Research
Correlation between Chronological Age, Dental Age and Skeletal Maturity in a Sample of Sudanese Children
Objective: This study aimed to correlate chronological and dental ages with skeletal maturity. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of the clinical files for 112 Sudanese patients, 7-16 years old. Skeletal maturity was assessed by using the cervical vertebral maturation stages. Dental age was determined by using the Demirjian method. Pearson’s coefficient was applied to measure the association between chronological and dental ages and Spearman rank correlation coefficient for the CS and dental calcification stages. Results: All correlations between cervical vertebral maturity and dental maturity stages were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in both genders. The mean chronologic age was 12.0533 ± 0.976 13.34 ± 1.66 years for female, male respectively. Conclusion: The first premolars in female and second premolar in male showed the highest relationship with CVM, which can apply as markers for skeletal maturity of a child whose looking for treatment.
The Smile Line in a Sample of a Sudanese Population
Background: A smile is an important feature in determining an individual’s attractiveness. It is a simple concept that is seldom considered and often adjusted rather involuntarily. Objectives: A cross sectional study to assess the smile line in a sample of Sudanese population and its correlation with age, gender, and incisor classification. Material and methods: Clinical examination as well as a photograph was taken for 500 (230 males and 270 females) Sudanese adults with an age range of 15- >46 years in the Academy dental hospital to assess their smile line. Results: Low smile line was the most frequently (41%) encountered smile line followed by average (29.4%), high (22%), and the least being the very high smile line (7.6%). A statistically significant difference was found between age, gender and incisor classification in relation to the smile line (p value ≤0.05). Conclusion: Low smile line was the most frequent among Sudanese population and a strong correlation was found between the smile line and age, gender and incisor classification.
The Impact of Aesthetic Orthodontic Treatment Needs on the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Dental Students
Background: More attention is needed in understanding the physical, social, and psychological impact of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life since it provides more understanding of the demand for orthodontic treatment beyond clinician limits. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of orthodontic treatment needs on the oral health-related quality of life for dental students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. A random sample of 100 2nd years to 5th year dental students aged 17-23 years from the University of Medical Sciences and Technology in Sudan was obtained, and each subject was assessed for orthodontic treatment need using the Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs by taking photographs of the dentition. Each subject was also given an Oral health-related quality to life questionnaire to complete: The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) Results: In general, the oral health- related quality of life was good in this sample. Males generally showed a significantly higher OHIP scores in the handicap domain than females. (Pvalue: 0.003). Despite the fact that no significant gender differences were observed in the remaining quality of life domains, when the Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs (IOTN-AC) was separately evaluated, it was found that males with borderline need for treatment had significantly higher impacts on oral health than females in the same group with regards to functional limitation and psychological discomfort, as well as overall OHIP scores (P= 0.014, 0.05, 0.000 respectively). Conclusion: Malocclusion does not appear to affect the oral health-related quality of life to a measurable degree.
