Miniscrew-anchored alveolar distraction for the treatment of the ankylosed maxillary central incisor.

This report presents the case of a 20-year-old female patient exhibiting an infraoccluded ankylosed maxillary central incisor that was avulsed and replanted after traumatic injury during childhood. To reposition the osseous and gingival margins of the ankylosed tooth to an ideal level, a new alveolar distraction device that uses anchoring miniscrews with a single tooth dento-osseous osteotomy was fabricated and the ankylosed tooth was successfully treated with exceptional patient compliance.

Factors for maxillary sinus volume and craniofacial anatomical features in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the volume of the maxillary sinus, dental factors, and craniofacial anatomical features between control subjects and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to investigate critical factors for the volumetric change in the maxillary sinus in adults. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-nine individuals who visited an allergy and sinus center: 52 control subjects (septal deviation; mean age, 32.69 years) and 47 patients with CRS (mean age, 44.43 years). INTERVENTION: Cephalometry and computed tomography were performed in all the participants. In blinded tests, dentists investigated the dental status of both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maxillary sinus: bone thickness and volume on computed tomography; craniofacial anatomical features: linear and angular variables in lateral cephalometry; and dental evaluation: malocclusion class, teeth status, and alveolar bone height. RESULTS: Bony wall thickness of the maxillary sinus significantly increased in patients with CRS (P < .001) but showed no relationship with maxillary sinus volume. Maxillary sinus volume significantly decreased in patients with CRS (P = .001). Age and alveolar bone height had a negative effect on maxillary sinus volume in both groups. Abnormal teeth had no relationship with maxillary sinus volume in both groups but showed a negative effect on alveolar bone height in the CRS group (P = .02). Class II malocclusion associated with anterior movement of the maxilla significantly increased in the CRS group (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of CRS, maxillary sinus volume decreased with older age and increased with alveolar bone loss. Regarding craniofacial anatomical features, CRS may have an effect on malocclusion in adults.

A new method of screening for diabetic neuropathy using laser Doppler and photoplethysmography.

The purpose of this study is to suggest a simple, new method of screening for diabetic neuropathy. We measured blood volume changes by photoplethysmography (PPG) and blood perfusion by laser Doppler (LD) in the index fingers and big toes in 40 control subjects and in 50 (19 mild, 17 moderate, and 14 severe based on the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test) and 35 diabetic patients with and without neuropathy, respectively. According to the results of PPG and LD measurements, the toe to finger ratios obtained from the neuropathic group were significantly higher than those from the control (p < 0.001) and the non-neuropathic groups (p < 0.001). Based on the NCV, the sensitivity of the LD method (92.0%) was higher than that of the PPG method (84.0%) for both left and right sides. Although specificity of the LD (92.8%) was also higher than the PPG (84.3%) bilaterally, the PPG showed better reproducibility (5.5 versus 9.5%) and a significant ratio increase with severity, while the LD did not. Our suggested PPG method using the toe to finger ratio is reliable, simple, economical, and accurate, and could become an effective new screening tool for the early detection of diabetic neuropathy.

Detection of diabetic neuropathy using blood volume ratio of finger and toe by PPG.

Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) has been used as a standard method for diagnosing diabetic neuropathy. However, strong electric stimulus causes stress and pain. The purpose of this study is to suggest a simple screening method for detecting diabetic neuropathic foot caused from nerve damages in the legs. Photoplethysmography (PPG) and Laser Doppler (LD) were utilized to measure the blood volume changes and perfusions from fingers and toes. As a result of the PPG signal measurements, ratios of toe to finger obtained from the neuropathy group were significantly higher than those of the normal group (p <0.001). Sensitivities of the PPG method were found to be 98.0 % for both sides. Specificities were found to be 98.4 % for the left and 92.2% for the right side. The suggested PPG method is reliable, simple, low-cost, and noninvasive which could become an effective new screening tool for the early detection of diabetic neuropathic foot.