Investigation of pneumatized articular eminence in orthodontic malocclusions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of pneumatized articular tubercule (PAT) or eminence in an orthodontic patient population and to examine the possible correlations between different orthodontic malocclusions and pneumatized articular eminence types. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pre-treatment panoramic radiographs were evaluated retrospectively from files of 1405 children and adolescents (459 boys and 946 girls) having various types of malocclusions. Diagnosis of PAT on the radiographs was recorded only if unequivocal pneumatization of the articular eminence could be seen or if the defect was located in the articular eminence posterior to the zygomaticotemporal suture, as a well-defined unilocular- or multilocular radiolucency. PAT was classified as unilocular or multilocular and unilateral or bilateral. Chi-square test was performed to evaluate age, gender, localization, type of malocclusion and prevalence differences. RESULTS: Sixty-six pneumatized articular eminences were found in 48 patients, representing a prevalence of 3.42%. The results of chi-square test showed no statistically significant differences considering age (p = 0.516), gender (p = 0.719), type of malocclusion (p = 0.155) and localization (p = 0.738). CONCLUSIONS: A relatively high rate of pneumatized articular eminence was observed among patients with orthodontic malocclusions (3.42%) when compared to the general population studies. Knowledge about these structures is helpful for the interpretation of cephalometric and panoramic radiographs and provides valuable information especially prior to temporomandibular joint surgery to avoid intra-operative reconstruction and complications.

Dentin hypersensitivity: a randomized clinical comparison of three different agents in a short-term treatment period.

OBJECTIVE: Dentin hypersensitivity, or what patients may describe as "sensitive teeth," is defined as a short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to thermal, evaporative, tactile, electrical, osmotic or chemical stimuli. It is widely accepted that dentin hypersensitivity is an uncomfortable condition that also affects function and quality of life. This study determines the differences in efficiency of three desensitizing products when compared with a placebo. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare three different professional dentin desensitizer agents in 52 patients. The age and sex of the patients was recorded. Gluma Desensitizer (Heraeus Kulzer), UltraEZ (Ultradent Products, Inc) and Duraphat (Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Inc, New York, NY, USA) were used as desensitizer agents and distilled water was used as the placebo. The baseline measurement of the dentin hypersensitivity was made by using a visual analog scale (VAS). Twenty-four hours and seven days after application of the desensitizer agents and placebo, a new VAS analysis was conducted for patients' sensitivity level. The desensitizer agents were compared in terms of mean values, and ANOVA was used for testing differences among the groups (p<0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that the mean pain scores of the placebo group were significantly higher than that of the study groups (p<0.05). The VAS analysis revealed a significant decrease in dentin hypersensitivity over time with the use of agents (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found among the three desensitizing agents (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These three desensitizing agents, which contain different active ingredients, were effective in relieving dentin hypersensitivity. However, no superiority was found in dentin sensitivity relief among the agents.