Oxovanadium(IV) Coordination Compounds with Kojic Acid Derivatives in Aqueous Solution.

Hydroxypyrone derivatives have a good bioavailability in rats and mice and have been used in drug development. Moreover, they show chelating properties towards vanadyl cation that could be used in insulin-mimetic compound development. In this work, the formation of coordination compounds of oxovanadium(IV) with four kojic acid (5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyrone) derivatives was studied. The synthetized studied ligands (S2, S3, S4, and SC) have two or three kojic acid units linked through diamines or tris(2-aminoethyl)amine chains, respectively. The chemical systems were studied by potentiometry (25 °C, ionic strength 0.1 mol L-1 with KCl), and UV-visible and EPR spectroscopy. The experimental data were analyzed by a thermodynamic and a chemometric (Multivariate Curve Resolution-Alternating Least Squares) approach. Chemical coordination models were proposed, together with the species formation constants and the pure estimated UV-vis and EPR spectra. In all systems, the coordination of the oxovanadium(IV) starts already under acidic conditions (the cation is totally bound at pH higher than 3-4) and the metal species remain stable even at pH 8. Ligands S3, S4, and SC form three coordination species. Two of them are probably due to the successive insertion of the kojate units in the coordination shell, whereas the third is most likely a hydrolytic species.

Stomatognathic system involvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

AIMS: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and stomatognathic system involvement are usually observed during the course of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODOLOGY: This article presents the findings during examination of 190 TMJs from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 44 TMJs from controls without RA, including a description of signs and symptoms related to the stomatognathic system, radiological findings in hands-, and TMJ, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values, and scores obtained in the Disease Activity Score (Das 28) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). RESULTS: The sample included 57.89% TMJs associated with spontaneous pain, 87.89% with signs of destruction in radiological images, and 58.94% with 20 teeth or less. Restricted mouth opening was detected in 42.1% of RA patients, from which 71% had blocked opening; headache was present in 58%, and pain in the masticatory muscles was found in 57%. TMJ erosions had a significant association with Larsen scores (r=0.62), but not with the Das 28, HAQ, and ESR values. CONCLUSIONS: The early evaluation of this joint and the collaborative work of odontologists and rheumatologists are both necessary for a better management of TMJ pathologies.

Effects of an intraoral device (IOD) on electromyographic activity on the masseter and temporal muscles in Class III patients.

OBJECTIVE: Class III malocclusion is characterized by a loss of vertical dimension associated with muscle imbalance. The present study was designed to determine electromyographic amplitude changes in temporal (T) and masseter (M) at rest and during clenching in Class III patients treated with an intraoral device (IOD) over a 24-hour period for 30 days with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). METHODS: Twelve patients with Class III (mean age 27.7 ± 1.2 years) were treated with TENS and IOD. Ten untreated patients composed the control group. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test and ANOVA. RESULTS: Patients treated with TENS and IOD showed a marked decrease in hyperactivity of M and T at rest (p = 0.001) and an increase during clenching (p = 0.001). The control group maintained similar activity in both positions. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that using TENS and IOD in patients improves muscle activity of T and M.

HLA analysis in patients with degenerative diseases of the temporomandibular joint.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of HLA alleles, specifically HLA-DR alleles, and to correlate them with clinical and radiological features of patients with degenerative processes (DP) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The final goal was to determine which allele can be used to identify patients having more aggressive forms of the articular pathologies. Thirty-two (32) Caucasian patients with DP of the TMJ were included in the study. The SSOP (Luminex Corp., Austin, TX) method was used to determine class II HLA alleles. The presence of HLA-II DR in patients with DP of the TMJ was 98%. The presence of HLA was significantly higher in patients with DP of the TMJ than in healthy subjects (66%) (p=0.003). HLA DR52 was significantly more frequent in patients than in healthy individuals (40.62% vs. 13.79%, p = 0.041). While the percentage of DR11 positive individuals was also higher among patients than among healthy control subjects, the association with DP of the TMJ was not significant (p=0.220). Patients having the DR52 allele had higher deformation or DP. It was concluded that HLA-DR54 and DR11 alleles are associated with a higher susceptibility to DP of the TMJ, and HLA-DR54 and DR52 are associated with a higher severity of DP.

