Confirming nasal airway dimensions observed on panoramic and posterior-anterior cephalometric radiographs using an acoustic rhinometer

Evaluation of mandibular bone density in bruxers: the value of panoramic radiographs

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to establish a difference in mandibular bone density between bruxer and non-bruxer patients, based on panoramic radiographs.

METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of bruxer and non-bruxer patients were analyzed with ImageJ^®. Several radiological determinants were studied on the patients' panoramic radiographs: gray values of cancellous bone and cortical bone, and bony exostoses at the mandibular angle.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven bruxers and forty-seven non-bruxers were included in the study. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was noted in the cancellous to cortical bone ratios of bruxers and non-bruxers: the density of cancellous bone was greater in bruxers than in non-bruxers. The number of bony exostoses at the mandibular angle was significantly higher in bruxers (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study obtained radiological determinants of bruxism from panoramic radiographs. Further studies are needed to supplement this preliminary approach, especially via the analysis of three-dimensional imaging to overcome the limitations of panoramic radiography.

Predicting the size of unerupted canines and premolars using primary maxillary first molar

AIM

One of the most important aspects of interceptive orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning is space analysis. To date all methods use the size of permanent teeth to predict the dimensions of unerupted teeth. The aim of this study was to predict the permanent teeth size using maxillary primary first molar.

METHODS

The size of primary maxillary first molars and permanent canines and premolars of 80 subjects was measured on their dental casts. Regression equations were determined between the size of primary maxillary first molars and permanent canines and premolars.

RESULTS

The new regression equations for predicting permanent tooth size in the maxilla and mandible were, respectively, Y = 2.2X + 13 and Y = 2.4X + 9.5 among females and Y = 2.7X + 5.5 and Y = 2.4X + 9.5 among males.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that the primary maxillary first molar size can be used to predict the size of unerupted permanent teeth.

The acoustic reflection method for the assessment of paediatric upper airways

The acoustic reflection method (ARM) is based on the analysis of the reflection of an acoustic wave in the airway, allowing the calculation of its longitudinal cross-sectional area profile and airway resistance. The ARM represents a simple, quick and totally non invasive tool for the investigation of the upper airways, requiring minimal cooperation, which makes this technique particularly suitable for children. Normal values of the minimal cross sectional area of the upper airways in children have been recently published. The ARM has shown its utility in the investigation of the nasal cavity in healthy and diseased children and of the upper airways in children with various diseases such as mucopolysaccharidosis and cystic fibrosis. This simple, rapid, and inexpensive technique seems promising for the non-invasive investigation of the whole upper airway during wakefulness in children, both in health and disease, and may constitute a complementary or alternative method to explore and follow children with anomalies of the upper airways.