Comparison of mandibular bone mineral densities in dentate and edentulous patients.

PURPOSE: In contemporary implant dentistry, bone mineral density (BMD) of the jaws is a patient-associated prognostic factor. The aim of this study was to compare the mandibular body BMD of dentate and edentulous patients using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients, 20 dentate and 19 edentulous, were included in this cross-sectional study. Mandibular body BMD was measured using the DXA technique. The variables were normally distributed; thus, the independent samples t-test was used for the determination of statistical significance between the dentate and edentulous groups (age, body mass index [BMI], DXA). Chi-square test was performed for identification of the gender differences between the groups. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between age, BMI, and mandibular body BMD. Note that p < 0.01 was accepted as the significance level. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the dentate and edentulous groups in matching variables (age, BMI, and gender) (p > 0.01). There was a statistically significant difference regarding the mandibular body BMD in the dentate and edentulous group (p < 0.01) controlling for age, gender, and BMI. The edentulous group patients had higher mandibular body BMD values (1.27 ± 0.31 g/cm(2)) than those in the dentate group (0.94 ± 0.22 g/cm(2)). CONCLUSION: Comparison of the mandibular body BMD revealed that dentate patients had less dense bone than the edentulous patients. Further investigations are needed to determine the BMD of the jaws in different regions and for different systemic conditions.

Relationship between pterygomaxillary notches and maxillary anterior teeth.

PURPOSE: Selection of the appropriate size of maxillary anterior teeth in complete dentures may be difficult, as there is no universally accepted method that can be used reliably. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between the total mesiodistal width of the six maxillary anterior teeth and the interpterygomaxillary notch distance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and ten maxillary impressions were made on dental students (67 women, 43 men; 19 to 22 years old) using stock tray and irreversible hydrocolloid impression material. The mesiodistal width of the six maxillary anterior teeth and the distance of the interpterygomaxillary notch were measured by digital caliper on stone casts (on two separate occasions by two independent observers). The results were analyzed using correlation regression tests. RESULTS: The mean mesiodistal width of the six maxillary anterior teeth was 46.02 (+/-2.8) mm, and the mean distance of the interpterygomaxillary notch was 42.38 (+/-3.47) mm. A significant correlation was found between mesiodistal width of the maxillary anterior teeth and the interpterygomaxillary notch distance (p= 0.003; r = 0.28). Standardized coefficient was found to be low (28%) to predict the appropriate size of maxillary anterior teeth. CONCLUSION: Total mesiodistal width of the maxillary anterior teeth correlated with the distance between pterygomaxillary notches; however, measurement of the interpterygomaxillary notch could not be used for tooth selection reliably due to the low standardized coefficient. Within the limitations of this study, the interpterygomaxillary notch distance is not useful for the selection of six maxillary anterior teeth in edentulous patients.

Mineral status of COPD patients under long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the mineral status of mandibles, femurs, and spines in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients under long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulmonary function tests were conducted on patients (n = 30) with COPD under inhaled corticosteroid therapy for at least 1 year. The results were compared to sex- and age-matched controls (n = 30). Analyses of blood gases were also carried out relative to COPD, and bone mineral densities (BMD) of the mandible, lumbar spine, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle were also measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Levels of serum osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus, and cortisol were also assessed. RESULTS: In accordance with the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria, 8 of the COPD patients had moderate, 11 patients had severe, and 11 patients had very severe forms of the disease. All BMD measurements were lower in the COPD patients than in the control group. The serum osteocalcin levels in COPD patients were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.0001). Serum calcium (p < 0.004) and cortisol levels (p < 0.026) in the COPD patients were also significantly lower than those in the control subjects. Although serum alkaline phosphatase level was higher and the phosphorus level was lower in the treatment group than in the control group, the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Regular evaluation of the biochemical markers of bone metabolism and BMD would be helpful for detecting any detrimental changes of bone in COPD patients under long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy. In this study, mandibular BMD was observed to be lower in COPD patients under long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy than in healthy subjects. Thus, dental implant treatment may require preventive measures in COPD patients under long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

A multidisciplinary approach to dental erosion: a case report.

Chemical erosion is the loss of superficial tooth structure by chemical action in the continued presence of demineralizing agents. This can be prominent in patients with oral habits such as constant citrus ingestion (like lemon chewing), chlorinated swimming pool water or gastrointestinal problems that produce repeated exposure of teeth to gastric acids. In this case report, a multidisciplinary approach to restore the severe wear due to dental erosion by proper techniques and materials was presented.

Investigation of Vertical Distance between Incisive Papilla and Incisal Edge of Maxillary Central Incisors.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the vertical distance between maxillary central incisors and incisive papilla. METHODS: The vertical distance between incisal edges of maxillary central incisors and the centre of the incisive papilla was measured by a digital caliper on the stone casts that were obtained from dentate subjects. RESULTS: The mean vertical distance between maxillary central incisors and incisive papilla on the stone casts was 6.70+/-0.81 mm. The vertical distance range was 5.51 mm to 8.89 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical relevance of this study lies in application to complete denture construction. The dentist and laboratory technician can be use the results of this study as a guideline in fabrication of maxillary occlusal rims and in determination of the position of the occlusal plane with the reference of other anatomical landmarks together. However, the wax rim should be modified intraorally to incorporate individual characteristics and the anterior tooth should be arranged on modified wax rim.