The evaluation of the relationship between cervical vertebral anomalies with skeletal malocclusion types and upper airway dimensions.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of cervical vertebral anomalies (CVAs) in different skeletal malocclusions and to evaluate the relationship between upper airway dimension and vertebral anomalies. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on lateral cephalometric radiographs of 2062 patients aged 7-49 years. Skeletal malocclusion type, presence of CVAs, and upper airway area of 1856 patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study were recorded. The obtained data were transferred to the SPSS program for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of the patients was 13.8 ± 3.7 years. The prevalence of CVAs was 45.7%. There was no significant difference in prevalence between skeletal malocclusions (p = 0.89). According to airway measurements, no significant difference was found between patients with and without CVAs (p = 0.718). Conclusion: The present results suggest that there is no direct effect of skeletal malocclusion type and upper airway dimension in the etiology of CVAs.

Identification of Maxillofacial Problems in Extraoral Photographs by Panel Members: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the profile and frontal photographs in determining sagittal maxillofacial problems by the panel members created from different professional groups. METHODS: Frontal and profile photographs of four individuals with skeletal Class I, Class II Division 1, Class II Division 2, and Class III malocclusion were assessed by panel members. A total of 42 panel members from 7 different professions participated in the study. Panel members were asked to choose one of the frontal or profile photographs to be used in determining the maxillofacial problem. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Fisher's exact test were applied to evaluate the difference between the panelists. RESULTS: Of the 42 panel members, 16% selected frontal photographs, and 84% selected profile photographs. There were no statistically significant differences between seven panels with regard to photography selection (p>0.05). When all panel members were compared with regard to gender, 17.9% of the frontal photographs and 82.1% of the profile photographs were selected by females, whereas 15.4% of the frontal photographs and 84.6% of the profile photographs were chosen by males. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: It was found that the profile photograph was more preferred and informative in determining the sagittal maxillofacial problem.

Effect of rapid maxillary expansion on halitosis.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on halitosis. METHODS: Thirty children (11-15 years old) were randomly divided into RME and control groups. The RME group consisted of 15 children treated with hyrax appliances, and the control group included 15 children without treatment. Halitosis was evaluated with the halimeter and the organoleptic method. Plaque index and gingival index scores were recorded. Acoustic rhinometry was used to measure the nasal volume. Measurements were obtained at 2 times: before RME, and after retention at 4 months. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and the paired t test were used for intragroup comparisons, and the Mann-Whitney U test and the Student t test were used for intergroup comparisons. RESULTS: Halitosis (halimeter and organoleptic values) decreased significantly in the RME group (P <0.001). Insignificant changes of halitosis were observed in the control group. Intragroup and intergroup comparisons showed no statistically significant differences for the plaque index. Gingival index values were significantly decreased with RME (P ≤0.05). Nasal cavity volume increased significantly in the RME group (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RME was shown to lower halitosis values. RME could be a treatment option for patients with maxillary transverse deficiency and halitosis.