Oral health status in Greek children and teenagers, with disabilities.

Nowadays there is a sharp increase of population with disabilities. The aim of this investigation was a) to survey the dental health status, estimate the treatment requirements of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, mental retardation and visual disorders and b) to compare the oral health status of these groups of individuals. The investigation entailed the clinical examination of 170 individuals, between 6 and 15 years old, who were attending four special schools in Athens, Greece. In conclusion, our investigation documented the following: The treatment needs regarding both dentitions are extremely high in all groups of individuals. The oral hygiene status is in general, moderate to low-grade, especially in the individuals with mental retardation. The highest rate of malocclusion is observed in the group of individuals with cerebral palsy.

A survey on supernumerary molars.

The contemporary literature concerning the etiology, frequency, and classification of supernumerary teeth, specifically molars, is reviewed in this article. Also, methods for their early detection, as well as the prognosis and treatment of supernumerary molars, are discussed. Eight cases at the University of Athens and 105 others obtained from the literature were subjected to statistical analysis to examine sexual dimorphism and the position, impactions, and bilateral presence of supernumerary molars. Super-numerary molars occurred more frequently in the maxilla (79.7%), often were impacted (88.7%), and were found bilaterally 23.9% of the time. No great difference was found between the sexes in the frequency of supernumerary molars.

Classification of human maxillar sinuses according to their geometric features.

119 casts of maxillary sinuses have been taken out of 60 dry skulls. In these specimens, the volume V, the area of the basal (i.e. corresponding to the nasal cavity) surface S and the height h have been measured. The sinuses are subsequently arranged into 4 classes, according to their similarity to solids of revolution such as: semi-ellipsoid (class a: 15% of specimens); paraboloid (class b: 30%); hyperboloid (class c: 47%) and cone (class d: 8%). As criterion for this classification, the value of the coefficient K, equal to v/Sh has served. Beyond the eventual anatomical and anthropological interest of this classification, a clinical interest may exist in combination with Computed Tomography or eventually with Echography. The asymmetry that exists between maxillary sinuses (56% of our sample comprises pairs of sinuses arranged in different classes) suggests the eventual necessity of separate radiography of each individual sinus.

[Anatomical and radiographic study of the sinus floor distance from the alveolar crest in edentulous area of skulls]. / Anatomike kai aktinographike melete tes apostases tou edaphous tou Igmoreiou apo ten koryphe tes phatniakes akrolophias se nodes perioches kranion.

The distance between the floor of the maxillary sinus and the alveolar crest in edentulous areas (where the 2nd bicuspid 1st and 2nd molars were previously located) were studied both anatomically and radiographically. The material consisted of 22 skulls in which 33 edentulous maxillary areas were found. Direct anatomical measurements were performed and measurements on periapical radiographs were made. The most important findings can be summarized as follows: 1. The mean distance from the alveolar crest to the floor of the sinus in locations corresponding to the 1st and 2nd molars and the 2nd bicuspid was 5.09 mm, 5.16 m.m. and 6.67 m.m. respectively. 2. Comparison of the anatomical measurements to those made on the radiographs proved that there are some differences but not statistically significant. These differences range between 0 to 5.5 m.m. for the 2nd bicuspid location, while for the 1st and 2nd molar locations they range between 0 to 2 mm.

Orientation and eruptive patterns of the mandibular second premolar.

Distal migration of the mandibular second premolar into a first molar extraction site is a clinical finding often correlated with the early loss of a permanent mandibular first molar. Signs of this tendency can be detected radiographically as early as 6 to 7 years of age when the mineralization of the crown of the mandibular second premolar is almost complete. The results of a study of 2000 panoramic dental radiographs of children, aged 8 to 18 years, are reported.

[Morphology of the sphenoid bone in individuals with syndromes which affect the craniofacial complex]. / E morphologia tou sphenoeidous ostou dia mesou tes kephalometrikes aktinographias se atoma me syndroma pou epereazoun to kranioprosopiko Symplegma.

Anatomically, the sphenoid bone can be characterized as the center of the skull. It represents the crossroads where various factors which contribute--each in its own way--to the craniofacial complex, are combined. The morphology of the sphenoid bone is changeable and the opinion that it serves the functional needs for the viability of the individual was formulated in the literature. The findings from the study of 20 patients exhibiting various syndromes that affect the craniofacial complex lead to the conclusion that there is an admirable adaptability and mutual support of the elements which contribute to the formation of the craniofacial complex, the sphenoid bone being one of them, with significant potential and effect on adjacent structures.

