Comparative cephalometric study of the airways between different ethnic groups with normal occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the nasopharynx and oropharynx airway dimensions of Caucasians, Blacks, Japanese, Japanese Brazilians, and Black Caucasians. METHODS: A sample of 216 lateral radiographs of untreated young Brazilian subjects (mean age of 12.94 years; SD 0.88) were divided into five groups: Black Caucasian, Black, Caucasian, Japanese, and Japanese Brazilian. Lateral radiographs were used to measure the oropharynx (from the midpoint on the soft palate to the closest point on the anterior pharyngeal wall) and the nasopharynx (from the intersection of the posterior border of the tongue and the inferior border of the mandible to the closest point on the posterior pharyngeal wall). Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test were performed (p< 0.05). RESULTS: The linear dimension of the oropharynx was similar among the different ethnic groups. Caucasian individuals presented a significantly greater linear dimension of the nasopharynx than Black Caucasian and Black individuals. CONCLUSIONS: All the groups had similar buccopharyngeal values. However, Caucasian individuals had significantly higher values when compared to Black Caucasians and Black individuals.

Comparative cephalometric study of the airways between different ethnic groups with normal occlusion

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to compare the nasopharynx and oropharynx airway dimensions of Caucasians, Blacks, Japanese, Japanese Brazilians, and Black Caucasians. Methods: A sample of 216 lateral radiographs of untreated young Brazilian subjects (mean age of 12.94 years; SD 0.88) were divided into five groups: Black Caucasian, Black, Caucasian, Japanese, and Japanese Brazilian. Lateral radiographs were used to measure the oropharynx (from the midpoint on the soft palate to the closest point on the anterior pharyngeal wall) and the nasopharynx (from the intersection of the posterior border of the tongue and the inferior border of the mandible to the closest point on the posterior pharyngeal wall). Analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test were performed (p< 0.05). Results: The linear dimension of the oropharynx was similar among the different ethnic groups. Caucasian individuals presented a significantly greater linear dimension of the nasopharynx than Black Caucasian and Black individuals. Conclusions: All the groups had similar buccopharyngeal values. However, Caucasian individuals had significantly higher values when compared to Black Caucasians and Black individuals.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar as dimensões das vias aéreas da nasofaringe e da bucofaringe de leucodermas, melanodermas, xantodermas, feodermas e nipo-brasileiros. Material e métodos: Uma amostra de 216 telerradiografias laterais de jovens brasileiros não tratados (idade média de 12,94 anos; DP 0,88) foi dividida em cinco grupos: melanodermas, leucodermas, xantodermas, feodermas e nipo-brasileiros. As telerradiografias foram utilizadas para medir a bucofaringe (do ponto médio do palato mole até o ponto mais próximo da parede anterior da faringe) e a nasofaringe (da intersecção da borda posterior da língua e da borda inferior da mandíbula até o ponto mais próximo). Foram realizadas análises de variância (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). Resultados: A dimensão linear da bucofaringe foi semelhante entre os diferentes grupos étnicos. Indivíduos leucodermas apresentaram dimensão linear da nasofaringe significativamente maior do que indivíduos feodermas e melanodermas. Conclusões: Todos os grupos apresentaram valores da bucofaringe semelhantes. No entanto, os indivíduos leucodermas apresentaram valores significantemente maiores, quando comparados aos feodermas e melanodermas.

Evaluation of the masticatory biomechanical function in Down syndrome and its Influence on sleep disorders, body adiposity and salivary parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the phenotypic features of the masticatory biomechanics in atypical subjects with Down syndrome (DS). Its influence was analysed on sleep disorders, body adiposity and its risks, and some physicochemical properties of saliva. METHODS: Seventy subjects were enrolled to assess masticatory biomechanical function and divided into two groups: DS and control groups. Electrical activities of the masseter and temporal muscles (at rest and in maximum voluntary clench-MVC), maximum bite force-MBF and maximum mouth opening-MMO were investigated. Among the atypical subjects, just 24 participants underwent the anthropometry, the polysomnography II and the saliva testing (salivary flow rate-SFR, buffer capacity-BC and salivary cortisol levels, morning/SC-AM and night/SC-PM). RESULTS: MVC and MBF values showed high statistical significance in the control group (P < .001) than in the DS group of 35. MMO values were slightly increased in the DS group in relation to the control group. Overweight and obesity were found in both genders. Atypical women showed higher risk to develop cardiovascular-metabolic diseases than in atypical men. OSA severe was 20% for atypical women and 42.8% for atypical men, whereas snoring index was present in all genders. SFR was reduced in 100% of atypical subjects (hyposalivation in 10% women and 28.5% men). Furthermore, 100% BC, 66.6% SC-AM and 91.6% SC-PM showed normal patterns. CONCLUSION: Masseter and temporal muscle hypotonia was found in all atypical subjects with DS. This muscle dysfunction strongly was related to overweight/obesity, risks for development of cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, OSA severity, successive snoring episodes and salivary flow reduction in DS.

