Epidemiology of Facial Profiles, Occlusal Features, and Orthodontic Treatment Need among Adolescence: A Cross-sectional Study.

AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among randomly selected high school students. METHODS: A multistage stratified random-sampling study was conducted on 1,036 high school students in Sana'a city. The World Dental Federation and World Health Organization method of occlusal traits and the index of orthodontic treatment need were adopted for measurements. Clinically, the molar relationship and facial profile were examined. Assessment of whether examiner or subject perceived the need for orthodontic treatment was made using the esthetic component index. All data were analyzed using the Chi-square test with a significance level of p <0.05. RESULTS: Normal, convex, and concave facial-profile measurements were found in 81.9, 12.1, and 6.15% of sampled students, respectively. Asymmetrical molar relationship was observed in 16.1% of samples, and most of them were of class I/class II relationships. Increased overjet was noticed in 90.9% of students. Anterior crossbite, deepbite, anterior openbite, posterior openbite, posterior crossbite, and scissor bite accounted for 12.2, 12.8, 3.5, 1.3, 6.6, and 0.6%, respectively. According to the index orthodontic treatment need, 38.9% of students needed some form of orthodontic treatment. Among these cases, 24.3% "definitely" needed treatment, and 59.9% of students needed orthodontic treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested a call for a more conservative treatment approach in dealing with malocclusion problems among high school students in all zones of Sana'a governorate, Yemen. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A limited number of surveys were performed in Sana'a Governorate to investigate orthodontic treatment needs, facial profiles, and occlusal features among adolescents. The results of this study could guide us to develop a preventive system that minimizes its adverse effects and the need for costly orthodontic treatments.

Ectopic Eruption of First Permanent Molars for Pediatric Patients Attended King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Radiographic Study.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis and intervention of ectopically erupting first permanent molars (FPMs) are vital to avoiding later complex surgical or/and orthodontic treatment. Selection of proper type of intervention and simple treatment is considered as more convenient to use with children. PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective radiographic cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence and severity of ectopically erupting FPMs in children attending the Dental University Teaching Hospital (DUTH) at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted using panoramic radiographs (OPGs) of 2014 patients (973 females and 1041 males) aged from 5 to 8 years old who attended DUTH at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We assessed and recorded the age and gender of the subjects, the tooth number, arch, and location of the ectopic erupted FPMs, and the severity of resorption of the roots of the primary molars. RESULTS: Of 2014 reviewed OPGs, 45 (2.2%) cases were diagnosed with an ectopic eruption of the permanent first molar. The distribution of ectopic eruption based on gender showed that there was a higher prevalence in males 28 (2.9%) than in females 17 (1.6%). Of the 45 ectopic FPMs cases, 47 (78.33%) were detected in the maxilla, while 13 (21.66%) were seen in the mandible. Severe and moderate degrees of the ectopic eruption were found to be more common in the maxilla than in the mandible (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of such conditions, as early diagnosis is essential for providing optimum dental care. To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the prevalence of ectopically erupting FPMs in a Saudi population.

Effects of size and insertion angle of orthodontic mini-implants on skeletal anchorage.

INTRODUCTION: The primary aim of this in vitro study was to compare the insertion torque (IT) and anchorage force (AF) values of 4 different sizes of orthodontic mini-implants with 2 different angles. The second aim was to evaluate the relationship between IT and AF values under different diameter, length, and insertion angle variables. METHODS: A total of 160 mini-implants, including 20 implants in each group, with 4 different sizes (1.6 × 8 mm, 1.6 × 10 mm, 2.0 × 8 mm, and 2.0 × 10 mm) at 2 different angles (70° and 90°), were inserted into bovine iliac bone segments. The IT and AF values leading to 1.5 mm deflection were compared. The correlations between IT and AF values under different variables were also analyzed. RESULTS: The mini-implants with greater diameter and length showed greater IT and AF values (P <0.05). The IT and AF values of mini-implants inserted at 70° angle were significantly greater than those of mini-implants inserted at 90° angle (P <0.001). Significant correlations were found between IT and AF values in all variables. CONCLUSIONS: The diameter, length, and insertion angle of orthodontic mini-implants have significant effects on IT and AF values. Insertion angle and diameter of mini-implants are more effective than implant length on skeletal anchorage. Significant correlations are present between IT and AF values of mini-implants regardless of their diameters, lengths, and insertion angles.

Social Habits and Other Risk Factors that Cause Tooth Loss: An Associative Study Conducted in Taiz Governorate, Yemen.

AIMS: To investigate the relationship between tooth loss, age, gender, and its correlation with several local habits that affect oral health, especially the khat, and Shammah use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study included 580 participants. They were divided into five age groups15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64-years-old. Clinical and radiographic examinations were done for each subject. Reasons for teeth loss, age, gender, khat chewing, Shammah use, smoking, and use of oral hygiene aids were recorded. The data were statically analyzed using Chi-square tests of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program. The p value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Caries was the most cause of tooth loss in the young age groups 15-34 years-old and was significantly more common compared to the older groups (p < 0.001). The periodontal diseases increased with age and progressively became the main cause of tooth loss of 100% in the 55-64 years-old group. Orthodontic reasons for tooth extractions were limited to the young age group 15-24 years old. Third molars were the highest extracted teeth in the maxillary arch, while the first molars were the highest in the mandibular arch. Anterior teeth were the lowest extracted teeth ranging from 9; 1.6% in maxillary teeth and 9-29; 1.6-5% in the mandibular teeth. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of local habitual use of khat 52.9% and Shammah 8.1% besides smoking in tooth loss. Caries was the main cause of tooth loss in the young age groups, followed by the periodontal disease in the older age. Molars were frequently extracted followed by maxillary first premolars. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Limited number of epidemiological surveys were carried out in Taiz Governorate to investigate the reasons of tooth loss and its relationship with social habits like Khat chewing, Shammah use, smoking, using of Miswake and toothbrush. The results of this study will guide us to develop a preventive program which may minimize tooth loss and its adverse effects.