Relationship between obesity and prevalence of dental anomalies: Does body mass index play a role?

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental anomalies in different body mass index (BMI) percentile child and adolescent subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of 186 subjects (68 males and 118 females) were evaluated. The subjects were divided into three groups according to BMI percentile: Normal-weight (93), overweight (40), and obese (43) subjects. Supernumerary tooth, tooth agenesis, dens invaginatus, dens evaginatus, tooth impaction, taurodontism, pulp stone, and root dilaceration were assessed.

RESULTS

Root dilaceration was found in 11.3% of the obese subjects and 17.5% of the overweight subjects. There was a statistically significant difference in the root dilaceration prevalence among the groups (p=0.015). However, other dental anomalies did not display statistically significant differences among the groups (p>0.05). While there was no statistically significant difference in the dental anomalies prevalence among different BMI percentile groups in males (p>0.05), a statistically significant difference in the root dilaceration prevalence was detected among different BMI percentile groups in females (p=0.036). The data were analysed using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of root dilaceration was significantly greater in obese and overweight subjects than in normal-weight subjects.

A survey of ponticulus posticus: Radiological analysis of atlas in an orthodontic population based on cone-beam computed tomography

BACKGROUND

The ponticulus posticus (PP; Latin for little posterior bridge) has become an important anomaly of the atlas, as the use of the C1 lateral mass screw has become common in treating atlantoaxial instability.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively determine the prevalence and morphologic characteristics of PP in an orthodontic patient population using cervical three-dimensional (3-D) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted by selecting cervical 3-D CBCT images of 374 adolescent population and examining them for the presence and type of PP.

RESULTS

161 patients with 298 complete or partial or bilateral or unilateral PPs were identified based on the 374 cervical 3-D CBCT scans. The prevalence of posticulus ponticus was founded 43.04% in adolescent population.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that the presence of this anomaly should be carefully examined using preoperative lateral radiographs before lateral mass screw placement. If a PP is suspected or confirmed on radiographs, 3-D CBCT scanning should be considered before lateral mass screw placement into the posterior arch because of the variation in the size and shape of PPs and the possibility of injury.

Evaluation of the skeletal and dental effects in orthodontic patients with maxillary lateral incisor agenesis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transverse dimension of the dentoalveolar and skeletal widths in both unilateral (UMLIA) and bilateral (BMLIA) maxillary lateral incisor agenesis groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 59 patients (34 females and 25 males) divided into three groups as UMLIA group (16 patients; 14.94 ± 1.37 years), BMLIA group (21 patients; 14.46 ± 1.53 years) and control group (22 patients; 15.28 ± 1.70 years) without tooth agenesis. Transversal measurements (maxillary and mandibular intercanine, interpremolar, intermolar, intercanine alveolar, interpremolar alveolar, intermolar alveolar widths) were done on dental casts. Craniofacial skeletal measurements were done with posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs. Statistical testing was performed with the one-way variance analysis, Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc tests.

RESULTS

UMLIA and BMLIA groups had statistically significantly narrower skeletal apical base of the maxilla, maxillary intercanine and intercanine alveolar widths compared with the control group (P < .05). Moreover, UMLIA and BMLIA groups had statistically significantly similar dental, alveolar and skeletal features (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The UMLIA and BMLIA groups showed statistically significantly smaller values for maxillary intercanine, maxillary intercanine alveolar and skeletal maxillary widths compared with the control group.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study provides information the transverse dimension of the dental, alveolar and skeletal widths with maxillary lateral incisor agenesis patients. Knowledge of transverse dimension of the dental, alveolar and skeletal widths with maxillary lateral incisor agenesis patients is important for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Mandibular vertical asymmetry in adult orthodontic patients with different vertical growth patterns: A cone beam computed tomography study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate condylar and ramal vertical asymmetry in adult orthodontic patients with different vertical growth patterns and a clinically normal sagittal skeletal pattern using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 101 adult orthodontic patients (48 men and 53 women) divided into three groups according to their vertical growth patterns: high- (33 patients; mean age, 25.06 ± 6.05 years), low- (34 patients; mean age, 24.88 ± 5.22 years), and normal-angle (34 patients; mean age, 24.14 ± 4.26 years) groups. Condylar, ramal, condylar plus ramal height, and index measurements were performed using CBCT images and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in height measurements between right and left sides in each group, except a slight difference of approximately 0.5 mm for condylar height (CH) in the low-angle group (P < .05). No statistically significant gender differences were found for the values (P > .05). In the high-angle group, the ramal height (RH) and condylar plus ramal height (CH + RH) on both sides were found to be less than those of the low- (P < .001) and normal-angle groups (P < .017 and P > .017, respectively), and the asymmetry index values were slightly higher than those of the low- and normal-angle groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The high-angle group showed statistically significantly smaller values of RH and CH + RH on both sides and statistically insignificantly higher asymmetry index values than the low- and normal-angle groups.

