Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Pacifier Removal on Oro-Dentofacial Structures: A Controlled Clinical Trial

It is well recognized that pacifier habit leads to occlusal and orofacial functional changes in children. However, the effects of the interruption of prolonged pacifier habit on the development of the dento-facial complex has not yet been fully characterized. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pacifier removal on aspects of oro-dentofacial morphology and function in preschool children. For that, a pacifier group (n = 28) and a control group (n = 32) of 4-year-old children with and without pacifier habit, respectively, were followed up by a group of dentists and speech therapists at baseline, 6 and 12 months after habit removal. Bite force and lip pressure were assessed using digital systems, and the evaluation of breathing and speech functions was performed using validated protocols, together with the measurements of dental casts and facial anthropometry. The Two-way mixed model ANOVA was used in data analysis. After 12 months, a decrease in malocclusion frequency was observed in pacifier group. Additionally, a change over time was observed in facial, intermolar and palate depth measurements, as well in bite and lip forces and speech function scores, increasing in both groups (p < 0.01). The upper and lower intercanine widths and breathing scores differed between groups at baseline and changed over time reducing the differences. The presence of speech distortions was more frequent in the pacifier group at baseline and decreased over time (p < 0.05). The interruption of pacifier habit improved the maxillary and mandibular intercanine widths, as well as the breathing and speech functions, overcoming the oro-dentofacial changes found.Trial Registration: This clinical trial was registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC; http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/), protocol no. RBR-728MJ2.

A cross-sectional study of facial index in Western Uttar Pradesh population between 18-25 years of age

Background: Facial anthropometry is the scientific study of measurements and proportions of the human face. There is huge paucity in the metric measurements of face in Indian population. This study is involved in collecting facial anthropometric data of Western Uttar Pradesh population of age group between 18-25 years. Aims and Objectives: This study aims at evaluating predominant facial phenotype, using facial height and facial width of Western Uttar Pradesh population as study subjects. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 200 medical and paramedical students of Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS-IMS), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The study subjects were of 18-25 year’s age, belonging to Western Uttar Pradesh region. Digital Vernier Caliper was used to measure the facial parameters. The data was analyzed using statistical tool SPSS 16.0 version. Results: In the present study it is found that facial height and width are more in males compared to females. This difference is statistically significant. On analyzing facial index, hyperleptoprosopic face is the predominant phenotype in males as well as in females, followed by leptoprosopic type in males and mesoprosopic type in females. However, gender differences in facial index are not statistically significant at p<0.05. Conclusion: The current study reveals that facial parameters can be used to determine the gender of an individual on the basis of height and width.

Correlation of facial anthropometry data of late preterm newborns and oral feeding readiness

ABSTRACT Objective: To correlate nine facial anthropometric measurements with the readiness for oral feeding of late preterm newborns using an orogastric tube. Methods: Observational study, carried out in two institutions in Maceió, Alagoas. Fifty-two newborns participated. A single measuring of nine facial measurements and daily measuring of the interface area for fixing the tube was performed. For readiness assessment, the Premature Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale was used. Results: An average readiness of 28.81 (± 3.18) was observed in the first evaluation and 30.65 (± 3.23) in the second. Most facial measurements are correlated with weight. There was a positive and slight correlation between glabella-subnasale distance and readiness. No correlation was observed between the area of the tube fixation interface and facial measurements. Conclusion: It is concluded that the glabella-subnasale measurement is positively correlated with the readiness for oral feeding in late preterm newborns who used an orogastric tube for feeding.

Variation in Facial Index and Nasal Index in Western Maharashtrian Males- An Anthropometric Study

Introduction: Facial anthropometry had proved its great importance in the field of facial reconstructive surgery as well as in the field of forensic science. Specific face types and nose types provides us important information about specific types of races. Aim: To study the morphometric variation in facial index and nasal index as well as different types of faces and types of noses in the Western Maharashtrian males. Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out in the five cities- Sangli, Kolhapur, Islampur, Karad and Satara of Western Maharashtra, India. Total 535 male students of different colleges between the age group of 18-20 years were selected and measurements were taken with the help of Digital Vernier Calliper in the sitting position after due approval from Institutional Ethical Committees and informed consent. The methodology adopted for the measurements was taken from the guidelines given by Farkas LG in his book-“Anthropometric facial proportions in Medicine”. Results: The mean facial index of Western Maharashtrian males was 89.51 with standard deviation 4.26 and dominant face type was leptoprosopic which was 46.73% and rare type of face was hypereuriprosopic which was 0.19%. Mean nasal index of Western Maharashtrian males was 72.84 with standard deviation 6.86 and dominant nose type was mesorrhine which was 63.74%. Conclusion: Certain facial and nasal features are common in particular racial group. Its detection can be helpful in reconstructive facial surgeries.

Facial anthropometry in an adult male with Sotos syndrome

Introduction: Sotos Syndrome is a dominant autossomic disease caused by a mutation in NSD1 gene localized in chromosome 5. The craniofacial phenotype of Sotos Syndrome is quite distinctive, especially in the young child, and includes macrocephaly, widelyspaced eyes, prominent chin and mandible, high and curved forehead, palpebral slits oblique and downward, long and narrowface. This phenotype plays an important role in the identification of this syndrome. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the craniofacial anthropometric landmarks of a young adult male with medical diagnosis of Sotos Syndrome. Material and methods: Using noninvasive method of craniofacial anthropometry, twenty five anthropometric measurements were taken of the individual and compared with the facial pattern of non-syndromic individuals,matched in gender and age. The findings were standards and converted to Z-scores. Results: the data analysis showed that the majority of variables were in supernormal range (greater than +2 standard deviation (SD). None none of them was in the subnormal range (less than –2SD). Conclusion: Anthropometric analysis of Sotos Syndrome demonstrated the usefulness of craniofacial analysisin defining abnormal craniofacial dimensions.