MetaLook: a 3D visualisation software for marine ecological genomics.

BACKGROUND: Marine ecological genomics can be defined as the application of genomic sciences to understand the structure and function of marine ecosystems. In this field of research, the analysis of genomes and metagenomes of environmental relevance must take into account the corresponding habitat (contextual) data, e.g. water depth, physical and chemical parameters. The creation of specialised software tools and databases is requisite to allow this new kind of integrated analysis. RESULTS: We implemented the MetaLook software for visualisation and analysis of marine ecological genomic and metagenomic data with respect to habitat parameters. MetaLook offers a three-dimensional user interface to interactively visualise DNA sequences on a world map, based on a centralised georeferenced database. The user can define environmental containers to organise the sequences according to different habitat criteria. To find similar sequences, the containers can be queried with either genes from the georeferenced database or user-imported sequences, using the BLAST algorithm. This allows an interactive assessment of the distribution of gene functions in the environment. CONCLUSION: MetaLook allows scientists to investigate sequence data in their environmental context and to explore correlations between genes and habitat parameters. This software is a step towards the creation of specialised tools to study constrained distributions and habitat specificity of genes correlated with specific processes. MetaLook is available at: http://www.megx.net/metalook.

Muscular activity disorders in relation to intentional occlusal interferences.

The electromyographic activity (EMG) of the anterior temporal (AT), masseter (M), trapezius (T) muscles and anterior aspect of the digastric (D) was measured in 50 subjects, during six seconds of maximum contraction, bilaterally with and without unilateral premature contacts and individually for each tooth. Special occlusal interferences were designed to assess muscular activity. Muscular activity was measured simultaneously by placing premature contacts on each tooth, under T-Scan monitoring. Premature contacts reduced EMG activity during maximum contraction of the AT, D and M muscles, the highest disruption is in the AT muscle, at the level of upper right 2nd molar, with a 56% reduction in activity. Conversely, there was an increase of activity of the T muscle in all teeth when placing artificial occlusal premature contacts, with the highest difference in the upper right 1st bicuspid. Therefore, occlusal interferences can cause neuromuscular disruptions, thus inducing important muscular discrepancy. Both the EMG and T-Scan monitoring can be considered suitable methods to use in daily dental practice to identify premature contacts and to measure EMG activity.

Modificación de la actividad metabólica por medio de un dispositivo intraoral en pacientes con hiperplasia condilar confirmada por SPECT / Metabolic activity modification by means of an intraoral device in patients with condylar hyperplasia confirmed by SPECT

Objetivo: Evaluar los efectos de la aplicación de un dispositivo intraoral de uso permanente en el comportamien- to de los cóndilos con hiperplasia condilar (HC) confirmada por tomografía computarizada de emisión por fotón único (SPECT), estableciendo una comparación con un grupo de pacientes con HC que no utilizó el dispositivo. Materiales y métodos: 30 pacientes con una edad promedio de 21,7 años (+/-5,56) con HC confirmada con SPECT fueron asignados al azar a dos grupos: a los del grupo I (n=18) se les colocó un dispositivo intraoral de uso perma- nente para modificar la posición de la mandíbula, mientras que a los del grupo II (n=12) no se les colocó ningún dispo- sitivo. Se realizaron evaluaciones de dolor, del desvío de la línea media, de la apertura máxima y del disconfort al inicio del estudio y a los 2, 4, 6, 10, 12 y 14 meses. A los 19 meses promedio, la actividad osteoblástica (AO) fue reevaluada me- diante SPECT. Resultados: En el grupo I, la AO en los cortes coro- nales y transversales cesó o disminuyó (p<0,001) respecto a la condición inicial, mientras que en el grupo II la AO au- mentó (p<0,001). Los datos fueron analizados utilizando el test de Wilcoxon de rangos signados. Al ajustar un modelo de ANCOVA robusto utilizando el valor inicial como covariable también se observa que el efecto del grupo fue estadística- mente significativo en ambos cortes (p<0,001). Conclusiones: La aplicación de un dispositivo intrao- ral de uso permanente mejora la evolución de la hiperplasia condilar, lo que lo puede convertir en un tratamiento de uti- lidad para el tiempo que se aguarda para realizar una condi- lectomía alta de cuello de cóndilo, o incluso para evitar este procedimiento (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the application of an intraoral device for permanent use on the behavior of con- dyles with condylar hyperplasia (CH) confirmed by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), establish- ing a comparison with a group of patients with CH that did not use the device. Materials and methods: Thirty patients with an aver- age age of 21.7 years (+/-5.56) with CH confirmed by SPECT were randomly divided into two groups: the ones in group I (n=18) received an intraoral device for permanent use to align the mandible, while those in group II (n=12) did not get any device. Pain, midline shift, maximum opening, and discomfort were evaluated at the beginning of the study and at 2, 4, 6, 10, 12, and 14 months. At an average of 19 months, osteoblastic activity (AO) was reassessed by SPECT. Results: In group I, the AO in the coronal and trans- verse sections ceased or decreased (p<0.001) in comparison to the initial condition, while in group II the AO increased (p<0.001). The data was analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Adjusting a robust ANCOVA model using the ini-tial value as a covariate made it possible to observe that the effect of the group was statistically significant in both cuts (p<0.001). Conclusions: The application of an intraoral device for permanent use improves the evolution of condylar hyperpla- sia, which can make it a useful treatment until a high condylectomy of the neck of the condyle is performed, or even to avoid this procedure (AU)

