Prosthodontic Rehabilitation of Bilateral Maxillary Lateral Incisors Agenesis: A Case Report with One-Year Follow-Up

Globally, non-syndromic tooth agenesis is commonly seen in clinical practice. However, its management is often complex and requires a multidisciplinary team approach for the maximal outcome. While various treatment options are possible, considerations for the treatment are not only based on the dentofacial conditions but also cultural and social background and personal preference of the patient. Thus, patientcentred care approach should always be practised for an optimal outcome. In the present case, a patient with established craniofacial growth presenting with bilateral agenesis of maxillary lateral incisors and over-retained deciduous maxillary left canine sought for aesthetic improvements. The patient did not prefer any orthodontic treatment citing a prolonged treatment duration and sub-optimal motivation as a hindrance. Thus, a prosthodontic only approach was taken by providing a conventional cantilever bridge and ceramic veneers to achieve the aims of treatment. This article discusses the possible limitation of such prosthodontic only solution in managing tooth agenesis.

The effectiveness of early intervention on malocclusion and its impact on craniofacial growth: A systematic review

This review aims to assess the available evidence related to the effectiveness of early interventions on malocclusion and its impact on the craniofacial structure among children under six years of age. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between nutritive sucking behavior mechanisms on the oral facial components. We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and the LILACS from inception to December 10, 2020, to identify published randomized and non-randomized controlled trials that investigated the broad spectrum of early interventions for the treatment of malocclusions among pediatric patients under six years old. We have also included studies that evaluated the impact or the relationship between feeding alternatives, malocclusion, and craniofacial growth. Reviewers working in pairs investigators independently performed title and abstract screening, full-text screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment using ROBINS-I tool, and rated the certainty of evidence using GRADE. Seven studies were included (783 patients), with an overall risk of bias classified as critical. Early treatment was shown to improve facial asymmetry, particularly in the lower part of the face, along with an increase of palatal volume and palatal surface. Early treatment showed important reduction of mandibular protrusion and length, leading to favorable sagittal growth of the maxilla. Furthermore, the early intervention significantly enhanced the average bite force magnitude (from 318.20 N to 382.79 N) and increased the general thickness of facial muscles. Our findings suggest that the benefits generated by early orthodontic interventions are related to the improvement of craniofacial symmetry/bone structure, and refinement of masticatory ability and performance. Notwithstanding, there is still a need for further studies appraising patient-important outcomes, such as quality of life and nutritional features.

Effects of 4-Hexylresorcinol on Craniofacial Growth in Rats

4-Hexylresorcinol (4HR) has been used as a food additive, however, it has been recently demonstrated as a Class I histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi). Unlike other HDACi, 4HR can be taken through foods. Unfortunately, some HDACi have an influence on craniofacial growth, therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 4HR on craniofacial growth. Saos-2 cells (osteoblast-like cells) were used for the evaluation of HDACi and its associated activities after 4HR administration. For the evaluation of craniofacial growth, 12.8 mg/kg of 4HR was administered weekly to 4 week old rats (male: 10, female: 10) for 12 weeks. Ten rats were used for untreated control (males: 5, females: 5). Body weight was recorded every week. Serum and head samples were collected at 12 weeks after initial administration. Craniofacial growth was evaluated by micro-computerized tomography. Serum was used for ELISA (testosterone and estrogen) and immunoprecipitation high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-HPLC). The administration of 4HR (1–100 μM) showed significant HDACi activity (p < 0.05). Body weight was significantly different in male rats (p < 0.05), and mandibular size was significantly smaller in 4HR-treated male rats with reduced testosterone levels. However, the mandibular size was significantly higher in 4HR treated female rats with increased growth hormone levels. In conclusion, 4HR had HDACi activity in Saos-2 cells. The administration of 4HR on growing rats showed different responses in body weight and mandibular size between sexes.

Craniofacial And Dentoalveolar Morphology In Individuals With Prader-Willi Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex multisystem genetic disorder with distinct genetic and clinical features. Among other clinical symptoms, PWS is characterized by severe infantile hypotonia with feeding problems, childhood onset hyperphagia, obesity, scoliosis, short stature combined with growth hormone deficiency and developmental delay. PWS is associated with facial dysmorphology, orofacial dysfunction, oral abnormalities, low salivary flow and subsequent severe tooth wear. Little is known about the craniofacial growth direction or dental and skeletal relationships in individuals with PWS in different ages. The purpose of this study was to assess the craniofacial and dentoalveolar characteristics and to investigate the craniofacial growth direction separately in children, young adults and adults with PWS, using a cephalometric analysis of lateral cephalograms. Results: Lateral cephalograms of 42 individuals with a confirmed genetic diagnosis of PWS were analysed and divided into three groups according to their age: Children (< 12 years), young adults (12 – 20 years) and adults (> 20 years). Cephalometric variables were compared between PWS patients and healthy age- and sex-matched controls.Significant deviations and distinct craniofacial patterns were found in children, young adults and adults with PWS compared with the control group. Children showed retrognatic mandible with a skeletal class II relationship, posterior growth direction and longer anterior face height. The young adults had smaller cranial base angle, a skeletal class II pattern and a higher anterior lower face than the control group. Adults with PWS had a prognathic mandible, skeletal class III relationship with anterior growth direction, more retroclined lower incisors and proclined upper incisors than the controls. Similar results were found when comparing the three groups with PWS; the adults had a prognathic mandible, skeletal class III pattern and anterior growth direction. Children had a retropositioned mandibula, skeletal class II relationship and posterior growth direction. Conclusion: This study may contribute to a better understanding of the craniofacial growth pattern in children, young adults and adults with PWS and may have a clinical importance when planning dental treatment, such as prosthodontics and/or orthodontics.