ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the significance and role of physical parameters of saliva on periodontal health in children with Down syndrome (DS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative evaluation of physical parameters of saliva such as flow rate, viscosity, pH, quantity and buffering capacity, and buffer capacity was carried out using GC Saliva-Check Buffer kit and correlated with periodontal condition examined using community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) in 40 DS subjects (group I) and 40 healthy controls (group II) aged 8-15 years. RESULTS: Down syndrome subjects had a low resting salivary flow rate, moderately acidic saliva, very low quantity of stimulated saliva, and low buffering capacity. On correlating salivary parameters with the periodontal condition, DS subjects with CPITN code 1 had low resting salivary flow rate, normal viscosity, moderately acidic pH, very low quantity of stimulated saliva, and low buffering capacity. Down syndrome subjects with CPITN code 2 had low resting flow rate, increased viscosity, very low quantity of stimulated saliva, low buffering capacity, and moderately acidic pH. Healthy controls with CPITN code 0 had normal resting flow rate, viscosity of saliva, quantity of stimulated saliva, buffering capacity, and moderately acidic pH. CONCLUSION: Compared to healthy controls, DS subjects showed decreased values for resting flow rate, pH, quantity of stimulated saliva, and buffering capacity. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the physical parameters of saliva and periodontal condition in DS subjects (p < 0.05). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Periodontal diseases start at a very early age and periodontal health deteriorates at a faster rate in DS children for which saliva also plays its part. Prime importance should be given to frequent oral hygiene and preventive measures in DS children thus preventing accumulation of debris and plaque.
Subject(s)
Down Syndrome , Gingival Diseases , Periodontal Diseases , Humans , Child , Saliva , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Periodontal Diseases/complicationsABSTRACT
Background: In medico-legal investigations identification of skeletal remains is of utmost importance. The skeletal remains most commonly investigated are pelvic and skull bones with the mandible an important element to analyze sexual dimorphism. Mandibular ramus can differentiate between the two genders as the stages of mandibular development, growth rates, and duration are different in both genders. Metric analysis on the radiographs is found to be of higher values when skeletal sex determination is considered. Aims and Objectives: 1) To compare and evaluate the various measurements of the mandibular ramus on digital OPG's. 2) To assess the usefulness of mandibular ramus as an aid in gender determination in the Bagalkot population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 80 patients (40 males & 40 females) using Kodak 8000 C digital panoramic radiographs of the Bagalkot population with ages ranging from 18 to 58 years. Five parameters namely coronoid ramus height, condyle ramus height, condyle coronoid breadth, maximum ramus breadth, and minimum ramus breadth were taken into consideration, the values were measured and data were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: In the present study, all the measurements of the mandibular ramus on digital panoramic radiographs showed a statistically significant difference between both the genders except for minimum ramus breadth which was found to be insignificant. Conclusion: Discriminant analysis of mandibular ramus using panoramic radiography can be used as an effective tool in gender determination and can be used as an aid in forensic sciences.
ABSTRACT
Background: The determination of gender is of utmost importance for forensic science and medico-legal purposes. The mandibular bone may play a vital role in gender determination as it is the most dimorphic bone of the skull that is often recovered intact. In this respect, orthopantomograms are of great value in accurate age and sex estimation. The mandibular angles, especially the gonial angle is an important parameter of the craniofacial complex giving an indication about the vertical parameters and symmetry of the facial skeleton. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the usefulness of mandibular gonial and coronoid-condyle angle measurements on digital panoramic images as an indicator for gender determination in the Bagalkot population. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 panoramic images (100 males and 100 females) of Bagalkot district patients aged (18-58) yrs old were selected. Two mandibular parameters 1) gonial angle and 2) condyle-coronoid angle were analyzed using trophy DICOM 6.1.2.0, masterview 4.2.0. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and Tukey's multiple post hoc procedures were used to compare the gender and two sides (left and right) with respect to gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle. Results: The analysis of the present study confirmed a statistically significant difference between the right and left sides of the gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle in both genders. The mean comparison also shows a variation between males and females, based on gonial angle and condyle-coronoid values; females have statistically significant higher mean values than males. Based on the analysis, the present study concludes that this difference between males and females from both sides suggests that the gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle help in gender determination. Conclusion: The results of the study show that greater mandibular angle aids in gender dimorphism and proves to be beneficial in gender estimation. Gonial angle and condyle-coronoid angle can be used to differentiate gender with high accuracy.