[Radiographic study of odontomas]. / Aktinographike melete odontomaton.

Odontomas are the most common benign odontogenic tumors with a high degree of differentiation and an excellent biological behavior. Three histological types are recognised: a) ameloblastic odontoma, b) coplex odontoma and c) compound odontoma. Usually these tumors are asymptomatic and the most frequent cause of discovery is the retention or impaction of a permanent tooth. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiographic features of these tumors and to determine the frequency and relation of odontomas to tooth impaction. Twenty six cases (14 males and 12 females) of histologically verified odontomas were studied and an effort was made in order to corellate the histological type of the tumors with the age, the sex, the location, the radiographic picture, the size of the lesion and the frequency and relation to the impacted teeth. The main conclusions of the study were: a) Odontomas are diagnosed more often in the first or second decade but the compound odontoma may be seen later in life. b) The most common location of odontomas is the anterior region of the maxilla, c) The radiographic picture of the complex odontoma is usually of the mixed radiolucent-radiopaque type, where compound odontoma is more often found as radiopacity or as non-typical tooth and d) Odontomas more often are located above the crown of the impacted tooth usually in maxillary incisors and canines.

[The use of periapical X-rays in the identification of a corpse]. / E chresimoteta ton opisthophatniakon aktingraphematon sten anagnorise ptomatos.

The authors describe the procedure followed in the identification of a corpse by means of findings gathered from periapical X-rays. The interesting point about this identification is that it was practically based on one single tooth; The dental periapical X-rays of the person to which the body was suspected to belong, revealed certain peculiarities in the root outline and the endodontic treatment of an upper second right premolar. An X-ray of the corresponding tooth of the corpse was taken and the same identical findings were seen, thus documenting the identity of the corpse.

[A clinical and epidemiological study of Tori mandibularis]. / Klinikostatistike melete ton Tori Mandibulari.

This is a study aiming at: a) reviewing the information found in the relevant literature as regards the etiology, incidence, distribution, implication and management of the tori mandibularis, b) evaluating the incidence, location and morphology of this bony mass in a sample of Greek population and c) comparing the findings with those of other investigators. The material consisted of 357 patients, from 20 years old and onwards, who had consecutively visited the Clinic of Removable Prosthodontics for some problem. After clinical examination and tabulation of the findings, the following conclusions were drawn: a) the etiology of appearance of tori mandibularis remains unknown; b) in our sample, 12.8% had this condition; c) the incidence was higher in men (60.4%) than in women (39.5%); d) in our sample, the higher percentage of individuals showing the condition originated from Thraci (Northern Greece) while the lower came from Hepiros; e) No indication of a heredity factor was found; f) this condition is more often bilateral than unilateral and g) the torus mandibularis was extending from the canine to the area of the first premolar in 54.4% of the cases.

[Three cases of Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome]. / Treis periptoseis syndromou Rubinstein-Taybi.

Manifestations from the craniofacial complex in patients presenting with the Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, are of a special interest to the dentist as they involve structures of the oral cavity. On the occasion of three cases that exhibit some of the characteristic signs of this syndrome, the authors provide an extensive review of the related literature. Also, the specific morphology of the face, fingers, and oral structures of these patients is described, as well as, the findings from their cephalometric radiographs. These findings are indicative of a retrognathic face with severe dental crowding requiring extensive orthodontic treatment.

[Changes in the radiographic picture of various locations of the mandible, after long-term use of oral contraceptives]. / Metaboles sten aktinographike eikona periochon tes kato gnathou meta chrese aktisylleptikon.

The vast use of oral contraceptives by a large percentage of women, in our days, has caused increased interest as regards the side effects that these "pills" might have. The purpose of this article was firstly, to review the mechanism of action of the estrogens contained in the contraceptive pills and to emphasize the possibilities that longterm use of these drugs may have in producing changes in the bones of the jaws. Subsequently, the authors describe the results of observations made in periapical X-rays taken for this matter at the Dental School of Tufts University. Finally, certain cases coming from the Oral Diagnosis Clinic of Athens University and from the Dental School of Tufts University, and showing characteristic radiographic findings in different locations of the mandible are presented.

