Analysis of the stomatognathic system of children according orthodontic treatment needs.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated electromyographic activity (EMG), masticatory performance, and tongue strength in children without and with orthodontic treatment needs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 90 children were screened and divided into the following groups: Group I (no treatment needed; mean age: 8.00 ± 0.43 years; n = 26), Group II (few malocclusions, treatment needed; mean age: 8.89 ± 0.43 years; n = 28), and Group III (slight-to-borderline treatment needed; mean age: 8.44 ± 0.22 years; n = 36). Orthodontic treatment need was classified on the basis of IOTN-DHC (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need - Dental Health Component). The electromyographic Trigno EMG Systems was used for muscle analysis and the Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument (IOPI) was used to measure tongue strength. Data were analyzed using normality tests and one-way analysis of variance with a Bonferroni post hoc test (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: EMG in almost all mandibular movements was higher in Group III with statistically significant differences compared to position at rest: right masseter (p = 0.03); protrusion: left temporal (p = 0.02); saliva swallowing: left temporal (p = 0.05) and water swallowing: orbicularis oris mouth, right upper segment (p = 0.05). Lower masticatory performance was found in Group III, but the difference compared to Group I and II was not significant. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of tongue strength. CONCLUSIONS: Children with borderline orthodontic treatment needs show functional disorders of the stomatognathic system.

Influence of anthropometry, TMD, and sex on molar bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs.

PURPOSE: Bite force has been studied as representative of functional indices of mastication and its value may have diagnostic significance in disorders of the musculoskeletal system of facial bones. This study aimed to evaluate bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs considering presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) as well as anthropometry: craniofacial dimensions and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A total of 80 subjects were screened (61 females, 19 males; 18 ± 3 years old). Unilateral molar bite force was measured using a digital dynamometer with a fork thickness of 12 mm. Direct anthropometry was used to quantify craniofacial measurements. Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were used to classify samples according to malocclusion and to TMD, respectively. Data were analyzed using normality tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression analyses with stepwise backward elimination, controlling for the presence of malocclusion and TMD (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The cephalic index was greater in females with malocclusion and the longitudinal cranial diameter was reduced in females with malocclusion. BMI was not different between normal and malocclusion groups for either gender. Bite force was negatively related with vertical dimension of the face, and positively related with facial width and facial index. The model explained 32% of bite force variability, considering the sample size (coefficient of determination R 2 = 0.324). CONCLUSIONS: Even when orthodontic needs and TMD signs and symptoms are present, stronger bite force is still observed in males and in subjects with smaller anterior facial heights and wider facial widths.

Impression techniques for multiple implants: a photoelastic analysis. Part I: comparison of three direct methods.

The purpose of this article was to compare through photoelastic analysis the stress distribution in 3 direct transfer techniques for implants with splinting. Three photoelastic resin blocks were made with 2 implants placed parallel to each other and 2 square transfer copings splinted. Both transfers were splinted with acrylic resin chemically activated in 3 different techniques: metallic sticks (T1), prefabricated acrylic bars (T2), or dental floss (T3). A circular polariscope was used, and the distortion energy (E) was calculated in 4 periods: 20 minutes and 3, 24, and 36 hours. Statistically significant differences were found among the 3 techniques (P < .05). The dental floss presented the greatest distortion energy values (T3 = 0.469 Kgf/mm(2)) and the metallic sticks the lowest values (T1 = 0.0 Kgf/mm(2)). Thus, the metallic sticks technique (T1) appears to be the most accurate protocol to be used for implant-supported prosthesis with multiple abutments.

Impression techniques for multiple implants: a photoelastic analysis. Part II: comparison of four acrylic resins.

Four commercial brands of chemically activated acrylic resin were compared through photoelastic analysis. Photoelastic resin blocks were made with 2 implants placed parallel to each other and 2 square transfer copings splinted. Both transfers were splinted with chemically activated acrylic resin: Dencrilay, Duralay I, Duralay II, and GC. Data were analyzed by 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey test (P < .05). Statistically significant differences were found among the 3 brands of chemically activated acrylic resin. Dencrilay showed greater dimensional alteration. Duralay I and GC are recommended for the transfer of the position of the multi-implants.

Correlation between the individual and the combined width of the six maxillary anterior teeth.

PURPOSE: There is a consensus in the community of dental research that the selection of undersized artificial maxillary anterior teeth offers an unnatural appearance to the denture. Several methods to select the adequate width of these teeth are of questionable validity, and many dentures have an obviously artificial appearance. This article assessed the relationship between the individual and the combined width of maxillary anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Impressions were made of the anterior dentition of 69 dentate undergraduate students with rubber impression silicon, and casts were formed. The individual widths of the maxillary anterior teeth were measured by using a digital caliper (SC-6 digital caliper, Mitutoyo Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), and the combined width was registered by both adding the individual width and using a flexible millimeter ruler. RESULTS: Student's t-test showed significant differences between the analogous teeth and different sides of the maxillary dental arch (p = 0.001), with the exception of the central incisor (p = 0.984). Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient showed significant positive correlation between all the measurements compared (p = 0.000). Linear regression analysis concluded three mathematical equations to obtain the individual tooth width after measuring the combined width of the six maxillary anterior teeth by using a flexible millimeter ruler. CONCLUSIONS: The individual tooth width can be determined if the combined width of the maxillary anterior teeth is obtained by using a flexible millimeter ruler.

Correlation between facial measurements and the mesiodistal width of the maxillary anterior teeth.

UNLABELLED: One of the most difficult aspects during the selection of maxillary anterior teeth for a removable prosthesis is determining the appropriate mesiodistal width of the six maxillary anterior teeth. Many attempts have been made to establish methods of estimating the combined width of these anterior teeth, and improving the esthetic outcome. The proportion of facial structures and the relationship between facial measurements and natural teeth could be used as a guide in selecting denture teeth. The aim of this study was to verify the relation between the combined mesiodistal width of the six maxillary anterior teeth and the facial segments: the width of the eyes, the inner canthal distance (ICD), the interpupillary distance (IPD), the interalar width, and the intercommissural width (ICm). Standardized digital images of 81 dentate Brazilian subjects were used to measure both facial and oral segments when viewed from the frontal aspect through an image processing program. To measure the distance between the upper canines on a curve, accurate casts were made from the upper right first premolar to the upper left first premolar. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was conducted to measure the strength of the associations between the variables (alpha = 0.05). The results showed a significant correlation between all facial elements and the combined mesiodistal width of the six teeth, when observed from the frontal aspect. The ICD, IPD, and ICm showed the highest probability of being correlated to the mesiodistal width of the teeth (p = 0.000). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This article considers facial analysis with digital photography as a practical and efficient application to select the mesiodistal width of artificial anterior teeth in an esthetically pleasing and natural appearance during an oral rehabilitation treatment.