Sanja Peršić

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Different Types of Mandibular Implant Overdentures in Function Longer Than 3 Years.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients treated with three different types of mandibular implant overdentures (IOD) after at least 3 years in function. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 122 patients treated with mini implant (50), locator (56), or bar (16) mandibular IODs participated. Modified plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) indices were also assessed. RESULTS Older patients and patients with mini mandibular IODs were the most satisfied with their OHRQoL. The bar overdenture presented the worst PI and GI results. CONCLUSION The mini mandibular overdenture patients were assessed with a better OHRQoL than those with bar and locator IODs.

Treatment Outcomes Based on Patients’ Self-Reported Measures after Receiving New Clasp or Precision Attachment-Retained Removable Partial Dentures

PURPOSE To evaluate effects of a treatment taking into consideration esthetics, chewing, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of two tooth replacement strategies for maxillary partially edentulous patients with clasp (C-RPD) and precision attachment (PA-RPD) retained removable partial dentures (RPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 150 patients (72 men, 78 women) who received maxillary RPDs; 88 patients received clasp and 62 patients received precision attachment retained RPDs. Patients completed three questionnaires before treatment and again 3 months after treatment: the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES), the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), and the Chewing Function Questionnaire (CFQ). Statistical analysis comprised descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and two-factor ANOVA. RESULTS Both RPD treatments yielded better after-treatment summary scores when compared with the baseline scores (p < 0.01); however, better results were obtained in the PA-RPD group. Gender, as a single factor, did not yield significant effects; mutual interaction of retention type and gender yielded significant effects. The PA-RPD female group assessed esthetics, chewing function, and OHRQoL significantly better than males, and significantly worse than males in the C-RPD group. The covariate baseline scores yielded statistically significant effects; patients with worse pretreatment condition benefited more from both therapies. CONCLUSIONS Treatment outcomes were better in the PA-RPD group than the C-RPDs. Women showed greater concern for the treatment outcomes; their rates were significantly better than in male patients in the PA-RPD group; however, when their satisfaction was lower, their rates were significantly worse than in male patients (in the C-RPD group).

Short-term Postoperative Pain and Swelling Associated with Mini and Standard-Size Implants in the Same Patients

PURPOSE To assess short-term postoperative pain and swelling after insertion of mini dental implants (MDI) and standard-size implants (SSI) in the same patients at different times. MATERIALS AND METHODS A convenience sample of 42 patients (22 females, 20 males; 58 to 73 years old) participated. Half of the participants received MDIs first, and the other half received SSIs first. Self-perceived pain and swelling at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days postoperative were assessed using a 0-10 visual analog scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Flapless MDI insertion led to significantly less intense postoperative pain, less intake of analgesics, and almost no swelling compared to SSI insertion.

Mini Dental Implant-Retained Removable Partial Dentures: Treatment Effect Size and 6-Months Follow-up

Objective The aim was to compare esthetic outcomes, masticatory performance and a comfort of removable partial denture (RPD) wearing after receiving: clasp-retained RPD (C-RPD) or mini dental implant-retained RPD (MDI-RPD) in the mandible. Materials and Methods A sample of 88 patients (Kennedy Class I) with all posterior teeth missing and a linear support for a RPD participated. A total of 52 patients (36 females, 16 males; 56 to 84 years old) participated in the C-RPD group and 36 patients (26 females, 10 males; 43 to 81 years old) in the MDI-RPD group. All MDIs were placed adjacent to the last remaining mandibular anterior tooth or one tooth length posteriorly. The new RPDs had Co-Cr frameworks with lingual plate major connectors; the MDI-RPDs were retained by O-ball matrices and the C-RPDs with clasps. Patients answered questions at pre-treatment and post-treatment stages and after 6-months follow-up: how satisfied they had been with esthetic appearance, how confident they were while chewing hard food, how satisfied they were with food comminution and they also evaluated a comfort of RPD wearing. The 0-10 visual-analogue scale was used. Statistics included descriptive methods, t-tests and the standardized effect-size calculation. Results The MDI-RPD wearers were more satisfied with their post-treatment esthetics, food comminution, a comfort with RPDs and had better confidence while chewing than the C-RPD wearers. The MDI-RPD wearers reported larger positive effect of the treatment. The results were consistent throughout the first 6-months period. Conclusion The MDI-RPD patients showed superior outcomes than the C-RPD patients after the treatment and over the 6-month period.

