Correlation between skeletal maturation and developmental stages of canines and third molars among Saudi subjects.

AIMS: The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of using the developmental stages of the canines and third molars to predict the timing of skeletal maturity in the Saudi population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The lateral cephalometric radiographs and orthopantograms of 239 Saudi patients, 106 males and 133 females, aged 9 to 21 years, were collected from several dental centers. Orthopantograms were used to assess the developmental stages of the upper and lower canine teeth and third molars using two popular methods: that of Nolla and that of Demirjian. Cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stage was assessed on the lateral cephalometric images according to the method of Baccetti et al. Trained observers with no knowledge of patient age or gender performed assessments. Data were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient at a significance level of P ≤ .05. RESULT: Skeletal CVM stages III and IV had a stronger correlation with mandibular left canine developmental stage than with maxillary canine developmental stage in the two methods used (correlation with Nolla stage 10 and Demirjian stage H: root completely formed with apex closed), especially for male patients (r = 0.700, P < .001). In contrast, the maxillary third molars at Nolla stages 5 and 7 (crown completed to 1/3 of the root formed) showed an association with CVM stages III and IV (r = 0.540 for females and r = 0.639 for males, P ≤ .001 for both) and with Demirjian stages D, E, and F. Males had slightly higher correlation values than females (r = 0.578 and 0.5010, respectively; P ≤ .001) at CVM stages III and IV. Interestingly, canine teeth showed a stronger correlation than third molars with skeletal maturation in Saudi children. CONCLUSION: Dental developmental stages were highly correlated with CVM stages III and IV among Saudi subjects.

Orthodontic treatment need among young Saudis attending public versus private dental practices in Riyadh.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need among young Saudis receiving free treatment at public dental practices versus those paying for treatment at private practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the records of 300 patients (179 females, 121 males; age 13-21 years) treated at orthodontic clinics from 2013 through 2015. The public sample was selected from orthodontic clinics at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University (KSU); the private sample was selected from five private orthodontic clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The records were examined for the severity of malocclusion and for orthodontic treatment need using the Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. The prevalence of each occlusal discrepancy and the Dental Health Component grade were recorded. The severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need were compared between practice types, age groups, and sexes with the chi-square test. RESULTS: Displacement, increased overjet, and Class II and III malocclusion were the most common orthodontic problems in this study. Patients attending public clinics at KSU generally had more severe malocclusion than the patients attending private clinics. Seventy-seven percent of orthodontically treated patients at KSU clinics were in great need of treatment, compared with 58.5% of patients treated at private clinics (P=0.003). Among the patients with great treatment need, approximately 62% of male patients and 70% of patients ≤16 years of age were treated at KSU clinics, compared with 38% and 48%, respectively, treated at private clinics (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Young Saudis receiving free orthodontic treatment at public clinics at KSU had more severe malocclusion with greater need of orthodontic treatment than the patients paying for treatment at private clinics.

Relationship between head posture and anterior-posterior skeletal patterns in a group of female patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between head posture and anteroposterior skeletal patterns in female adult patients. METHODS: The study included 75 lateral cephalograms of orthodontic patients in the age range of 18-25 years. The study was conducted from May 2012 to January 2013 at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The lateral cephalograms were divided into 3 groups based on the anterior-posterior skeletal relationship angle: skeletal class I, II, and III. Twenty-three craniofacial morphological variables were identified and used. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine significant differences among the 3 skeletal classifications. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the cervical lordosis angle and the cervical curvature with the postural variables were estimated. Significance was set at the p<0.05 level. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the mandibular plane inclination between class I and II (p<0.04), and between class II and III (p<0.028). Cervical curvature showed a significance difference between class I and II, and between class I and III (p<0.000). In Class I, II, and III the cervical lordosis angle positively correlated with the upper and middle parts of the cervical column. Cervical curvature correlated negatively with the upper part of the cervical column in class I, while positively correlated in class II and III. The class III group showed a more forward head posture, while the class II group showed a greater head extension. CONCLUSION: No clear relationship was found between head posture and the different skeletal patterns, and it does not seem to play a significant role in the development of different anteroposterior skeletal relationships.

Orthognathic surgical norms for a sample of Saudi adults: Hard tissue measurements.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to establish hard tissue cephalometric norms for orthognathic surgery for a sample of Saudi adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two lateral cephalometric radiographs for 31 females and 31 males, age range of 22-24 years, were analysed. The mean values of the hard and dental measurements were compared with those of European-American adults using Burstone analysis, as well as comparison between Saudi males and females. RESULTS: Saudi males had an increased cranial base length, the mandible lied more posterior to maxilla, increased mandibular plane angle and backward rotation of the mandible with less prominent chin, shorter maxillary length, and also less proclination of lower incisors compared to those of European Americans. Saudi females had similar cranial base length and shorter maxillary length than European Americans. In both gender; lower anterior and posterior dental heights were smaller when compared with the European-Americans' values. A significant difference between Saudi males and females was found. Saudi males showed longer cranial base length, larger vertical skeletal proportion, increased dental values, longer maxillary and mandibular length than the female group. CONCLUSION: This study may be useful in providing racially specific cephalometric norms for diagnosis and treatment planning for orthognathic surgery for a sample of Saudi adults.