Relationship between masseter muscle thickness and maxillofacial morphology in pre-orthodontic treatment patients.

This study investigated the relationship between masseter muscle thickness and cephalometric facial parameters in pre-orthodontic treatment patients. Participants were grouped according to their vertical facial patterns into low, normal, and high angle facial patterns using standardised lateral cephalometric radiograph. Associations between the masseter muscle thickness (measured using ultrasonography) and different vertical facial patterns were analysed. Masseter muscle thickness in low angle subjects were significantly higher than the normal and high angle cases during both relaxation and contraction phases (P<0.001). Masseter muscle thickness correlated positively with Jarabak ratio and ramus thickness (R1/R2) during both phases, and negatively with LAFH, FMA, MMPA and gonial angle.

General anxiety, dental anxiety, digit sucking, caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in a semi-urban population in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Digit sucking can represent untreated anxiety or other emotional problems. The aim of this study was to determine if digit sucking is a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general and dental anxiety are associated with caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in sub-urban Nigeria. METHODS: This was a secondary data analysis of a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The level of general anxiety and dental anxiety of 450 6 to12 year old children were measured using the Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale and Dental Subscale of the Child Fear Survey Schedule respectively. Presence of digit sucking habit, caries and oral hygiene status were determined. General anxiety and dental anxiety scores were dichotomized into low and high levels respectively. Logistic regression was conducted to determine if digit sucking was a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general anxiety and dental anxiety were predictors caries and good oral hygiene status. Adjustments were made for age and sex. RESULTS: Digit sucking is not a significant predictor of dental anxiety (p = 0.99) and general anxiety (p = 0.79). Children with high general anxiety (AOR: 5.02; 95% CI: 2.9-9.74; p <  0.001) and high dental anxiety (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.15-2.65; p = 0.009) had higher odds of having caries and good oral hygiene respectively. CONCLUSION: Digit sucking was not a significant predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety. General and dental anxiety however, had effects on the likelihood of having caries and good oral hygiene.

Digit Sucking, Age, Sex, and Socioeconomic Status as Determinants of Oral Hygiene Status and Gingival Health of Children in Suburban Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study determines prevalence of digit sucking and gingivitis, and association among age, sex, socioeconomic status, presence of digit-sucking habits, oral hygiene status (OHS), and gingivitis among a group of Nigerian children. METHODS: Data of 992 children aged 1 to 12 years recruited through a household survey conducted in Osun State, Nigeria were analyzed. Information on age, sex, socioeconomic status, and history of digit-sucking habits were collected. Children were assessed for OHS and severity of gingivitis using the simplified oral hygiene index and the gingival index, respectively. Predictors of presence of gingivitis and poor oral hygiene were determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: One (0.2%) and 454 (93.0%) children aged 1 to 5 years had poor oral hygiene and mild gingivitis, respectively. Twenty-two (4.4%) and 361 (72.9%) children aged 6 to 12 years had poor oral hygiene and mild gingivitis, respectively. The odds of having poor oral hygiene (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.35; P <0.001) and gingivitis (AOR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.31; P <0.001) was significantly reduced for children aged 1 to 5 years. The odds of having gingivitis was increased in children with low socioeconomic status (AOR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.32 to 3.31; P = 0.002). There was no significant relationship among sex, digit sucking, OHS, and presence of gingivitis. CONCLUSIONS: A digit-sucking habit did not increase chances of having poor oral hygiene and gingivitis. Increasing age and low socioeconomic status were factors that significantly increased chances of having poor oral hygiene and gingivitis.

Prevalence, and early childhood caries risk indicators in preschool children in suburban Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of caries lesion in an primary tooth in children below the age of 71 months. It is a significant public health problem with consequences for the growth and development of affected children. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and ECC risk indicators in a suburban population in Nigeria. METHODS: The data of 497 children aged 6 months to 71 months who were recruited through a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria was analysed for prevalence of ECC and risk indicators. Information on children's ages, sex, socioeconomic status, tooth brushing habits, sugary snacks consumption, use of fluoridated toothpaste, birth rank, infant-feeding practices, breastfeeding practices, maternal age at childbirth, and maternal knowledge of oral health was obtained. Children's oral hygiene and caries status was also determined. Risk factors associated with ECC were determined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-three (6.6%) children had ECC. Four (0.8%) had severe ECC. The four risk indicators for ECC were the child's gender, mothers' knowledge of oral health, consumption of sugary snacks in between meals more than three times a day, and the child's oral hygiene status. Females (PR: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.01- -0.01; p = 0.02), and children with mothers who had good knowledge of oral health (PR: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.11--0.008; p = 0.02) were less likely to have ECC. Children who consumed sugary snacks in between meals three times a day or more (PR: 0.05; CI: 0.003 - 0.01; P = 0.04) and children with fair oral hygiene (PR: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.005-0.10; p = 0.03) were more likely to have ECC. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ECC in the study population was low. Promoting good oral hygiene practices and enhancing mothers' knowledge of oral health may help reduce further, the risk for ECC in the study population.

