RESUMO
Mandibular crowding is the most common type of dental crowding among adolescents. Aims: To investigate the relationship between the angulation pattern of impacted mandibular third molars and the severity of mandibular anterior crowding. Methodology: A total of 69 participants with impacted mandibular third molars were included in the study, and their records were analysed. Results: There was no significant association between impacted mandibular third molars' angulation pattern and mandibular anterior crowding severity, as well as no correlation between gender and either impacted mandibular third molars' angulation pattern or mandibular anterior crowding severity. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the angulation pattern of impacted mandibular third molars is not a significant contributing factor to the severity of mandibular anterior crowding. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to validate these results.
RESUMO
Background: Accurate knowledge and identification of anatomical landmarks on radiographic imaging are essential when preparing for any invasive procedure. The mental foramen has been the subject of many publications because of its significance as the origin point of the mental nerve and its proximity to the lower premolar area. The aim of this study was to assess the horizontal location of the mental foramen (MF) in the samples collected from the Faculty of Dental Medicine at Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This included comparing genders, ages, and bilateral symmetry. In addition, the study aimed to assess inter-rater reliability in locating the mental foramen on a digital panoramic radiograph (OPG). Methods: A total of 334 digital panoramic radiographs were chosen for retrospective analysis from a total of 2,199 images taken from the Umm Al-Qura University, Faculty of Dental Medicine, teaching hospital database. The locations were scored independently by four examiners. The area was divided into six zones, determined by drawing straight lines along the long axis of the premolars and contact areas. A scoring index of 1-6 was utilized to describe the location in relation to the premolars. Analysis was carried out using chi-square and descriptive statistics. The inter-rater reliability was calculated using Fleiss' Kappa to determine observer agreement. Results: The ages of the patients ranged from 13 to 76 years, with a mean of 29.66. There was no significant difference related to gender, but there was a significant difference related to age. The most frequent location was zone 4, 47.6% on the left side and 51.5% on the right, followed by zone 5, 18.6% on the left side and 16.2% on the right, and zone 3, 15.3% on both the right and the left side. The location was symmetrical in 64.7% of the cases and asymmetrical in 35.3%. The inter-rater reliability among the examiners was fair. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that the MF's location was more closely related to the mandibular second premolar than the first premolar. Furthermore, bilateral symmetry was found in 65% of the sample. There was no statistical significance observed in differences between the genders. Both newly graduated and experienced dentists could identify the location of the MF from the radiograph using the MF's location in relation to the six zones.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine periodontal health status among drug addicts in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Drug addiction recovery patients were recruited from Al-Amal Rehabilitation Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between October and December 2012. A questionnaire was used to determine socio-demographic data, oral hygiene measures, and previous drug abuse. Full periodontal charting was carried out including probing depth, recession, attachment loss, bleeding on probing, and plaque index. RESULTS: A total of 57 male patients participated in the study. Cannabis was the drug of choice of most (66.7%) of the subjects, followed by amphetamines (52.6%), alcohol (43.9%), heroin (35.1%), and 8.8% reported using cocaine. All participants had some form of periodontitis with moderate chronic periodontitis affecting 60% of the sample, while mild periodontitis affected 29.1%, and severe periodontitis affected 10.9% of the sample. Cocaine and heroin users showed higher mean clinical attachment loss compared with non-users (p<0.05). Pocket depths of 5-6 mm were found in more than half of the sample. Cocaine users had the highest percentage (80%) of pocket depths that ranged from 5-6 mm. CONCLUSION: Illicit drug use, especially heroin and cocaine, is associated with more severe forms of periodontitis.
