The cornea as a reference point in orthodontic diagnosing, a retrospective study.

Background: The aim of the study is to provide scientific evidence on the possibility of using the Corneal point a skin point for measu-rements that can be made on both standard and three-dimensional photographs. Also, we want to demonstrate the stability of corneal point during the growth, to use it as a reference point. Methods: A sample of 105 radiographs was reached. A descriptive and longitudinal statistical analysis was performed. Results: By data analysis we obtained more variability inter-subject of the millimetrically value of the SC plan. For this reason, we consi-dered the relationship between the SN and SC values and not a single value. In the cross-sectional study the T- test analysis did not show a different significant result of variations between SC and SN in both sexes; therefore, we considered these as unique sample. Conclusion: Longitudinal study has a major importance for to esta-blishing the age-related changes. By cross-selection and longitudinal analysis we obtained an overlapping trend of the SN and SC plan. As the SN plan has always been used as a reference plan for cephalometric measurements, although its variations in growth, it can be concluded that the SC plan can be considered equally a reference plan.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on TMD subjects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), as for symptomatology and presence of parafunctions and sleep disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred fourteen subjects completed an online questionnaire, including Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a temporomandibular screening and a specific item about the impact of such event on the psycho-physical side. Non-parametric tests - Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis - were performed to compare sex and age groups, as for PSS and "COVID-19 pandemic impact score (CpIS)", and the groups Improved/stationary and Worsened in symptomatology as for the "CpIS". Data of subjects undergoing gnathological therapy and not were compared, using Chi-squared test. Orofacial symptomatology values before and during pandemic were compared. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The most prevalent category of perceived stress was the one of "moderate stress". Participants on average attributed to the pandemic a medium-low impact. The reported symptomatology actually showed a significant negative trend only as for neck pain. The intensity of orofacial symptomatology during pandemic was lower than before. Differences between age groups were statistically significant, as for CpIS. Subjects belonging to the group Worsened in one or more fields examined - TMD symptoms, comorbidities, sleep disturbances and fatigue - reported a significantly higher CpIS (p<0.0001). Awake and sleep bruxism, dental grinding, alteration in the quality and quantity of sleep and fatigue increased. Gnathological therapy was not a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: The most evident fact during pandemic was the increase of parafunctions and sleep disorders. The trend of symptoms was more variable and complex.

Muscular pattern in patients with temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction: an electromyographical assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Surface Electromyography of masticatory muscles (sEMG) is used as a tool to support diagnosis and treatment of Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The study aimed at examining jaw muscles pattern in individuals with temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction (TMJ/DDR). This sort of subjects was supposed to have a different muscular pattern compared to the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four women with unilateral TMJ/DDR and forty TMD-free women underwent a sEMG assessment of masticatory muscles. Descriptive statistics were performed. Student T-Test assessed differences between the two groups. Statistical significance was set at ρ < 0.05. RESULT: The t-test showed statistically significant results only in BAR and SMI scores (ρ value < 0,0001). The other measurements did not differ between the two groups. BAR index values of all healthy subjects were within the reference range. Almost the entire TMJ/DDR group had BAR index out of reference range and anteriorly placed. CONCLUSION: Women with TMJ/DDR showed an altered recruitment of the jaw muscles, with significant difference between the activity of the couple of temporalis and the one of masseters, compared to the control group. A lower chewing efficiency was found in the DDR group compared to the control one.

Multiple Dental Inclusion in Monozygotic Twins with Congenital Visual Impairment.

The study presents two monozygotic twins (MZ) with multiple impacted teeth, affecting the upper canines and lower second molars, as well as congenital aniridia. The clinical aspect of the upper canines is peculiar because of the different positions-palatal in one and buccal in the other twin. Studies reporting different scenarios of impaction in monozygotic twins can contribute more data to the debate on tooth eruption aetiology and more so in this case because of the association with a genetic panocular disease. Patients' Concerns. The patients were referred by a general dentist, who diagnosed the presence of multiple inclusions. Diagnostic Study. Both patients showed severe malocclusion, classified as grade 5 of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). The MZ showed class I malocclusion, upper and lower crowding, and impacted lower right and left second molars. A Dentascan was prescribed for the canine impaction. The impaction of the upper canine was palatal of 2.3 in one of the MZ and buccal of 1.3 in the other one. The same altered pattern of eruption of the lower second molars was identified in both twins. The proposed treatment plan contemplated orthodontic surgical recovery of the impacted elements, followed by orthodontic treatment with multibracket appliance after the extraction of the first four premolars, given the crowding entity. The use of a retraction spring action was chosen for the recovery of the lower second molars. Many aspects of the possible genetic aetiology of tooth impaction are still under discussion. The study of diseases in twins offers decisive information. Finally, the possibility that alterations in the eruptive pattern of the dental elements may be associated with other congenital problems broadens the range of investigations related to the possible aetiological causes of the inclusions in humans.

Assessment of Masticatory and Cervical Muscles' Thickness by Ultrasonography in Patients with Facial Asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the thickness of masticatory and cervical muscles (temporalis, masseter and sternocleidomastoid) and facial asymmetries in young patients. METHODS: 21 subjects were selected, through a detailed anamnesis and clinical examination, in order to assess the normality of oral tissues, the presence of normal occlusion, the absence of alteration in tooth dimensions and of congenital or developmental anomalies of lips, mouth or face. RESULTS: The present investigation showed that temporalis, masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles in untreated and growing individuals with facial asymmetries are thinner on the omolateral side when compared with controlateral normal side, but in the untreated one this value is more statistically significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the cervical muscle's thickness resulted increased in young patients Ultrasound is beginning to be recognized to have potential use in dentistry as a safe, noninvasive, comfortable and cost-effective adjunct to diagnosis by producing high-resolution images more easily than magnetic resonance (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) (27-kubo).