Size of Maxillary Anterior Teeth in Relation to Selected Facial Anatomic Landmarks among a Group of Subjects in Port Harcourt.

Aims: The study aims to correlate the intercanthal distance (ICD), interalar width (IAW), and intercommissural width (ICoW) to the intercanine width [ICW] and the width of the philtrum to the size of central incisors. Study Design: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in the month of October, 2015. Methodology: The study was conducted among dental students, dental surgery assistant trainees and patients attending the restorative clinic of our institution. A sample of 115 participants was employed. Measurements of ICD - distance between the inner angles of the palpebral fissure; IAW - distance between the ala of the nose at the widest point; PW- width of the philtrum; and ICoW- the position of the corners of the mouth, at rest were done with the aid of a manual vernier caliper. For accuracy, each parameter was measured three times following which the average was taken. ICW-intercanine width and width of central incisors were determined indirectly using dental floss stretching from the lateral surface of one tooth to the other along the greatest curvature of the arch. Descriptive statistics was performed and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to determine the level of correlation between two parameters. Significance was set at P=0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.52 years ±9.037. The intercommisural width has the greatest mean, 53.3±0.451. The mean of the philtrum was about the size of 1 central incisor. The mean for ICW was 47.4 mm (0.951), ICD was 31.7 mm ±0.376 and that of IAW was 38.1 mm ±0.421. The Pearson correlation coefficient varied from poor to weak. Conclusion: The width of the philtrum was about the size of one central incisor. It appears the width of the philtrum could be used to estimate the size of central incisor No anatomic facial landmark provided significant predictive value for ICW. Level of correlation varied from poor to weak among the different anatomic facial landmarks investigated.

Correlation between Academic and Psychomotor Skills Performances of Dental Students in Complete Denture Prosthodontics.

Aims: This study was designed to determine if there is correlation between academic performance of students in complete denture prosthodontics and psychomotor skills for record blocks fabrication/complete denture teeth set up. Study Design: It was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Restorative Dentistry of the University of Port Harcourt between July and October 2015. Methodology: Departmental examination records of all dental students who had done complete denture prosthodontic course and sat for professional examination in the subject since 2011 when the very first was organized were reviewed. The examination involved written, test of psychomotor skills for fabrication of record blocks/complete denture teeth set up and viva. The practical evaluation was conducted by experienced external and internal examiners using already prepared checklist. The checklist includes occlusal vertical dimension, occlusion (inter-digitations, overbite & overjet), setting up on the ridge, adaptation and thickness of the denture base, extension of the flange and finishing. Spearman’s rank test was used to assess the correlation between academic and psychomotor skills performances. Results: Six sets and a total number of 65 students had taken the course and sat for professional examination since the very first was organized in 2011. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was very low (0.237) and the relationship was almost statistically significant (P value was 0.06). Conclusion: There was poor correlation between academic and psychomotor skills performances of dental students as it relates to complete denture prosthodontics. Conscious efforts should be made to recognize candidates who lag behind in psychomotor skills acquisition and to assist them.

Prevalence of Dental Caries among Adult Patients Attending a Tertiary Dental Institution in South-South Region of Nigeria

Background: Oral health is an important component of the general health and dental caries status of a community is a good indicator of oral health status of that community. Epidemiological studies on dental caries are rare in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Aim: To determine the prevalence of dental caries among adult patients attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Dental centre and to compare it with previously reported results. Methods: A cross-sectional study of all patients aged 18years and above presenting with dental caries at the centre over a one-year period was conducted. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used to get the socio-demographic data of the patients. The patients were all examined and caries was diagnosed using the WHO criteria (1997). Decay; missing and filled teeth (DMFT) were recorded and restorative index was calculated (F/F+D percent). SPSS version 15 was used to generate summary statistics and student t-test was used to compare means between two groups. Results: Out of 1;927 patients that presented during the study period; only 435 had dental caries or one of its sequelae giving a prevalence of 22.6. The mean DMFT score for the group was 3.57; that of females was 3.88 while that for males was 3.08. The difference in the mean DMFT scores between the two sexes was statistically significant (p=0.026). The restorative index was 25.3. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental caries in our centre (22.6) falls within the previously reported 4-30rates for Nigeria. The mean DMFT score was 3.51 and the restorative index is 25.3

Dental Anxiety: Investigative and Management Techniques often Employed in a Cross Section of Nigerian Specialist Dental Clinics

Background: Information on the pattern of dental anxiety management in Nigeria is currently not available. Aim: The study was designed to determine the awareness and frequency of application of dental anxiety assessment questionnaires as well as the current pattern in the management of dental anxiety in Nigeria. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted using structured questionnaires distributed among dental residents and house officers in Nigerian dental schools. Information requested included demographic variables; frequency of presentation of dental anxiety; awareness and frequency of application of dental anxiety questionnaires. The respondents were also asked to rate the frequency of application of the outlined dental anxiety management techniques on a 5-point Likert scale. The median score and the range for each technique was determined and compared between the male and female respondents. Results: A total of 96 questionaires were sent out to dental surgeons of all grades. Response was obtained from 86 giving a response rate of 90. Only 23 (26.7) respondents were aware of dental anxiety questionnaires while only 13 (15.1) have seen the instrument applied. The percentage of patients with dental anxiety was estimated by the respondents to be 20. Behaviour therapy was the most frequently employed dental anxiety management technique. The female respondents employ behaviour therapy and intramuscular sedation more frequently. Conclusion: The awareness and frequency of application of dental anxiety questionnaires appeared poor. Behaviour therapy was the most frequently employed dental anxiety management technique. It appears the female respondents employ behavior therapy and intramuscular sedation more frequently

A self-assessment pilot study of facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation in patients with surgically acquired partial maxillary defect

"Background: Improved and satisfactory facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation of surgically acquired partial maxillary defect had been reported in several case reports involving one patient or two; but this number is grossly inadequate for a reliable deduction. Besides; literature is scarce on the relationship between facial aesthetics and the ""class of surgical defect"". Surgically acquired partial maxillary defect has earlier been classified into classes I to VI. Aims: To assess the perception of patients regarding their facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation and to relate this finding to their classes of surgical defects. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary dental centre; University College Hospital; Ibadan. Consecutive patients who had maxillary resection resulting in partial maxillary defect seen over a period of two years were admitted to the study."

A self-assessment pilot study of facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation in patients with surgically acquired partial maxillary defect

"Background: Improved and satisfactory facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation of surgically acquired partial maxillary defect had been reported in several case reports involving one patient or two; but this number is grossly inadequate for a reliable deduction. Besides; literature is scarce on the relationship between facial aesthetics and the ""class of surgical defect"". Surgically acquired partial maxillary defect has earlier been classified into classes I to VI. Aims: To assess the perception of patients regarding their facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation and to relate this finding to their classes of surgical defects. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary dental centre; University College Hospital; Ibadan. Consecutive patients who had maxillary resection resulting in partial maxillary defect seen over a period of two years were admitted to the study."