Examination of foramen tympanicum: an anatomical study using cone-beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The foramen tympanicum (FT) is an osseous dehiscence of the temporal bone and usually closes by the age of 5 years. The foramen is located posteromedial to the temporomandibular joint and anteroinferior of the external auditory canal. The aim of this study is to define the prevalence, location and size of the foramen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined 200 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images (400 ears). We used a CBCT dental imaging system (GALILEOS, Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany) working at 15-30 mA and 98 kV. We noted size and location (unilateral and bilateral) of the present FT. RESULTS: Foramen tympanicum was determined in 11.5% of 200 patients (they had FT at least on one side of the head). This was bilateral in 5 (2.5%) patients. Prevalence of the FT was significintly higher in females (8%) than in males (3.5%). FT was found more frequently on the left side (7.5%) than on the right side (4%). Mean axial diameter was 1.13 mm (range 0.23-4.43 mm), and mean sagittal diameter was 1.44 mm (range 0.22-3.99 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Considering that FT was present in 11.75% of patients, radiologists and clinicians should be aware of the possible presence of this defect. It is known that this developmental dehiscence may cause herniation of temporomandibular joint, formation of salivary otorrhea, and spread of tumour or infection to the infratemporal fossa from external auditory canal. This study showed that CBCT may be preferred for imaging these conditions. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 335-339).

An unusual foreign body in the maxillary sinus: Dental impression material.

Foreign bodies in paranasal sinuses are very rare and most of them are encountered in the maxillary sinus. These foreign bodies may be organic or inorganic and can enter the maxillary sinus through an oro-antral fistula. The oro-antral fistula is formed by a break in the bony segment of the maxillary sinus floor and usually arises subsequent to maxillary premolar and molar extractions. A 63-year-old female patient evaluated for a nonhealing, left, toothless palate lesion and chronic headache occurring over 4 years. Radiography and computed tomography revealed bone discontinuity in the left floor of the maxillary sinus and calcifications within the antrum. A blue foreign body, later identified as dental impression material, was removed by intranasal endoscopy. A careful oral examination is recommended prior to prosthetic restorations. In addition, paranasal sinus foreign bodies should be surgically removed to prevent secondary soft tissue reactions.

Oral hygiene and oral flora evaluation in psychiatric patients in nursing homes in Turkey.

CONTEXT: The World Health Organization has stated that psychiatric patients are a group of people who have oral and dental illnesses. AIMS: The aims of this study were to document the oral hygiene of individuals with chronic psychiatric illness, to determine the extraoral and intraoral findings, to detect the dominant microorganisms in oral flora, and to inform clinicians of these findings. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study included 100 patients (69 men and 31 women) with different psychiatric illnesses living in a nursing home. They were 19-96 years old (median, 48 years). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The participants completed a questionnaire about patients' oral health. They underwent extraoral and intraoral examinations. Two swab samples were obtained from the oral mucosa of these patients. Gram preparations were analyzed for leukocytes, bacteria, and yeast. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test and z-test were used. RESULTS: All patients (100%) had the necessary equipment for oral hygiene; however, many (43%) patients had poor oral hygiene. There was a high prevalence of xerostomia (56%) and fissured tongue (61.4%) (among other tongue anomalies). The most commonly isolated microorganisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus0 (35.9%), Streptococcus spp. (30.3%), nondiphtheroid Bacilli (16.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (2.3%), Candida spp. (11.8%), and Gram-negative Bacilli (2.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The oral hygiene of most patients was insufficient. The presence of Gram-negative Bacilli growth in the oral flora can be explained by poor hand hygiene. These findings suggest that it is useful to educate individuals about oral hygiene and hand hygiene and to inform the staff and families about this issue.

A case report on a nasolabial cyst presenting with a nasolacrimal sac cyst.

Nasolabial cysts are rare, nonodontogenic soft tissue developmental cysts that occur in the maxillary lip and nasal alar regions. Patients with this type of cyst generally presents with an asymptomatic soft swelling that may obliterate the nasolabial fold, elevate the nasal ala or the floor of the nose and fill the labial vestibule intraorally. The exact origin of nasolabial cysts is uncertain. The seed theory suggests that these cysts develop from a misplaced epithelium of the nasolacrimal duct because of their similar location and histologic appearance. This report aimed to present a case of nasolabial cyst presenting with a nasolacrimal sac cyst.

Evaluation of traumatic dental injuries in a group of Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) are significant clinical problems that may have complex etiologies and may cause physical and physiological impairment. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of TDIs in a group of Turkish subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prevalence of TDIs and the pattern of traumatized teeth were studied in relation to age, gender, cause, location, and type of injury. This study was carried out to include all age groups and teeth. TDIs were recorded using the World Health Organization classification modified by Andreasen et al. RESULTS: The prevalence of TDIs was found to be 4.4% (255 injured patients/5800 presented patients), and the injuries were most commonly observed in the age group of 11-20 years. Males were more affected than females (males, 153; females, 102). The most common cause of traumatic injury was falling (68.2%), and the most common place of trauma was outdoors (56.1%). 4, 7% of patients injured because of their systemic diseases. The most frequently injured teeth were the upper central incisors (primary teeth, 64.5%; permanent teeth, 72.5%), and the most common type of dental injury was uncomplicated crown fracture in both primary (63%) and permanent dentition (47%). CONCLUSION: In the surveyed population, the prevalence of TDIs was found to be low. However, the teacher and family of adolescents and the caregivers of patients with some systemic diseases like epilepsy should be warned about TDIs.

Primary double teeth and their effect on permanent successors.

AIM: Understanding the effects of primary double tooth (PDT) on permanent successors is important to ensure healthy permanent occlusion and aesthetics. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and type of PDT, their effect on permanent successors, and the accompanying dental anomalies/pathologies in a Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study design: The records of 63 PDTs in 54 healthy Caucasian children among 10,000 patients were investigated. PDTs were classified according to Aguilo's classification. RESULTS: The prevalence of PDT was 0.6%. Of the 63 PDTs, 14.3% were type I, 11.1% were type II, 31.7% were type III, and 41.3% were type IV; one (1.6%) was a triple tooth. Aplasia of the permanent lateral incisor was observed most frequently in association with type I (56%) PDT. All PDTs associated with a supernumerary permanent tooth were type IV. Dental anomalies/pathologies such as odontoma, talon cusp were observed. Caries involvement was observed most frequently in type IV (58.3%) PDT. STATISTICS: The chi-squared test was used to determine whether successor aplasia depended on PDT type, and contingency coefficients (%) were calculated to determine the degree of association between aplasia and PDT type. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should assess PDT clinically and radiographically to determine whether they are associated with aplasia of permanent lateral incisors (type I) or supernumerary permanent teeth (type IV). Type IV of PDT should be sealed with sealant or resin.

An unusual presentation of talon cusp: a case report.

The talon cusp is a relatively rare dental developmental anomaly characterised by cusp-like projections, usually observed on the lingual surface of the affected tooth. Normal enamel covers the cusp and fuses with the lingual aspect of the tooth. The cusp may or may not contain an extension of the pulp. This occurs in either maxillary or mandibular anterior teeth in both the primary and permanent dentition. This study reports the unusual case of a 47-year-old female with a taloned tooth on the right maxillary central incisor possessing both lingual and labial talons, with an x-shaped appearance when viewed occlusally.