Facial soft tissue thickness differences among different vertical facial patterns.

In forensic facial approximation, facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) measurements play a major role. These values are affected by many factors such as ethnicity, age and sex, in addition to measurement errors. We hypothesize that an additional source of error is the lack of consideration of facial type in the assessment of FSTT norms. The purpose of this study was to: 1- evaluate the presence of significant effects of vertical facial type within the FSTT measurements in adults and 2- assess the correlations between FSTT and hard and soft tissue cephalometric measurements. The sample consisted of the lateral cephalometric radiographs of 222 adult individuals (87 males; 135 females, 23.49±6.24 years of age) with normal occlusion and balanced profiles. Hard and soft tissue cephalometric measurements were taken, in addition to FSST at 10 facial landmarks. The sample was categorized into 3 vertical pattern groups based on the MP/SN angle: hypodivergent, normodivergent and hyperdivergent. Statistical analyses included MANOVA test and Pearson moment product for associations among variables. Statistically significant effect of vertical divergence on FSTT values was limited to the levels of Stomion, Labiomentale and Pogonion and FSTT measurements were associated with measurements related to the lower face (Lm and Pog) Moderate to high correlations between mandibular length and ramus length and FSTT values related to the lower face (LL, Lm and Pog mainly) emphasize further the important role of the underlying skeleton.

In Vitro Influence of Prophylaxis Cleaning on Enamel Remineralization with Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate.

OBJECTIVES: This randomized controlled in vitro 4-arm trial study aimed to study the remineralization potential of Recaldent™ and assess the effects of prophylaxis cleaning and MI Varnish® on enhancing this remineralization potential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty human teeth were randomly assigned into equal samples (A/B). Sample A was prophylactically cleaned, randomly divided into equal samples (1/2). Sample A1 received treatment with MI Varnish® and Recaldent™ for 30 days. Sample A2 was treated similarly but without MI Varnish®. Sample B did not receive prophylaxis cleaning and was divided into equal samples (1/2). Sample B1 was treated as A1 and sample B2 as A2. The teeth were examined for mineral composition at baseline, after the interventions (T1), and after prophylaxis cleaning (T2). Study outcomes were mineral content (% weight of carbon [C], phosphorus [P], calcium [Ca], oxygen [O], chlorine [Cl], sodium [Na] and silicon [Si]) and calcium-phosphorus ratio (Ca/P). RESULTS: All groups had similar mineral composition at baseline. At T1, sample B2 exhibited least P, Ca and Ca/P content. Samples A1 and B1 showed higher content of P and Ca, compared to B2 (A1 only exhibited higher Ca/P). Sample A2 exhibited lowest Cl and Na content. At T2, sample A1 exhibited lowest C, P, O and Si content (highest Ca/P). Sample A2 showed least Ca/P, and highest Na content. CONCLUSIONS: Teeth treated by Recaldent™ proceeded by prophylaxis cleaning or MI Varnish® showed remineralization, especially when receiving both interventions. This superior effect persisted even after a second cleaning. Further trials are necessary to provide conclusive evidence in humans.

Stereophotogrammetric analysis of labial morphology in a young adult Middle-Eastern population.

INTRODUCTION: The majority of previous research delineating the morphological characteristics of the orolabial region has been on Caucasian populations, with very minor research on Mediterranean populations, and none on the Lebanese population. AIM: The primary aim was to collect information on the gender-specific 3D morphology of the mouth and lips in young Middle Eastern adults. The secondary aim was to explore the presence of associations between orolabial morphology and age and body mass index (BMI), and to assess correlations between linear orolabial dimensions and area/volume measures. METHODS: The study used non-invasive stereophotogrammetry to collect information on gender-specific 3D labial morphology (linear distances, areas, and volumes) for 122 adult Lebanese subjects, aged 18-30 years (47 males, 75 females). Associations between labial morphology and age and body mass index were assessed, in addition to correlations between linear orolabial dimensions and area/volume measures. RESULTS: All linear, angular, area, and volume lip measurements displayed significant variability. Both lip area and volume were smaller in the upper than in the lower lip. Eighteen out of the 20 linear measurements were significantly larger in males. The ratio, area, and volume measurements mostly displayed no statistically significant gender dimorphism. CONCLUSIONS: Alongside presenting the first documented report on anthropometric labial measurements of a young Lebanese adult population, this research highlights the presence of gender dimorphism in linear and angular measurements, but not in area and volume measurements, and a strong association between certain linear labial measurements and lip area and volume. In addition, it presents pilot data on the association between labial anthropometry and body mass index.