key: cord-0939162-sznt3xvp
authors: Kumar Chaudhari, Prabhat; Sharan, Jitendra; Achachao Almerco, Kelly Kathering
title: COVID-19 precautions and recommendations
date: 2020-06-28
journal: Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2020.06.015
sha: 30501c1bdbdb325d0e34bedfb07c4350051c46f1
doc_id: 939162
cord_uid: sznt3xvp

nan

to schedule an emergency appointment as adverse events of conventional orthodontics occur, such as an extruded wire with ulcers in cheek mucosa or inflammation around bands. We believe the orthodontic community should frame guidelines for appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) use and disinfection of operatory for safe routine orthodontic practice during or after the COVID-19 crisis, as reports suggest the pandemic will last through until December 2020 or possibly beyond. 2 2. Keeping in mind of current crisis, orthodontic fraternity could consider using aligners as a treatment modality for mild to moderate malocclusions. Aligners treatment can be comparable to fixed appliance therapy for mild to moderate malocclusion with acceptable clinical outcomes. 3 Aligner treatment has the advantage of reducing the number of follow-up visits needed, will translates into fewer orthodontist-patientparent encounters for spreading the virus and reducing the requirements for PPE.

Aligner usage will enhance the practice of social distancing in fighting with the current COVID-19 crisis.

3. The current COVID-19 crisis compels and inspires the orthodontic community to conduct fundamental research in two areas:

First, to make aligners therapy a cost-effective clinically effective orthodontic treatment modality. "This will be done by the development of low cost intraoral scanner to take a digital impression, development of freely available robust software for 3D treatment planning for aligner therapy, and low cost 3D printers with accuracy to print sequential treatment model for thermoforming to integrate aligner orthodontic therapy not only in university-based teaching institutions but also in small to medium size orthodontic offices." 4 Second, to develop noncompliance, noninvasive modalities to reduce orthodontic treatment time.

Kelly Kathering Achachao Almerco New Delhi and Bhubaneswar, India, and Huancayo, Peru

Precautions and recommendations for orthodontic settings during the COVID-19 outbreak: A review

Outbreak Trends of Coronavirus Disease-2019 in India: A Prediction

Effectiveness of clear aligner therapy for orthodontic treatment: A systematic review

Letter to editor: future of aligner orthoodntics in the digital age