Epidemiological Significance of Hoffmeister’s "Genetically Determined Predisposition to Disturbed Development of the Dentition"

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hoffmeister was the first to recognize the common genetic origin of structurally very varied disturbances in the development of the dentition. He coined the term "microsymptoms of a genetically determined predisposition to disturbed development". The purpose of the present study was to examine the incidence of those microsymptoms in a group of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The orthodontic findings in 4208 patients were evaluated, and nine characteristic symptoms were registered with reference to the panoramic and other radiographs and to the patients' records. RESULTS: 1297 patients (30.8%) were found to have one or more symptoms of genetically determined predisposition to disturbed development. The most frequent symptoms were atypical position of tooth buds (12.2%), absence of tooth buds of permanent teeth (9.2%), and displaced teeth (7.0%). 73.5% of the patients had only one symptom, and 26.5% two or more. Microdontia and displaced teeth were associated particularly frequently with other symptoms of predisposition to disturbed development. Genetically determined predisposition to disturbed development of the dentition is accordingly not rare but is of great epidemiological significance and may provide early indications of potential developmental disorders such as missing tooth buds or displacement of teeth.     

A Simple Method of Preventing Needle Stick Type Injury to the Operator’s Finger While Performing Intermaxillary Fixation

Erich arch bars and other wiring techniques were commonly used for closed reduction of many maxillofacial fractures. These wires can cause inadvertent finger puncture of the operator’s finger and can increase the risk of spread of blood borne diseases like HIV and Hepatitis. To avoid this complication we recommended the use of dynaplast adhesive tape (Johnson and Johnson Ltd., Mumbai, India) over all the finger tips, before wearing the gloves, while performing IMF.