ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The maxillary permanent canine is one of the most frequently impacted teeth, which often requires multidisciplinary management. A common complication of canine impaction is root resorption of the adjacent dentition. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the prevalence of root resorption of maxillary incisors adjacent to impacted maxillary canines from small volume CBCT images by trained clinicians. A secondary objective was to report the location and severity of root resorption. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CBCT images of patients with impacted maxillary canines (unilateral and bilateral) who attended a joint orthodontic/surgical multidisciplinary clinic were screened. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate associations of patient characteristics and presence of root resorption. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) logistic regression model were used to identify predictors of root resorption. RESULTS: In all, 148 impacted maxillary canines (122 patients) were analysed. The majority of patients were under 18 years of age (71.6%) with impacted canines present in more females (68.2%) than males (31.8%). Maxillary lateral incisors showed the highest prevalence of root resorption (38.5%). The apical region was the most common location of resorption for lateral incisors (20.9%) with a variable degree of severity evident: slight (10.1%), moderate (15.6%), and severe (12.8%). Although no significant predictors of root resorption were identified, a weak association was evident for age and root development. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients, the roots of maxillary lateral incisors are most likely to suffer from root resorption in the presence of an impacted maxillary canine. Clinicians should consider the extent, location and severity of resorption of adjacent teeth when planning treatment decisions and mechanics in cases of impacted maxillary canines.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) has been used successfully in medicine both as a distraction tool during procedures, and as an acclimatisation tool to prepare for a procedure or experience. It has not yet become widely used in dentistry, but could theoretically have a role in exposure-based acclimatisation for dental experiences. METHODS: To examine the use of VR or bespoke dental smartphone applications pre- or perioperatively in dentistry, to decrease anxiety in a paediatric population attending for dental examination or treatment, compared with children/adolescents who receive no intervention, or more conventional behavioural management techniques. Searches were made of eight electronic databases: the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE(PubMed), EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science. Further searches reference cross-checks were performed to identify studies that were not discovered online. RESULTS: Systematic reviews and randomised control trials have demonstrated the successful use of VR to both distract patients perioperatively during medical procedures, and also preoperatively to prepare them for these interventions. However, to date, VR has only been applied to dentistry in a very limited number of studies. Three studies using virtual reality in a dental setting demonstrated decreased pain and anxiety compared with no intervention. All three of these studies were carried out in the perioperative period. A fourth study used a bespoke dental app and imagery to prepare patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for dental treatment, finding statistically significant decreases in both the number of appointments and number of attempts required to carry out a procedure. CONCLUSION: VR is a promising tool which to date has been under-utilised in dentistry. High quality, clinical studies are required to assess the use of preoperative VR and smartphone applications to prepare patients for dental examination and procedures under local or general anaesthetic.