Assessment of the soft tissue thickness at the lower anterior face in adult patients with different skeletal vertical patterns using cone-beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the soft tissue thickness values at the lower anterior face among adult patients with different vertical growth patterns using cone-beam computed tomography.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 105 adult patients (54 women and 51 men) with a normal sagittal skeletal pattern divided into three groups according to the vertical growth pattern: high-angle (women/men, 22/13; mean age, 24.54 ± 4.45 years), low-angle (women/men, 14/21; mean age, 24.62 ± 5.08 years), and normal-angle (women/men, 18/17; mean age, 24.22 ± 5.40 years) groups. The soft tissue thickness measurements at the lower anterior face in each group were done and analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests.

RESULTS

Soft tissue thickness values were the lowest in the high-angle group for both women and men. For women, the thickness values at the labrale superius, labrale inferius, and pogonion were found to be statistically significantly smaller in the high-angle group (11.49 ± 1.05 mm, 12.70 ± 1.92 mm, and 11.64 ± 2.65 mm, respectively) compared with the values in the normal-angle group (13.31 ± 2.01 mm, 15.08 ± 1.94 mm, and 14.69 ± 3.08 mm, respectively) (P < .05, P < .05, and P < .01, respectively). For men, however, no statistically significant differences were found among the vertical growth patterns (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Women had statistically significantly thinner thickness at the labrale superius, labrale inferius, and pogonion in the high-angle group compared with the normal-angle group.

Facial soft-tissue thickness in patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate: a retrospective cone-beam computed tomography study

INTRODUCTION

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the facial soft-tissue thicknesses and craniofacial morphologies of patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and to compare the findings with a well-matched control group without any clefts using cone-beam computed tomography.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 40 retrospectively and randomly selected patients divided into 2 groups: a BCLP group (20 patients; mean age, 13.78 ± 3.20 years) and an age- and sex-matched control group without clefts (20 patients; mean age, 13.94 ± 2.52 years). Craniofacial and facial soft-tissue thickness measurements were made with cone-beam computed tomography. The Student t test and multiple linear regression analyses were performed for the statistical evaluations.

RESULTS

The BCLP group had an increased SN-MP angle (P = 0.003), a decreased Co-A (P = 0.000), and retruded maxillary (P = 0.000) and mandibular (P = 0.026) incisors. In addition, patients affected by BCLP had statistically significantly decreased thickness measurements for the variables subnasale (P = 0.005) and labrale superior (P = 0.026) compared with the controls. The most predictive variables were found at U1-SN (r = 0.417, P = 0.004), IMPA (r = 0.368, P = 0.010), and ANB (r = -0.297, P = 0.031) for subnasale and U1-SN (r = 0.284, P = 0.038) for labrale superior.

CONCLUSIONS

The BCLP group showed greater vertical growth, greater retrusion of the maxilla and the maxillary and mandibular incisors, and decreased subnasale and labrale superior thicknesses compared with the well-matched controls without clefts. These differences should be taken into account when planning orthodontic and orthognathic surgery treatment for those patients.

Evaluation of mandibular transverse widths in patients affected by unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate using cone beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mandibular dental, alveolar, and skeletal transversal widths in patients affected by unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate and to compare the findings with a well-matched normal occlusion sample using cone beam computed tomography images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 75 patients divided into three groups: the UCLP (29 patients; mean age: 15.40 ± 3.22 years), BCLP (18 patients; mean age: 15.54 ± 3.72 years), and normal occlusion (28 patients; mean age: 15.82 ± 2.11 years) groups. Mandibular dental (intercanine and -molar), alveolar (intercanine and -molar), and skeletal (bigonial width) transversal measurements were performed three-dimensionally and analyzed using the one-way variance analysis and post hoc Tukey tests.

