Discriminative thresholds of cephalometric indexes in the subjective evaluation of facial asymmetry

The science of anterior teeth selection for a completely edentulous patient: a literature review

Esthetic replacement and physiological tooth arrangement made the complete denture biologically compatible and desirable. Proper placement of tooth should be functional and esthetically pleasing to enhance the psychology of the patient. This article reviews the evolution of concepts for teeth selection and the recent techniques employed for selecting anterior teeth for complete dentures.

Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity assessment in patients undergoing orthodontic radiographs

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate DNA damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) in exfoliated buccal mucosa cells from individuals following radiography.

METHODS

Lateral and frontal cephalometric X-ray and panoramic dental X-rays were taken of a total of 18 healthy patients (6 male and 12 female) referred for orthodontic therapy. Exfoliated oral mucosa cells were collected immediately before X-ray exposure and after 10 days.

RESULTS

The results revealed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in the frequency micronucleated oral mucosa cells after X-ray exposure. However, X-ray was able to increase other nuclear alterations closely related to cytotoxicity, such as karyorrhexis, pyknosis and karyolysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Data indicated that exposure to certain radiography may not be a factor in inducing chromosomal damage, but it does promote cytotoxicity.

Concurrence between the maxillary midline and bisector to the interpupillary line

PURPOSE

Symmetry is one of the factors that contributes to facial harmony, and in oral rehabilitation it determines the success of esthetic treatment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the axial symmetry between the bipupillar midline and maxillary central incisors midline of 102 dental students (both genders) distributed across five Brazilian dental schools.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Students with no teeth missing and who had never been subjected to any dental treatment were selected. Photographs were taken with a Dental Eye III camera with a 100-mm macro objective and ratio of 1:10 from natural size, recorded on an Ektachrome ASA/ISO 100 film. The images were developed and applied to Microsoft Office Power Point 2007 software. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance and Student's t-test (alpha = 0.05).

RESULTS

There was no significant correlation between bipupillar midline and the maxillary dental midline, irrespective of gender.

CONCLUSION

No significant coincidence was observed between the interpupillary and dental midline. However, the interpupillar distance and its relationship with other anatomic structures may be used as a reference in treatment, but measurements must be assessed individually.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Anatomic measurements and facial proportions can be helpful during the planning of esthetic oral rehabilitation.