ORTHO INDUSTRY NEWS Study Finds OraCoat XyliMelts Ormco Introduces Effective at Reducing GERD Symptoms Symetri Clear Aesthetic Ceramic Twin Bracket The low profile Symetri Clear features optimized in/out dimen-sions and a design that angles tie-wings inward on the lower incisors, which is intended to reduce interference with opposing occlusion. The bracket is manufac-tured from polycrystalline-alumina using a small particle size to provide improved torque and tie-wing strength. The bracket was reportedly designed to address the challenges that often come with a ceramic system—bracket breakage, wire notching, and difficulties while debonding. Symetri Clear is designed to debond in one piece without fracturing and requiring minimal forces. The bracket system, which features round surfaces and edges and greater radii on sliding surfaces, will initially be offered in the McLaughlin, Bennett, Trevisi prescriptions. A clinical study, recently published in the Journal of Oral & Dental Health, titled “Dental Erosion, GERD, and Salivary Stimu-lation,” reports that OraCoat® XyliMelts® oral adhering discs, manufactured by Seattle-based OraCoat, when used while sleep-ing, reduces reflux of stomach acids in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes tooth erosion. XyliMelts are intended for dry mouth. In patients with GERD, the esophagus is exposed to stomach acid long enough to cause symp-toms. GERD is estimated to occur in 10% to 30% of the population in developed countries and is known to contribute to or cause a number of medical and dental problems including heartburn (chest pain), sore throat, mucosal pathology, bruxism, and tooth erosion. The condition is also associated with sleep disturbance. Saliva is believed to play an integral role in combating symp-toms of GERD by protecting the esophageal lining by way of dilut-ing and neutralizing stomach acid that enters the esophagus through reflux. However, saliva production normally decreases at night and, when the body is prone, gravity no longer helps keep the acid down. The randomized, double-blind, controlled trial involved two over-the-counter products currently on the market for use in the manage-ment of dry mouth symptoms—one a sweet gel, and the other XyliMelts oral adhering discs. XyliMelts contain 550 mg of xylitol for sweet-ness to stimulate saliva flow, cellu-lose gum to slow dissolution and lubricate the mouth, a layer of acacia gum to adhere to gingiva or teeth, and calcium carbonate to neutralize acidity. Results of the study showed that nightly use of both XyliMelts and the sweet gel remedies significantly reduced symptoms associated with GERD, including reflux acid taste, nighttime heartburn, morning hoarseness, and received reflux. XyliMelts were found to be gener-ally more effective in reducing GERD symptoms than the gel, and significantly more effective in improving heartburn. www.orthodontics.com Spring 2018 7
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society Spring 2018: Page 7
