Quantifying the selection of maxillary anterior teeth using intraoral and extraoral anatomical landmarks

Background: One of the major hurdles in clinical prosthodontics has been the selection and replacement of maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records. The aim of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between intraoral and extraoral facial measurements that could assist dental practitioners in selecting esthetically appropriate maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design was used with a sample size of one hundred and twenty participants. A questionnaire was used to identify the selection criteria and a photograph was taken for facial measurements using digitally calibrated software. Ninety-eight participants met the selection criteria and were included in the study. Measurements of intraoral landmarks were taken from stone casts of maxillary impressions using calibrated digital calipers. Each measurement was completed by two assessors to obtain mean values. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 17 software. Data were assessed by one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc (p < 0.05) to find any difference between tested groups. Pearson coefficients were used to determine whether correlation exists between measurements. Results: The mean values for intraoral maxillary landmarks were: Central incisor width = 8.39 mm, circumferential canine tip to canine tip distance = 34.89 mm, arch width = 48.24 mm, left arch length = 45.24 mm, right arch length = 45.56 mm. The mean values for extraoral landmarks were: Intercanthal distance = 33.24 mm, interpupillary distance = 60.68 mm, interalar distance = 38.27 mm, intercommissure distance = 50.61 mm. Differences existed within subgroups for all intraoral and extraoral measures. A weak positive correlation existed between intraoral (r < 0.4) and extraoral measurements (r < 0.38) that remained consistent when examined by gender. Conclusion: This study showed that the average length and width of the maxillary arch and interalar width were the anatomical landmarks that provided the strongest predictive relationship with anterior maxillary teeth (r = 0.38 - 0.4). Using these dimensions an average multiplying factor can be used to calculate maxillary incisor width or canine tip to canine tip distance. As the predictive strength is not strong, the authors recommend its use as a preliminary guide for determining the width of the maxillary anterior teeth during the initial selection of artificial teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records. Clinical Significance: The results of this study can be used to help dentists select the size of artificial maxillary anterior teeth in the absence of pre-extraction records

Avaliação da estomatite protética em portadores de próteses totais Evaluation of denture stomatitis in users of complete dentures

As próteses muco-suportadas são consideradas facilitadoras em potencial da estomatite protética (EP), lesão comumente observada sob a base das próteses, caracterizada por aspectos eritematosos difusos ou pontilhados na mucosa de suporte. Sua etiologia é controversa, podendo estar relacionada principalmente a fatores locais. Diversos aspectos funcionais associam-se a estes fatores representados pela oclusão, dimensão vertical, retenção, estabilidade dinâmica e estática além de aspectos qualitativos relacionados às condições encontradas no desdentado. Foram levados em consideração o período de edentulismo, número e tempo de uso das próteses, uso contínuo, conservação, presença de placa e higiene bucal. Os fatores foram avaliados, visando esclarecer a possível relação dos aspectos funcionais e protéticos com a EP. Exame clínico foi realizado em 116 pacientes de ambos os sexos, desdentados bimaxilares, que utilizavam as duas próteses muco-suportadas, portadores ou não de estomatite protética (EP). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria dos pacientes examinados tinha EP frente ao menor número de pacientes sem EP, havendo nos dois grupos equivalência nos resultados da avaliação clínica e protética. Os fatores funcionais e qualitativos das próteses, avaliados isoladamente, não puderam ser considerados responsáveis pela ocorrência dessa patologia, constatando-se que um único fator protético não demonstrou, de per si, ser responsável pela presença da EP, embora possa ser um facilitador para o seu desenvolvimento.<br>Functional and qualitative factors in complete dentures can contribute to the development of lesions in the oral mucosa. Such lesions are classified as denture stomatitis (DS). There are considerable differences of opinion as to its etiology, mainly related to systemic and local factors. The influence of functional and qualitative features of complete dentures on denture stomatitis was evaluated. The functional factors considered were: occlusion, vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO), dynamic and static retention, as well as stability. The qualitative factors were: oral and prosthetic hygiene, continuous use, complete denture status, time of use and time of edentulism. The study group comprised 116 totally edentulous patients, with and without DS, of both genders using tissue-supported prostheses. The data were analyzed through the Chi-square test, at the 0.05 significance level, and through the Fisher test, when the frequency was low. The results indicated that the majority of our patients presented DS. None of these factors was by itself responsible for the presence of DS, indicating that DS was probably due to many factors