Periodontal disease is positively associated with coronary heart disease

Within the past decade, epidemiological studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease. It has been suggested that the spread of bacteria and bacterial products from the periodontal lesion to the bloodstream may contribute to arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease. However, whether an association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease could be causal is still uncertain. Another explanation for the observed association could be that the two disease entities share common risk factors. Therefore, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology (2006;77:1547–1554) tested

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate long-term soft tissue changes after orthodontic and surgical corrections of skeletal Class III malocclusions.

Materials and Methods: Postoperative cephalometric radiographs at 1 year and at 5 years or more after treatment were digitized for 92 patients who had surgical correction of their Class III problem by LeFort I maxillary advancement (n = 48), mandibular setback (n = 12), or a combination of the two procedures (n = 32) and for 25 patients who received orthodontic treatment only.

Results: For all groups, the mean changes were quite small. For most measurements, fewer than 20% of patients experienced long-term changes from 2 mm to 4 mm, and fewer than 10% experienced long-term changes greater than 4 mm.

Conclusions: A smaller percentage of surgically treated Class III patients showed long-term soft tissue changes than did surgically treated Class II patients, but compared with both Class II patients and untreated adults they experienced greater long-term forward projection of the soft tissue chin.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the sagittal, vertical, and transverse relationships of the maxilla and mandible in Japanese girls with Class III malocclusions with different inclination of mandibular plane.

Materials and Methods: This longitudinal study utilized serial posteroanterior and lateral cephalograms of 56 untreated subjects from the age of 8 years until the age of 14 years (low mandibular plane angle group: n = 20; average mandibular plane angle group: n = 15; high mandibular plane angle group: n = 21). Sagittal and vertical growth was analyzed on the basis of lateral cephalograms, and transverse growth was analyzed on the basis of posteroanterior cephalograms.

Results: There was no significant difference in intermaxillary sagittal relationships among the three groups from age 8 until 14. On the other hand, there were significant changes in the vertical and transverse intermaxillary relationships during this period. When comparing the three groups at the same age, there were significant differences in vertical and transverse intermaxillary relationships in some ages, whereas no significant difference was found in sagittal relationships in any ages.

Conclusions: The inclination of mandibular plane might play a role in anticipating changes in vertical and transverse intermaxillary relationships from 8 until 14 years of age.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the best time to begin orthodontic treatment for patients scheduled for implants to replace congenitally missing upper lateral incisors. The aim of timing is to maximize the amount of bone available for implant insertion and to improve incisors inclination.

Materials and Methods: Seventy-three plaster casts of 14 patients with 26 missing lateral incisors were cross sectioned in the center of the planned insertion of the implant, and the implant profile was projected into the area at three different times: T1—beginning of orthodontic treatment, T2— end of orthodontic treatment, and T3—implant insertion. Deficiency of alveolar ridge volume needed for implantation was determined by Leica Quin analySIS software.

Results: An increase of ridge-volume deficiency from 0.26 mm² at T1 to 3.77 mm² at T3 was found. During orthodontic treatment the incisors protruded about 9.4° (differing from the O1-NA standard of 7.5°). To ensure optimal esthetic and functional implantation results, time management concerning orthodontic treatment has to be done carefully.

Conclusions: To avoid a high degree of alveolar bone atrophy and the risk of relapse and retreatment, orthodontic treatment involving tooth movement should not be initiated before the age of 13 years. Furthermore, it is important to maintain anchorage of the upper incisors because high incisor proclination causes extra-axial stress on the implant. An interdisciplinary approach is essential to provide the best treatment outcome.