Ultrasound analysis of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in edentulous patients rehabilitated with full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses.

OBJECTIVES: Total tooth loss is common in the aging population resulting in insufficient chewing function with subsequent weakening of the masticatory muscles. The study aims to evaluate the changes in thicknesses of the masseter and anterior temporal muscle in edentulous patients following the reconstruction of implant-supported fixed prostheses and compare them with the dentate individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective, single-center, controlled clinical trial. A total of 60 participants were included in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups; Group I (Test Group): 30 edentulous patients who received implant-supported fixed prostheses, Group II (Control Group): 30 dentate individuals of an age and sex-matched group. Ultrasonography was used to measure the cross-sectional thickness of the left and right musculus masseter and anterior temporalis immediately after the cementation of the prosthetic rehabilitation (T1), on the 1st (T2) and 6th (T3) months after rehabilitation and at a single time point in the control group. RESULTS: The results showed that there were significant comparison differences in muscle thickness at the baseline measurements between groups while at the end of the 6th month, these differences were not significant. The muscle thicknesses of both the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles increased significantly at T2 and T3 compared to T1 in the test group. The asymmetry index between the left and right muscles in the test group and the asymmetry differences between groups also decreased significantly at the end of the 6th month. CONCLUSION: The implant-supported fixed prostheses significantly increase the thicknesses of the masseter and anterior temporal muscle together with a decrease in the asymmetry between the left and right muscles. At six months, implant-treated patients showed similar muscle thicknesses compared to dentate individuals. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings suggest that implant-supported fixed prostheses can improve the masticatory function and facial symmetry of edentulous patients.

The effect of myotonic dystrophy type 1 on temporomandibular joint and dentofacial morphology: A CBCT analysis.

BACKGROUND: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular multisystem disease. Early involvement of facial muscles may produce an extra load on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in DM1. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the morphological analyses of the bone components of temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and dentofacial morphology in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: Sixty-six individuals (33 DM1, and 33 healthy subjects) age ranging from 20 to 69 were included in the study. Clinical examinations of the patients' TMJ regions and evaluation of dentofacial morphology (maxillary deficiency, open-bite, deep palate and cross-bite) were performed. Dental occlusion was determined based on Angle's classification. CBCT images were evaluated regarding mandibular condyle morphology (convex, angled, flat and round) and osseous changes observed in the condyle (normal, osteophyte, erosion, flattening, sclerosis). DM1-specific morphological and bony TMJ alterations were determined. RESULTS: DM1 patients showed a high prevalence of morphological and osseous TMJ changes, and statistically significant skeletal alterations. The analysis of CBCT scans indicated the prevalent condylar shape among patients with DM1 was flat, the main osseous abnormality was flattening, there was a tendency towards skeletal Class II and a posterior cross-bite was frequently detected in DM1 patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders on the parameters evaluated in both groups. CONCLUSION: Adult patients with DM1 presented a high frequency of crossbite, tendency to skeletal Class II and morphological osseous alterations of TMJ. The analysis of the morphological condylar alterations in patients with DM1 may be beneficial in the diagnosis of TMJ disorders. This study reveals DM1-specific morphological and osseous TMJ alterations to provide an appropriate orthodontic/orthognathic treatment planning to patients.

PCO-Based BLE Mesh Accelerator.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks enable diverse communication for the Internet of Things (IoT). However, existing BLE mesh implementations cannot simultaneously achieve low-power operation, symmetrical communication, and scalability. A major limitation of mesh networks is the inability of the BLE stack to handle network-scalable time synchronization. Pulse-coupled oscillators (PCOs) have been studied extensively and are able to achieve fast and reliable synchronization across a range of applications and network topologies. This paper presents a lightweight physical (PHY) layer accelerator to the BLE stack that enables scalable synchronization command with a PCO. The accelerator is a fully digital solution that can be synthesized with only the standard cells available in any silicon technology. This paper provides a detailed analysis of PCO-based BLE mesh networks and explores per-node system-level requirements. Finally, the analytical results are validated with measurements of a custom radio node based on the ubiquitous AD9364 transceiver.

Midface asymmetry in non-syndromic unilateral cleft lip-palate: a retrospective cbct analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) and infraorbital foramen region (IFR) with facial symmetry in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, CBCT images of 30 non-syndromic UCLP patients were included, along with 30 age- and sex-matched control individuals. ZMC symmetry was evaluated in the axial section by comparing the right and left sides. Similarly, symmetry in the IFR was assessed in the coronal section. The significance level was set at p<0.05 for statistical analysis. Results: The study group comprised 12 female and 18 male patients, with ages ranging from 10 to 18 years (mean age 14.1 years). Both ZMC and IFR measurements were significantly lower on the cleft sides of the study group compared to both the non-cleft sides of UCLP patients and the control group (p<0.001, p=0.022, and p=0.036, respectively). Furthermore, IFR measurements were significantly lower in the control group compared to the non-cleft sides of the study group (p=0.04). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that individuals with UCLP exhibit asymmetry in both the ZMC and the IFR. These findings suggest a negative impact on facial aesthetics.

