A new clinical approach for the treatment of anterior crossbites.

Anterior crossbites are often encountered in orthodontic practice. This malocclusion can be identified at any stage of dental development and may have dental, skeletal, and periodontal repercussions if left untreated. A novel approach for the treatment of an anterior crossbite that does not include any typical orthodontic appliances will be presented. Mandibular deciduous second molars or permanent first molars are built with glass-ionomer cement, thus creating a transient, iatrogenic anterior open bite. Both deciduous and permanent teeth move quickly and predictably to their normal position. This method is patient-friendly as minimal cooperation is needed, especially in deciduous dentition patients. The physiology of the mechanism that corrects crossbites is also discussed.

Candidal overgrowth in diabetic patients: potential predisposing factors.

This study was designed to investigate the potential factors that influence the prevalence of the oral carriage of Candida species in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. One hundred and twenty-eight diabetic patients (68 males and 60 females, mean age 54 +/- 7 years) were sequentially enrolled along with 84 (44 males and 40 females mean age 52 +/- 8 years) healthy subjects. Samples were obtained by swabbing the oral mucosa of all participants. Yeast isolates were identified by germ tube test, with API 32 ID system, and by chlamydospore production on 'cornmeal' Tween-80 agar. Candida spp. was recovered from the oral cavity of 64% of the diabetic group, in contrast to 40% of the control group. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. Potential etiologic factors such as xerostomia, dentures, age, gender and diabetes on oral carriage of Candida spp. were evaluated. The oral carriage of Candida spp. was significantly higher in 'diabetic' patients compared with the healthy subjects but it seems that parameters such as xerostomia, dentures, age, gender and glycemic control cannot be directly associated with Candida growth in the oral cavity in the presence of diabetes.

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with bilateral disk displacement without reduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bilateral disk displacement without reduction (BDDN) on the skeletal and dental pattern of affected individuals. There were 59 symptomatic female patients and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers. All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes to evaluate the temporomandibular joints. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base, and dental characteristics of the two groups. A smaller cranial base length (Ba-Na) was found in the symptomatic group. The facial plane angle was smaller, and the angle of convexity was larger because of the retropositioned mandible. The lower denture base was also retruded as shown by the smaller SNB angle. The BDDN group exhibited a larger overjet. The mandibular plane angle was steeper, the Y-axis was more vertical (S-Gn to FH), the posterior ramal height (Ar-Go) was shorter, and the angle between the mandibular and the palatal plane (PP to MP angle) was increased in the symptomatic group. No significant dental differences were found. This study showed that alterations in skeletal morphology might be associated with BDDN. This study suggests that subjects with BDDN may manifest altered craniofacial morphology. The clinician should be aware of that possibility, especially for the growing patients and the surgical candidates.

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with unilateral disk displacement with reduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral disk displacement with reduction (UDDR) on the skeletal and dental pattern of affected individuals. There were 18 symptomatic female patients and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers. All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes to evaluate the temporomandibular joints. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base, and dental characteristics of the two groups. Analysis of variance was used to compare the symptomatic with the control subjects. A few skeletal differences were found. There was an overall reduction in length of the anterior (S-Na) and posterior (S-Ba) cranial base measurements in the UDDR group. The cranial base angle was also increased. Both upper and lower dentures bases were retropositioned. The posterior ramal height (Ar-Go) was shorter in the symptomatic group. This study showed that alterations in skeletal morphology may be associated with UDDR. The mechanisms that produce DD or the mechanisms that cause this skeletal alteration are yet to be clarified. This study suggests that subjects with UDDR may manifest altered craniofacial morphology. The clinician should be aware of this possibility, especially for growing patients.

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with normal temporomandibular joints.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skeletal and dental pattern of symptomatic individuals (SN) with normal temporomandibular joints (TMJs). There were 42 symptomatic female patients with bilaterally normal TMJs and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers (AV). All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes to evaluate the TMJs. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base, and dental characteristics of the two groups. ANOVA was used to compare the symptomatic subjects with the control subjects. There were no significant differences between the two groups besides the lower incisor being more retruded in the asymptomatic group. This study showed that there are no alterations in skeletal morphology in SN individuals compared with AV.

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with unilateral disk displacement without reduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral disk displacement without reduction (UDDN) on the skeletal and dental pattern of affected individuals. There were 12 symptomatic female patients and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers. All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes to evaluate the temporomandibular joints. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base, and dental characteristics of the two groups. ANOVA was used to compare the symptomatic subjects with the control subjects. A few skeletal differences were found. There was an overall reduction in length of the anterior (S-Na) and total (S-Ba) cranial base measurements in the UDDN group. The mandibular plane angle was steeper and the posterior ramal height (Ar-Go) was shorter in the symptomatic group. The only dental difference found was a relative infraeruption of the lower first molar. This study suggests that subjects with UDDN may manifest altered craniofacial morphology. Although the cephalometric measurements used did not account for any asymmetry, previous studies have shown that UDD may cause mandibular asymmetry. Presence of asymmetry and altered craniofacial morphology should alert the clinician especially while orthodontically treating children and surgical patients.

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with bilateral degenerative joint disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bilateral degenerative joint disease (BDJD) on the skeletal and dental patterns of affected individuals. There were 29 symptomatic female patients and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers. All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes to evaluate the temporomandibular joints. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base and dental characteristics of the two groups. Analysis of variance was used to compare symptomatic subjects with control subjects. There was an overall retrusion of the maxilla and mandible with a clockwise mandibular rotation. The upper and lower denture bases were retruded. The upper incisor was more protruded, whereas the lower incisor was more retroclined in the symptomatic group. The overjet was also increased. This study suggests that subjects with BDJD may manifest altered craniofacial morphology. Clinicians should be aware of this possibility, especially for patients who are growing children and orthognathic surgery candidates.

Comparison of skeletal and dental morphology in asymptomatic volunteers and symptomatic patients with bilateral disk displacement with reduction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bilateral disk displacement with reduction (BDDR) on the skeletal and dental pattern of affected individuals. There were 42 symptomatic female patients and 46 asymptomatic normal female volunteers. All study participants had bilateral high-resolution magnetic resonance scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes for evaluation of the temporomandibular joints. Linear and angular cephalometric measurements were taken to evaluate the skeletal, denture base, and dental characteristics of the two groups. Analysis of variance was used to compare the symptomatic subjects with the control subjects. The length of both the anterior (S-Na) and posterior (S-Ba) cranial base was smaller in the BDDR group. SNA and SNB angles were also smaller in the symptomatic group. There were also significant differences in the denture pattern. The interincisal angle was larger and the upper incisor was more retroclined in the BDDR group. This study showed that alterations in skeletal morphology may be associated with disk displacement (DD). The mechanisms by which DD is produced or the mechanisms that cause that skeletal alteration are yet to be clarified. This study suggests that subjects with BDDR may manifest altered craniofacial morphology. The clinician should be aware of this possibility especially for the growing patients and the orthognathic surgery candidates.