RESULTS

Patients affected by UCLP and BCLP had statistically significantly lower intercanine alveolar widths (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively) and larger intermolar (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively) and intermolar alveolar widths (P < .001) compared with the normal occlusion group. Furthermore, the patients affected by UCLP and BCLP had similar mandibular dental, alveolar, and skeletal transversal widths (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

The UCLP and BCLP groups showed statistically significantly smaller values for intercanine alveolar widths and larger values for intermolar dental and alveolar widths compared with the normal occlusion group. This shows the importance of using individualized archwires according to the pretreatment arch widths of the patients affected by UCLP and/or BCLP.

Comparison of pharyngeal airway volume among different vertical skeletal patterns: a cone-beam computed tomography study

OBJECTIVE

To test the null hypothesis that there are no significant differences in pharyngeal airway volumes among adult patients with different vertical skeletal patterns and a clinically normal sagittal skeletal pattern using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 100 adult patients (45 men and 55 women; mean age  =  24.0 ± 5.3 years) with a normal sagittal skeletal pattern divided into three groups according to the vertical skeletal patterns: high angle (32 patients: 15 women and 17 men), low angle (34 patients: 14 women and 20 men), and normal angle (34 patients: 16 women and 18 men) groups. Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and total airway volumes of patients in all vertical groups were calculated. Group differences were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests.

RESULTS

Nasopharyngeal airway volume in the high-angle group (mean  =  6067.9 ± 1693.9 mm(3)) was significantly lower than that of the low- and normal-angle groups (P < .01). Oropharyngeal airway volume was highest in the low-angle group (mean  =  15,957.6 ± 6817.2 mm(3)) and significantly decreased in the control (mean  =  11,826.1 ± 4831.9 mm(3); P  =  .008) and high angle (mean  =  10,869.1 ± 4084.1 mm(3); P  =  .001) groups. Total airway volume was highest in the low-angle group (mean  =  24,261.6 ± 8470.1 mm(3)) and lowest in the high-angle group (mean  =  16,937.0 ± 5027.4 mm(3); P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The null hypothesis was rejected. Significant differences were found in pharyngeal airway volumes among different skeletal vertical patterns.

Effects of early unilateral mandibular first molar extraction on condylar and ramal vertical asymmetry

Objective:

The objective of the following study is to investigate the mandibular vertical asymmetry in a group of patients with early unilateral mandibular first molar extractions.

Materials and Methods:

Mandibular asymmetry index measurements (condylar, ramal and condylar-plus-ramal) were performed on the panoramic radiographs of a study group including 51 patients (mean age: 18.60 ± 1.11 years) and a control group of 51 patients (mean age: 18.53 ± 1.29 years). Group I included patients with a unilateral mandibular first molar extracted before the age of 12 years. Group II included patients with no extractions and had excellent Class I relationships, no missing teeth and slight or moderate anterior crowding. A paired t-test was used to determine possible statistically significant differences between the sides for the measurements. Student's t-test was used for the comparison of asymmetry index values between the groups and genders.

Results:

No group showed statistically significant sex-or side-specific differences for posterior vertical height measurements. Condylar asymmetry index and ramal asymmetry index measurements were not statistically different between the groups, while condylar-plus-ramal asymmetry index (CRAI) measurements were statistically different between the groups (P = 0.019).

Conclusions:

A slight difference for CRAI value was found in patients with early unilateral mandibular first molar extractions.

Assessment of pharyngeal airway volume in adolescent patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate using cone beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

To test the null hypothesis that there were no significant differences for pharyngeal airway volumes between the adolescent patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and well-matched controls using cone beam computed tomography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study sample consisted of 16 patients (11 female and 5 male; mean [SD] age 14.1 [2.1] years) affected by BCLP and 16 patients (10 female and 6 male; mean [SD] age 13.4 [2.0] years) as age- and sex-matched control group. Craniofacial measurements and pharyngeal airway dimension, area, and volume measurements of patients in both groups were calculated and statistically examined using Student's t-test and multiple linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were found between the BCLP and control groups for SNB (P < .05), SN-GoGn (P < .05), Co-A (P < .05), PAS (P < .01), minAx (P < .01), and oropharyngeal airway volume (P < .05). The most predictive variables for oropharyngeal airway volume were found as PAS (r  =  .655 and P  =  .000) and minAx (r  =  .787 and P  =  .000).

CONCLUSIONS

The null hypothesis was rejected. Oropharyngeal (P < .05) and total (P > .05) airway volumes were found to be less in the BCLP group, and thus the treatment choice in these patients should have positive effects on the pharyngeal airway.