The evaluation of superior semicircular canal in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate using CBCT.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to evaluate the thickness and radiological patterns of the superior semicircular canal (SSC) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (CL/P). METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of the patients were evaluated in axial and Pöschl planes. CBCT images of 84 patients with unilateral CL/P and 168 healthy individual controls were included in the study. Three study groups were established: the CS-CL/P group (cleft side temporal bones of the CL/P patients), NCS-CL/P (non-cleft side temporal bones of the CL/P patients) and the control group. The radiological patterns of SSCs were categorized as dehiscence, papyraceous, normal, pneumatised and thick. The minimum bone thickness of SSC was measured. RESULTS: It was found that the CS-CL/P group had a higher prevalence for SSCD compared to both the NCS-CL/P group and the control group. CS-CL/P group had a higher prevalence of dehiscence type and papyraceous type compared to the control group. The SSC thickness on the CS-CL/P patients was thinner than the NCS-CL/P patients and the control group sides (p = 0.033 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The mean thickness of SSC was found significantly lower in the CS-CL/P group compared to both the NCS-CL/P group and the control group. The elevated prevalence of dehiscence and papyraceous types in the CS-C/LP group compared to the control group implies that the presence of a cleft may be a predisposing factor for these types.

Evaluation of the thickness of masticatory muscles in patients with chronic periodontitis by ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases. It causes changes in the biting abilities of individuals. However, periodontal treatment has positive effects on masticatory function. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of periodontitis and periodontal treatment on masticatory abilities by measuring masseter and temporal muscle thicknesses with ultrasonography before and after periodontal treatment in chronic periodontitis patients. METHODS: The patients included in the study were determined by clinical and radiological examination. The thickness of the masseter and temporal muscles of the patients were measured by ultrasonography. Periodontal measurements and treatments of the patients were completed by a single physician. IBM SPSS 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) statistical program was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between the values of periodontal measurements before and after treatment (p<0.05). In the ultrasonography measurements of the thickness of masseter and anterior temporal muscles, a statistically significant increase was observed in both rest and contraction values at all time intervals (p<0.05). Muscle thicknesses of male patients were higher than female patients. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis negatively affects the masticatory performance of individuals. Chronic periodontitis patients should be referred for periodontal treatment without wasting time.

Clinical evaluation of mandibular posterior 3-unit combined tooth-implant supported fixed partial dentures: controlled prospective clinical study.

PURPOSE: The aims of the study were to evaluate the clinical performance and the complications of combined tooth-implant supported 3 unit fixed partial dentures in the posterior mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 78 partially edentulous patients in the posterior mandible were recruited for the study (n=26/group). Group 1 served as the control group and received 2 dental implants for supporting 3 unit fixed partial dentures (FPD). Groups 2 and 3 were the experimental groups where an implant was combined with a tooth. As stated by the dental implant company, standard implants (8 mm or longer) were included in Group 2, while short implants (shorter than 8 mm) were included in Group 3. Periapical radiographs were taken for evaluation of marginal bone resorption (CBL). Modified plaque index (MPI), bleeding index (BI) and sulcus depth of abutment teeth was recorded at the time of FPD insertion, 6 months after FPD insertion and annually. Abutment tooth intrusions, cementation failures of the restorations, porcelain chipping/delamination, framework fracture, abutment screw loosening, abutment and abutment screw fracture, implant fracture were also recorded as complications. RESULTS: Statistically significant different was observed between group 1 (.06 .17) and group 2 (.18 .32) and group 1 and group 3 (.17 .30) in terms of MPI (p≤0.05). No difference was observed between group 2 (.11 .34) and group 3(.14 .36) and group 1(.04 .22) and group 2 in terms of BI. There was statistically significant difference in terms of CBL between group 1 (.259 .05 mm) and group 3 (.11 .03 mm), and group 2 (.03 .03 mm) and group 3 (p≤0.05).The mean abutment tooth sulcus depth was 1.11 .31 mm for group 2 and 1.20 .46 mm for group 3. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the current study, it was concluded that combined tooth-implant supported prostheses (CTISP) is a predictable treatment choice in posterior mandible. When CTISP is planned, it is more predictable to use short dental implant rather than a standard-length dental implant.