1,720,972 research outputs found
The association between Ponticulus Posticus and Dental Agenesis: a retrospective study
Full text linkOBJECTIVE:
Neural tube defects may increase the risk of an abnormal development of skull, vertebral column and teeth formation, including dental agenesis in non syndromic patients. The association between the presence of a congenital Dental Agenesis (DA) and the Atlantooccipital Ligament (AOL) calcification, known as "Ponticulus Posticus" (PP), as possible links can be investigated.
DESIGN:
After a systematic review of the scientific literature on this topic, two independent examiners assessed the AOL calcification in lateral cephalograms of 350 non syndromic patients(7-21 years old). The results were compared with a control group (non syndromic patients, without congenital missing teeth).
RESULTS:
The 16.3% of the population studied by cephalometric analysis revealed a prevalence rate of PP (both complete and partial) with a slight male predominance is seen, not statistically significant (χ square test = 0.09; p= 0.76). In both sexes complete PP is more observed. In the patients affected by DA the frequency of PP is the 66.6% (both complete than partial). The χ square test with Yates correction showed a significative difference(χ= 66.20; p value= 0.00) between PP in patients with DA compared to not affected by DA.
CONCLUSIONS:
PP is not an uncommon anomaly. Since orofacial pain like migraine and other symptoms are often associated to PP, during routine radiographic examination, if detected, it should be documented in patients' health record and with symptoms, further investigation should be sought for. These findings encourage to think there's an association between DA in non syndromic patients and neuro-crestal cells defects
Personal identification of living people and corpses: usefulness and reliability of intraoral scanners and 3D technologies in modern forensic dentistry
Full text linkTeeth and oral structures are considered valuable alternatives to DNA analysis and fingerprints for personal identification. Even if their reliability has been recognized, they’ve not been widely or at all tested with new technologies. This project had the aim to study the superimposability of dental and oral structures in radiographic examinations and 3D scans and stability of some of them, like palatal rugae, in patients undergoing to dental procedures and cadavers. The survey has been performed on the virtual and plastic reconstruction of the oral cavities developed from data collected from an innovative intraoral scanner and from orthopantomographs (in all patients and cadavers- if available -) and from full-mouth periapical films (in periodontal patients and cadavers only). In all the patients oral cavity scans started at the beginning of the therapeutic procedures and after one year. In cadavers oral cavity scans have been recorded on the first and the seventh or tenth day from the time of death, allowing a complete survey on how long the palatal rugae features and other oral structures remain stable after corruption of the body sets in their intraoral scans have been then superimposed on radiographs. Morphometric data collected from all the virtual and plastic reconstructions and radiographs, have been listed in an electronic paper. The statistical analysis estimated the differences in shape and length of palatal rugae and dental and other intraoral features in the groups. The results confirm the reliability and the superimposability of 2D radiographs with the reconstructions derived from 3D scans as tools for personal identification, allowing to develop a new protocol for personal identification overcomes the so traditional and so invasive oral autopsy
The power of customized clear aligners in closing molar edentulous spaces: clinical and medico-legal considerations in a scoping review and case report
Full text linkSuccessful closure of edentulous spaces with clear aligners (CAs) is influenced by many factors. CAs are tailored orthodontic devices whose predictability may have relevant medico-legal implications. This study presents a scoping review about missing molar space closure (MMSC) with CAs and a clinical case. This study aims to highlight the feasibility of molar space closure by mesialization with CAs without hybrid supports. Following PRISMA Sc-review guidelines, English-written randomized/non-randomized/observational clinical studies on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and Lilacs were searched. An 18-year-old patient, with upper and lower edentulous spaces due to the loss of two first molars, was rehabilitated with CAs (Sorridi (R), Sorridi srl, Latina, Italy) without hybrid supports and attachments. The therapy was carried out over 10 months. Currently, there are no studies documenting MMSC by mesialization with only CAs. Existing articles document the closure of premolar or incisor spaces. The upper and lower left second molars replaced the missing first molars, and erupting third molars replaced adjacent teeth. The biomechanical effects in space closure with CAs related to extraction cases appear as priorities of clinical/medico-legal interest. Our case turns attention to this movement of CAs without attachments/hybrid supports, indicating that even such a complex treatment can be comfortable for patients and safely predictable for specialists
Genetic factors and agenesis of lateral-posterior teeth (LPT) in non-syndromic population: where are we now?
