Biomedical subjects

A T DiBiase

Publications and source records attributed to A T DiBiase.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

A new technique for symmetry determination in tooth morphology using image analysis: application in the diagnosis of solitary maxillary median central incisor.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new technique for determining symmetry in tooth morphology and to evaluate this in the investigation of a patient with a solitary maxillary median central incisor (SMMCI) and a control group. DESIGN: A 9-year-old Caucasian female presented with SMMCI. Clinically the tooth appeared symmetrical. Morphology measurements of the maxillary central incisor were made using an image analysis system. Symmetry was determined by outlining the tooth from labial and axial views. These images were block filled, duplicated, flipped horizontally and then superimposed on the original image. The coincident area and perimeter of the two images from both views were measured. The method was repeated for the maxillary central incisors of 20 sets of control study models for young adult patients from which reference intervals for comparison with the SMMCI case were prepared. RESULTS: From the labial view, the area and perimeter of the two images of the SMMCI tooth were 98.85% and 98.97% coincident, respectively. From the axial view the area of the two images was 96.17% coincident, while the perimeter was 99.03% coincident. In all but one comparison for coincidence the SMMCI was above the upper limit of the reference range from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique is a valid method of assessing symmetry and is a useful clinical tool in cases of SMMCI.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The relationship between arch dimensions and the 5-year index in the primary dentition of patients with complete UCLP.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dental arch dimensions of children in the primary dentition with repaired unilateral clefts of the lip and palate (UCLP) to a noncleft group of a similar age and determine how the dimensions of the cleft arches relate to an index of treatment outcome. METHOD: Dental study casts of 44 5- to 6-year-olds with complete UCLP (22 boys and 22 girls) from a single center, whose primary surgery had been carried out by one surgeon, were matched for age, sex, and ethnicity with dental study casts from a longitudinal growth study. Analysis of variance was used to ascertain differences in arch dimensions between the two groups. The cleft group casts were then assessed with an established index of surgical outcome, the 5-year-old index. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to see how the arch dimensions of the cleft group related to the categories of the index. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary arch dimensions were significantly smaller in the cleft group than in the noncleft group, irrespective of sex (p < .05). In the mandibular arch, there was no difference between the cleft and noncleft groups (p > .05). Maxillary arch dimensions of the cleft group correlated significantly with the 5-year-old index for arch length and intercanine width (p < .05) but not intermolar width (p = .842). This would suggest that the 5-year-old index is a suitable tool for assessing the outcome of treatment in the primary dentition for anteroposterior and anterior transverse arch dimensions.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2001

Changes in circumferential neck measurements during movements of the head in children and their relevance to extraoral traction.

One of the causes of facebow injuries to patients wearing extraoral traction has been the catapult effect of the simple elasticized materials used in the past. A variety of safety or self-releasing modular systems to counteract this catapult effect are currently available. However, the strap extension provided by these modules varies considerably. To reduce the catapult effect to a minimum, it is desirable to fit a system with the minimal travel that will accommodate any changes in distance between the facebow and the back of the head or neck. To ascertain the minimal travel required for the straps, circumferential neck measurements were carried out on 105 children aged between 9 and 14 years. The change in circumference was recorded for 3 different head positions. The mean distance change between the back of the neck and the end of the facebow was 25 mm per side, with a range of 4 mm to 50 mm. This study suggests that on average, modules with a 25-mm extension will be required for cervical traction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Does orthodontics damage faces?

With the increasing provision of orthodontic care in this country, certain practitioners have raised concerns regarding the use of elective extractions and retraction mechanics, especially the effects on the facial profile and the TMJ. The non-extraction versus extraction debate spans the history of orthodontics, and the concepts of facial attractiveness are subject to change as fashions change. Within the realms of evidence-based practice, there is little or no evidence to suggest that the philosophies and mechanics of contemporary orthodontics, in the vast majority of cases, cause damage to the profile or are directly linked to the development of TMJ dysfunction.

Esthetics, Dental↗

PubMed2001

Malocclusion, orthodontics and bullying.

Bullying is endemic among schoolchildren, and the effects can be devastating and long lasting. The persistently bullied child appears to represent a certain psychological type, with poorly developed social skills and a submissive nature. Physical appearance does appear to play a role, which includes facial and dental appearance, although these tend not to be primary factors. Teasing related to dental appearance appears to be particularly hurtful. There is little evidence of a marked increase in self-esteem following orthodontic treatment in children, but in adults following treatment there is an improvement of body concept. The long-term psychological benefits of orthodontic treatment are difficult to measure but there is an increasing awareness of malocclusion with age.

Adolescent↗