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

Validity and reliability of an Arabic version of the modified dental anxiety scale in Saudi adults

To test the reliability and validity of an Arabic version of the modified dental anxiety scale [MDAS], and to correlate it with other demographic data. The original English version of the MDAS was translated into Arabic, and then translated back into English by experienced bilingual professionals. Four hundred and seventy-four patients referred to dental clinics for treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from November 2012 to June 2013 participated in the study. The assessment tool included questions regarding demographic characteristics, frequency of dental visits, the Arabic version of the MDAS, and the patient's rating of their current level of anxiety using a visual analogue scale [VAS]. The Arabic version of the MDAS had excellent internal consistency and reliability [Alpha coefficients >0.90]. The scale was unidimensional, and the percentage of patients with dental anxiety was 48.3% [using a cutoff total score of >15] and with dental phobia was 2.5% [using a cutoff total score of >16]. Younger patients, females, and infrequent visitors to the dentist were more anxious than those who were older, male, and frequent visitors. Visual analogue scale scores correlated significantly with individual items on the MDAS questionnaire and total anxiety score, supporting the criterion validity. The Arabic version of the MDAS presented adequate internal consistency reliability, allowing its safe use to assess levels of dental anxiety in Arabic-speaking populations