Magnetic resonance imaging study on temporomandibular joint morphology [Studija o morfologiji čeljusnog zgloba pomoću magnetske rezonancije]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has enabled the accomplishment of a more effective diagnostics of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The sample included 40 patients with clinical symptoms of disc displacement (DD) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and 25 subjects included in our study were asymptomatic. DD were diagnosed by clinical examinations which were subsequently confirmed by MRI. DD was found in 18% of the TMJs of the asymptomatic patients. The highest prevalence of total DD without reduction was found in 44.1% of the patients' joints subsequently followed by total DD with reduction comprising 34.9% of the TMJs and by partial DD with reduction comprising 21% of the TMJs. This study may help us clarify the complicated relationship which exists between the radiographic and clinical findings of TMJ disorders

Sources for the History of Biomechanics

Biomaheniku možemo odrediti kao znanost koja zakone mehanike primjenjuje u rješavanju biologijskih probelma proučavajući mehanička svojstva bioloških organizama, sustava organa ili tkiva.Biomeahnička se istraživanja rabe u svim granama medicine. Povijest biomehanike nije moguće odijeliti od povijesnoga razvoja mehanike, a niti od razvoja biologije i medicine u cjelini.Biomechanics may be defined as a science which applies the laws o f mechanics in solving biological problems, through studying mechanical characteristics o f biological organisms, systems of organs or tissues. Biomechanical research is used in all medical fields. The history of bimechanics cannot be viewed separately from the historic development o f mechanics or from overall development o f biology and medicine

History of Dentistry as a Profession in Dubrovnik

Kratkim povijesnim pregledom temeljenim na iscrpnim literaturnim navodima prikazan je razvoj stomatološke struke u Dubrovniku. Najstarije podatke o brijačima-kirurzima u hrvatskim krajevima nalazimo u Dubrovniku gdje su oni službovali kao gradski namještenici. Prvi sačuvani ugovor potječe iz godine 1374., a prvo bratstvo uFraternitas barbirorum", osnovano 1452., štitilo je interese članova te pridonosilo ugledu toga zanimanja. Godine 1777. zubno-liječnička služba zasebna je grana opće zdravstvene zaštite, a njezino se vodstvo povjerava prvim školovanim zubnim liječnicima na području Dubrovačke Republike i u Dalmaciji Ga- etanu Pieriniju, 1788. godine, i potom Giovanniu Battisti Cortesiu koji je dužnost obnašao do pada Republike 1808. godine. Prvi zakon koji je uređivao tu djelatnost objavljen je godine 1848. U drugoj polovici devetnaestoga stoljeća u Dubrovniku djeluju diplomirani zubni liječnici Frano Dabrović (1843.-1897.), Niko Gjivović (1866.-1933.), Ivo Stjepovć-Dabrović (1867.-1934.) te Frano Stjepović-Dabrović (1900- 1954). Godine 1937. sagrađen je Dom zdravlja, a otvaraju se i područne zdravstvene stanice. To je bilo temeljem današnjeg ustroja ove službe u kojoj djeluje više od trideset stomatologa i specijalista gotovo svih stomatoloških područja.A brief historical review based on detailed reference literature reports provides insight into the development of dentistry as a profession in Dubrovnik. The oldest information about barbers-surgeons in Croatia have been found in Dubrovnik, where they worked as city servants. Among the first preserved contracts are those dating from 1374, whereas the first brotherhood, known as uFraternitas barbirorum", was established in 1452 with the object of protecting the interests of its members and contributing to the reputation of the profession. In 1777 dental care, in terms of medical services, become a separate branch of with a general health care, and its leadership was assigned to the first dental surgeons with a formal dental education in Dubrovnik and Dalmatia, namely to Gaetano Pierini in 1788 and later Giovanni Battista Cortesio, who held his terms of office until the fall of the Republic in 1808. The first legal act concerning all activities of the profession was issued in 1848. In the second half of the 19th century several graduate dental surgeons were active in Dubrovnik: Frano Dabrović (1843-1897), Niko Gjivović (1866-1933), Ivo Stijepović- Dabrović (1867-1934), and Frano Stijepović-Dabrović (1900-1954). In 1937 the Dubrovnik Health Centre was built and many regional health care services were established, laying foundations for the present- day organisation of dental services which today employ more than thirty general practitioners of dentistry and specialists in many dental branches

