Evaluation of the Relationship Between Oral Health and Body Mass Index.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study is to evaluate oral health comparatively in four different groups separated according to body mass index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 352 patients who applied for different dental reasons were divided into groups according to BMI and examined radiologically. The incidence of oral health parameters (dental caries, alveolar bone loss, tooth loss, and periapical lesion) was evaluated. RESULTS: While there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of caries, alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss (P < .05), there was no difference in the incidence of periapical lesions (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Obese individuals have a higher prevalence of alveolar bone loss, caries, and tooth loss. These results show that an above-normal BMI is an important factor that can negatively affect oral health.

Evaluation of the thickness and internal structure of the masseter muscle with ultrasonography in female bruxism patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the thickness and internal structure of the masseter muscle in individuals with and without bruxism by ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 female patients with and without bruxism whose ages were ranging between 20 and 35 were included in the study. The masseter muscle thickness was measured during rest and maximum bite position. Ultrasonographic internal structure of the masseter muscle is classified according to the visibility of echogenic bands. In addition, the echogenic internal structure of the masseter muscle was evaluated with quantitative muscle ultrasound. RESULTS: The masseter muscle thickness was significantly higher in both positions in patients with bruxism (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in the evaluation of echogenicity (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is a useful and important diagnostic method for evaluating masseter muscle without using radiation.

Probable bruxism effects on masseter muscle thickness in children: ultrasonographic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the masseter muscle thickness (MMT) of patients with probable sleep/awake bruxism and controls without bruxism in mixed dentition as measured with ultrasonography (USG), and to calculate the correlation of MMT with body mass index (BMI). STUDY DESIGN: The diagnosis of probable bruxism was established based on the parents' reports of the children's behavior, habits, and discomfort, and the presence of clinical signs and symptoms such as attrition-type wear on the teeth and the presence of discomfort, fatigue, and/or pain in the jaw muscles on palpation during clinical examination. The bruxist study group and the control group each included 28 children. MMT was measured separately in relaxed and contracted positions in both groups using USG. The height and weight of the patients were recorded in order to calculate BMI. Statistical analysis was performed with significance established at P < .05. RESULTS: MMT was found to be significantly larger in the study patients than in controls on the right and left sides in the relaxed and contracted positions (P < .001). No statistically significant correlation was found between MMT and BMI (P ≥ .134). CONCLUSIONS: MMT as measured with USG can be a beneficial approach in diagnosing bruxism in children. The lack of correlation between MMT and BMI indicates that BMI would not be helpful in diagnosing bruxism.

Diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography and ultrasonography in detecting periapical lesions using periapical radiography as a gold standard.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of imaging techniques in diagnosing periapical lesions. METHODS: Imaging records of 80 patients (51 females, 29 males, aged between 14 and 75 years) including periapical and panoramic radiographs and ultrasonographic images were selected from databases of Selcuk University Dentistry Faculty. Periapical radiographs were accepted as gold-standard and 160 anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth with or without periapical lesion were included to the study. Three specialist observers (dental radiologists) evaluated the presence and appearance of periapical lesions on panoramic radiograph and ultrasonographic images.Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic value of panoramic radiographs and ultrasonography were determined. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 0.80 and 0.77 for ultrasonographic images and panoramic radiographs, respectively which shows that periapical lesion was correctly detected in 80% of the cases with ultrasound and in 77% of the cases with panoramic radiography. Specificity values were determined as 0.97 for ultrasound and 0.95 for panoramic radiography. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 0.86 and 0.84 for ultrasound and panoramic radiography, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Periapical and panoramic radiographs are commonly used to visualize periapical lesions. Besides, ultrasonography is an alternative method to digital radiographic techniques in the diagnosis of anterior teeth with periapical lesions.