Clinical trials

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate oral hygiene status, archwire complications, laceback complications, and pain while using lacebacks in patients undergoing orthodontic fixed appliance treatment. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What is the effect of laceback on patient's oral hygiene during alignment phase of orthodontic fixed appliance treatment? 2. What is the effect of laceback on the frequency of archwire complications during alignment phase of orthodontic fixed appliance treatment? 3. What is the frequency of laceback complications during alignment phase of orthodontic fixed appliance treatment? 4. What is the effect of laceback on pain during alignment phase of orthodontic fixed appliance treatment? For each subject, researchers will randomly assign half of the oral cavity to receive laceback during orthodontic fixed appliance treatment, whereas the other half will not receive laceback. Researchers will then compare the effect of laceback on patient's oral hygiene, archwire complications, laceback complications, and pain. Participants are required to carry out the usual oral hygiene practices after braces and laceback are being put up. During the observation period, they are required to notify the researcher if they suspect any breakages or loose components, so that they come to the clinic for emergency appointments. They are also required to fill up a pain diary.

The goal of this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is to determine the most effective way to tie the main wire to the regular orthodontic brackets during the stage of orthodontic treatment where the canines are retracted. This study is for orthodontic patients aged 16 years and older who need to have their canines retracted into spaces where other teeth have been removed. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What is the effect of different ways of tying the wire to the braces on how much the maxillary canine moves back using conventional brackets? 2. How do various ways of tying the wire influence unwanted movements of the maxillary canines-specifically rotation, tipping, and extrusion? 3. What is the effect of these different tying methods on how much the back molar teeth shift forward (this is called "anchorage loss") while the maxillary canine is being pulled back? Researchers will compare three different ways of tying the wire to the braces to see if they differ in the amount of maxillary canine retraction, three-dimensional positional changes (rotation, tipping, and extrusion), and anchorage loss of maxillary first molars: * Group A: Uses an elastic power chain that wraps around all four parts (wings) of the brace. * Group B: Uses thin stainless-steel wires (ligatures) to tie the brace first, then an elastic power chain is placed over these wires, also wrapping around all four parts of the brace. * Group C: Uses small elastic rings on the two front parts (mesial wings) of the brace, and an elastic power chain on the two back parts (distal wings) of the brace. Participants will consist of orthodontic patients aged 16 years and above from the Postgraduate Orthodontic Clinic, Kulliyyah of Dentistry, IIUM, Kuantan, who require extraction of one or both maxillary first premolars, are planned for maximum anchorage using a Nance appliance, need at least 4mm of maxillary canine retraction, and have good oral hygiene. Participants will: * Undergo screening and provide written informed consent for participation. * Receive a comprehensive orthodontic examination, including photographic records, impressions, and radiographs. * Have molar bands fitted and a Nance button fabricated and cemented, followed by dental extractions of maxillary first premolars. * Undergo bond-up with conventional stainless-steel brackets and initial archwire placement. * Progress through an alignment and levelling phase using progressively larger archwires, culminating in a 0.019 x 0.025-inch stainless steel archwire. * At baseline (T0) and subsequent 4-week follow-up intervals (T1, T2, T3), have intraoral three-dimensional scans taken after archwire removal. * Receive canine retraction using elastomeric power chains delivering a standardized 150g force. This is done as a two-step retraction, where the canine is retracted in isolation. * Continue to receive full orthodontic treatment to completion even after the data collection period ends at T3.

The goal of this Cluster Randomised, controlled trial (CRT, with two parallel groups pre- and post-test design) is to evaluate the potential effects of the self-management and exercise programme (SMEP) for older adults living with chronic knee pain which is delivered using mobile instant messaging application. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are there any change in pain, physical function, mental well-being, the risk of fall, health belief and self-efficacy and quality of life after the intervention is carried out at week 5? 2. Are there any significance difference in pain, physical function, mental well-being, the risk of fall, health belief and self-efficacy and quality of life between the experimental and control group at baseline and week 5. 3. What are the factors related to the adherence to programme within 5 weeks it is delivered. 4. What are the factors that facilitates or inhibits the implementation process of the programme Selected clusters will be randomized into either experimental or control group. The experimental group will receive the self-management and exercise programme, which will be delivered using mobile messaging application, twice per week for five weeks. In addition, the experimental group will also continue their Elderly Day Care Centre routine activities. On the other hand, the control group will continue their Elderly Day Care Centre routine activities only