Tooth Morphology as the Basis of Dental Identification: Case Report

Odontogeneza trajnih zuba pretežito pripada postnatalnom razvoju i traje više godina. Nakon rođenja djetetov je organizam i sva njegova tkiva u mnogo dinamičnijem suodnošaju s izvanjskom sredinom nego u razdoblju intrauterinog života. Time se stvaraju uvjeti da mnogi izvanjski čimbenici utječu na formativnu djelatnost zubnog organa. Poremećaji u razvoju zuba koji nastaju u razdoblju morfologijske diferencijacije mogu se očitovati i kao fuzija zuba. Fuzionirani su zubi osebujnog izgleda te mogu stvarati estetski nesklad ili, zbog povećanog mezio-distalnog promjera, utjecati na svekoliku morfologiju zubnoga luka. U radu je prikazan slučaj uspješne identifikacije žrtve Domovinskoga rata iz godine 1991. ekshumirane 1995. iz masovne grobnice u Petrinji temeljem nalaza fuzioniranih zuba, odgovarajućih podataka dobivenih od rodbine, te nekolicine dodatnih materijalnih dokaza koji su našu tvrdnju još podkrijepili.Odontogenesis of permanent teeth in its major part belongs to the process of postnatal growth and continues for many years following the birth or an individual. After the child is born her or his organism and all the tissues establish a much more dynamic relationship with the external environment than they do during intrauterine life. In this way conditions are made for numerous external factors to affect the formation activity of tooth organs. Disorders in the development of teeth and other structures within the oral cavity may occur at any stage of organogenetic growth. Fused teeth, apart from their causing aesthetic impairment, may on account of their enlarged mesiodistal diameter affect the entire dental arch morphology and cause compression of the frond dental region, rotation and malposition of the approximate teeth. In this case report the presence of such an anomaly facilitated accurate and reliable identification of a victim killed during 1991. when war raged in Croatia, and exhumed from the mass grave in Petrinja in 1995. The specific morphological shape of the victim\u27s dentition undoubtedly contributed to accurate identification of this young male, which was additionally substantiated by other available material evidence

Intercondylar Distances of the Human Temporomandibular Joints

In a sample which included subjects of the Croatian population we made measurements of intercondylar distances between the temporomandibular joints in radiographs. A total of 101 subjects of both sexes ranging in age from 20 to 80 years, mostly residents in Zagreb, were evaluated. We measured the intercondylar distances from the condyle centers in the postero-anterior cranial radiographs which had previously been examined and traced on acetate paper. The measuring points were digitized prior to measurements. A special system of coordinates was devised for each radiograph. The results of our measurements were assessed by ANOVA analysis. The intercondylar distance between the two temporomandibular joints was within the range of 110 and 145 mm, with the mean of 126 mm. In men the intercondylar distance was within the range of 116 and 145 mm, with the mean of 130.2 mm. In women the distance ranged from 110 to 138 mm, with the mean of 123.5 mm. There was a significant difference between the two sexes. From a review of the literature, it is apparent that the results of our measurements do not support the results of similar studies assessed by a number of researchers in other countries. The intercondylar distance in the Croatian sample was 5.25% larger than the maximal values of the same parameters in other populations suggesting larger craniofacial skeletons. The development of this radiographic assessment method should improve evaluation of subjects seeking treatment

Caries of Croatian Army Recruits

Predmet je istraživanja pojavnost karijesa u novaka Hrvatske vojske s obzirom na osobitosti pojedinih društvenih zajednica. U 190 novaka karijes je utvrđen upotrebom DMFT indeksa. Ispitanici su podijeljeni prema prebivalištu (gradsko, prigradsko, seosko) i prema dobi. Zdrave zube imalo je 5 (2,6%) ispitanika. Prosječna DMFT vrijednost iznosi 7,76 (DT:2,03; MT:1,49; FT:4,25). Postoji statistički znatna razlika između DT (p = 0,009) i FT (p < 0,001) vrijednosti ovisno o prebivalištu. Za seosku sredinu iznosile su DT:2,59 i FT:2,87, a za gradsku DT:1,52 i FT:5,48. Vrijednosti ispitanika prema dobi bile su DMFT (p = 0,008), DT (p < 0,001), MT (p = 0,022) i FT (p < 0,001). Istraživanje čestoće karijesa u novaka poticaj je daljnjim sustavnim istraživanjima u manjim društveno-ekonomskim skupinama te upozorava da je potrebno poboljšati preventivne mjere u dječjoj i adolescentnoj dobi.The object of this study is the occurrence of caries in Croatian Army recruits with regard to specific qualities of certain social communities. Caries was diagnosed in 190 recruits by means of DMFT index. Subjects were classified according to residence (urban, suburban, rural) and age. Healthy teeth were determined in 5 (2.6%) subjects. The average DMFT value was 7.76 (DT:2.03; MT:1.49; FT:4.25). Statistically significant difference was found between DT (p = 0.009) and FT (p < 0.001) values depending on residence. For rural environment the following values were established DT:2.59 and FT:2.87, and for urban environment DT:1.52 and FT:5.48. Subject values according to age were DMFT (p = 0.008), DT (p < 0.001), MT (p = 0.022) and FT (p < 0.001). The study of caries frequency in recruits is incentive for further systematic studies in smaller socio economic groups and reveals the necessity for improvement in preventive program both during childhood and adolescence

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study on Temporomandibular Joint Morphology

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has enabled the accomplishment of a more effective diagnostics of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The sample included 40 patients with clinical symptoms of disc displacement (DD) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and 25 subjects included in our study were asymptomatic. DD were diagnosed by clinical examinations which were subsequently confirmed by MRI. DD was found in 18% of the TMJs of the asymptomatic patients. The highest prevalence of total DD without reduction was found in 44.1% of the patients’ joints subsequently followed by total DD with reduction comprising 34.9% of the TMJs and by partial DD with reduction comprising 21% of the TMJs. This study may help us clarify the complicated relationship which exists between the radiographic and clinical findings of TMJ disorders