Periodontal status of orthodontic patients and the relationship between dental aesthetic index and community periodontal index of treatment need

This prospective clinic-based study evaluated the pretreatment periodontal status of the orthodontic patients seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, and assessed the relationship between dental aesthetic index (DAI) scores and periodontal status according to community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) scores. One hundred forty five patients-70 (48.3%) males and 75 (51.7%) females from 6 to 45 years (mean 15.8 +/- 7.5)-were seen. World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines were followed in the examination and reporting of the periodontal status, and DAI scores were assessed based on WHO guidelines. The chi-square test was used to determine the association between the DAI and the CPITN scores. Most patients were in the 6-15 (55.9%) or 16-25 (35.9%) age groups. Based on the WHO preferred cumulative calculations of treatment need (TN), 35.2% of the patients had TN 0, 64.9% had TN 1, 24.9% had TN 2, and only 0.7% had TN 3. The relationship between DAI scores and periodontal treatment needs was not statistically significant (P >.05). Although many patients were yet to attain the WHO goal of no more than 1 sextant affected by bleeding or calculus at the age of 15, over one third had satisfactory periodontal health.     

Predictors of oral health quality of life in older adults

There is limited information regarding oral health status and other predictors of oral health‐related quality of life. An association between oral health status and perceived oral health‐related quality of life (OHQOL) might help clinicians motivate patients to prevent oral diseases and improve the outcome of some dental public health programs. This study evaluated the relationship between older persons' OHQOL and their functional dentition, caries, periodontal status, chronic diseases, and some demographic characteristics. A group of 733 low‐income elders (mean age 72.7 ISD=4.71, 55.6% women, 55.1% members of ethnic minority groups in the U.S. and Canada) enrolled in the TEETH clinical trial were interviewed and examined as part of their fifth annual visit for the trial. OHQOL was measured by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI); oral health and occlusal status by clinical exams and the Eichner Index; and demographics via interviews. Elders who completed the four‐year assessment had an average of 21.5 teeth (SD=6.9). with 8.5 occluding pairs (SD=4.6), and 32% with occlusal contacts in all four occluding zones. Stepwise multiple regressions were conducted to predict total GOHAI and its subscores (Physical, Social, and Worry). Functional dentition was a less significant predictor than ethnicity and being foreign‐bom. These variables, together with gender, years since immigrating, number of carious roots, and periodontal status, could predict 32% of the variance in total GOHAI, 24% in Physical, 27% in Social, and 21 % in the Worry subscales. These findings suggest that functional dentition and caries influence older adults' OHQOL, but that ethnicity and immigrant status play a larger role.     

Comparing the In Vivo Diagnostic Accuracy of Digital Periapical Radiography with Cone-beam Computed Tomography for the Detection of Vertical Root Fracture

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in the in vivo diagnostic accuracy of digital radiography (DR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging in the detection of vertical root fracture (VRF). The presence/absence of VRF was confirmed by visual inspection of the extracted root surface and was the reference standard against which both imaging modalities were compared.

Methods

Twenty-one unsalvageable teeth from 20 patients that had been radiographed and scanned with CBCT imaging were included in the study. The teeth were atraumatically extracted and visually inspected under a microscope to confirm the presence/absence of fracture. The widest point of each fracture was recorded using an optical coherence tomography scanner in order to quantify the size of fractures. Images were viewed under standardized conditions by 13 examiners and repeated 2 weeks later to assess their consistency.

Results

DR and CBCT imaging showed similarly poor sensitivity of 0.16 and 0.27, respectively. Both imaging modalities had similarly high specificity of 0.92 and 0.83, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the diagnostic accuracy of either imaging modality. Fracture width did not affect the detection rate of either imaging modality. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed mean A_z values of 0.535 and 0.552 for DR and CBCT imaging, respectively.

Conclusions

Both DR and CBCT imaging have significant limitations when detecting vertical root fractures.     

Ludwig''s Angina. The anaesthetic management of nine cases

We reviewed nine patients with Ludwig's angina who required surgical drainage over a 24-month period. This represents the largest series reported in world literature. All of these patients were managed successfully by a combination of tracheal intubation and early surgical intervention. None required tracheostomy, which is the previously recommended procedure of choice for airway management.     

Knowledge and practice of behavioral management principles among dentists treating adults with learning disabilities

This study investigated U.K. dentists’ knowledge and practice of behavioral management principles (BMPs) as applied to adults with learning disabilities (AWLD). A postal questionnaire enquired into the dentists’ experience in managing AWLD, utilization of behavioral management techniques, and knowledge of BMPs. The response rate was 41% (N = 53). Two groups were investigated: specialists (dentists registered on the Special Care Dentistry specialists’ list, n = 37) and nonspecialists (dentists not on the list, n = 16). Although specialists treated more AWLD than nonspecialists, both groups of dentists reported they felt highly confident in managing AWLD. However, all dentists’ knowledge of the principles of nonpharmacological BMPs was low. Specialists had a tendency to use a greater range of nonpharmacological behavioral management techniques compared to non‐specialists. These results suggest that dental team members need more training in the theory and practice of BMPs, which might lead to less reliance on costly pharmacological interventions and a clinical experience that is more respectful of the dignity and independence of AWLD.