Evaluation of the relationship between the Demirjian and Nolla methods and the pubertal growth spurt stage predicted by skeletal maturation indicators in Turkish children aged 10–15: investigation study

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of evaluating the relationship between dental maturation and skeletal maturation without taking a hand–wrist radiogram outside of panoramic radiogram. Materials and methods: Panoramic and hand–wrist radiographs of 717 patients (383 girls and 334 boys), with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years, were evaluated. Dental maturity stages of the mandibular canine, first premolar, second premolar and second molar teeth were determined by Demirjian’s and Nolla’s methods. The skeletal maturation was determined by Fishman method and bone age was determined through the Greulich and Pyle method. Results: All teeth showed positive and statistically significant correlations, the highest correlation was between the mandibular second premolar calcification stages and hand–wrist maturation stages. According to both dental age determination methods, mandibular second premolar was prominent in determining to the pubertal growth stages. Conclusions: There was a positive relationship between dental calcification stages and skeletal maturation stages, in the study population. Dental calcification stages of the second mandibular premolar showed the highest positive correlation with the skeletal maturation stages.     

Assessment of correlation between computerized tomography values of the bone, and maximum torque and resonance frequency values at dental implant placement

summary The aim of this study was to determine the bone density in the designated implant sites using computerized tomography (CT), the fastening torque values of dental implants, and the implant stability values using resonance frequency analysis. Further aim was to evaluate a possible correlation between bone density, fastening torque and implant stability. Eighty‐five patients were treated with 158 Brånemark System implants. CT machine was used for preoperative evaluation of the jawbone for each patient, and bone densities were recorded in Hounsfield units (HU). The fastening torque values of all implants were recorded with the OsseoCare equipment. Implant stability measurements were performed with the Osstell machine. The average bone density and fastening torque values were 751·4 ± 256 HU and 39·7 ± 7 Ncm for 158 implants. The average primary implant stability was 73·2 ± 6 ISQ for seventy implants. Strong correlations were observed between the bone density, fastening torque and implant stability values of Brånemark System TiUnite MKIII implants at implant placement (P < 0·001). These results strengthen the hypothesis that it may be possible to predict and quantify initial implant stability and bone quality from pre‐surgical CT diagnosis.     

Influence of fiber-reinforced composites on the resistance to fracture of vertically fractured and reattached fragments

Introduction

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fracture type and test the effects of 2 different fibers on fracture strength of roots with reattached fragments. The null hypothesis was that adding suitable fibers to the content of dual-cure adhesive resin cement increases the fracture resistance of reattached fragments under vertical forces.

Methods

Root canals of 45 teeth were prepared, and the teeth were intentionally fractured into 2 separate fragments. Control groups (n = 7 each) consisted of unfractured teeth with instrumented and obturated or only instrumented root canals. The fractured teeth were divided into 3 groups (n = 15 each), and separated fragments were reattached by using (1) dual-cured resin cement (Clearfil SA), (2) dual-cured resin cement + polyethylene fiber (Construct), or (3) dual-cured resin cement + glass fiber (Stick-Net). Force was applied at a constant speed of 0.5 mm/min to the root until fracture. Mean load was recorded and analyzed statistically by using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (P = .05). Fracture types were analyzed by using χ² analysis with Yates correction.

Results

Stick-Net demonstrated the lowest fracture resistance (P < .05), whereas Construct and Clearfil SA had similar fracture strengths (P > .05). The roots in the control group showed the highest fracture resistance. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the Construct, Clearfil SA, and control groups (P > .05).

Conclusions

Separated fragments of vertically fractured teeth can be reattached by using a dual-cured resin or by adding polyethylene fiber (Construct).     