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Pain Relief in Dental Local Anaesthesia with Vibrational Devices: Much Ado about Nothing? A Scoping Review
Full text linkIn recent years, vibrational devices have been introduced in order to reduce patient discomfort in some situations such as orofacial pain, orthodontic therapy, and injection of local anaesthetics. This article aims to review the clinical experience given by the use of these devices in local anaesthesia. The literature search was carried out on the main scientific databases for articles up to November 2022. Eligibility criteria were established, and pertinent articles selected. The results were classified by author, year, type of study, sample size and characteristics, purpose of use, type of vibrational device used, protocol used, and outcomes. Nine relevant articles were found. These are split mouth randomized clinical trials which evaluate the reduction in pain perception with different devices and different protocols of use in children, during procedures which require local analgesia by injection, compared with traditional local anaesthesia with premedication based on anaesthetic gels. Different objective and subjective scales of pain and discomfort perception were used. Although results are promising, some data, such as those relating to vibrational intensity and frequency, are not clear. Evaluations on samples varying by age and context of use are necessary to fully define the indications for this type of aid during oral rehabilitation procedures
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Italy: knowledge, management of patients and clinical experience of Italian dentists during the spread of contagion
Full text linkBackground: The coronavirus infection that emerged in China in the last few months of 2019 has now spread
globally. Italy registered its first case in the second half of February, and in a short time period, it became the top
country in Europe in terms of the number of infected people and the first in the world in terms of deaths. The
medical and scientific community has been called upon to manage the emergency and to take measures. Dentists
also need to take new precautions during their clinical activity to protect themselves, coworkers and patients from
the risks of contagion and to avoid further spread of infection.
Methods: Following the data published in the international literature as well as the guidelines and directives
constantly updated by the WHO and by the national health authorities, a questionnaire to be completed
anonymously was submitted online to Italian dentists using social tools and online professional platforms. The
collected data were processed statistically, providing descriptive data and analysis of correlations of the most
significant parameters using the Pearson’s χ2, the Likelihood-Ratio χ2, Cramér’s V, Fisher’s exact test, Goodman and
Kruskal’s γ, and Kendall’s τb (p < 0.05).
Results: A total of 535 dentists from Italy participated in the survey. A good level of scientific knowledge about
coronavirus and the extra precautionary measures needed to limit the spread was related to the age of
respondents and their sex. Coming from areas with higher concentrations of cases affected knowledge, level of
attention and perception of risk related to dental activity.
Conclusions: At the moment, there are no therapies or vaccines to contain the infection with the new coronavirus
that is causing many infections, many of which are fatal, worldwide. Dentists are one of the categories at highest
risk of encountering diseases and infections because they work in close proximity with patients, and in their
procedures, there is always contact with aerosols with high bacterial and viral potential. Therefore, during this
COVID-19 emergency, it is important that dentists are properly informed and take the appropriate precautionary
measures
Clear Aligners and Smart Eye Tracking Technology as a New Communication Strategy between Ethical and Legal Issues
Full text linkSmart eye-tracking technology (SEET) that determines visual attention using smartphones can be used to determine the aesthetic perception of different types of clear aligners. Its value as a communication and comprehension tool, in addition to the ethical and legal concerns which it entails, can be assessed. One hundred subjects (50 F, 50 M; age range 15–70) were equally distributed in non-orthodontic (A) and orthodontic (B) groups. A smartphone-based SEET app assessed their knowledge of and opinions on aligners. Subjects evaluated images of smiles not wearing aligners, with/without attachments and with straight/scalloped gingival margins, as a guided calibration step which formed the image control group. Subsequently, the subjects rated the same smiles, this time wearing aligners (experimental images group). Questionnaire data and average values for each group of patients, and images relating to fixation times and overall star scores, were analyzed using these tests: chi-square, t-test, Mann–Whitney U, Spearman’s rho, and Wilcoxon (p < 0.05). One-way ANOVA and related post-hoc tests were also applied. Orthodontic patients were found to be better informed than non-orthodontic patients. Aesthetic perception could be swayed by several factors. Attachments scored lower in aesthetic evaluation. Lips distracted attention from attachments and improved evaluations. Attachment-free aligners were better rated overall. A more thorough understanding as to the opinions, expectations and aesthetic perception of aligners can improve communication with patients. Mobile SEET is remarkably promising, although it does require a careful medicolegal risk–benefit assessments for responsible and professional use
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