A web platform for landuse, climate, demography, hydrology and beach erosion in the Black Sea catchment.

The Black Sea catchment (BSC) is facing important demographic, climatic and landuse changes that may increase pollution, vulnerability and scarcity of water resources, as well as beach erosion through sea level rise. Limited access to reliable time-series monitoring data from environmental, statistical, and socio-economical sources is a major barrier to policy development and decision-making. To address these issues, a web-based platform was developed to enable discovery and access to key environmental information for the region. This platform covers: landuse, climate, and demographic scenarios; hydrology and related water vulnerability and scarcity; as well as beach erosion. Each data set has been obtained with state-of-the-art modelling tools from available monitoring data using appropriate validation methods. These analyses were conducted using global and regional data sets. The data sets are intended for national to regional assessments, for instance for prioritizing environmental protection projects and investments. Together they form a unique set of information, which lay out future plausible change scenarios for the BSC, both for scientific and policy purposes.

Evaluación de la sonrisa en pacientes con necesidad de tratamiento ortodóntico / Smile evaluation in patients in need of orthodontic treatment

Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar características de la sonrisa en pacientes con necesidad de tratamiento ortodóntico. Como objetivos específicos, se planteó estudiar el arco de la sonrisa, la línea del labio superior y los corredores bucales, que son tres componentes importantes a la hora de elaborar un plan de tratamiento adecuado para devolver al paciente una sonrisa funcional y estéticamente aceptable. La muestra quedó conformada por 157 pacientes; de cada uno de ellos se obtuvo una foto de una sonrisa voluntaria. Se encontró que el arco de la sonrisa, en el 39,5 %, presentaba un arco consonante; un 20,4 %, uno plano y el 40,1 % restante, uno no consonante. Al estudiar la línea del labio superior, se observó que, en el 8,3 %, la línea era baja; en el 62,4 %, media y en el 29,3 %, alta. En cuanto a los corredores bucales, se observó que el valor medio, en proporción a la distancia intercomisural del corredor bucal total, era de 15,89 % ± desvío estándar (5,03 %); el valor total máximo, 26,19 % y el valor mínimo, 2,74 %. Conociendo la prevalencia de cada uno de estos datos, se podrá arribar al diagnóstico y posterior plan de tratamiento para cada paciente de manera individualizada(AU)

