A cephalometric assessment of the nasolabial angle of an adult Nigerian population

Objective: One of the most important components of orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning is an evaluation of the patient\u27s soft tissue profile. An assessment of the nasolabial angle is a vital component of this evaluation. The purpose of this study was to establish norms for the nasolabial angle of an adult Nigerian population; compare the male and female values and to compare the values obtained for Nigerians with those reported for other populations. Method: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of one hundred students (44 males and 56 females) of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, aged 18-25years were taken. Selected subjects were of Nigerian ancestry with normal occlusion. The radiographs were manual ly t raced and the nasolabial angle of each subject measured. Result: A mean value of 84.35° +13.71° was computed for the entire sample. No statistically significant difference was observed between the male and female values (p>0.05), although 0 0 the males recorded a lower nasolabial angle (83.70 ) than the females (85.28 ).The nasolabial angle recorded in this study was similar to that reported for South African blacks, but much lower than that reported for Caucasian populations.Conclusion: The mean nasolabial angle of 84.35 + 13.71 was observed in the Nigerian population studied. Sexual differences were not observed; however, the values observed in this study differ from that reported for Caucasians and other racial groups

Biometrics of the primary dentition in a Nigerian sample

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine normative values of crown dimensions, arch dimensions, and amount of interdental space in the primary dentition of Nigerian children. Method: Dental casts from alginate impressions obtained from 125 randomly selected nursery school children (65 boys, 60 girls) aged 3 to 5 years, were measured with electronic caliper. Independent tests were used to analyze sample differences between sexes. Result: There were significant gender differences in arch width, depth and length dimensions, with the exception of the left mandibular anterior length. The boys showed significantly larger mesiodistal crown dimensions, except in the maxillary and mandibular primary lateral incisors. Gender differences in buccolingual crown diameters were statistically significant for maxillary second primary molars. There was no significant gender difference in amount of interdental spaces. Conclusion: It can be concluded that males had larger tooth/arch dimensions than females in the primary dentition stage

Talon cusp: clinical features, diagnosis and orthodontic consideration in management

Talon cusp is a rare odontogenic anomaly of tooth shape comprising of accessory cusp-like structure often present on the palatal surface of maxillary or mandibular incisor. This developmental anomaly causes clinical problems including unsightly dental appearance, occlusal interference, and displacement of the affected tooth, irritation of the tongue, caries and malocclusion. Few cases have been reported in this environment. Management of the talon cusp varies according to the circumstances of the individual case and should be as conservative as possible. This report presents a case of a 15-year -old Nigerian girl with talon cusp on the maxillary left central incisor. The talon cusp was managed conservatively and orthodontic treatment was concurrently carried out. It is concluded that when talon cusp occur in association with an occlusal anomaly, careful evaluation of the patient is crucial for successful talon cusp occur in association with an occlusal anomaly, careful evaluation of the patient is crucial for successful orthodontic treatment

Management of Malocclusions: Report of Two Cases Treated Using Begg Technique at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria

Two young Nigerians, one male and the other female who reported with crowding and proclamation of the incisors were successfully treated with Begg Light Technique at the Orthodontic Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The active treatment times were 23 and 27 months respectively and Hawley Retainers were used to achieve stability of the occlusion for a duration of six months. At the end of treatment, patients' aesthetics and the occlusal relationship of the dentition were dramatically improved. NQJHM Vol. 14 (1) 2004: pp. 39-4

The incidence of unerupted maxillary canine in a Nigerian orthodontic population

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 8 (2) 1998: pp. 87-9

Prevalence and factors associated with anterior open bite in 2 to 5 year old children in Benin city, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Anterior open bite is said to exist when there is an actual vertical gap between the upper and lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion. This could occur in the anterior or posterior region, and may be attributed to the supra eruption of the posterior teeth or the infra eruption of the anterior teeth and it is common in both adults and children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of anterior open bite (AOB) in 2 to 5 -year -old children and the aetiological factors responsible for it. METHODS: The study group comprised 1031 children (429 boys and 602 girls) between the ages of 2 to 5-years, who were examined for the presence of AOB and the relationship with various oral habits. RESULTS: AOB was present in 29 (2.8%) of the subjects. Sucking habits were observed in 267 (25.9%) children. Only 29(10.9%) of the children with sucking habits had an AOB which was asymmetric in 20 (7.5%) and symmetric in 9 (3.4%). The asymmetric AOB was significantly higher in children with thumb sucking habits than in finger suckers (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between frequency, duration of sucking habits and AOB. The 4-year olds showed a significant difference in the number of children with AOB (P<0.05). Sucking habits of 1–2 hours and duration of 24 to 60 months exhibited the highest prevalence of an AOB in 13 (44.8%) and 17 (58.6%)children respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AOB in this study is 2.8%. Thumb sucking is the most important aetiological factor in the formation of an AOB in 2 to 5-year-old children

A survey of methods and practices used to stop digit sucking in 2-5 year old children in Benin Cit, Edo State

