Non-Syndromic Familial Mesiodens: Presentation of Three Cases.

Mesiodens are the most common supernumerary teeth and are detected incidentally during routine radiographic examination, so late diagnosis complications are very common. The dentist must make a timely diagnosis and thus avoid clinical complications. Despite advances in knowledge of dental morphogenesis and differentiation, the etiology of mesiodens remains unclear. Therefore, several theories have been postulated to explain how and why they develop. It was described in the literature that heredity could play an important role in the appearance of supernumerary teeth, with a higher rate of appearance in relatives of those affected. This article reports three cases, a mother and two children, who present mesiodens, which shows that supernumerary teeth may involve a genetic factor. In addition, a literature review was carried out to assess the importance of the genetic factor as a possible cause of mesiodens. The relevance and implications of timely diagnosis in clinical practice to avoid manifestations of clinical complications are discussed. Therefore, the identification of the genetic risk factors responsible for the formation of supernumerary teeth is essential for developing a screening tool to determine an individual's genetic risk.

Brachial plexus variants: an anatomic study / Variações do plexo braquial: um estudo anatômico

The brachial plexus is a frequent site of traumatic, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. Anatomic variants are known to occur in up to 48% of cases, depending on the population being studied and imaging technique. Our objective was to describe the main anatomic variants in our specimens and to compare these with other populations. Ten side-matched anatomic specimens of unknown age and gender were preserved in formol. These specimens were dissected from the nerve roots at the cervical spine level to the axillary region, identifying each root, trunk and fascicle. In all specimens studied, the brachial plexus was of a classic type, originating from the fifth cervical to first thoracic roots. Anatomic variants described in the literature were reviewed. No anatomic variants were found in the present specimens. In conclusion, anatomic variants of the brachial plexus in our population seem to be rare; however, larger samples need to be studied before these results can be generalized to our population.