Reference Values for Craniofacial Structures in Children 4 to 6 Years Old: Review of the Literature

This review article addresses the question as to what methods can be used to investigate cranial structure and growth development in children 4 to 6 years old, and what the relevant reference values are for this age group. We screened the literature for epidemiological, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies investigating healthy children 4 to 6 years old without abnormalities and orthodontic therapy. Radiographic cephalometry is a practical, valid tool for analyzing craniofacial structure and growth processes. But it has several disadvantages, including the use of ionizing radiation, measuring points that are difficult to locate, no means of radiographic enlargement without distorting reference values, and the data's two-dimensionality. Anthropometry is another procedure for creating reference values for the craniofacial structure in children. Its advantages over radiographic cephalometry include three-dimensional results and no radiation exposure. Moreover, it yields precise and valid results for a wide variety of potential applications.In addition to these procedures, there are other techniques with which cranial structure and growth development in children 4 to 6 years old can be investigated. Those reported in the literature in this connection include standardized photographs, the creation of computerized and magnetic resonance images, and investigations performed on dry skulls. In short, there is great demand nowadays for investigations aimed at developing reference values for Caucasian children 4 to 6 years old. Radiographic cephalometry and anthropometry are two very common methods. Anthropometry is expected to become increasingly important because it involves no exposure to radiation.     

The efficacy of Xialine<Superscript>®</Superscript> in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome: a single-blind,cross-over study

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of unknown cause whose main characteristic is severe dryness of the eyes and the mouth. The decreased functional capacity of the lacrimal and salivary glands which is the result of the inflammatory process and lymphocytic infiltration observed in SS is accountable for this complication. Twenty-nine patients with SS whose ages were ranging between 24–77, who were under treatment in Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Rheumatology, participated in the study, and their informed consents were obtained upon enrollment. Each patient recorded their subjective complaints on a separate questionnaire. The baseline and subsequent evaluation of the subjective findings on predetermined times (1 h after application of the material, at the end of the 1st, 7th, and 14th days) were also recorded on separate questionnaire sheets. Throughout the 14-day treatment period, no statistically significant differences were noted between the Xialine® and placebo groups with regard to burning tongue, diminished taste, and waking up at night to sip water (p?=?0.925, 0.527, and 0.066, respectively). However, patients’ satisfaction with placebo decreased by 25.63% at the end of the test period, whereas it increased by 16.37% after Xialine® administration. Overall, the patients preferred Xialine® at the end of the study (p?=?0.011). The main motive to administer saliva substitute is to improve lubrication and hydration of oral tissues. The results of this study indicated that Xialine® is helpful in the management of xerostomia-related symptoms of SS patients. However, further investigations in larger scale group of patients are recommended to provide the effects of these agents on various complaints of xerostomia.     

Enamel matrix derivative alone or in combination with a bioactive glass in wide intrabony defects

This controlled clinical study investigated the clinical and radiographic outcome of wide intrabony periodontal defects treated by enamel matrix derivatives alone or in combination with a bioactive glass over a period of 8 months. Twenty-three chronic periodontitis patients, who received initial therapy and had radiographical interproximal defects with an associated probing depth of 6 mm or more and an intrabony component of at least 4 mm, were included. Each of the patients, contributing at least one intrabony defect, was treated with either enamel matrix derivative alone (group 1, n=10) or the combination (group 2, n=13). In both groups, all clinical and radiographical parameters were improved. Groups 1 and 2 presented a mean pocket reduction of 5.03±0.89 and 5.73±0.80 mm, recession of 0.97±0.24 and 0.56±0.18 mm, relative attachment gain of 4.06±1.06 and 5.17±0.85 mm, and radiographic bone gain of 2.15±0.42 and 2.76±0.69 mm, respectively. An intergroup comparison revealed significant differences for all of the parameters, yielding a more favorable outcome towards the combined approach. Within the limits of the study, both treatments resulted in marked clinical and radiographical improvements, but combined treatment seemed to enhance the results in the treatment of wide intrabony defects.     

Nasal shapes and related differences in nostril forms: a morphometric analysis in young adults

Being aware of the morphologic differences in the nasal anatomy between men and women during the cosmetic rhinoplasty is essential because feminization of a male nose is not a very rare complication. Although there is no difference in the techniques of male and female rhinoplasty, the anthropometric differences have to be considered. This morphometric study evaluated the nasal shapes in both sexes and the related differences in the nostril forms. The nostril forms were separated into 4 main groups such as teardrop, heart shaped, round, and triangular. In this landmark-based morphometric study, significant relations of nostril forms to the nasal shape, frontonasal, and nasolabial angles were found. The results of this study should make us think about these relations of nostril forms to the nasal shapes and should be a basement for further clinical studies enhancing the plans of the corrective surgery.