Association between knowledge of caries preventive practices, preventive oral health habits of parents and children and caries experience in children resident in sub-urban Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to assess the association between children and parents' knowledge of caries preventive practices, the parents' caries preventive oral health behaviours and children's caries preventive oral health behaviour and caries experience. METHOD: Three hundred and twenty four participants aged 8-12 years, 308 fathers and 318 mothers were recruited through a household survey conducted in Suburban Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to generate information on fathers, mothers and children's knowledge of caries prevention measures and their oral health behaviour. Clinical examination was conducted on the children to determine their dmft/DMFT. Analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of the children's good oral health behaviour. RESULT: The mothers' oral health behaviours were significant predictors of the children's oral health behaviours. Children who had good knowledge of caries prevention measures had significant increased odds of brushing their teeth twice daily or more. The children's caries prevalence was 13.9%, the mean dmft was 0.2 and the mean DMFT was 0.09. None of the dependent variables could predict the presence of caries in children. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the effect of maternal oral health behaviour on the oral health behaviour of children aged 8 years to 12 years in suburban Nigeria. A pilot study is needed to evaluate how enhanced maternal preventive oral health practices can improve the oral health preventive practices of children.

Evaluation of radiographs, clinical signs and symptoms associated with pulp canal obliteration: an aid to treatment decision.

Pulp canal obliteration (PCO) is a sequela of tooth trauma. The dental clinician faced with this condition has to make a difficult decision. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical signs and symptoms associated with teeth with PCO and to assess the status of the periapical tissues using the periapical index (PAI) as an aid in making a treatment decision. The study included teeth diagnosed with PCO in patients with a history of traumatic injury to the involved teeth. Histories of associated signs and symptoms including pain, swelling and drainage from a sinus tract were elicited. Tooth color, sensibility to electric pulp testing, mobility and percussion tenderness were recorded. The periapical status was assessed using the PAI. Two hundred and seventy-six teeth were diagnosed with PCO. One hundred and fifty-seven (56.9%) and 119 (43.1%) demonstrated partial or total PCO, respectively. Yellow discoloration presented most frequently, occurring in 186 (67.4%) teeth. Sixty-two (33.3%) of these had developed periapical lesions and reacted negatively to sensibility testing. Fifty-seven (30.7%) of these teeth presented radiographically with a normal periapical appearance and reacted normally to sensibility testing, whereas 67 (36.0%) presented with small changes in the periapical bone pattern and reacted in the high normal range to sensibility testing. Teeth with PAI scores < or =2 presented with occasional spontaneous pain. Teeth with PAI scores > or =3 presented with clinical symptoms and signs ranging from pain on percussion to spontaneous pain, and slight swelling to sinus tract drainage. Based on the findings of this study, endodontic treatment should be initiated in teeth with tenderness to percussion, PAI scores > or =3 and a negative response to sensibility testing.

Awareness of malocclusion and desire for orthodontic treatment in 11 to 14 year-old Nigerian schoolchildren and their parents.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate Nigerian children's and their parents' satisfaction with the children's facial and dental appearances and their desire for orthodontic treatment, and to compare their assessments of treatment need with those determined by an orthodontist. METHODS: The subjects were 242 11-14 year-old schoolchildren randomly selected from private and public schools in the Ife Central Local Government area, Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to obtain information from the children and their parents of their liking of the facial and dental appearances of the children and the need and desire for orthodontic treatment. The children, the parents and an orthodontist used the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) to assess the need for treatment. RESULTS: More parents liked their child's facial and dental appearances than the children liked themselves. Almost twice as many schoolchildren thought they needed (27 per cent) and desired (29 per cent) orthodontic treatment than their parents (115 per cent). Low, but statistically significant correlations, were found between the children's, their parents' and an orthodontist's assessments of treatment need using the AC scale. Only 8 per cent of the children and 3 per cent of the parents considered that there was a 'moderate-definite' need of treatment. The orthodontist considered 38 per cent of the children had a 'moderate-definite' need of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The children's responses suggest greater concern about their facial and dental appearances, a greater perception of the need for orthodontic treatment and greater desire for treatment than their parents. These findings require further investigation as previous studies have reported that parents are usually more motivated for orthodontic treatment than their children.