Esthetic Rehabilitation of Missing Anterior Tooth using Loop Connectors to Maintain Midline Diastema: A Case Report.

Loss of anterior teeth in patients with diastema presents a great esthetic challenge for the prosthodontists. In cases with midline diastema and interdental spacing, the option of a conventional fixed partial denture becomes impossible to use. This is because of the excess space available for pontic, which makes the incorporation of the diastema in the planned prosthesis, a compulsion. Diastema closure in such cases with the help of conventional fixed partial denture is bound to result in esthetic failures. This article presents a case of midline diastema successfully maintained by lingual loop connectors between the pontic and the retainers to achieve esthetic rehabilitation in the mandibular anterior region.

Surgical Management of Aberrant Labial Frenum Using Modified Z-Frenuloplasty: A Case Report.

Frenum is a mucous membrane fold that attaches lips and cheek to the alveolar mucosa, gingiva, and the underlying periosteum. The maxillary frenum can contribute to esthetic problems and can compromise the orthodontic outcome in cases of midline diastema, thus leading to treatment relapse. In addition to this, it may jeopardize the health of the gingival, when it is attached too tightly to the gingival margin, by interference in the plaque control or owing to the muscle pull. These situations can be managed with the help of frenectomy. The presenting case report demonstrates the frenectomy of an anomalous labial frenum in a 20-year-old male using modified Z-frenuloplasty technique.

Prevalence of mesiodens in orthodontic patients with deciduous and mixed dentition and its association with other dental anomalies

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of mesiodens in deciduous and mixed dentitions and its association with other dental anomalies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Panoramic radiographs of 1,995 orthodontic patients were analyzed retrospectively, obtaining a final sample of 30 patients with mesiodens. The following aspects were analyzed: gender ; number of mesiodens; proportion between erupted and non-erupted mesiodens; initial position of the supernumerary tooth; related complications; treatment plan accomplished; and associated dental anomalies. The frequency of dental anomalies in the sample was compared to reference values for the general population using the chi-square test (c²), with a significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of mesiodens was 1.5% more common among males (1.5:1). Most of the mesiodens were non-erupted (75%) and in a vertical position, facing the oral cavity. Extraction of the mesiodens was the most common treatment. The main complications associated with mesiodens were: delayed eruption of permanent incisors (34.28%) and midline diastema (28.57%). From all the dental anomalies analyzed, only the prevalence of maxillary lateral incisor agenesis was higher in comparison to the general population. CONCLUSION: There was a low prevalence of mesiodens (1.5%) in deciduous and mixed dentition and the condition was not associated with other dental anomalies, except for the maxillary lateral incisor agenesis.

OBJETIVO: determinar a prevalência de mesiodens nos estágios de dentição decídua e mista, e verificar sua associação com outras anomalias dentárias. MÉTODOS: radiografias panorâmicas de 1.995 pacientes ortodônticos foram analisadas retrospectivamente, obtendo-se uma amostra de 30 pacientes com o mesiodens. Os seguintes aspectos foram analisados: distribuição entre os sexos, número de mesiodens; se irrompido ou não irrompido; posição; complicações; tratamento instituído, e anomalias dentárias associadas. A frequência de anomalias dentárias na amostra estudada foi comparada a valores de referência para a população em geral por meio do teste qui-quadrado (c²), com um nível de significância de 5% (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: a prevalência de mesiodens foi de 1,5%, sendo mais comum no sexo masculino (1,5:1). A maior parte dos mesiodens estavam não irrompidos (75%) e numa posição vertical, voltada para a cavidade bucal. O tratamento mais empregado foi a exodontia. As principais complicações associadas ao mesiodens foram o atraso na erupção dos incisivos permanentes (34,28%) e diastema mediano (28,57%). Pacientes com mesiodens não apresentaram prevalência aumentada de microdontia, agenesia de dentes permanentes ou outros supranumerários. De todas as anomalias analisadas, apenas a prevalência de agenesia de incisivo lateral superior mostrou-se aumentada em comparação à população em geral. CONCLUSÃO: o mesiodens foi encontrado em uma prevalência baixa (1,5%) nas dentições decídua e mista, e não apresentou associação com outras anomalias dentárias, com exceção da agenesia de incisivo lateral superior.

Diastema in Nigerian Society

The frequency of occurrence of diastema and its acceptability was studied. Diastema occurs more among females and Nigerians primarily regard diastema as a thong of beauty. Some even go to have it created for them artificially. Of the various forms; maxillary midline diastema is the most prevalent while mandibular midline is the least. There is preference for the midline anterior diastema and therapy to close the diastema was considered unnecessary. Lateral diastema is not as much favoured. There is also an indication that diastema runs in some families