[The incidence of superimposition of permanent teeth in the orthopantomographs and in radiographs Status-X]. / Eychnoteta emphanises epallelias ton monimon dontion se orthopatnomographemata kai se aktinographemata Status-X.

In this study 82 orthopantomographs and 82 Status-x radiographs of the same patients were evaluated in order to determine the incidence of superimposition of teeth in the two kinds of panoramic radiographs. The patients were 10 to 20 years of age and presented no crowding as judged clinically or from respective plaster casts. The results of this study showed that the superimposition occurs in 71.90% of the upper permanent teeth in the orthopantomographs and in 51.21% of the lower permanent teeth. In the Status-x radiographs the superimposition occurs in 54.87% of the upper permanent teeth. As regards localization the upper second premolars premolars showed the greatest incidence and the mandibular incisors the lowest incidence of superimposition in the orthopantomographs. In the Status-x radiographs the superimposition occurs more frequently in the upper canines and less frequently in the upper first molars. Comparing the two kinds of panoramic radiographs, it seems that superimposition is observed more frequently in the orthopantomographs by 17.03%.

[Comparative study concerning the magnification of anterior permanent teeth of the upper jaw in the Status-X radiograph and in the orthopantomograph]. / Eugkritike melete tes megethynses ton prosthion monimon dontion tes ano gnathou kata ten apeikonise tous sto aktinogrphema Status-X kai sto orthopantomographema.

Measurements of the mesiodistal diameters and the total length of anterior permanent teeth of the upper jaw were performed in 82 status-X radiographs and in 82 orthopantomographs of the same patients, in order to determine the difference of magnification in the two kinds of radiographs. The findings proved that the difference of magnification of the mesiodistal diameters ranges from 82.08% to 90.14% and of the total length ranges from 65.58% to 81.17%. On the whole, the highest difference of magnification of the mesiodistal diameters was noticed in the central incisors while the lowest values were obtained in the canines. Also, the highest difference of magnifications of the total length was noticed in the canines while the lowest values were obtained in the central incisors.

[Ten cases of supernumerary premolars and review of the literature]. / Deka periptoseis yperarithmon progomphion kai bibliographike anaskopese.

In this study, the modern literature concerning the classification and the incidence of supernumerary teeth and specificly premolars, is reviewed. Extensive reference is given to the aetiology and pathogeny of the existence of supernumerary teeth and the main theories that have been stated until now are described. The diagnostic problems that may result from these are discussed, as well as the methods and ways of their early detection. The unfavourable complications, the prognosis and the treatment of supernumeraries and specificly premolars are described. Finally, the radiografic findings of 10 cases of supernumerary premolars of ours are presented. A statistical analysis concerning sex, morphology, localization, impaction and bilateral presence of supernumerary premolars, that was conducted for the set consisting of these 10 cases and 50 others, that where obtained from the literature, is also presented.

[Findings from the clinical examination of the oral cavity of one hundred drug addicts]. / Euremata apo ten klinike exetase tou stomatos ekato chronion toxikomanon asthenon.

The authors studied the findings from the clinical examination of the oral cavity of one hundred drug addicts that were prisoners at Korydalos prison, in order to evaluate the incidence and the possible correlation of these findings to the drug abuse. This study revealed that drug addicts present lesions of the oral mucosa such as redness of the pharyngeal mucosa (57%), melanchromatic spots on the lips (35%) and hairy tongue (57%). Also, a high incidence of carious lesions was found (46%), of missing teeth (42%) and of periodontal disease (57%). These percentages are much higher than those found in a random population. It was also revealed that in the above group there was a high incidence of serum hepatitis (23%) and of AIDS (8%), while other systemic diseases were also found.

[Identification of a body from dental findings]. / Anagnorise ptomatos apo ododntika euremata.

The author starts by briefly reviewing the meaning and applications of Forensic Dentistry emphasizing the ethical and legal responsibility of the dentist who is called upon by the police and the Service of Forensic Medicine to contribute to the identification of a dead person. Next, the author describes an interesting case where the identification was possible by documenting more than ten points coinciding between the dental record of the person suspected to be the dead and the findings from the examination of the oral cavity of the body.