This work aimed at evaluating smile characteristics in patients in need of orthodontic treatment. As specific objectives, it was raised the issue of studying the smile arch, upper lip line and buccal corridors, which are three important components when preparing an adequate treatment plan to restore the patient a functional and aesthetically acceptable smile. The sample consisted of 157 patients and a photo of a voluntary smile was obtained from each of them. It was found that the smile arch had a consonant arch in 39.5%, 20.4% a flat arch and the remaining 40.1% a nonconsonant arch. When studying the upper lip line, it was observed that in 8.3% the line was low, 62.4% medium and 29.3% high. As regards the buccal corridors, it was observed that the mean value in proportion to the intercommissural distance of the total buccal corridor was 15.89% ± standard deviation (5.03%); maximum total value was 26.19% and minimum value 2.74%. Knowing about the prevalence of each of these data, it will be able to arrive at the diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan for each patient individually(AU)

Anclaje esquelético para el tratamiento de las anomalías de clase II y mordida abierta anterior: informe de un caso / Skeletal anchorage for the treatment of class II anomalies and anterior open bite: report of a case

El reporte de este caso tiene como objetivo demostrar la utilidad de los anclajes esqueléticos temporarios como son las miniplacas cigomáticas y los microimplantes "buccal shelf" en el tratamiento ortodóncico, en una paciente de 17 años 10 meses de edad, clase II vertical, dólicofacial, con mordida abierta anterior y aumento de la altura facial inferior. Después de la primera fase de tratamiento, siguiendo la secuencia de arcos para completar la alineación, se utilizaron anclajes esqueléticos extrarradiculares con una mecánica de intrusión con fuerzas elásticas durante 10 meses. Se intruyeron sus piezas posteriores superiores e inferiores y se distalizó la arcada superior, corrigiéndose la oclusión. El mentón retrognático y su perfil convexo mejoraron con la autorrotación de la mandíbula (AU)

The objective of this report case is to demonstrate the usefulness of temporary skeletal anchors such as zygomatic miniplates and buccal shelf microimplants in orthodontic treatment, in a 17-year-old 10-month-old, vertical class II, dollicofacial patient with anterior open bite and increased lower facial height. After the first treatment phase, following the arch sequence to complete the alignment, extra-radicular skeletal anchors were used with intrusion mechanics with elastic forces for 10 months. Its upper and lower posterior pieces were intruded and the upper arch was distalized, correcting the occlusion. e retrognathic chin and its convex profile improved with autorotation of the jaw (AU)

The identification of temporomandibular joint disease through the masticatory cycle.

The purpose of this study was to determine, by analyzing the masticatory cycle, the presence of TMJ disease prior to initiating any orthodontic treatment. Masticatory data from 80 pre-orthodontic patients were recorded in the frontal and sagittal planes and then analyzed and compared with the pre-established healthy masticatory data of Maruyama et al. 40% of the sample group presented with signs and/or symptoms of masticatory dysfunction and/or temporomandibular joint abnormalities (TMJA). Using Student's t test we found significant differences in the means for all seven parameters measured. Patients with TMJA exhibited significantly slower closing, occlusal and total cycle times, but faster opening. It was usually possible to determine which joint was compromised by the disease from the data.

Relación entre el ángulo ANB y el ángulo nasolabial / Relationship between ANB angle and nasolabial angle

La armonía facial en ortodoncia está determinada por las relaciones morfológicas y proporcionales de la nariz, los labios y el mentón. Debido a que la nariz se encuentra en el centro de la cara, sirve junto con los labios y el mentón para caracterizar la apariencia facial, única para cada individuo. Junto con su función respiratoria, la configuración de la nariz, también, tiene un fuerte impacto en la estética facial general y, en gran medida, influye en el grado de convexidad del perfil. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la relación entre el ángulo ANB y el ángulo nasolabial en pacientes con Clase I, II y III esqueletal, a través de trazados cefalométricos, en radiografías laterales de cráneo, con perfil facial, iniciales de un tratamiento de ortodoncia. Para esto, se midieron 200 radiografías laterales de cráneo de pacientes con dentición permanente de ambos sexos. Se hizo un análisis cuantitativo de los datos registrándolos con estadística descriptiva, y gráficos de barra y torta. Se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson para determinar si las medidas de los ángulos mencionados, tenían una correlación estadísticamente significativa. Se determinó que los pacientes con normoclusión presentaron una correlación positiva con un ángulo nasolabial normal, los pacientes con mesioclusión presentaron una correlación negativa con un ángulo nasolabial obtuso, y los pacientes con una distoclusión presentaron correlación con un ángulo nasolabial normal(AU)

