Betel quid chewing among Bangladeshi adolescents living in east London.

OBJECTIVES: Ascertain level and predictors of betel quid (pan) chewing in Bangladeshi adolescents. DESIGN: Cross sectional questionnaire study. SETTING: Bangladeshi cultural centres in East London. SAMPLE: Consecutive adolescents attending 4 randomly selected centres. METHOD: Self-completed questionnaire. RESULTS: 204 (70%) of 290 teenagers invited to participate did so. Fifty-eight (28%) chewed pan; 30 (51%) of whom chewed on most days. The median age of first chewing was 9 years. Only 7 (2%) added tobacco to their quids. Pan chewers tended to come from lower socio-economic status families, liked the taste of pan and were less inclined to think that it adversely affected their appearance or that it could cause cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pan chewing was lower than that found among adults reported in earlier studies in the UK. This reduction in the level of pan chewing could be attributed to acculturation. Few teenagers knew about the association between pan chewing and cancer but the widespread concern about the effect of pan chewing on the appearance of their mouth suggests this is a useful health promotion message within common risk/health factor approach.

Aberrant root development of the mandibular premolars: a case report.

A rare case of a patient with aberrant root morphology in all the mandibular premolars is reported. A thorough review of the dental literature revealed little significant data concerning such cases, because much of the literature is concerned with variation in root canal morphology rather than variations in root morphology. Failure to obtain preoperative radiographs of diagnostic quality could result in unexpected complications during endodontic treatment or extraction of such variant teeth.

Branchio-oto-renal syndrome with generalized microdontia: case report.

Branchio-oto-renal syndrome, first defined in 1976, is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by anomalies of the external, middle, and inner ear in association with preauricular sinuses, branchial cleft anomalies, and varying degrees of renal dysplasia, including aplasia. Less frequently expressed phenotypic abnormalities include lacrimal duct aplasia and stigmata of renal dysgenesis known as Potter facies. Although the precise incidence of the disorder is unknown, it may be more common than is generally appreciated, and it appears to be distinct from other autosomal dominant otobranchial syndromes. Moreover, not all features of the syndrome are expressed in all carriers of the gene. An unusual case of branchio-oto-renal syndrome with generalized microdontia of the permanent dentition is reported.

Profiles, occlusal plane relationships and spacing of teeth in the dentitions of 3 to 4 year old children.

A study of 1026, 3 to 4 year old children in nursery schools and day-care centers was done to assess the profile, occlusal relationships and the presence of spacing or crowding of teeth in south India. Males had a higher incidence of convex profiles, while females showed a higher incidence of straight profiles, but it was not statistically significant. Flush terminal planes was the most commonly observed molar relationship in both the sexes. Seventy-five percent of both the sexes showed presence of both physiologic and primate spaces in both the jaws; and 3% of the population under study were devoid of spacing and had closed dental arches. Comparison between the profiles and terminal plane relationships it was observed that convex profiles were significantly correlated with flush and distal step terminal planes in both the sexes.

Mesiodens in the primary dentition--a case report.

Supernumerary teeth are among the most significant dental anomalies affecting the primary and the permanent dentitions. Mesiodens is a supernumerary tooth with a cone shaped crown and a short root. Though it occurs frequently in the permanent dentition, it is extremely rare in the primary dentition. The exact etiology is still obscure and not well understood. Supernumerary teeth occur as isolated dental findings or as part of a syndrome. The frequency with which supernumerary teeth occur and the effects they have on development of normal occlusion justify the radiographic examination of preschool children. Early removal of such teeth is recommended if they impede the eruption of adjacent permanent teeth, appear inverted or rudimentary, associated with certain pathologic conditions or are symptomatic.

Reattachment of a fractured maxillary incisor crown--case report.

Management of traumatic injuries to the teeth is a challenge to the practising dentist. It has no prescriptive method for occurring, possesses no significant predictable pattern of intensity or extensiveness and occurring at times when dentists are least prepared for it. It may not only leave physical scars but also a psychological impact on its victim. Yet, more than half of all children traumatize either their primary or permanent teeth before leaving the school, coupled with the dynamic panorama of sporting activity worldwide and the significant increase in violence among the populations. Tooth trauma and its management loom as a major challenge to the dental practitioner. A case of a 11 year old boy with Ellis Class 3 traumatic injury to the maxillary left central incisor is reported. A pulpectomy was performed followed by reinforcement and reattachment of the crown fragment and restoration with composite resin.

Surgical management of a labially placed permanent maxillary central incisor after supernumerary tooth extraction: report of a case.

A case of a 12-year old-boy having a chief complaint of labially placed maxillary central incisor is presented. Radiographic evaluation revealed the presence of a supernumerary tooth impeding the eruption of the left permanent central incisor. The mesiodens was surgically removed and the permanent central incisor was positioned and splinted into proper alignment.

Marginal ridge fracture resistance, microleakage and pulpal response to glass ionomer/glass cermet partial tunnel restorations.

Sixty sound premolars which were to be extracted for orthodontic treatment purposes were restored either with glass ionomer cement or glass cermet cements after partial tunnel preparation, and prior to the extraction after a time interval of 30 and 60 days respectively. The teeth were then subjected to marginal ridge fracture resistance, microleakage study using dye penetration and histological evaluation of the pulpal response to these materials. Both the materials exhibited increase in marginal ridge fracture resistance at 60 days, with minimal degree of microleakage and were biologically compatible with the dental pulp.

