Ankyloglossia: a morphofunctional investigation in children

OBJECTIVES: To provide diagnostic criteria for ankyloglossia in children by anatomical measurements; to investigate the correlation between severity of ankyloglossia and a series of morphofunctional findings; to evaluate the potential mismatch between a clinical suspect of ankyloglossia and the authentic anatomical diagnosis. DESIGN: Two different techniques of anatomical measurements and a clinical evaluation of a series of morphofunctional findings were performed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 200 children referred for evaluation and treatment of tongue-tie, the length of the frenulum and the interincisal distance were measured in maximum opening of the mouth and with the tip of the tongue touching the palatal papilla. Occlusion, type of bite, tongue resting position, swallowing mechanism, oral floor mobility, frenulum insertion modality and speech were investigated. Any correlation between these morphofunctional findings and anatomical measures was investigated. RESULTS: Children with a frenulum length more than 2 cm and an interincisal distance of more than 2.3 cm were normal. In both measurements, significant correlations among mean values and other variables were observed. Moreover, three levels -- mild, moderate and severe -- of ankyloglossia were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Length of frenulum and interincisal distance allow an assessment of severity of ankyloglossia in children. Ankyloglossia was not associated with infantile swallowing.     

A look at allied dental education in the United States

BACKGROUND: The American Dental Association conducts surveys of educational programs in dental assisting, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technology. The 2002-2003 survey included questions about enrollment, graduates, program information and trends. METHODS: The ADA Survey Center mailed the Survey of Allied Dental Education to 548 program directors of dental assisting, dental hygiene and dental laboratory technology educational programs. They also sent several follow-up notices as a reminder to complete the survey. A 100 percent response rate is mandatory for continued accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Association staff members resolved inconsistencies in the data and analyzed them before producing a final report. RESULTS: The number of applications to, first-year enrollment in and number of graduates in dental hygiene and dental assisting educational programs have increased during the last five years. During the same period, the number of applications to, and graduates of, dental laboratory technology educational programs decreased, but first-year enrollment increased slightly. CONCLUSIONS: Results from these surveys help address the concerns of the public and the profession regarding allied dental manpower levels. They also provide information for those interested in applying to individual allied dental educational programs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Private dental practices employ the majority of graduates of allied dental educational programs. Recent graduates of dental assisting and hygiene programs continue to supply the office staff members needed to support the delivery of dental care.     

Long-term results of treatment for temporomandibular disorders: an evaluation by patients

In this study, 110 patients with temporomandibular disorders who had been treated 2 to 81/2 years earlier were asked to evaluate the treatment they received. Of the patients, 85.5% reported that they were not experiencing pain or that they were experiencing much less pain; 79.1% reported that the treatment they had received had helped them completely or considerably. Analysis of the data did not disclose a subgroup or factor that could be correlated with the reduction of pain or the patient's perception of the success of treatment.     

Dimensional change of acrylic resin tray materials

Twelve commonly used acrylic resin tray materials were compared for linear curing shrinkage. Three of the 12 were found to expand slightly during the first few hours, which had the effect of reducing the net shrinkage. All trays, however, exhibited shrinkage during the 24-hour test period. Therefore, autopolymerizing acrylic resin tray materials should not be used for an impression the same day that they are made unless the tray is boiled as suggested by Pagniano et al. This agrees with research already completed even though the magnitude of shrinkage was considerably less than that reported in previous studies.     

Freeze-dried skin allografts. A human clinical and histological study

Free gingival autografts still remain the most predictable method for creating attached gingiva. However, a need exists for sources of connective tissue other than the patient's own connective tissue. Yukna et al. have proposed freeze-dried skin (FDS) allografts as a substitute for gingival autografts. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate FDS allografts on humans, clinically and histologically. Ten FDS allografts and two free gingival (FG) autografts were performed on ten patients, two of them receiving both FDS and FG grafts. Clinical measurements were made before surgery, immediately after surgery and then 2 and 6 months after surgery. After 4 and 24 months, biopsies were performed on both FG and FDS grafts. Routine histologic staining was done. The results show a mean gain of attached gingiva of 0.32 mm with a range from 0 to 0.8 mm. Compared biopsies sections of FDS allografts and FG autografts show that the tissue obtained with the FDS allografts do not display the histomorphologic pattern of attached gingiva. The FDS allografts do not seem to represent a good substitute to free gingival autografts. However, they might be used successfully as a biological bandage.     

Fabrication of removable stone dies using cemented dowel pins.

Proper dowel pin placement in the working cast is important in the fabrication of a cast restoration. A technique is suggested whereby the dowel pin is orientated and cemented after the working cast has been separated from the impression. This procedure produces a working die that has a correctly positioned dowel pin, is stable, and can be repeatedly returned to its original relationship. A technique is suggested whereby the dowel pin is orientated and cemented after the working cast has been separated from the impression. This procedure produces a working die that has a correctly positioned dowel pin, is stable, and can be repeatedly returned to its original relationship.