Chai Kiat Chng

Comparative Evaluation of the Pharyngeal Airway Space in Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Individuals With Noncleft Individuals: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study.

Objective To evaluate the pharyngeal airway space changes in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) individuals, and compare with age and sex-matched noncleft (NC) control subjects. Design Retrospective study. Setting Cleft and Craniofacial Centre, KK Womens and Childrens Hospital, Singapore. Materials and Methods Twenty UCLP (mean age: 13.4 ± 0.5 years), 18 BCLP (mean age: 13.5 ± 0.5 years) and 20 skeletal Class I subjects (mean age: 13.4 ± 0.6 years) were included in the study. Cone beam computed tomography scans were assessed for pharyngeal airway space (PAS) (oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, total airway space volume), and compared with PAS of age and sex-matched skeletal Class I NC individuals. Results Pharyngeal airway space showed statistically significant differences in the UCLP, BCLP, and NC control subjects. Oropharyngeal (9338 ± 1108 mm3, P < .05), nasopharyngeal (2911 ± 401 mm3, P < .05), and total airway space (12 250 ± 1185 mm3, P < .05) volumes of BCLP individuals showed significant reduction in comparison to UCLP and NC. There were no gender differences of PAS in any of the groups tested (P > .05). Conclusion The pharyngeal airway space was significantly reduced in the BCLP group than were those in UCLP and control groups. This reduced PAS should be taken into account when planning treatment for these individuals.

A study of a novel aesthetic archwire on its frictional properties and its applications to orthodontics

Objectives: To compare sliding friction of prototype 0.018-inch fiber-reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) archwire with 0.018-inch nickel titanium archwire using various bracket-arch wire combinations. Materials and Methods: Two wires were tested against four different brackets (3M Gemini Twin bracket; 3M Clarity metal-reinforced ceramic bracket; Ormco Inspire ICE ceramic bracket; and 3M SmartClip) using the Universal testing machine to study and compare frictional characteristics. Results: There was no significant difference noted for the frictional wear generated between the various archwire and bracket groups ( P = 0.542). No statistical significance was detected within individual archwire-bracket groups. A multiple comparison of groups showed significant difference in frictional wear. Least significance difference multiple comparison revealed statistical significance ( P Conclusion: FRPC and NiTi wire show comparable frictional wear when used with ICE, Gemini, Clarity, and SmartClip brackets.

Implant-Retained Prosthetic Auricular Reconstruction in a Hemifacial Microsomia Individual: A Clinical Report.

Hemifacial microsomia is the second most frequently encountered congenital facial anomaly after cleft lip and palate. This case history report describes a two-implant-supported auricular prosthetic reconstruction in a young patient with an absent auricle and malpositioned lobule. The selected treatment protocol was chosen because of its superior retention when compared with alternative retention systems. Moreover, a clip-bar attachment system is more reliable and easier to use when availability of anatomical landmarks is limited, and especially in active adolescents.