Tsau-Mau Chou

Cranial-Base Morphology in Children with Class III Malocclusion

The association between cranial‐base morphology and Class III malocclusion is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphologic characteristics of the cranial base in children with Class III malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms from 100 children with Class III malocclusion were compared with those from 100 subjects with normal occlusion. Ten landmarks on the cranial base were identified and digitized. Cephalometric assessment using seven angular and 18 linear measurements was performed by univariate and multivariate analyses. The results revealed that the greatest between‐group differences occurred in the posterior cranial‐base region. It was concluded that shortening and angular bending of the cranial base, and a diminished angle between the cranial base and mandibular ramus, may lead to Class III malocclusion associated with Class III facial morphology. The association between cranialbase morphology and other types of malocclusion needs clarification. Further study of regional changes in the cranial base, with geometric morphometric analysis, is warranted.

Exploring the distance between upper central incisor edge and incisive papilla in Taiwanese population

Incisive papilla is a significant anatomical landmark in locating upper anterior teeth position in partial or complete and implant prosthetic denture fabrication procedure. The objective of this study is to find the relationship of central incisor and canine to incisive papilla of Taiwanese population. Eighty-one study casts are selected. All selected study casts are analyzed. The distance from the center of incisive papilla to the labial incisal one-third of central incisor is between 7.18 to 11.51 mm, with the mean of 9.21 mm: the line drawn between canines pass middle of the incisive papilla is 72.84%, and pass posterior of the incisive papilla is 4.94%, and 22.22% between middle and posterior of incisive papilla. The result of this study can be used as a guide line in fabrication of the maxillary occlusion rim in Taiwanese population.

Tongue support of complete dentures in the elderly

This study aimed to evaluate the tongues role in supporting maxillary denture retention (MDR), in providing additional stabilization for the mandibular denture, and the tongues relationship with the oral health‐related well being in elderly complete denture patients. Four hundred elderly individuals, 263 males and 137 females, were enrolled in this study. All were older than 65 years, and wore complete dentures. Intraoral examinations were performed in accordance with the 10 criteria embedded in the Functional Assessment of Dentures (FAD). Participants also received personal interviews and completed the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14) questionnaire. The associations between MDR (tongue support) with the mean OHIP‐14 sum scores and FAD categories were analyzed using the t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). Combinations of MDR (tongue support), MDR (resistance to vertical pull), and mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement) were also assessed with the remaining FAD criteria and OHIP‐14 domain scores. Individuals with adequate MDR (tongue support) were significantly associated with denture articulation, denture occlusion, MDR (resistance to vertical pull), maxillary denture stability (pronounced rocking), and mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement). When individuals with adequate MDR (tongue support) were analyzed in conjunction with adequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull) and adequate mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement), significant associations were observed with the mean OHIP‐14 sum score and three individual OHIP‐14 domains: functional limitation, physical pain, and physical disability (p ＜ 0.05). The mean OHIP‐14 sum score was lower among individuals with both adequate MDR (tongue support) and inadequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull) than among participants with both inadequate MDR (tongue support) and inadequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull). MDR (tongue support) demonstrated significant differences from denture occlusion, denture articulation, MDR (resistance to vertical pull), maxillary denture stability (pronounced rocking), and mandibular denture stability (anterior–posterior movement). MDR (tongue support), in conjunction with both adequate MDR (resistance to vertical pull) and adequate mandibular stability (anterior–posterior movement), were significantly associated with the individuals’ oral health‐related well being.

Dentist-Patient Communication and Denture Quality Associated with Complete Denture Satisfaction Among Taiwanese Elderly Wearers

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to explore individual (ie, sociodemographic characteristics, patient personality) and clinical factors (ie, dentist-patient communication, denture quality) associated with complete denture satisfaction among the Taiwanese elderly population. MATERIALS AND METHODS A multistage sampling and cross-sectional design was used to collect data. A total of 387 fully edentulous citizens, aged 65 years and older and who had received new sets of complete dentures, were selected. The participants completed clinical dental examinations and questionnaires by personal interview to collect information on denture satisfaction and associated variables. The relationship among three groups of these participants (satisfied, neutral, and dissatisfied) and potential factors were simultaneously examined using polytomous logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Overall, 36.7% of the participants were dissatisfied with their dentures. Living status (crude odds ratio [COR] = 2.04), personality (COR = 4.86), dentist-patient communication (COR = 7.46), and denture quality (COR = 5.02) were associated with complete denture satisfaction. The multivariate regression model showed that dentist-patient communication (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.41) and denture quality (AOR = 4.40) were significant complete denture satisfaction factors that diluted the effect of living status and personality. CONCLUSIONS Inadequate dentistpatient communication and low denture quality were associated with the dissatisfaction of patients with dentures. To increase complete denture satisfaction, the importance of training programs aimed at enhancing dentist-patient communication and denture quality cannot be overemphasized.

Tooth morphometry in lingual orthodontics.

Lingual orthodontics is used clinically. This study investigated the lingual crown angulation and inclination of optimal occlusion in Taiwanese people. The sample included 45 sets of dental study casts from 28 males and 17 females with optimal occlusion selected from approximately 5,000 young adults. Mesial tipping occurred in all teeth except the upper second molars, the lower central incisors, and the lower lateral incisors. The greatest mesial tipping was observed in the lower second molars. The greatest distal tipping was observed in the lower lateral incisors. Labial (buccal) inclination was observed in all teeth except the lower first molars and the lower second molars. Maximum labial inclination occurred in the upper central incisors. Maximum lingual inclination was observed in the lower first molars.