviate oral health issues during clear aligners, and reduce the restart rate of clear aligner patients.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing social avoidance in patients with dental arch deficiency.Methods:A purposive sampling method was used to select patients with dental arch deficiency who visited the Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Stomatological Hospital from July 2023 to February 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and the Colaizzi 7-step method was used to analyze the interview data.Results:A total of 14 patients with dental arch deficiency were interviewed, aged 36 to 72 years; eight were male, and six were female. Three main themes and eight sub-themes were identified: body image dysregulation (speech impairment, chewing dysfunction, muscle imbalance, appearance pressure, and conflict with social identity) ; loss of self-identity (over-awareness of self, internalized social stigma, and catastrophic interpretation) ; lack of social support network (insufficient medical team support and lack of support from core social circles) .Conclusions:Healthcare providers can develop intervention measures based on the factors influencing social avoidance in patients with dental arch deficiency to help patients restore social functionality.

Objective:To explore the effect of persuasion system-based health intervention in orthodontic patients treated with clear aligners.Methods:From January 2022 to December 2023, convenience sampling was used to select patients treated with clear aligners at the Department of Orthodontics in Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University as participants. Patients admitted from January to December 2022 were included in the control group ( n=60), and those admitted from January to December 2023 were included in the observation group ( n=59). The control group received health guidance based on the theory of knowledge, attitude, and practice. Based on the control group, the observation group added health intervention with the assistance of a persuasion system. After one year of intervention, the oral care self-efficacy, enamel demineralization, periodontal health index (gingival index, plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing depth), and restart rate of both groups were evaluated. Results:After the intervention, the scores of the Self-efficacy Scale for Self-care in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant [ (71.03±1.97) vs. (57.82±2.58), P<0.01]. The enamel demineralization rate, periodontal health index (plaque index, gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, probing depth) score, and restart rate in observation group were all lower than those in control group ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Persuasion system system-based health intervention can improve the oral care self-efficacy of orthodontic patients treated with clear aligners, alleviate oral health issues during clear aligners, and reduce the restart rate of clear aligner patients.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing social avoidance in patients with dental arch deficiency.Methods:A purposive sampling method was used to select patients with dental arch deficiency who visited the Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Stomatological Hospital from July 2023 to February 2024. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and the Colaizzi 7-step method was used to analyze the interview data.Results:A total of 14 patients with dental arch deficiency were interviewed, aged 36 to 72 years; eight were male, and six were female. Three main themes and eight sub-themes were identified: body image dysregulation (speech impairment, chewing dysfunction, muscle imbalance, appearance pressure, and conflict with social identity) ; loss of self-identity (over-awareness of self, internalized social stigma, and catastrophic interpretation) ; lack of social support network (insufficient medical team support and lack of support from core social circles) .Conclusions:Healthcare providers can develop intervention measures based on the factors influencing social avoidance in patients with dental arch deficiency to help patients restore social functionality.

Objective To investigate the differences in treatment experience and quality of life between adolescent orthodontic pa-tients using clear aligners and fixed braces.Methods A total of 104 adolescent patients were selected who underwent orthodontic treat-ment with either clear aligners or fixed braces at Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Stomatological Hospital from January 2022 to June 2022.The patients were divided into two treatment groups based on the type of orthodontic appliance,with 52 patients in each group.Within a 6-month period of using clear aligners or fixed braces,adolescent orthodontic patients were surveyed using the child oral health impact profile-short form 19(COHIP-SF19)and other individual items.The differences in mean satisfaction,quality of life,and statistical scores were compared using independent samples t-tests,while the differences in subjective responses were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.Results There were no significant differences in mean quality of life and statistical scores between the two groups,but patients in the clear aligner group reported higher satisfaction.The clear aligner group reported greater difficulty with eating,while patients with fixed braces were more likely to experience negative emotions.Additionally,there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of adaptation time to the appliance,maintaining dental hygiene,and feeling attractive.Conclusion Patients in both groups were generally satisfied with their treatment.Adolescent orthodontic patients treated with clear a-ligners or fixed braces for at least 6 months exhibit similar overall quality of life.

Objective: To investigate the effect of frequently used Duraphaton preventing dental demineralization of patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Methods: A total of 50 orthodontic patients wearing fixed appliances at Department of orthodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Nanjing Medical University from June to December 2021 were selected as study subjects by convenient sampling method. They were then randomly divided into experimental group and control group according to random numbers. The experimental group received high-frequency fluoride treatment for unilateral maxillary lateral incisors and no treatment on the contralateral side. Meanwhile, the control group received placebo treatment for unilateral maxillary lateral incisors and no treatment on the contralateral side. Each patient was followed up for 6 months. The initial and final photographs of patients' maxillary lateral incisors were observed and scored to determine the mean demineralization progression index for each group. Results: The difference in mean demineralization progression index was statistically significant when comparing different groups(P<0.05), and the lowest incidence of demineralization was reported in the Duraphattreated group (0.960±0.465), followed respectively by the fluoride-free control group (1.213±0.713), the placebo control group (1.267±0.720) and the placebo treatment group (1.307±0.713). Conclusion High frequency use of Duraphatis is effective in reducing the incidence of demineralization in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of silencing expression ofEZH2 gene on the cell proliferation of human QBC939 cells and its mechanisms. Methods The targeting siRNA was designed and trans-fected into QBC939cells. The expressions of EZH2 mRNA and protein were detected by real-time qPCR and west-ern blotting,respectively. The ability of cellproliferationwas analyzed by MTT assay and plate clone formation assay. Cell apoptosis and cycle percentage weremeasured by flow cytometry. Cell senescence was assessed byβ-galactosi-dase dyeing.The expressions of H3K27me3,P14ARF,P16INK4a,P53,P21 and E2F1 proteinwere determined by West-ern blotting.Results Compared with the control group ,the expressions of mRNAand protein were significantly elevat-ed in experimental group. The ability of cellproliferation in the experiment group was significantly down regulated , which could also cause a rise of G1/S phase ,but not a marked variation of apoptosis rate. Silencing EZH2 would induce a obvious senescence phenotype in QBC939 cells. EZH2-siRNA transferredcould also down-regulate the expressions of H3K27me3 and E2F1 protein,while up-regulating the expressions of P14ARF,P16INK4a,P53 and P21 protein in QBC939 cells.Conclusions Silencing EZH2 could induce a significant inhibition on cell proliferation of QBC939 cells,the mechanism of which may be associated with the senescence pathway regulation.