Orthopantometric Assessment of Mandibular Parameters in a Sub-Population of Yorubas: A Study of 2 Tertiary Hospitals in South-Western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Considerable racial, gender and age differences exist in mandibular parameters, hence anthropometric analyses have evolved to be an important scientific tool in forensic medicine and medico-legal issues. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the mandibular parameters (bilateral gonial angle/ ramus height and the bigonial width) in a sub-population of adult Yorubas with normal occlusion in south western part of Nigeria. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of digital panoramic radiographs (Planmeca ProMax®) of 116 subjects that had routine panoramic radiographic investigation done between January 2015 and June 2020 at two teaching hospitals. Angular and linear measurements of the mandible were made and values obtained analyzed for gender differences. RESULTS: The gonial angle for males (118.08o ) was lower than that for females (118.87o ) but this difference was not statistically significant ( p= 0.3742) while the ramus height and bigonial width for males (61.22mm and186.63mm respectively) were higher than that for females (57.06mm and 179.23 mm) which were statistically significant (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Males have statistically significant longer ramus height and bigonial width when compared with females. These finding may be useful in gender determination, however, further studies are recommended. KEY MESSAGES: Males have statistically significant longer ramus height and bigonial width when compared with females in the population studied, hence ramus height and bigonial width in combination with other parameters are useful parameters in studies on gender dimorphism.

CONTEXTE RÉSUMÉ: Des différences considérables de race, de sexe et d'âge existent dans les paramètres mandibulaires, d'où l'évolution des analyses anthropométriques pour devenir un outil scientifique important dans la médecine légale et les questions médico-légales. OBJECTIFS: Le but de cette étude était de déterminer les paramètres mandibulaires (angle gonial bilatéral/hauteur de branche et largeur bigoniale) dans une sous-population de Yorubas adultes avec une occlusion normale dans la partie sud-ouest du Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective de radiographies panoramiques numériques (Planmeca ProMax®) de 116 sujets ayant subi une exploration radiographique panoramique de routine entre janvier 2015 et juin 2020 dans deux hôpitaux universitaires. Des mesures angulaires et linéaires de la mandibule ont été effectuées et les valeurs obtenues ont été analysées pour les différences entre les sexes. RÉSULTATS: L'angle gonial des mâles (118,08o ) était inférieur à celui des femelles (118,87o ) mais cette différence n'était pas statistiquement significative (p = 0,3742) tandis que la hauteur de la branche et la largeur bigoniale pour les mâles (61,22 mm et 186,63 mm respectivement) étaient plus élevés que ceux des femmes (57,06 mm et 179,23 mm) qui étaient statistiquement significatifs (p < 0,001 et p < 0,001 respectivement). CONCLUSION: Les mâles ont une hauteur de ramus et une largeur bigoniales plus longues statistiquement significatives par rapport aux femelles. Ces résultats peuvent être utiles dans la détermination du sexe, cependant, d'autres études sont recommandées. WAJM 2021 ; 38(6) : 561­565. MESSAGES CLÉS: Les mâles ont une hauteur de ramus et une largeur de bigonie statistiquement plus longues que les femelles dans la population étudiée, donc la hauteur de ramus et la largeur de bigonial en combinaison avec d'autres paramètres sont des paramètres utiles dans les études sur le dimorphisme de genre. MOTS CLÉS: Angle gonial, paramètres mandibulaires, hauteur de branche, largeur bigoniale, Yoruba.

Tooth crown dimensions in a selected population of Nigerians with Down Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare tooth crown dimensions in primary and permanent dentitions of subjects with Down Syndrome (DS) and a selected Nigerian population without DS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of subjects with DS and a control group were selected from the Down Syndrome Resource Centre and the Dental Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos respectively. Dental stone models were made from maxillary and mandibular alginate impressions of the population samples after obtaining consent from the subjects and their parents/caregivers. Measurement of tooth dimensions (Mesiodistal, Buccolingual and Clinical Crown Heights) was carried out using an electronic digital caliper. The descriptive statistics were obtained and compared for all parameters using SPSS version 17. RESULTS: The mean mesiodistal tooth dimensions were smaller in the permanent dentition of subjects with DS and the difference in dimensions was statistically significant in most tooth types. The mean tooth dimensions in the primary dentition were generally smaller in DS individuals except in the mesiodistal tooth dimensions of maxillary central incisors and canines, mandibular canines and the clinical crown heights of the maxillary central incisors and 2nd molars. CONCLUSION: The tooth dimensions were generally smaller in both primary and permanent dentitions of subjects with DS than in controls without DS.

Unusual allergic reaction to orthodontic wire: report of a case in a Nigerian patient and implications for clinical management.

Material reactions of both an irritant and hypersensitivity nature are not uncommon in contemporary orthodontic practices. The most common hypersensitivity reactions in orthodontic patients are due to alloy components of metal-based orthodontic appliances. This article reports a case of an unusual reaction to the component of an orthodontic appliance in a 6-year-old girl. There was associated trauma with local irritation. The implications and suggestions for management in the orthodontic clinic are reviewed.

Prosthetic management of an epileptic patient.

This case report illustrates the problems of tooth loss in an epileptic patient. The patient presented with a broken denture following a seizure. She gave a history of breaking and swallowing her dentures during seizures. Before presentation she had worn five upper removable partial dentures. An upper removable partial denture with increased thickness of the acrylic palatal was fabricated and fitted satisfactorily. The patient was taught how to insert and remove the prosthesis as quickly as possible. Epileptic patients can use dentures but run the risk of frequently breaking and swallowing them during seizures. The risk can be reduced if patients and relatives are taught how to remove the dentures prior to or during seizures.