Holdaway’s analysis of the nose prominence of an adult Nigerian population

Background: Facial beauty is a function of harmonious balance among all parts of the face, and the nose plays a dominant role in this because of its location exactly in the middle of the face. Therefore, an evaluation of the nasal form and its position relative to other facial structures should play an important part in the assessment of patients before orthognathic surgery, rhinoplasty or orthodontics.Aim: The aim was to establish normative values for the nose prominence of an adult Nigerian population using Holdaway’s soft tissue cephalometric analysis.Methodology: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 100 adults aged 18–25 years, with normal occlusion and a harmonious facial appearance were analyzed. The nose prominence was assessed using Holdaway’s analysis. Twenty radiographs randomly selected, were retraced to assess for errors. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Student’s t‑tests and analysis of variance using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results: The mean value recorded for the nose prominence of the study population was 3.49 mm (standard deviation [SD], 3.26 mm), with a range of −5.0 mm to 15.0 mm. Mean values obtained for females were 3.73 mm (SD, 2.88 mm) and males 3.19 mm (SD, 3.70 mm). No statistically significant gender difference was observed (P > 0.05). In addition, no significant difference was observed between the nose prominence values recorded for different age‑groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Normative values were established for the nose prominence of an adult Nigerian population. The values obtained for Nigerians in this study are comparatively lower than that reported for other populations. These values would aid in treatment planning for orthognathic surgery, rhinoplasty and orthodontics in Nigerians.Keywords: Cephalometrics, Holdaway’s analysis, nose prominenc

The Management of an Unerupted Maxillary Central Incisor using the Closed Eruption Technique: A Case Report

Unerupted maxillary central incisors may present in orthodontic practice. Several treatment options are available for alignment of the unerupted incisor into the maxillary arch. This article describes the management of a 14-year old female with an unerupted maxillary left central incisor. The unerupted incisor was surgically exposed using the closed uneruption technique. It was subsequently aligned with orthodontic traction. Aesthetics and periodontal health were satisfactorily restored. It is advocated that the closed uneruption technique stands a better chance at producing aesthetic and periodontal result. KEY WORDS: Incisor, unerupted, management. Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.3(2) 2004: 112-11

Tuberculate Supernumerary Teeth: Report of A Case Showing Typical and Atypical Features and the Management

Tuberculate supernumerary teeth are found in the maxillary anterior region. They usually result in oral problems such as malocclusion, food impaction, poor aesthetics and cyst formation. There is paucity of literature on this anomaly in our environment. This paper describes a case of tuberculate supernumerary teeth with typical and atypical features of supernumerary teeth in this region. Treatment is carried out with a combination of surgical and orthodontic methods. Early diagnosis and treatment of this anomaly is suggested to avoid more serious consequences and to prevent severe orthodontic complications.Keywords: Supernumerary teeth, tuberculate, managemen

Supernumerary primary teeth and the clinical significance: a report of two cases

Supernumerary teeth occur frequently in the permanent dentition but they are rare in the primary dentition. Supernumerary teeth in the primary dentition usually erupt normally and are frequently of the supplemental type. The issue of differentiating the supplemental tooth from the normal series requires careful consideration. Supernumerary primary teeth should be thoroughly investigated and closely monitored. Early intervention is recommended when there are concerns and associated pathologies.Key words: Supernumerary teeth, supplemental teeth, primary dentitio

Prevalence of malocclusion among 12 year-old school children in Lagos State

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dentofacial anomalies presenting as malocclusion in 12 year-old Nigerian school children in the Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study, which involved a sample of 200 children, was carried out employing the World Health Organization Pathfinder Methodology for oral health surveys. Malocclusion was recorded as being absent, slight or moderate/severe based on the WHO criteria as outlined in the methodology. Results: Sixty-eight per cent (68%) of the children had normal occlusion i.e. absence of malocclusion. Slight malocclusion was present in 22%, while 10% had moderate to severe malocclusion. There was no sex predilection for malocclusion. Among the ethnic groups, there was no significant difference in prevalence of malocclusion. Conclusion: In view of the handicapping effects of dentofacial anomalies, which tend to affect a person's aesthetics, masticatory function, speech and indeed social acceptability, there is a need to institute measures, which would help in the prevention of some of the malocclusion types seen in the study. The establishment of school oral healthcare programme, which would also provide preventive orthodontic care, is advocated. However, the small number seen among some ethnic groups precludes the extrapolation of this finding to the larger population. There is a need to carry out national surveys. KEY WORDS: Malocclusion; 12 year-old children; Ethnic groups; Lagos State Journal of Community Medicine & Primary Health Care Vol.16(2) 2004: 43-4

Preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment need in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

No Abstract

Craniofacial orthodontics and postgraduate orthodontic training in Nigeria

Introduction: Craniofacial orthodontics has been shown to be a critical component of the care of patients with craniofacial anomalies such as cleft lip and palate. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions and clinical experience in cleft and craniofacial care, of orthodontic residents in Nigeria.Methodology: Questionnaires were sent out to orthodontic residents in the six Postgraduate Orthodontic Training Centers in the country at that time. The questionnaires were self‑administered and covered areas in beliefs in cleft care and the clinical experience and challenges faced by the residents in the provision of craniofacial orthodontic care at their various institutions.Results: Thirty‑three respondents returned completed questionnaires, with a response rate of 97%. All the respondents believed that residents should be involved in cleft and craniofacial care. Postnatal counseling was the clinical procedure in which the residents reported the highest level of clinical experience (47.4%). The least clinical experience was recorded in pre-bone graft orthodontics (7.4%) and orthodontic preparation for orthognathic surgery (5.5%). Some of the challenges highlighted by the residents were low patients turn out for orthodontic care and the absence of multidisciplinary treatment for craniofacial patients in their centers.Conclusion: Orthodontic residents in Nigeria believe that they should be involved in the management of patients with craniofacial anomalies and cleft lip and palate. However, majority of the residents have limited clinical experience in the management of these patients. A lot more needs to be done, to expose orthodontic residents in training, to all aspects of the orthodontic and multidisciplinary team care required for the cleft/craniofacial patient.Keywords: Craniofacial orthodontics, Nigeria, postgraduate orthodontic trainin

Replantation of Avulsed Permanent Anterior Teeth: A case report

Tooth avulsion in the permanent dentition constitutes a dental emergency. Replantation of the avulsed tooth restores aesthetics and occlusal function shortly after the injury. This article describes the management of a 13-year old male with four avulsed anterior maxillary permanent teeth. The avulsed teeth were replanted and root canal treatment carried out after a short fixation. The result obtained was very satisfactory and the teeth remain in good functional status one year after replantation. Early treatment and regular attendance to clinic following replantation is an important factor for good result. Key Words: Permanent teeth, avulsion, replantation. Nig. J. Health and Biomed. Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 83-8