Denture-frame modifications in class III patients treated with rapid palatal expansion and facemask: a prospective controlled study.

AIM: The aim of this prospective controlled investigation was to analyze the short-term cephalometric treatment outcomes, according to the denture frame analysis proposed by Sato, of rapid palatal expansion (RPE) and facial mask (FM) therapy. METHODS: A group of 21 patients with Class III malocclusion treated with the RPE and FM (TG) was compared with untreated Class III controls (CG). The mean age of treatment group was 8.8 years; treatment consisted of 4 weeks of RPE activation (0.20 mm/die) followed by 14 hours wear of the FM for a mean of 333.1 days. As CG were used the data published by Tanaka and Sato. Pre- and post-treatment cephalometric values were compared and statistical analyzed with one-sample t-test. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: For almost all parameters the differences pre and post treatment values resulted significantly different compared to those observed in CG. Regarding conventional occlusal plane (POC) values some differences compared to control group were found but they were not statistically significant (P=0.067) while for aterior occlusal plane (POA) no differences where noticed. CONCLUSION: This study revealed an increase in inter-jaw angle during treatment with FM and RPE, an increase in the inclination of the posterior occlusal plane with respect to the Frankfurt plane and a posterior and lower adaptation of the mandible.

Aspects related to a periodontal home prevention program for disabled patients: a clinical trial.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to highlight the relationship between the level of oral hygiene and the context in which the patient receives dental treatment, demonstrating that home service is essential and effective to decrease the incidence of periodontal diseases. METHODS: The study was initially conducted on a heterogeneous sample of patients including 48 individuals with psycho-motor deficits. The study included 28 males (58.3%) and 20 females (41.7%) aged between 18 and 50 years, coming from two different sites ("Fa.Di.Vi… e oltre" and "Dentistry Unit, Istituto G. Gaslini" in Genoa). The patients were evaluated during the period 2008-2009. After this first pilot study, a clinical trial was conducted within the educational center "Il Granello", with the participation of 20 patients with disabilities. RESULTS: This study demonstrates that home assistance is essential and effective to decrease the incidence of those periodontal diseases induced by bacterial dental plaque accumulation, and associated with aggravating factors like the repeated use of drugs, such as benzodiazepines, phenylhydantoin, and cyclosporin A, that cause gingival hypertrophia. CONCLUSION: This study was proposed to demonstrate that the availability of a dental service within institutions could improve not only the dental-periodontal conditions of the participants, but also decrease the admission of these subjects to hospitals, contributing to the reduction of public expenditure by the Health Care System.

A New Biflavanone from the Bark of Garcinia kola1.

The new I-3', II-3, 3', II-4', I-5, II-5, I-7, II-7-octahydroxy-I-4'-methoxy-I-3, II-8-biflavanone together with known biflavanones GB-1 and GB-2 were isolated from the bark of GARCINIA KOLA.