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Mandibular deviation due to premature contact of teeth in crossbite may be associated with facial asymmetry.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the position of the mandibular lingula (ML) in adult patients (aged between 18 and 35 years old) with different skeletal and growth patterns using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). Design: Cross‐sectional. Setting: Dentistry department of University. Subjects: Subjects comprised CBCT images of 150 adult patients, including 300 rami. Methods and Materials: In total, 150 CBCT aged between 18 and 35 were selected and divided into three main groups of 50 samples based on their skeletal relationships (classes I, II and III). Patients were subdivided based on their growth pattern (vertical vs. horizontal), resulting in 25 samples per subgroup. Distances between the mandibular lingula and occlusal plane (ML‐OP), sigmoid notch (ML‐SN), external oblique ridge (ML‐EOR), internal oblique ridge (ML‐IOR), posterior border of the ramus (ML‐PBR), inferior border of the ramus (ML‐IBR), and horizontal and vertical distances to the mandibular foramen (ML‐hMF and ML‐vMF). One‐way ANOVA variance analysis was employed to compare different angle classifications, and Bonferroni analysis was used for multiple comparisons. The Student's t‐test was also used to compare growth patterns within each main group and genders within the subgroup. Results: The study revealed statistically significant differences in the position of the mandibular lingula between different angle classifications, growth patterns, and genders. Class II samples showed a more anterior position of the ML, whereas Class III samples displayed a more posterior position of the ML. Patients with horizontal growth patterns and Angle Class III had a more posteriorly positioned ML. Gender differences were observed, particularly in Class I and Class III classifications, suggesting that gender may influence the variability of ML position in these specific classifications. Conclusion: The position of the mandibular lingula showed high variability among individuals with different angle classifications, growth patterns and genders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of 3D printing technology in maxillofacial surgery in Iran represents a significant advancement in medical practice, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency in surgical procedures. Employing the Non-Adoption, Abandonment, Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework and the WHO Health Systems Framework, this study analyzes the complex impact and challenges of 3D printing adoption within the Iranian healthcare sector. Maxillofacial surgery has seen transformative progress with 3D printing's ability to produce accurate surgical models and customized implants. The results indicate a notable improvement in surgical precision and patient recovery times, alongside combatting identified barriers including technological access, cost, and skill acquisition. This conclusion underscores the critical need for targeted educational programs, policy support, and infrastructure development to overcome these obstacles. This paper highlights 3D printing's potential to revolutionize maxillofacial surgery in Iran, provided that comprehensive strategies are implemented to address the current limitations and fully leverage this innovative technology's benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Several meta-analyses have suggested the beneficial effect of vitamin D on patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. This umbrella meta-analysis aims to evaluate influence of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcomes and the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients. Design: Present study was designed as an umbrella meta-analysis. The following international databases were systematically searched till March 2023: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Settings: Random-effects model was employed to perform meta-analysis. Using AMSTAR critical evaluation tools, the methodological quality of the included meta-analyses was evaluated. Participants: Adult patients suffering from COVID-19 were studied. Results: Overall, 13 meta-analyses summarising data from 4 randomised controlled trial and 9 observational studies were identified in this umbrella review. Our findings revealed that vitamin D supplementation and status significantly reduced mortality of COVID-19 [Interventional studies: (ES = 0·42; 95 % CI: 0·10, 0·75, P < 0·001; I 2 = 20·4 %, P = 0·285) and observational studies (ES = 1·99; 95 % CI: 1·37, 2·62, P < 0·001; I 2 = 00·0 %, P = 0·944). Also, vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of infection and disease severity among patients. Conclusion: Overall, vitamin D status is a critical factor influencing the mortality rate, disease severity, admission to intensive care unit and being detached from mechanical ventilation. It is vital to monitor the vitamin D status in all patients with critical conditions including COVID patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic and chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation at the synovial joints. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the correlation between serological variables and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients diagnosed with RA, evaluated through diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD), and to check the influence of comorbidities on the different TMD signs and symptoms, or any serological variables. Methods: This observational cohort research study included seventeen patients affected by RA. The comorbidities and some variables from the initial serological analyses were collected from the clinical rheumatological charts. Then, the presence of any of the following TMD signs/symptoms, temporal myalgia, temporomandibular joint arthralgia, click or crepitus, was evaluated through the symptom questionnaire of the DC/TMD during clinical evaluation following the DC/TMD examination form. Results: Rheumatoid factor (RF), anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity were present in 82.4%, 52.9%, and 41.2% of patients, respectively. Indicators of tissue inflammation were evaluated with median values of 21 mm/h for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and 0.50 mg/dL for C-reactive protein (CRP). The RA patients presented comorbidities such as hypertension in 70.6% and diabetes in 23.5%. Negative ACPA had a significant association with myalgia (p = 0.03), and positive ANA was significantly associated with crepitus (p = 0.05). Conclusion: ANA and ACPA evaluation can be considered predictive serological tests associated with specific TMDs. Conversely, no influence of any comorbidities was found between different TMD signs and symptoms, or any serological variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of Class II malocclusions are due to underdeveloped mandible with increased overjet and overbite. Lack of incisal contact results in the extrusion of the upper and lower anterior dentoalveolar complex, which helps to lock the mandible and prevent its normal growth and development, and this abnormality is exaggerated by soft tissue imbalance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skeletal and dental changes in patients treated with anterior inclined plane appliance in growing patients with moderate Class II Division 1 having deep overbite. In this study, 25 patients, including 15 girls and 10 boys, with a mean age of 9 ±1.2 years were selected; all of them presented with moderate Class II deep bite with increased overjet and normal or horizontal growth pattern. Pre- and post-treatment X-rays and photos for an average of 8 months were taken. The statistical assessment of the data suggested that there were no significant changes in the vertical skeletal parameters. The mandibular incisors were protruded, whereas the maxillary incisors were retruded. Overbite and overjet were also reduced. There was significant increase in the mandibular length. The results revealed that in mixed dentition patients, the inclined plane corrected Class II discrepancies mostly through dentoskeletal changes.

