A retrospective observational study of the frequency of distomolar teeth in a population of 14.250 patients

OBJECTIVESThe supernumerary teeth that occur distally to a molar tooth described as “distomolar” teeth. Supernumerary teeth were found more often in the maxilla than in the mandible. They may erupt normally or remain impacted and appear inverted. Distomolar teeth are generally seen smaller than second or third molars and most of them are impacted The aim of this study is to determine the frequency, location, and shape of distomolar teeth in a population of urban Turkish adults.MATERIAL AND METHODSA retrospective observational study was conducted on 14.250 patients’ panoramic images, with the documentation of demographic data, the presence of distomolar teeth, their number and morphology.RESULTSThe presence of distomolars in this population was found to be 0.32%. In total, 55 distomolar teeth were detected in 45 patients. All distomolars were found in maxilla and majority of them were impacted (n=51, 92.7% of the distomolars). 19 distomolars were found bilaterally in nine cases (0.06%). In one patient, two distomolars were detected in the maxilla in which one in left and the other in the right side.CONCLUSIONSDistomolars, which described as a supernumerary tooth distal to the third molar, are rare occurring dental anomalies. Because of that clinicians should make a careful investigation of panoramic radiographs

Selective 5-HT7 receptor agonists LP 44 and LP 211 elicit an analgesic effect on formalin-induced orofacial pain in mice

The most recently identified serotonin (5-HT) receptor is the 5-HT7 receptor. The antinociceptive effects of a 5-HT7 receptor agonist have been shown in neuropathic and inflammatory animal models of pain. A recent study demonstrated the functional expression of 5-HT7 receptors in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis, which receives and processes orofacial nociceptive inputs. Objective To investigate the antinociceptive effects of pharmacological activation of 5-HT7 receptors on orofacial pain in mice. Material and Methods Nociception was evaluated by using an orofacial formalin test in male Balb-C mice. Selective 5-HT7 receptor agonists, LP 44 and LP 211 (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg), were given intraperitoneally 30 min prior to a formalin injection. A bolus of 10 µl of 4% subcutaneous formalin was injected into the upper lip of mice and facial grooming behaviors were monitored. The behavioral responses consisted of two distinct periods, the early phase corresponding to acute pain (Phase I: 0–12 min) and the late phase (Phase II: 12–30 min). Results LP 44 and LP 211 (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) produced an analgesic effect with reductions in face rubbing time in both Phase I and Phase II of the formalin test. Conclusion Our results suggest that 5-HT7 receptor agonists may be promising analgesic drugs in the treatment of orofacial pain

A retrospective evaluation of condylar morphology using panoramic radiography in a sample of Turkish population

Background: The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complex anatomic structures. It takes a great role in masticatory system and helps to make possible some functions such as speaking, chewing and swallowing. Clinicians should have sufficient anatomical knowledge to assess relationships of the hard and soft tissues, including the mandibular condyle, glenoid fossa, articular eminence of the temporal bone, the articular disc and its attachments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of different types of mandibular condyles and its distribution according to the age and gender. It was also evaluated whether the condyle types were bilaterally symmetrical or not. Materials and methods: A total of 1315 digital panoramic images which obtained from the patients suffering from the dental problems were assessed. Demographic data, condylar morphology were noted. All obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. Morphology of mandibular condyles were classified into four shapes as identified in other studies, namely: Type I - Oval shape, Type II - Diamond shape, Type III - Bird beak shape, Type IV - Crooked finger shape. Two independent examiners, who have 19 and 7 years of experience in oral and dentomaxillofacial radiology, made a consensus and evaluated all images. Results: A total of 1315 digital panoramic images were assessed. 767[58.3%] of the patients were female and 548[41.6%] were male. The age range of patients was from 18 to 84 years. Right-left condyle types were found to be symmetrical in the range of 67% of the subpopulation examined in the study. For the consensus, ‘oval’ condyle was common on both the right and left, while ‘crooked finger’ condyle was the rarest. Conclusions: The TMJ is the most important structure for all jaw functions such as speech, swallowing. In order for all these functions to continue in a healthy way, the anatomical structure should be known very well down to the finest detail. Identification of anatomical structures and their variations can play an important role in implant dentistry. Clinicians commonly prefer conventional radiologic methods to evaluate dentomaxillofacial region. Although the most of the variations are asymptomatic and require no treatment, correct identification of these findings will reduce unnecessary further diagnostic assessments and will provide more appropriate treatment plans

Utilization of Sleep Application and Pulse Oximetry in the Short-Term Follow-Up of Mandibular Advancement Device Therapy: A Case Report

