Buccal Corridors: A Fact or a Myth in the Eyes of Laymen?

AIM: This study aimed to investigate laymen knowledge of the existence of the buccal corridor and whether it was an important factor for them in judging smile attractiveness and the effect of introducing the knowledge to them on their further judgment.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine subjects were randomly selected with variable buccal corridor percentages. They were coached to smile in a posed fashion and full face smile photographs were taken from a standardised distance. The photographs were randomly arranged in a power point presentation and displayed to a panel of thirty-nine randomly selected laymen judges. The judges made their beauty judgment on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and filled a questionnaire. After their education about the buccal corridor, they were asked to make a second judgment on a second sheet with VAS and with a different random sequence of the photographs.RESULTS: Intra-class correlation agreement for all the judges between the first and second scores was 0.713. The Spearman's rho Correlation coefficient indicated a positive correlation for all the photos. For the male judges, the agreement between the ratings was 0.839, and the correlation was positive for all the photos. For the female judges, the agreement between the ratings was 0.510, and the correlation was positive for all the photographs. Hundred percent of the judges were not familiar with the buccal corridor. Eighty percent of the female judges and 44.4% of the male judges mentioned that it would affect their further judgment.CONCLUSION: Laymen build their esthetic judgments on what we teach them, and modifying treatment plans to include corrections of buccal corridors for esthetic reasons only is a myth

A New Horizontal Plane of the Head

AIM: This study aimed to attempt to introduce a new extracranial horizontal plane of the head (K plane that extends from SN to SAE bilaterally) that could act as a substitute to the Frankfurt horizontal intracranial reference plane; both clinically and radiographically.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The new K plane depended on three points of the head. The first was the soft tissue nasion (NS) on the interpupillary line when the subject looked forward at a distant point at eye level. The other two points were the superior attachments of the ears (SAE).RESULTS: The student “t†test comparing mean values of K/V and FH/V was not significant; -0.21.  The coefficient of correlation between different variables was highly positively significant (r = 0.98 with probability = 0.001).CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this prospective study, the new K plane was found to be both reliable and reproducible. It can be used as a reliable reference plane instead of Frankfort horizontal plane both clinically and radiographically; as it is an accurate tool for head orientation in the natural head position

Facial analysis using a new clinical device : The Kattan Facio-meter

The aim of the study was to attempt to set average faciometric standards for Egyptians using the Kattan Facio-meter. The sample consisted of 180 faculty students with age range 17-25 years. It was divided into three groups; Angle Class I, II and III. Class II was further subdivided into divisions 1 and 2. Linear and angular facial measurements in relation to K plane were taken using the Kattan facio-meter. The measurements were correlated to Angle?s classification and between genders. On comparing the different classes, Class II division 1 showed the statistically highest mean value for Orbitale-soft tissue A; p=0.042, Class II divisions 1 and 2 for Orbitale- Labrale superius; p=0.002 and soft tissue ANB; p<0.001. Females showed significantly higher mean value than males for the upper incisor/K plane; p=0.031. Males showed significantly higher mean value for the inter-incisal angle than females; p=0.001. Within the limitations of the current study, it was found that both linear and angular soft tissue measurements conformed to the antroposterior skeletal relation of the jaws and that Class II division 1 was due to protruded maxilla. Males had more prominent lips and deeper mentolabial sulcus. Egyptians had less prominent noses than Caucasians. The Kattan Facio-meter was a valuable tool for clinical analysis without the hazards of irradiation

The dilemma of functional therapy: the new EFA to do or not to do?

Abstract Objectives This finite element analysis was conducted to study the effects produced by a new fixed functional appliance (EFA; Elhiny functional appliance) and hence predict its clinical effectiveness. Materials/methods Under ANSYS environment, a simplified 2D finite element model was prepared for this study. The models simulated a clinical situation where the mandible was positioned forward via a new fixed functional appliance design. The models’ components were created on a commercial CAD/CAM package then imported to finite element software. Pushing load of 2 N was applied along the appliance longitudinal direction. Results The mandible showed downward and forward deformation in the X and Y directions with the highest deformation at the symphysis and lower border with a total deformation of 80 μm. There was little deformation in the maxilla. The highest strain results were at the condyle, both compressive and tensile in the X and Y directions with a total of 1520 micro strain behind the condyle. The strain in the mandibular tooth bearing area was around zero and in the maxillary tooth bearing area ranged from − 9 to 16.6 micro strain. Conclusions Within the limitations of this finite element analysis, it could be predicted that the new appliance (EFA) produces pure functional skeletal results with absolutely no dentoalveolar effects, which provides the opportunity for observing significant skeletal changes