Skeletal and dental characteristics of subjects with incompetent lips

To evaluate the cephalometric features of subjects with incompetent lips, and to find the most discriminant variables for lip incompetence among the following: dental protrusion and proclination, antero-posterior and vertical skeletal relationships, and lip dimensions. This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between 2011 and 2012. Cephalograms of 84 subjects [22 males and 62 females, aged 20.18 +/- 3.65 years] diagnosed as having incompetent lips were collected [incompetent group [IG]] and compared with the control group [CG], matching in age and gender distribution. Thirty-five measurements were compared between the 2 groups using independent t-test. Stepwise discriminant analysis of lip incompetence was performed. Compared to the CG, subjects in the IG had thinner upper lips, shorter upper and lower lips, more retrognathic facial types, greater angle between nasion-point A and nasion-point B, shorter anterior and posterior cranial bases, shorter palatal length, shorter mandibular body length, shorter ramal length, steeper mandibular plane, less prominent chin, bimaxillary dental protrusion, and smaller inter-incisal angle. The significant discriminant variables, in order, were inter-incisor angle, inclination of upper incisors, ramal height, anterior cranial base, palatal plane to Frankfort horizontal plane angle, lower and then upper anterior dental height, upper lip thickness, and length. The presence of incompetent lips can be attributed to more than one factor and not only bimaxillary protrusion. This should be considered during the treatment planning of such problem

Mandibular cephalometric characteristics of a Saudi sample of patients having impacted third molars

To evaluate the cephalometric characteristics of mandibles of Saudi patients having impacted third molars and to compare them to those of patients having normally erupted third molars. One hundred and twenty-one Saudi adult subjects [59 females and 62 males; age: 20-40 years] were divided into two groups based on the status of the mandibular third molars: [1] impaction group and [2] normal group. Means and standard deviations of 21 cephalometric measurements related to mandibular geometry were measured and compared between the two groups using the unpaired t-test. Males and females in the impaction group were also compared with their equivalent subgroups in the normal group using the unpaired t-test. Anteroposteriorly, space distal to second molar, ramal width and mandibular body length were significantly less in the impaction group. Vertically, posterior alveolar height was significantly less in the impaction group. The Y-axis was significantly increased in the impaction group. The significance of these measurements was variable between males and females. Third-molar impactions in the Saudis living in the Western region of Saudi Arabia were more likely to occur when inadequate retromolar space is present. This can be attributed to certain mandibular skeletal and dental features, among which the increased width of mandibular ramus and backward inclination of posterior teeth seem to be the most influencing factors in both sexes

Quality assessment of dental health services provided at the faculty of detistry, king Abdulaziz university

The objectives of this research were to assess the quality of dental services delivered in King Abdulaziz University and highlight the necessary recommendations that would improve it. The methods used were live photographs illustrating the structure of dental services of the faculty presented in the clinic buildings, waiting places, equipments, instruments and supplies, as well as the comfort and privacy. Review of official records of the faculty for the number, qualifications and training of the dental staff and auxiliary personnel, as well as the process of care [starting from patient registration until completion of treatment]. Records also demonstrated the access and utilization of services delivered in the various departments, the quality of these services and of infection control measures and procedures. The results revealed the high quality of services delivered through evaluating the structure and process of care in the university dental clinics. Conclusions: Dental services of King Abdulaziz University conform to high quality standards, with implementation of some changes for improvement and development