Pulse Oximetry (PO) has been a qualified method to determine cardiorespiratory stability of the subjects for home-based sleep studies. However, not any user friendly methods have been presented yet to score the snoring severity of subjects in home conditions. Sleep applications (apps), which is claimed to score snoring severity of the patients, have been came into use with technological opportunities provided by smart phones. Nevertheless, there are not any reports in the literature about the usage of these apps yet. This report describes the utilization of a sleep app in the short-term follow-up of Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD) therapy applied for a moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patient with habitual snoring. Initially Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EPSS) of the patient was determined and sleep app recordings were performed simultaneously with PO at three different nights. The mean snore score and Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) were calculated. A custom MAD was fabricated and all recordings were repeated at the end of the 6 months usage. The initial EPSS value of the patient was decreased from 16 to 3 with MAD therapy. Moreover, the mean ODI of the patient was reduced by 60% as compared with its initial value. Furthermore, snore scores obtained by the sleep app showed highly compatible alterations both with EPSS and PO values. Using a sleep app in the scoring of snore severity seems like a promising innovation for the future home-based sleep studies

Effects of nocturnal complete denture usage on cardiorespiratory parameters: A pilot study

TARAMAPUBMEDTARAMASCOPUSStatement of problem: Sleeping without conventional complete dentures (CCDs) has been stated by some to induce negative effects on the cardiorespiratory functions of edentulous patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), although others have reported the exact opposite. Therefore, a consensus on nocturnal CCD usage is lacking. Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to assess the effects of nocturnal denture usage on cardiorespiratory stability by using pulse oximetry (PO). Materials and methods: Thirty CCD wearers were enrolled in the study. The first nocturnal pulse oximetry (FNPO) recordings were made on 3 different nights while the participants were sleeping without dentures (WOD). Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and other PO parameters of the participants, including total respiratory event (TRE), basal SpO2 (BSpO2), time≤88 (T88), average low SpO2 (ALSpO2), total pulse event (TPE), average pulse rate (APR), and heart rate variability index (HRVI), were processed and the obtained data were recorded as WOD condition values. According to the ODI scores, the OSA status of the participants was grouped as normal (ODI30). Complete dentures were fabricated by an experienced prosthodontist and a dental laboratory technician by following conventional procedures. At the end of the first month of the follow-up period, the second nocturnal PO recordings (SNPO) were made on 3 different nights while the participants slept wearing dentures (WID), and the data obtained were recorded as WID condition values. The comparison of mean PO values obtained from WOD and WID were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed- rank test (α=.05). Results: Significant differences were found between WOD and WID values in terms of TRE (P=.01), ODI (P=.001), ALSpO2 (P=.006), TPE (P=.001), and HRVI (P=.001) parameters. The significance of the improvements in the WID condition increased with the severity of OSA. Conclusions: Improvements were observed in substantial cardiorespiratory parameters such as the ODI and HRVI of the participants wearing dentures nocturnally

Selective 5-HT7 receptor agonists LP 44 and LP 211 elicit an analgesic effect on formalin-induced orofacial pain in mice

ABSTRACT The most recently identified serotonin (5-HT) receptor is the 5-HT7 receptor. The antinociceptive effects of a 5-HT7 receptor agonist have been shown in neuropathic and inflammatory animal models of pain. A recent study demonstrated the functional expression of 5-HT7 receptors in the substantia gelatinosa (SG) of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis, which receives and processes orofacial nociceptive inputs. Objective To investigate the antinociceptive effects of pharmacological activation of 5-HT7 receptors on orofacial pain in mice. Material and Methods Nociception was evaluated by using an orofacial formalin test in male Balb-C mice. Selective 5-HT7 receptor agonists, LP 44 and LP 211 (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg), were given intraperitoneally 30 min prior to a formalin injection. A bolus of 10 µl of 4% subcutaneous formalin was injected into the upper lip of mice and facial grooming behaviors were monitored. The behavioral responses consisted of two distinct periods, the early phase corresponding to acute pain (Phase I: 0–12 min) and the late phase (Phase II: 12–30 min). Results LP 44 and LP 211 (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) produced an analgesic effect with reductions in face rubbing time in both Phase I and Phase II of the formalin test. Conclusion Our results suggest that 5-HT7 receptor agonists may be promising analgesic drugs in the treatment of orofacial pain

Rationale and Design of the Turkish Sleep Apnea Database - TURKAPNE: A National, Multicenter, Observational, Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of The Turkish Sleep Apnea Database (TURKAPNE) study is to generate a cross-sectional nationwide database for defining the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of the patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Turkey