The facial harmony in orthodontics is determined by the morphological and proportional relations of nose, lips and chin. As the nose is in the center of the face, it serves together with lips and chin to characterize the facial appearance, unique to each individual. Along with its respiratory function, the nose configuration also has a strong impact on overall facial aesthetics and greatly influences the degree of convexity of the profile. The purpose of this paper was to determine the relation between the ANB angle and the nasolabial angle in patients with skeletal Class I, II and III, through cephalometric tracings, on lateral skull radiographs, with facial profile, that were initial of an orthodontic treatment. For this purpose, 200 lateral skull radiographs of patients with permanent dentition, of either sex, were measured. A quantitative analysis of the data was made, recording them through descriptive statistics, and bar graphs and pie charts. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine whether the measurements of the mentioned angles had a statistically significant correlation. It was established that patients with normocclusion showed a positive correlation with a normal nasolabial angle, patients with mesiocclusion presented a negative correlation with an obtuse nasolabial angle and patients with distocclusion had correlation with a normal nasolabial angle(AU)

Medidas de piezas dentarias para el posicionamiento correcto de brackets en una población latina (Argentina) / Measures for positioning teeth correct brackets in a Latin population (Argentina)

Introducción: El posicionamiento preciso de los brackets de ortodoncia en las diferentes situaciones clínicas es esencial. Para ello, se utiliza la tabla de McLaughlin-Bennett, realizada sobre una población anglosajona. Dada la gran variabilidad que puede existir en los diferentes grupos poblacionales, para estandarizar las medidas en la colocación de los brackets, sería necesario emprender un análisis de la población local y determinar cuáles serán las alturas de las coronas clínicas de todas las piezas dentarias para nuestra población. Materiales y método: Se estudiaron 200 modelos de estudio de individuos argentinos, caucásicos, de ambos sexos, con dentición permanente completa hasta el segundo molar inclusive, entre 13 y 25 años, que no recibieron tratamiento ortodóncico previo. Resultados: Las diferencias estadísticas existentes, con respecto a lo propuesto por McLaughlin y Bennett, en el maxilar superior fueron: altamente significativas (p = 0,0001) en el incisivo central, incisivo lateral y segundo molar; significativas en el canino (p = 0,0128) y en el primer molar (p = 0,018) y no significativas en el primer premolar (p = 0,239) y segundo premolar (p = 0,1741). En el maxilar inferior: altamente significativas (p = 0,0001) en el segundo molar y no significativas en el resto de las piezas dentarias. Conclusión: Los valores que se obtuvieron con el estudio, dada la variabilidad regional de la muestra, no coinciden con los valores que arroja la tabla de McLaughlin-Bennett, de origen anglosajón. Se sugiere la creación de una tabla acorde con las medidas de los pacientes locales(AU)

Accurate positioning of dental braces in different clinical situations is essential. To that end, it is used the chart developed by McLaughlin and Bennett, which was made in the Anglo-Saxon population. Due to the considerable variability among different population groups, an analysis of the local population would be necessary to be carried out in order to standardize the measurements for the positioning of braces and to determine the clinical crown height of teeth in our population. Two hundred Caucasian, Argentine male and female study models, aged between 13 and 25 with full permanent dentition, fully erupted second molars with no previous orthodontic treatment were studied. Existing statistical differences with regard to the guidelines proposed by McLaughlin and Bennett in the maxilla were: highly significant (p = 0.0001) for second molars, central and lateral incisors; significant for canines (p = 0.0128) and first molars (p = 0.018); and non-significant for first premolars (p = 0.239) and second premolars (p = 0.1741). In the mandible the differences were: highly significant (p = 0.0001) for second molars and non-significant for the other teeth. The values that were obtained in the study, given the regional variability of the sample, do not correspond to the values that are shown in the chart by McLaughlin and Bennett, of Anglo Saxon origin. It is suggested the creation of a new chart in line with the measurements of local patients(AU)

