Investigation of the Relationship Between Mandibular Morphology and Upper Airway Dimensions.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, the authors aimed to perform a novel and extensive analysis, based on the most applicable correlations between the mandibular and upper airway parameters, using cone beam computed tomography across all malocclusion classes. The authors also focused on gender-dependent differences in an Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Images were acquired from adult patients using cone beam computed tomography. The patients were classified into three groups of malocclusion classes (class I: 13 males and 27 females, class II: 13 males and 27 females, and class III: 25 males and 15 females). For each patient, 10 parameters for the mandible and 23 parameters for the pharynx, pyriform aperture, and nasal cavity were evaluated in the images. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient showed significant correlations between the mandibular morphology and upper airway dimensions in each malocclusion class. In females, the menton angle had a significant correlation with pharyngeal dimensions in all malocclusion classes. In males, the bigonial width, bicondylar width, and symphyseal height of the mandible were correlated with pharyngeal dimensions in all classes. The greatest correlation between the mandible and upper airways was observed in class III malocclusions, and the lowest correlation was observed in class I malocclusions. In addition, the mandibular parameters had relationships with the nasal cavity and pyriform aperture. CONCLUSION: It is important to consider the knowledge of the relationship between some characteristics of the mandible and airways in various clinical approaches.

Do Psychological Characteristics of Mothers Predict Parenting Stress? A Cross-Sectional Study among Mothers of Children with Different Disabilities.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: We aimed at assessing the parenting stress levels among mothers of children with different disabilities and its association with various mothers' psychological characteristics. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 302 mothers of 6-12years old children suffering from sensory motor mental, chronic physical and psychological disabilities were enrolled. Parenting stress, coping stratyles, marital satisfaction and psychological problems of mothers were assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: In this study, mothers of 302 children with sensory-motor mental (n=64), psychological (n=149) and chronic physical (n=89) disabilities were investigated. Mean total score of parenting stress was significantly higher in mothers of children with psychological disabilities (F=4.285, P<0.05). There was positive significant relationship between emotion oriented coping style and parenting stress scores (ß=0.56, P<0.05). Parenting stress had significant negative association with marital satisfaction (ß=-0.3, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated different parenting stress levels among mothers of children with different disabilities. Mother's psychological characteristics such as marital satisfaction, psychological problems and coping styles are significant determinants of parenting stress. These findings provide baseline information for designing future interventional studies and developing more effective approaches for managing the parenting stress.