Rapid maxillary expansion in children with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS).

AIM: to evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in a group of OSAS preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lateral cephalograms of 15 OSAS children (8 boys and 7 girls, age mean ± SD: 5.94 ± 1.64 years) were analysed at the start of treatment with RME (T0). All subjects were revaluated after a mean period of 1.57 ± 0.58 years (T1). At this time the sample was divided into 2 groups according to the change in the respiratory disturbance index (RDI): an improved group (I: 8 subjects) and a stationary/worsened group (SW: 7 subjects). Differences between I and SW children with respect to values of cephalometric variables at T0 and to variations between T0 and T1 were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U test. Differences between T0 and T1 values in the overall group of children and separately in I and SW groups were assessed using Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: At the start of treatment, the I group was characterised by more retrognathic jaws with lower values of SNA (p=0.055) and SNB (p=0.020) and higher age values (p=0.093) when compared to SW group. After treatment, the I group showed an increase in SNA and SNB angle significantly higher than SW group (p=0.004 and p=0.003, respectively). On the contrary, I and SW groups did not differ as for variation in the skeletal divergency and in the total facial height. CONCLUSION: OSAS preschool children with retrognathic jaws could benefit from RME treatment.

In vitro evaluation of the efficacy of a new laser surface implant: cellular adhesion and alkaline phosphatase production tests.

Bone tissue reacts in different ways to implant surfaces with different patterns. The aim of this study is to understand which laser generated surface pattern produces the best cell adhesion in vitro, evaluating both the activity of the alkaline phosphatase and the cells adhering to titanium samples. Tests were carried out on titanium samples with sandblasted surfaces with laser-produced holes with diameters of 5, 10, and 20 microm, and on sandblasted titanium cylinders without holes as controls. The samples were inserted into culture medium containing SaOS-2 cells for 3, 7 and 10 days. The results showed that at days 3 and 7 the laser surfaces stimulated a higher production of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the data from the control group. At day 10 there were no significant differences between the test group and the control group.

Craniofacial morphology in preschool children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

AIM: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common problem in children. It is characterised by a combination of partial airway obstruction associated with hypoxemia and hypoventilation and intermittent obstructive apnoea, which disrupts normal ventilation and sleep. The aim of the study was to evaluate the craniofacial features of preschool children with polysomnographic diagnosis of OSAS, using measurements from standardized lateral cephalograms according to the floating norms cephalometric analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 21 untreated caucasian children (mean age of 4.57 +/-0.6) with complete deciduous dentition were included in this study. All the subjects had diagnosis of OSAS with a positive RDI. Pretreatment cephalometric radiographs were evaluated. Statistical method Descriptive statistics includes mean and standard deviation of the cephalometric variables. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that OSAS preschool children showed a skeletal Class II pattern with retrognathic mandible and increased skeletal divergency.

[Pulpal effects of etching in the use of direct attachments]. / Effetti pulpari della mordenzatura nell'utilizzo di attacchi diretti.

Recurring enamel etching was observed to value the effects on pulp response. Four teeth were extracted and analysed by O.M.; no cellular alterations were observed except a slight inflammatory alteration testified by congested vessels and presence of fibroblasts.

[Evaluation of upper arch dimensions in subjects with palatally impacted canines]. / Valutazione delle dimensioni dell'arcata superiore nei soggetti affetti da inclusione palatale del canino.

A sample of patients with palatally displaced cuspids and a sample of subjects with normally erupted maxillary cuspids were examined as far as arch dimention and tooth size are concerned.

[Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. A rare case]. / Sindrome di Beckwith-Wiedemann. Un caso raro.

The Authors describe a case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. In this patient marked macroglossia and mandibular prognatism are presented.

[Radiographic localization of the impacted cuspid in the upper maxilla]. / La localizzazione radiografica del canino incluso nel mascellare superiore.

A review of radiological diagnostic aids for maxillary impacted cuspid is presented.

[Evaluation of dental age using qualitative radiographic analysis. 2]. / Valutazione dell'età dentale mediante analisi radiografica qualitativa. Nota II.

The Authors evaluated the stage of growth of seven left mandibular teeth and their eruption sequence on 157 op. The growth accomplishment happened earlier in this study as compared to others. Males showed one year gap compared to females in reaching the full dental growth, identified by the apex closure.

[Evaluation of dental age using qualitative radiographic analysis 1]. / Valutazione dell'eta dentale mediante analisi radiografica qualitativa--nota I.

The authors analyzed 157 OP taken from growing subjects evaluating either the stage of development, or the maturity index of the seven left mandibular teeth. The dental age of each subject has been related to chronological age.

[Role of soft tissue in orthodontic diagnosis. 1]. / Il ruolo dei tessuti molli nella diagnosi ortodontica. Nota I.

The Authors propose a review of the soft-tissue cephalometric analysis, to show its diagnostic usefulness.