Irene A Espinosa de Santillana

Necesidades de tratamiento periodontal en adultos de la región rural Mixteca del Estado de Puebla, México

OBJECTIVE This study was aimed at determining periodontal treatment needs, as determined by the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need (CPITN), in a sample of adults from the Mixteca region of the State of Puebla, in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, single-centre study. Previous informed consent was obtained; 60.0 % of the sample were women whose main activity was housework (46 %), 14.0 % were farmers. Average age was 37.6 ± 13.6. Gingival and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need proposed by the World Health Organisation and the International Dental Federation were used; they were implemented by the same, previously-standardised researcher. Means, standard deviations and confidence intervals were calculated for dimensional variables and percentages for categorical ones. RESULTS The gingival index gave 50.0 % light gingivitis, 32.0% moderate and 14.0 % severe gingivitis. The rear superior sextants commonly showed more 4 to 5 mm pockets, the front sextants calculus and the rear inferior sextants showed calculus and bleeding. 94.0 % of the patients required periodontal treatment (3.6 sextants per patient average). CONCLUSIONS Periodontal treatment needs were high in this study; nine out of ten patients in the Mixteca region of the State of Puebla required periodontal treatment. Efforts must thus be guided towards improving oral health in indigenous communities.

Temporomandibular disorders and mandibular vertical asymmetry

Abstract Objective To analyze the association between mandibular vertical asymmetry and the presence of TMD in adult patients. Methods This case-control study recruited patients from the orthodontic clinic at FEBUAP. Patients were classified on the basis of diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). Panoramic radiographs were measured to determine mandibular vertical asymmetry indices according to criteria described by Kjellberg and Habets. Both methods (DC/TMD and index criteria) were standardized a priori. Results A total of 56 patients were analyzed, of whom 25 (44.6%) met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups (TMD group, n = 15; non-TMD group, n = 10). The highest asymmetry index was observed in the condylar neck, followed by the total condylar asymmetry index, but without significant differences between groups (p > .05). Conclusion There is no association (p > .05) between temporomandibular disorders and mandibular vertical asymmetry.

Asociación entre estructuras craneofaciales de adolescentes y los trastornos temporomandibulares

Objective To determine the association between craniofacial structures and the presence of TMD in adolescents. Material and Methods Cases-control study. 46 patients aged 10 to 16 years old were evaluated with their respective lateral cephalometric X-rays (23 cases and 23 controls matched for age and sex). The TTM was evaluated with the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD). Results The comparison between cases and controls of the craniofacial structures did not show significant differences, however the lower facial height, facial axis and the mandibular plane were slightly higher in the group of cases. In the two-way analysis of ANOVA (diagnosis and age), facial convexity presented differences between the adolescent with and without temporomandibular disorders (p=0,002). Conclusion Craniofacial structures are not associated with the diagnosis of TMD in adolescents. However, changes occur in relation to the former location of the jaw, resulting in a skeletal pattern class II and an elongated shape of the face.

Prevalencia de trastornos temporomandibulares en niños mexicanos con dentición mixta

Objective To determine and compare with reports in the bibliography, the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders with an instrument validated for Mexican children with mixed dentition. Methods 150 children, from 8 to 12 years of age and of any sex who attended the pediatric stomatology clinic of the BUAP (Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla) were included and evaluated with the diagnostic criteria for research on TTM (CDI/TTM) by a researcher who had been previously standardized (kappa=0.93). The results contrasted with reports in the bibliography. Results The prevalence of TTM was 20.7%. It was predominantly muscular (77.4%), though 33.3% showed alteration of the mouth-opening pattern, 34% showed joint noises (clicks). The most compromised mandibular function was chewing (6%). These results contrast with reports in the bibliography, specifically in terms of muscle pain sites and headaches, probably explained by different instruments used. Conclusion The prevalence of TTM is in contrast among different studies. It is necessary to place emphasis on the need to evaluate these factors during the childhood and adolescence with validated instruments.