Introduction To assess the effects of cleft lip and palate (CLP) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) components using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology This historical cohort study evaluated 20 CBCT scans of the TMJ area of patients with unilateral CLP as the test group and 20 CBCT scans of the TMJ area of non-CLP controls with class I occlusion. The morphological properties and dimensions of the condyle, the thickness of the glenoid fossa and articular eminence, and the articular eminence angle were measured and recorded. The two groups were compared regarding the above-mentioned variables by the Chi-square or t test (alpha=0.05). Results The left and right axial condylar angles in CLP patients were significantly lower than the corresponding values in the control group by 1.8 degrees in the left and 2 degrees in the right side (p=0.005). The mediolateral condylar dimension at both sides was significantly lower in CLP patients than in the controls (p=0.001). The differences between the two groups were not significant in the anteroposterior condylar dimension, glenoid fossa thickness, and articular eminence thickness (p>0.05). The CLP patients had significantly lower articular eminence angle in the right side (p=0.016) but not in the left side (p>0.05), compared with the controls. Conclusion Unilateral CLP patients have lower axial condylar angle and mediolateral condylar dimension at both sides, and lower articular eminence angle in the right side than the controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Failure in the fusion of medial nasal processes and maxillary prominences would result in the development of a cleft lip while failure in merging the palatal shelves would result in the development of a cleft palate (CP). At present, patients with a cleft palate (CP) have often undergone corrective surgery before 1 year of age. However, an oronasal fistula (ONF) often remains in the palate after surgery. Methodology In this historical cohort, 40 patients with CP, 6-10 years old, who had undergone corrective surgery at 1 year of age were selected by targeted sampling and assigned to two groups with ONF (N=20) and without ONF (n=20). The two groups were matched in terms of age and gender. All patients had an intraoral photograph of the maxilla and a lateral cephalogram. Twenty-three cephalometric parameters were measured prior to the orthodontic treatment and compared between the two groups using a t-test. Results CP patients with ONF had significantly higher Y-axis, gonial angle, Go1, Go2, GoGn-SN, U1-SN, and lower lip to E line compared with those without ONF (P<0.05). The Jarabak index was significantly lower in the CP patients with ONF compared with those without it (P<0.05). The difference in other cephalometric parameters was not significant between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Patients with ONF had significantly greater growth in the vertical dimension compared with those without ONF. Yet, the difference in the anteroposterior dimension was not significant between the two groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Formation of oronasal fistula is a common complication after surgical closure of cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study aimed to compare the maxillary sinus volume in 9-12-year-old CLP patients with and without an oronasal fistula who had undergone surgical closure of the cleft at 1 year of age, using cone- beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology This descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on CBCT scans of 50 patients with unilateral CLP who were between 9-12 years and had undergone surgical closure of the cleft at 1 year of age in two groups with and without an oronasal fistula (n=50). The patients were selected among those presenting to a private orthodontic office between 2001-2009 and already had CBCT scans taken for orthodontic treatment. The 3D CBCT scans were reconstructed with Mimics software, and the volume of the maxillary sinuses was measured on the images. Data were compared using t-test. Results The maxillary sinus volume was significantly smaller in patients with oronasal fistula compared with those without it (9510.7±492 mm² vs. 10278.2±512 mm², P<0.000). The maxillary sinus of the affected side was smaller than that of the unaffected side in both groups of patients with and without an oronasal fistula (P<0.05). Conclusion IImmature patients with unilateral CLP and oronasal fistula have a smaller maxillary sinus than unilateral CLP patients without an oronasal fistula, and may be at higher risk of respiratory infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]