Objective:&nbsp;To analyze the methods and practices used to stop digit sucking in 2-5-year old children in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Method:&nbsp;A prospective study was carried out and the study group comprised 1031 pre-school children aged 2-5-years, selected from day care centres and pre-schools in three local government areas using stratified random sampling. Result:&nbsp;The result showed that 15.4% of the children had a digit sucking habit (thumb and finger sucking) which increased with age, with the highest number seen in the 3 and 5-year-old age group (p &lt;0.05). Boys tended to have a higher prevalence of digit sucking than girls. Attempts to stop the habit were made by 73.6% of the parents or guardians of the children with the most common method being the use of adhesive plaster on the digit in 41.9% of the children. Negative practices were found in 9.4% and included the use of razor blade to cut the digits, and the application of bitter or peppery tasting substances in 12.8%. Reward system was used in 6.8% and the use of appliances in only 0.8%. Conclusion:&nbsp;The findings from this study show that the most common method to stop digit sucking habit was the use of adhesive plaster. Negative practices included the use of razor blade to cut the digits and the application of bitter or peppery tasting substances. The use of appliances was not common and many mothers were not aware that such a method existed

Prevalence and factors associated with anterior open bite in 2 to 5 year old children in Benin city, Nigeria

Background: Anterior open bite is said to exist when there is an actual vertical gap between the upper and lower incisors with the teeth in centric occlusion. This could occur in the anterior or posterior region, and may be attributed to the supra eruption of the posterior teeth or the infra eruption of the anterior teeth and it is common in both adults and children. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of anterior open bite (AOB) in 2 to 5 -year -old children and the aetiological factors responsible for it. Methods: The study group comprised 1031 children (429 boys and 602 girls) between the ages of 2 to 5-years, who were examined for the presence of AOB and the relationship with various oral habits. Results: AOB was present in 29 (2.8%) of the subjects. Sucking habits were observed in 267 (25.9%) children. Only 29(10.9%) of the children with sucking habits had an AOB which was asymmetric in 20 (7.5%) and symmetric in 9 (3.4%). The asymmetric AOB was significantly higher in children with thumb sucking habits than in finger suckers (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between frequency, duration of sucking habits and AOB. The 4-year olds showed a significant difference in the number of children with AOB (P<0.05). Sucking habits of 1-2 hours and duration of 24 to 60 months exhibited the highest prevalence of an AOB in 13 (44.8%) and 17 (58.6%)children respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of AOB in this study is 2.8%. Thumb sucking is the most important aetiological factor in the formation of an AOB in 2 to 5-year-old children

The Prevalence of Oral Habits Among 4 to 15 year Old School Children in Lagos

Objective: To provide information regarding the prevalence of oral habits among a group of Nigerian children. Study Design: This is cross-sectional study of 928 children, 431 males and 497 females aged 4 to 15 years from both rural and urban areas of Lagos State in Nigeria. Habits assessed included digit, lip and tongue habits. Results: Thirty four point one per cent of the children examined presented with an oral habit. Of these, digit sucking was the most frequently occurring, seen in 50% of the children with oral habits. Tongue and lip habits occurred in 27% and 23% of children respectively. There was observed a steady decrease in oral habits with an increase in age. The prevalence being highest among 4 to 5 year olds (44.2%) and gradually decreasing to 11.8% among the 14 to 15 year age group. Oral habits were found to be slightly more common among males than females, though this finding was not significant. Socio-economic status (SES) was found to have a significant effect on the occurrence of oral habits. Forty eight per cent of all children of high SES engaged in an oral habit, whereas this was observed in only 24.4% of all children of low SES. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that there is an increased prevalence of oral habits among children in the population in recent times. The occurrence of these habits is more frequently seen in children from families of high socio-economic status. . Keywords:Epidemiology, prevalence, oral habits Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 78-8

Dental arch widths in the early and late permanent dentitions of a Nigerian population

Objective:&nbsp;This study was carried out in a Nigerian population to assess arch widths at two different stages of dentition, to observe the comparative changes which may occur, and to determine the presence or absence of sexual dimorphism in arch dimensions. Material:&nbsp;The study population consisted of two groups of 150 subjects. Group 1 consisted of 75 males and 75 females aged 10-13 years (early permanent dentition); while Group 2&nbsp;consisted of 75 males and 75 females aged 18-25 years (late permanent dentition). Measurements taken included maxillary and mandibular inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar widths for both groups. Result:&nbsp;In the early permanent stage, the mean maxillary inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar widths were 36.37mm, 45mm and 55.22mm respectively in males and 34.35mm, 42.62mm and 51.56mm respectively in females. All findings were significantly greater in males. In the mandibular arch, findings recorded in males were also significantly greater than females with the exception of the inter-canine widths. In the late permanent dentition the mean maxillary inter-canine, inter-premolar and inter-molar arch widths were 37.65mm, 46.25mm and 57.35mm respectively in males and 37.07mm, 45.21mm and 55.30mm respectively in females. Conclusion:&nbsp;Comparative changes in arch widths between early and late permanent dentition stages were seen with greater increases in arch widths in the maxilla when compared to the mandible. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed in almost all dimensions measured