Efeitos da eletroestimulação neuromuscular na ação biomecânica dos músculos masseter e temporal, nas variáveis fisiológicas do sono e na distribuição de gordura corporal em pacientes com síndrome de Down / Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the biomechanics of masseter and temporalis muscle activity, physiological sleep variables, and body fat distribution in patients with Down syndrome

Avaliamos os efeitos terapêuticos da eletroestimulação neuromuscular de superfície (EENMs) sobre a biomecânica dos músculos masseter e temporal e as variáveis fisiológicas do sono em pacientes jovens e adultos com síndrome de Down (SD). A distribuição da gordura corporal foi também analisada, antes e após a terapia proposta, a fim de averiguar a presença de possíveis variações, particularmente na região do pescoço. Seis sujeitos com SD foram selecionados e submetidos à terapia com EENMs. Os efeitos terapêuticos sobre as atividades elétricas dos músculos masseter (porção superficial) e temporal (porção anterior), a amplitude de abertura de boca e a intensidade de força de mordida foram investigados por meio de eletromiografia de superfície (EMGs), paquímetro analógico e transdutor de força, respectivamente. As variáveis fisiológicas do sono foram analisadas através da polissonografia ­ tipo II (PSG-II); enquanto que a distribuição de gordura corporal foi mensurada através de análise antropométrica, incluindo o índice de massa corporal (IMC), circunferência do pescoço (CP), circunferência abdominal e razão cintura e quadril (RCQ). Esses métodos de análise foram realizados antes e após terapia proposta. Observamos que a terapia EENMs reduziu a CP (valores) e a RCQ (valores) sugerindo benefício ao risco de disfunções cardiovasculares. A EMG dos músculos mastigatórios em repouso foi maior em todos os grupos estudados e a redução da abertura máxima bucal (controle 5,6 ±1,2 cm x 4,8 ± 0,7 cm pós tratamento), sinalizam que houve um aumento do tônus muscular. Já a EMGs em contração máxima voluntária e intercuspidação máxima não mostraram alterações significativas, embora a Força Máxima Mandibular tenha aumentado de 39,8±13,5 para 44,0±14,8 KgF pós tratamento, tais achados mostraram um benefício no incremento de unidades motoras, e sugerem que a presença de interferências oclusais e ausência de elementos dentários comumente encontrados na SD, prejudicaram os registros eletromiográficos, nesta condição de coleta. Em relação a PSG, observamos a redução no grau de severidade no índice de apneia/hipopnéia, mostrando que a EENMs interferiu nos parâmetros do sono e no risco de AOS nestes pacientes. Portanto, nossos resultados em conjunto, sugerem que terapia aplicada no pressente estudo pode agregar fatores positivos na saúde e na qualidade de vida para os indivíduos portadores de SD(AU)

We evaluated the therapeutic effects of neuromuscular surface electrostimulation (NMES) on the biomechanics of the masseter and temporal muscles and the physiological variables of sleep in young and adult patients with Down syndrome (DS). The distribution of body fat was also analyzed, before and after the proposed therapy, in order to ascertain the presence of possible variations, particularly in the neck region. Six subjects with DS were selected and submitted to therapy with NMES. The therapeutic effects on the electrical activities of the masseter (superficial portion) and temporal (anterior portion) muscles, the amplitude of mouth opening and the intensity of the bite force were investigated by means of surface electromyography (EMGs), analog caliper and transducer of strength, respectively. The physiological variables of sleep were analyzed using polysomnography - type II (PSG-II); whereas, the distribution of body fat was measured through anthropometric analysis, including body mass index (BMI), neck circumference (CP), abdominal circumference and waist and hip ratio (WHR). These methods of analysis were performed before and after proposed therapy. We observed that NMES therapy reduced CP (values) and WHR (values) suggesting a benefit to the risk of cardiovascular dysfunction. The EMG of the masticatory muscles at rest was greater in all groups studied and the reduction in maximum mouth opening (control 5.6 ± 1.2 cm x 4.8 ± 0.7 cm after treatment), indicates that there was an increase in the muscle tone. The EMGs in maximum voluntary contraction and maximum intercuspation did not show significant changes, although the Maximum Mandibular Strength increased from 39.8 ± 13.5 to 44.0 ± 14.8 KgF after treatment, such findings showed a benefit in the increase of motor units, and suggest that the presence of occlusal interference and the absence of dental elements commonly found in DS, impaired the electromyographic records, in this collection condition. Regarding PSG, we observed a reduction in the degree of severity in the apnea / hypopnea index, showing that NMES interfered with sleep parameters and the risk of OSA in these patients. Therefore, our results together suggest that therapy applied in the present study may add positive factors in health and quality of life for individuals with D(AU)