Differences in skeletal components of temporomandibular joint of an early medieval and contemporary Croatian population obtained by different methods

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the human body. The anatomical configuration of the TMJ allows for a large range of mandibular movements as well as transmission of masticatory forces and loads to the skull base. The measurements of the TMJs anatomical structures and their interpretations contribute to the understanding of how pathological changes, tooth loss, and the type of diet (changing throughout human history) can affect biomechanical conditions of the masticatory system and the TMJ. The human TMJ and its constituent parts are still the subject of extensive investigation and comparisons of measurement methods are being made in order to determine the most precise and suitable measurement methods. The aim of this study has been to examine the morphology of skeletal components of TMJ of an early medieval population (EMP) in Croatia and to compare measured values with TMJ values of the contemporary Croatian population (CP) using various methods of measurement. The study was performed on 30 EMP specimens - human dry skulls, aged from 18 to 55 years, and 30 CP human dry skulls, aged from 18 to 65 years. Only fully preserved specimens (in measured areas) were included. The articular eminence (AE) inclination was measured in relation to the Frankfurt horizontal using two methods. Also, the AE height (glenoid fossa depth) and the length of the curved line - highest to the lowest point of the AE were measured. Measurements were performed on lateral skull photographs, panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms using VistaMetrix software on skull images. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS statistical software. No statistically significant differences were obtained for AE parameters between the EMP and CP populations independent of age and gender. However, statistically significant (p<0.05) differences were revealed when comparing results of three different measuring methods. It could not be determined which of the used measurement methods is the most accurate due to the different results obtained as well as the presence of possible shortcomings and limitations of the various methods (measuring points are difficult to determine and/or they are not clearly observed in the investigated images to be precisely marked and measured; distortion and magnification of structures on radiographic images are present). Therefore, due to the limitations of this study, the obtained results could serve only as orienting information.

Articular eminence inclination in medieval and contemporary Croatian population

Articular eminence inclination (AEI) of the temporomandibular joint leads the mandible in its movements. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine AEI values in medieval (MP) and recent (RP) Croatian population. The study was carried out on two groups of specimens: first group with 30 MP human dry skulls, while the other, serving as control group consisted of 137 dry skulls. The AEI was measured on lateral digital skull images as the angle between the best fi t line drawn along the posterior wall of the articular eminence and the Frankfurt horizontal plane. No statistically significant (p>0.05) differences between the left and right side AEI were found between MP skulls and RP skulls. The mean value of MP AEI was 45.5˚, with a range of 20.9˚-64˚. The mean RP AEI value was steeper (61.99˚), with a range of 30˚-94˚. Difference between the mean MP and RP AEI values was statistically significant (p<0.05). Values of AEI vary a lot. Nonsignificant differences between the left and right side AEI confirmed the natural left-right side asymmetry. The values of AEI differ between the RP and MP groups, most probably due to different type of food consumption in medieval time, and consequently different masticatory loads and forces.

Comparison of time consumption and color matching results of different dental occupational groups.

PURPOSE A study was conducted to compare the accuracy and time consumption of shade matching tasks performed by students, clinicians, and dental technicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 126 participants were asked to pair shade tabs and to choose the best shade match for three natural teeth using the Chromascop shade guide. Time consumption was recorded. The frequency of correct answers and time consumption results were compared across occupational groups and by levels of clinical experience. RESULTS No significant difference was found between occupational groups in shade tab pairing or natural tooth color matching. Experience did not affect the shade tab pairing, but experienced participants were better in natural tooth color matching. Clinicians performed the shade tab matching task faster than preclinical and clinical students, while technicians were faster than preclinical students. In the natural tooth color matching task, clinicians and technicians were faster than students. Regarding experience, novice observers were slower than experienced individuals. A significant negative correlation was observed between time consumption for visual shade matching and the frequency of correct matches for both shade tabs and natural teeth. CONCLUSION The level of professional experience improved color matching of natural teeth. Overall, clinicians and dental technicians performed faster than students, while lower time consumption for shade matching was associated with better scores.