The prevalence of impacted permanent maxillary canines in Maltese school children : a pilot study

The aetiology of ectopic canines is not clear. A number of causes have been put forward such as the long path of eruption of the maxillary canine, lack of guidance by the lateral incisor root, narrow arches, cystic enlargement of the dental follicle large arches, and familial tendency. In this article the author gives a detail report of the pilot study carried out on Maltese school children in various schools compared to school children of other countries.peer-reviewe

Dentistry

The specialty of Dental Surgery has progressed from the "blood and acrylic" of the early seventies. Dentistry has undergone a quantum leap over the past twenty-five years, with improvements in both technique and technology, bringing us the sophisticated procedures used in today's practice.peer-reviewe

Bone graft stabilisation with an osseointegrated implant retained prosthesis

The intricacies of cleft lip and palate treatment are numerous. A case is reported where a problematic alveolar bone graft was finally stabilized by loading the bone with an osseointegrated implant-retained prosthesis. The reasons for failure of the previous grafts are discussed and the importance of a team approach to patient care highlighted.peer-reviewe

The prevalence of malocclusion in Maltese schoolchildren as measured by the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need

The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), a widelyused, standardised epidemiological tool was used to determine the prevalence of malocclusion in Maltese schoolchildren. The use of an internationally-accepted, graded index based on both health and aesthetic scales allows prioritisation of treatment and appropriate direction of resources. Furthermore it allows training curricula to be tailored to the population requirements. This will maximise cost-benefit ratios to the advantage of both the patient and the service provider. This study highlights the similarities and differences between the Maltese and other populations and draws attention to the traits most prevalent for our population.peer-reviewe

Mesiodens preventing eruption of a permanent central incisor

A maxillary midline supernumerary tooth is the most common type of supernumerary tooth. We present a case of a mesiodens, preventing eruption of a permanent central incisor. The aetiology, diagnosis and the effect of these developmental anomalies upon the dentition are discussed.peer-reviewe

A case of bilateral supplemental maxillary central incisors

A case of bilateral supplemental maxillary central incisors is presented. Treatment comprised of extraction of one supplemental and two lateral incisors, preservation of one supplemental incisor, finishing with a 'Cyclops' arrangement of the teeth. The handling of supernumerary teeth in general is discussed.peer-reviewe

Double transmigration and hyperdontia

Transmigrated teeth are rare, though reports have increased with the advent of panoramic radiography. Ectopic eruption of canines and other dental anomalies as retained deciduous teeth and supernumerary teeth have a genetic etiology and may be linked. A case report is presented which exhibits transmigration of both a mandibular canine and lateral incisor as well as the presence of a supplemental premolar and retained deciduous molar roots. The possible etiology of these abnormalities is discussed.peer-reviewe

Unerupted incisors : characteristic features and associated anomalies

The aims of this study were to investigate the association of unerupted incisors with other dental anomalies and to indicate the aetiological and clinical relevance of such associations. Forty-one patients with unerupted incisors were examined. The group comprised 30 males and 11 females, ranging in age from 7 to 39 years. The patients were assessed for nine dental anomalies: hyperdontia, hypodontia, microdontia, enamel hypoplasia, infraocclusion of the primary molars and ectopia of the canines, premolars, first permanent molars, and second permanent molars. The patients were matched with respect to age and gender to 41 consecutively selected control subjects with similar selection criteria but no history of problems with incisor eruption. The prevalence rates of the dental anomalies in association with failure of eruption of incisors were compared to the reference rates in the control group by means of Pearson chi-square tests. The results of this study revealed that unerupted incisors were more frequent in males than in females. A statistically significant association (P = 0.006) was found between unerupted incisors and other inherited dental anomalies, namely ectopic teeth, hyperdontia, and enamel hypoplasia. Unerupted incisors may be considered part of a spectrum of inheritable dental anomalies.peer-reviewe

The effect of dividend policy on share price volatility : an analysis of Mediterranean banks' stocks

This empirical study investigates the relationship between share price volatility and dividend payments in the case of Mediterranean Banks. We use the dividend yield and the dividend payout as proxies of dividend policy, and regress these ratios together with other control variables to model share price volatility. The robustness of the results is assessed by re-using a data set which omits the outliers relating to the 2007 financial crisis and by forming sub-samples using a clustering procedure. Our results show that inferences may differ across samples and depending on the treatment of outlier observations. Besides adding new empirical evidence, our results offer insights to academics, stock traders and corporate managers in terms of better understanding the effect of dividend policies on share price volatility and its related risks and opportunities.peer-reviewe