Bilaterally fused primary mandibular incisors--a case report.

Fusion of teeth results from abnormal events in the embryologic development of teeth. In most cases the clinical and radiological findings allow only a presumptive diagnosis to be established since the specific terminology described refers to the etiology of the process, which often cannot be established. An unusual case of bilateral fusion in primary mandibular incisor region in a four-year-old boy is reported.

Clinical, radiographic and histological observations of the radicular pulp following "feracrylum" pulpotomy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the pulpal response following application of 1% Feracrylum (Hemolok) to arrest hemorrhage during pulpotomy procedure on 26 sound primary molars. They were filled with ZnOE cement and later restored with silver amalgam. The teeth were followed for clinical, radiographic and later histological success for various intervals of time up to 5 months. Asymptomatic clinical and radiological findings and histological evidence of healing in the form of reparative dentin and fibrous tissue formation the deeper zones of the radicular pulp was observed. The hemostatic and non-toxic nature of feracrylum makes it a promising medicament for pulpotomy procedures.

Rieger's syndrome: a case report.

Rieger's syndrome is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by dental, ocular, and periumbilical abnormalities. Essential ocular features include goniodysgenesis, which leads to increased intraocular pressure and subsequent glaucoma and visual loss. Dental findings include midfacial hypoplasia and the absence of primary and permanent incisors and second premolars. Comprehensive preventive dental care in the form of fluorides and sealants is required, especially in patients with severe hypodontia, to increase the resistance of the remaining teeth to dental caries. This article describes a case of Rieger's syndrome in a 9-year-old child and emphasizes the need for comprehensive oral rehabilitation.

Dentigerous cyst with inflammatory etiology from a deciduous predecessor--report of a case.

Dentigerous cysts arising from overlying infected predecessor teeth are very rare. This report describes one such case where extraction of the infected deciduous tooth with marsupialization led to the eruption of the premolar. Periodic radiographic evaluation is required to note and prevent recurrence and other serious complications arising from these cysts.

Electromyographic and ultrasonographic observations of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in children.

Muscle thickness and activity of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in children with Class I molar occlusion having normal anterior relation, anterior deep-bite and anterior open-bite were measured using ultrasonographic and electromyographic techniques. The results demonstrated an increased muscle thickness in the deep-bite followed by open-bite subjects. Muscle activity was high in the same groups. A significant correlation between thickness and activity was noted only in the anterior temporalis muscle of subjects with normal anterior relation. Activity index indicated that masseter contributed to the higher activity in the clenching effort.

Hajdu-Cheney syndrome: case report.

A case of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome with acro-osteolysis of the left hand, bizarrely shaped skull, early eruption of permanent teeth and ventricular septal defect is presented. Biochemical investigations revealed high levels of acid phosphatase. The child was treated routinely and the lower primary central incisors were extracted due to early lingual eruption of the permanent central incisors.

Hemisection of a permanent mandibular first molar: a treatment option for a vertically impacted second premolar.

Hemisection as the name implies is the division of a tooth and removal of the unwanted portion thereafter. This technique was performed on a mandibular first permanent molar. An additional advantage of the procedure in the present case was that the impacted second premolar got adequate space to erupt into its occlusion without any further surgical sacrifices of the badly involved carious permanent molar or the impacted premolar itself.

Additional distal root in permanent mandibular first molars: report of a case.

The case of a patient with an additional distal root in each permanent mandibular first molar is reported. A thorough review of the dental literature failed to reveal any significant data concerning such cases because much of the literature is concerned with variation in root canal morphology rather than variations in root number. Inability to recognize these aberrations could lead to failure of endodontic treatment.

Ultrasonographic observation of the circumoral musculature: an in-vivo study.

The aim of the present in-vivo study was to determine whether circumoral musculature could be imaged using an ultrasound with a high frequency probe and to record the changes, if any, in the thickness and shape of the images of the lips occurring amongst normal and different malocclusion states during the relaxed and contracted states. Thirty children with varying classes and types of malocclusion in the age group of 9-12 years were included in this investigation. A real time ultrasound system with a 10 MHz sector scan transducer was used to do the imaging. The results indicated that the circumoral region could be imaged ultrasonographically and that significant changes occurred in the thickness of this muscle in both relaxed and contracted states as well as in varying malocclusion states. Significant increase in muscle thickness was aslo noted in these subjects who were given muscle exercises. Long term observations utilizing this technique in following growth and age related changes will provide a wealth of information for clinical practice in future.

Measurement of masseter and temporalis muscle thickness using ultrasonographic technique.

Ultrasonography was found to be a highly reliable and accurate method for imaging and measuring masticatory muscle thickness. No age and sex related variations were observed in this study on comparisons between the two groups. Similarly no changes were seen in the muscle thickness and different facial morphologies. Since no earlier studies on this type of investigation was done, it will be too premature to give a final verdict on the correlation between the masticatory muscle thickness and facial morphology for all the recorded cases. A long term follow up will provide a wealth of information for future clinical purposes. No age and sex related variations were observed in this study on comparisons between the two groups. Similarly no changes were seen in the muscle thickness and different facial morphologies.