Unilateral vs Bilateral Maxillary Canine Impaction: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study of Patterns and Associations.

AIM: This retrospective study aimed to compare and evaluate the pattern of maxillary canine impaction and its association with other anomalies using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: A total of 59 CBCT records of patients (ages 12 and up) were divided into two groups: A total of 35 subjects with unilateral canine impactions and 24 subjects with bilateral canine impactions. The CBCT data were analyzed for the measurement of qualitative and quantitative variables. RESULTS: In unilateral canine impaction, the mesiodistal (MD) width of the central incisors and the nasal cavity (NC) width were wider (p < 0.05). The canine-palatal plane (U3-PP) distance was significantly longer in bilateral canine impaction (p < 0.05). The distance of the impacted canines from the palatal and mid-sagittal planes, the anterior dental arch width, and the maxillary skeletal width changed significantly with the position of the impacted canines (p < 0.05). Males had 0.185 odds of presenting with a bilateral canine impaction as compared to females (p = 0.025). The odds of having bilateral canine impaction with a longer canine-midsagittal plane (U3-MSP) distance was 1.30 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a gender predilection with females showing a greater prevalence of bilateral canine impaction. Supernumerary teeth were associated with unilateral impacted canines and lower canine impaction with bilaterally impacted canines. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Anomalies in the form of the maxillary central and lateral incisors, distance from the maxillary canine to the palatal plane and the mid-sagittal plane, NC width, maxillary skeletal width, and gender, are the best discriminating parameters between unilateral and bilateral canine impactions.

Dental Plaque Removal with Two Special Needs Toothbrushes in Patients with Down Syndrome: A Parallel-Group Randomised Clinical Trial of Efficacy.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of two varieties of special needs toothbrushes in terms of dental plaque removal and bacterial contamination vs a conventional toothbrush in patients with Down syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blinded, two-group, randomised clinical trial included 16 patients diagnosed with Down syndrome (age 6-15 years) from various special needs centers located in the Jazan Province of Saudi Arabia. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups based on the type of special needs toothbrush provided (Collis Curve or superfine nano). The plaque and bleeding indices of the patients in both groups were measured at baseline (T0) and both groups were initially given a conventional toothbrush to use for four weeks. After this period, the plaque and bleeding indices were re-evaluated (T1). The patients were instructed to use the special needs toothbrush for 4 weeks, after which the periodontal indices were re-evaluated (T2). Microbial contamination on the bristles of the special needs brushes was evaluated at T2. RESULTS: No notable changes in the mean plaque and bleeding indices were observed between the two groups at each visit; however, statistically significant reductions were noted between visits in both groups (p < 0.05). The CFU scores in cultures from the Collis Curve toothbrush bristles (1411.5 ± 541.1) were higher than those obtained from the superfine nano-toothbrush bristles (1118.3 ± 423.9), but without statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the use of special needs toothbrushes can statistically significantly improve the gingival health status in individuals with Down syndrome in terms of both resolution of periodontal inflammation and reduction of plaque accumulation.