Relación entre la posición del primer molar superior con el diámetro de vías aéreas superiores propuestos por Mc Namara / Relation between the psition of the first upper molar with the diameter of the upper airways proposed by Mc Namara

El propósito de este trabajo fue determinar una vinculación entre la permeabilidad de las vías aéreas superiores, con la clase II dentaria en pacientes que hayan completado su crecimiento. Los parámetros utilizados para determinarlo fueron: el cefalograma de Mc Namara en lo que respecta a vías aéreas superiores y la posición del primer molar superior según la clasificación propuesta por Angle. Los datos para evaluarlo se obtienen mediante una teleradiografía lateral de cráneo o pruebas que pueden realizarse incluso en el consultorio. La muestra del presente trabajo estuvo conformada por 100 teleradiografías de pacientes con clase II dentaria. La obstrucción respiratoria que presentan determinados pacientes podría considerarse como un factor predisponente en el desarrollo de la formación de una maloclusión, aunque no necesariamente todos los insuficientes respiratorios presentan algún tipo de anomalía dentoesqueletal, este vínculo entre forma y función resulta muy importante a la hora del diagnóstico, pronóstico y la planificación del tratamiento

The purpose of this study was to determine a link between upper airways permeability and dental class II in patients who have finished their growth. The parameters used for establishing them were: Mc Namara's cephalometrics with regard to the upper airways, and the position of the first upper molar according to Angle's classification. The information to evaluate it was obtained either via lateral teleradiography of the skull or tests which can be done in the office. The sample was composed of 100 teleradiography of patients with dental class II. The breathing obstruction could be considered a predisposing factor in the increase of the formation of a bad occlusion, yet not every insufficient breather has some kind of skeletal tooth anormaly; thus, establishing the link between shape and function is a determining factor at the time of giving the correct diagnosis and prognosis, and of deciding on the best treatment

La artritis reumatoidea juvenil y su influencia en la alteración de desarrollo de la mandíbula / Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and its influence on the alteration of jaw development

La artritis reumatoidea juvenil (ARJ) es una enfermedad inflamatoria autoinmune que se presenta en niños menores de 16 años. Es de curso crónico, etiología desconocida, y afecta sobre todo las articulaciones, como la temporomandibular (ATM). El daño de la ATM puede ocasionar: alteraciones en el crecimiento facial (micrognatia), maloclusión clase II, mordida abierta anterior, desviaciones laterales, erosiones óseas, destrucción del cón-dilo, oclusión disfuncional y alteración de la estética facial, entre otras consecuencias. La posición oclusal neurofisiológica lograda por medio de elementos electrónicos, como el Transcutaneus Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS), y mantenida por el Dispositivo Intaroral (DIO) podría posibilitar la remodelación de la cabeza del cóndilo, en pacientes en crecimiento, en los que la enfermedad se halla controlada, regulando así también la sintomatología dolorosa...

Microestética de la sonrisa. Importancia del análisis del margen gingival en ortodoncia / Microesthetics of the smile. Importance of the analysis of the gingival margin in orthodontics

El propósito de este estudio fue detectar en un grupo de pacientes preortodóncicos alteraciones en los rebordes marginales evaluando la forma de la línea cervical, importante referencia horizontal de la sonrisa, con lo que se obtuvo una plantilla gráfica sobre fotografías estandarizadas; y se encontró que de un total de 150 pacientes evaluados, el 50% (75 pacientes) poseía forma convexa de línea cervical (formato estéticamente ideal); el 5% (7 pacientes) tenía una línea cervical plana (menos aceptable que la anterior); el 17% (25 pacientes) presentaba forma cóncava (la menos agradable de las tres); y el 28% (43 pacientes) poseía línea cervical asimétrica (estéticamente desfavorable). Observando la forma de la línea se pueden corregir los defectos de manera integral, antes de comenzar con nuestro tratamiento de ortodoncia, durante el mismo, o una vez finalizado éste, trabajando en conjunto con todos los profesionales que tratan los problemas estéticos, lo cual permite un enfoque multidisciplinario. El análisis del margen gingival, expuesto en el presente trabajo, resulta un complemento importante de incluir en la historia clínica: tener registrado este parámetro permite su consulta en cada paso del tratamiento y valorar si nuestros objetivos estéticos se están abordando correctamente.

