Relationship between maxillary central incisors and incisive canal (IC): a cone beam computed tomography study

This study aimed to assess the relationship between the maxillary incisors and the incisive canal (IC) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Archived CBCTs from 120 subjects (60 males and 60 females, mean age: 34.2±13.1 years) were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. The following variables were measured: incisor/palatal plane (PP), IC/PP angles, palatal alveolar bone width (PABW) at apex, IC width, inter-root width at apex and IC level to incisor apex. The relationship between the incisors and IC with respect to sex and age was calculated using one-way analysis of variance, independent samples t-test, and regression analysis. The confidence level was set at 95%. Results showed that half of the study population exhibited IC palatal opening at the level of the maxillary incisor apices. Significant associations were observed between IC/PP and incisor/PP angles and between IC width and PABW at the apical level (p<0.05), and between age and IC width in the sagittal and axial perspectives and age and IC level relative to the incisor apices. A significant association was observed between sex and IC/PP angle, IC width in the sagittal perspective, and PABW at the apical level. The association was found between IC and maxillary incisors angulations but not between IC width and inter-root distance. Age showed varied associations while sex was significantly associated with most variables assessed

Relationship between mandibular symphysis dimensions and skeletal pattern in adults

Background: The knowledge of dimensions of the symphysis is important for morphological and orthodontic studies. This research evaluates the association between mandibular symphysis dimensions and anteroposterior and vertical skeletal patterns in adults. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional cephalometric study included 90 lateral cephalograms of untreated subjects presenting for orthodontic treatment. The inclusion criteria were adults with lateral cephalograms showing the symphyseal region and anterior cranial base. One investigator traced and analyzed all cephalograms. Symphyseal height, thickness, and ratio between height and thickness were measured in relation to seven anteroposterior and vertical skeletal measurements in females and males. Results: Symphyseal measurements were associated with SNAo (anteroposterior) in females and Gonial angle (vertical) in males. When analyzed by anteroposterior skeletal classification (ANBo), no significant differences in symphyseal dimensions were found. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that Gonion-Nerve (mm) and Gonial angle were significantly associated with symphyseal height. Gonion-Nerve (mm), basal bone width (mm), and alveolar bone height (mm) were associated with symphyseal thickness. Basal bone width (mm) and alveolar bone height (mm) were associated with symphyseal ratio. Conclusions: Symphyseal dimensions were significantly associated with vertical but not anteroposterior skeletal patterns. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the Gonion-nerve measurements concerning the symphysis in relation to vertical and anteroposterior skeletal patterns

Three-dimensional verification of volumetric measurements and relationships between the condyle and the rest of the mandible; a novel approach

Background: Few studies have investigated the volumetric relationship between the condyles and the mandible bilaterally.Materials and methods: Condylar and mandibular segmentations from a sample of cone-beam computed tomography for 37 individuals were selected. T-test, correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between the volumes of the condyles and mandible.Results: The volume of the condyles and the mandible was significantly different between genders (p < 0.05). There was a significant but moderate correlation between the volumes of the condyle and the rest of the mandible on the same side (p < 0.01). A regression analysis model demonstrated that condylar volume is related to the volume of the mandible.Conclusions: The relationship between the condylar volume and the rest of the mandible was found to be moderate. The relation between the condylar volume and mandibular volume is described by the regression equations for each side of the jaw. Sexual dimorphism exists in condylar and mandibular volumes

Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a type of dental caries in the teeth of infants and children that is represented as one of the most prevalent dental problems in this period. Various studies have reported different types of prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children worldwide. However, there has been no comprehensive study to summarize the results of these studies in general, so this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children in different continents of the world during a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: In this review study, articles were extracted by searching in the national and international databases of SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, Cochrane, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI) between 1995 and December 2019. Random effects model was used for analysis and heterogeneity of studies was evaluated by using the I2 index. Data were analyzed by using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 2) software. Findings: In this study, a total of 164 articles (81 articles on the prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth and 83 articles on the prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth) were entered the meta-analysis. The prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth in children in the world with a sample size of 80,405 was 46.2% (95% CI: 41.6–50.8%), and the prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth in children in the world with a sample size of 1,454,871 was 53.8% (95% CI: 50–57.5%). Regarding the heterogeneity on the basis of meta-regression analysis, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children in different continents of the world. With increasing the sample size and the year of study, dental caries in primary teeth increased and in permanent teeth decreased. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of primary and permanent dental caries in children in the world was found to be high. Therefore, appropriate strategies should be implemented to improve the aforementioned situation and to troubleshoot and monitor at all levels by providing feedback to hospitals

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Parents Regarding Early Childhood Caries Prevention of Preschool Children in Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

The knowledge and beliefs of parents have an impact on their children’s general and oral health. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, and behavior of parents and identify possible associated factors of early childhood caries (ECC) in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Parents aged 18 and older were invited to complete a self-administered, validated questionnaire. Questions covered demographics, knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding ECC etiology and prevention. Of the 644 parents who completed the questionnaire, 51.4% were not aware of the early signs of tooth decay, such as white lines. Pain and trauma were reported as the major reasons for a child to visit a dentist (42.4%). Only 37% of parents were aware of the importance of fissure sealant, and only 23% knew how it is applied. Compared with mothers, fathers were significantly less aware of hidden sugar and the relation between the frequency of consuming breast milk or bottled milk and caries development (p = 0.001). Similarly, fathers were more likely to believe that children could achieve effective teeth cleaning without parental assistance (p = 0.001). Preventive guidance should be provided by oral healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia to improve parents’ knowledge of ECC prevention