Correlation between inner canthal width and the mesio-distal widths of the maxillary anterior teeth in a Kenyan population of African descent

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the inner canthal width and the mesio-distal widths of the maxillary anterior teeth in a Kenyan population of African descent.Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional studySetting: College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.Subjects: One hundred and forty six undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18-30 years were recruited into the study. Data on inner canthal width (ICW) was obtained through direct measurements of the participants. The individual mesiodistal widths of the six maxillary anterior teeth were obtained from type IV gypsum product casts generated from irreversible hydrocolloid impressions of the maxillary arch. These were then summed up to obtain the combined mesio-distal widths of the anterior teeth (CMDWAT).All the measurements were obtained using an electronic digital caliper. These were then recorded on a data capturing sheet designed by the principal investigator.Results: Out of the 146 participants, 78 (53.4%) were males while 68 (46.6%) were females. The overall mean inner canthal width was 34.27 ± 2.68mm with males having significantly higher mean values compared to the females ( 34.73 ± 2.69mm and 33.74 ± 2.58mm respectively), (t=2.27, p<0.05). The mean of the combined mesio-distal width of the anterior teeth (CMDWAT) was 47.68 ± 2.55mm with males having significantly higher mean values (48.12 ± 2.49mm) compared to the females (47.16 ± 2.55mm), (t=2.30, p<0.05). A statistically significant but weak positive correlation was found between the ICW and CMDWAT (r=0.17, r2=0.03, p<0.05).Conclusion: The results from this study suggest a very weak positive correlation between ICW and the CMDWAT. The ICW was reliable in estimating the CMDWAT in only 3% of the population. Therefore, when used alone, the ICW may not be a reliable guide when used to estimate the CMDWAT in the population studied

Use of nasal width to estimate the mesio-distal widths of maxillary anterior teeth in a Kenyan population of African descent

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the nasal width and the mesio-distal widths of the maxillary anterior teeth in Kenyans of African descent.Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional studySetting: College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya. Subjects: One hundred and forty six undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18-30 years were recruited into the study.Results: Out of the 146 participants, 78 (53.4%) were males and the rest were females. The overallmeannasal width was 39.54 ± 3.61mm with males having significantly higher mean values compared to females (41.37 ± 3.04mm and 37.45 ± 3.05mm respectively), (t=7.75, p<0.05).The mean of the combined mesio-distal width of the anterior teeth (CMDWAT) was 47.68 ± 2.55mm with males having significantly higher mean values (48.12±2.49mm)comparedtothefemales(47.16±2.55mm),(t=2.30,p<0.05).Astatistically significant but weak positive correlation was found between the NW and CMDWAT (r=0.26, r2=0.07, p<0.05).Conclusion: The results suggest a very weak positive correlation between NW and CMDWAT and NW was reliable in estimating the CMDWAT in only 7% of the population. Therefore, NW may not be a reliable guide when used to estimate the CMDWAT in the population studied

Convergence angles of tooth preparations assessed on dies for full crowns and bridge retainers

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the convergence angles of tooth preparations on dies for full crowns and bridge retainers done by oral health providers in Nairobi, Kenya. Study design: This was a descriptive cross sectional study.Setting: Selected dental laboratories in Nairobi, Kenya.Subject: Dies of full crown and bridge retainers.Results: A majority (59%) of the tooth preparations were for single crowns and 41% were for bridge retainers. The mean convergence angle for all the dies was 24.0○ with a mean buccal-lingual convergence angle of 26.7 ○ +11.93SD and a mean mesio-distal convergence angle of 22.1 ○ +10.89SD. Ideal tooth preparations were found in 18.1% of the dies. Majority of which were for single crowns (58.9%) followed by the abutment preparations for three unit bridges at 23.2%.Conclusion: Most of the tooth preparations did not have both ideal mesio-distal and buccal-lingual convergence angle measurements. There is therefore a need to provide Continuing Professional Education courses for dentists on tooth preparation for crown and bridge to enhance clinical application of tooth preparation guidelines

Antimicrobial efficacy of Hibiscus Fuscus garcke aqueous and ethanol extracts on tooth root canal microorganisms

Objective: To determine the antimicrobial efficacy of Hibiscus fucus extracts against six root canal microorganisms. Design: In-vitro analytical study. Setting: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi. Material and Methods: Hibiscus fuscus twigs were collected, dried and ground into coarse powder which was macerated in sterile distilled water and 80% ethanol. The aqueous filtrates were lipolyzed, while the ethanol filtrates were reduced, and oven dried into powder. Tenfold liquid microdilution of 50 mg/ml Hibiscus fuscus extracts against pure strains of Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans were incubated for 24 and 48 hours. Sodium hypochlorite 5.25% and 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate were the controls. Outcome measures: Percentage growth inhibition measured by changes in growth of microorganism cultures exposed to Hibiscus fuscus extracts. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s HSD test were used to test for any differences. Results: Fifty mg/ml Hibiscus fuscus aqueous extracts attained 122.01% ± 22.89, at 95% CI [108.79, 135] and (105.73% ± 7.64, at 95% CI [101.32,110.14] growth inhibition against Enterococcus faecalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum for 24 hours incubation similar to those obtained with 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite, and 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate at p=0.899947 (Tukey’s HSD). Other bacteria tested and Candida albicans showed resistance Conclusion: Fifty mg/ml Hibiscus fuscus aqueous extract showed bactericidal efficacy against E. faecalis (ATCC® 29212 ™), and F. nucleatum (ATCC® 25586™) comparable to 5.25% Sodium hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine gluconate. Investigation to test pure Hibiscus fuscus extracts as a potential source of root canal irrigant is needed