The purpose of this study was to identify changes in marginal ridges in a group of preorthodontic patients, by evaluating the cervical line shape, important horizontal reference of smile, with which was got a graphic template on standardized photographs; and it was found that from a total of 150 evaluated patients, 50% (75 patients) had convex shaped cervical line (aesthetically ideal format); 5% (7 patients) had a flat cervical line (less acceptable than the former); 17% (25 patients) presented concave shape (the least pleasant of the three); and 28% (43 patients) owned asymmetrical cervical line (aesthetically unfavorable). By observing the shape of the line, defects can be corrected in a holistic way, before starting our orthodontic treatment, during it or afterwards, working together with all the professionals who treat aesthetic problems, which allows a multidisciplinary approach. Gingival margin analysis set out in this work results an important complement to include in the medical history, having this parameter registered allows consultation at every treatment step and assess whether our aesthetic goals are being properly addresed.

Mejoramiento electromiográfico de los maseteros y temporales, en pacientes con Clase III tratados neuromuscularmente con TENS / Electromyographic improvement of masseters and temporal, in patients with Class III treated neuromuscularly with TENS

Las Clases III están caracterizadas por una pérdida de dimensión vertical, asociada a un acortamiento de las inserciones y desbalance musculares. Este estudio fue diseñado para determinar los cambios en la amplitud de la electromiografía (EMG) de la actividad muscular de los maseteros (M) y temporales (T) en reposo y en apretamiento en pacientes con Clase III, tratados neurofisiológicamente con electroestimulación nerviosa transcutánea (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation - TENS), utilizando un dispositivo intraoral (DIO) las 24 horas durante 30 días. Doce pacientes con Clase III molar (edad promedio: 27,7+-1,2 años) formaron parte del grupo tratado con TENS y DIO, y 10 pacientes con edades similares de Clase III, sin tratamiento, conformaron el grupo control. La EMG muscular de M y T fue estudiada antes y después del tratamiento. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando la prueba "t" de Student; adicionalmente, se calculó la media y el desvío estándar de la actividad de cada músculo. Los pacientes tratados con TENS y DIO presentaron una disminución marcada de la hiperactividad en reposo de los M y T (p=0,0001 - asociación altamente significativa - A/S) y un aumento de la misma en apretamiento (p=0,0001 A/S). El grupo control mantuvo similar actividad en reposo y en la EMG en apretamiento, mostrando asociaciones no significativas. Estos resultados confirman que utilizar el TENS y el DIO en pacientes mejora la actividad de los músculos M y T , disminuyendo la hiperactividad en reposo y mejorando la misma en apretamiento. De este modo cambiaría sustancialmente la posición inicial de la oclusión para tratar las maloclusiones de Clase III, lo cual facilita el diagnóstico, pronóstico y plan de tratamiento.

Classes III are characterized by a loss of vertical dimension associated with a shortening of the muscle attachments and imbalance. This study was designed to stablish the changes in the amplitude of the electromyogram (EMG) of temporal (T) and masseter (M) muscle activity at rest and during clenching in patients with Class III, neurophysiologically treated with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), using an intraoral device (DIO) 24 hours for 30 days. Twelve patients with Class molar relation (mean age, 27.7+-1.2 years) were part of the group treated with TENS and DIO and 10 untreated patients with similar ages and Class III, formed the control group. The muscle EMG of M and T was studied before and after treatment. Data were analyzed using the Student´s test, additionally, mean and standard deviation of the activity of each muscle was calculated. Patients treated with TENS and DIO showed a marked decrease in hyperactivity of M and T at rest (p=0.0001 A/S) and an increase of it during clenching (p=0.0001 A/S). The control group kept similar activity at rest and in the EMG during clenching, showing no significant associations. These results confirm that using TENS and DIO in patients improves muscle activity of T and M as decreasing hyperactivity at rest and improving it during clenching. Thus, the initial position of the occlusion to treat Class III malocclusions should substantially change, thereby providing diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan.