Overbite depth and anteroposterior dysplasia indicators: the relationship between occlusal and skeletal patterns using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
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This study was carried out to investigate the validity of the overbite depth indicator (ODI) and the anteroposterior dysplasia indicator (APDI), based on the cephalometric analysis of 122 Caucasians selected at random for assessment of vertical and sagittal relationships. Considering the occlusion, the sample was divided into three classifications in the sagittal component: 36 cases of neutrocclusion, 54 cases of distocclusion, and 34 cases of mesiocclusion. The sample was also categorized according to the overbite relationship: 54 cases of normal overbite, 34 cases of open bite, and 34 cases of deep overbite. In the sagittal component analysis, the APDI measurement resulted in significant differences between the neutrocclusion, distocclusion, and mesiocclusion groups. In the vertical component analysis, the ODI significantly distinguished between the normal and deep overbite groups, and the open bite and deep overbite groups, but not between the normal overbite and the open bite groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the APDI matched the anteroposterior molar relationship in 88 per cent, and the ODI matched the amount of incisor overbite in 81 per cent. (+info)
Quality evaluation of clinical records of a group of general dental practitioners entering a quality assurance programme.
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This paper discusses the importance of maintaining high quality clinical records. Evidence from studies carried out in the USA, Australia and Scandinavia shows that record keeping often falls well below accepted standards. Evidence of current standards in the UK, however, has tended to be anecdotal or circumstantial. An assessment was carried out on 47 general practitioners entering the quality assurance programme of a private capitation scheme. A sample of clinical records from each practitioner was analysed, and the presence or absence of key diagnostic and treatment planning entries were recorded. Overall, the quality of record keeping was poor, and in line with the findings of the other worldwide studies. Fundamental clinical entries that could impact on basic dental care provision were missing from many records. The frequency of recording for patients whose treatment was funded under NHS regulations was significantly worse than for patients whose treatment was privately funded. (+info)
Evidence-based Dentistry: Part VI. Critical Appraisal of the Dental Literature: Papers About Diagnosis, Etiology and Prognosis.
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Critical appraisal methods assist the reader in assessing the validity (closeness to the truth) and the relevance (usefulness in everyday practice) of research findings. The specific techniques of critical appraisal can vary somewhat, depending on the nature of the research question. In this paper, the final in a 6-part series on evidence-based dentistry, frameworks are presented to enable the judicious reader of the dental literature to apply sensible questions to the evaluation of papers related to diagnosis, etiology and prognosis. (+info)
Salivary markers of systemic disease: noninvasive diagnosis of disease and monitoring of general health.
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Because of interest in the link between oral and general health, clinicians are increasingly using salivary analyses to diagnose systemic disease and to monitor general health. The reason for this interest lies in the ability of new diagnostic tools, such as sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, as well as other technologies, to distinguish a range of salivary components that are biomarkers for changes in the body's health. The noninvasive nature of salivary testing has made it an attractive and effective alternative to blood and urine testing, and home testing kits have made it possible for people to monitor their own health using this diagnostic medium. This paper explores what saliva can reveal about general health, drawing examples from recent research on salivary biomarkers of systemic illness and highlighting the current use, and potential clinical and research applications, of diagnostics based on oral fluids. (+info)
Making a comprehensive diagnosis in a comprehensive care curriculum.
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Comprehensive care models in dental education encourage students to deliver patient-centered care. But to deliver effective comprehensive care, a clinician must first make a comprehensive diagnosis. Students of general dentistry are taught to make one or more diagnoses as defined by the dental specialties, and to direct patient care accordingly. Without a comprehensive diagnosis, patients may receive fragmented, poorly prioritized care that is inappropriate to their overall oral health. This paper presents a simple diagnostic classification that can be used to make a comprehensive diagnosis with which to guide the student of general dentistry in planning comprehensive care. (+info)
Malocclusions in guinea pigs, chinchillas and rabbits.
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The types of malocclusions encountered in rodents and lagomorphs are classified. Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are reviewed. Some malocclusions are curable, whereas others can only be controlled. The need to perform a complete oral examination and to find a cause for the condition is stressed, as it will seriously affect the prognosis. (+info)
Application of thermography in dentistry--visualization of temperature distribution on oral tissues.
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The purpose of this study was to devise and propose appropriate conditions for the photographing of thermal images in the oral cavity and to evaluate which thermography techniques can be applied to dentistry by evaluating the differences in temperature among oral tissues. Thermal images of oral cavities of 20 volunteers in normal oral condition were taken according to the guidelines of the Japanese Society of Thermography, with five added items for oral observation. The use of a mirror made it possible to take thermal images of the posterior portion or palate. Teeth, free gingiva, attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa were identified on thermal images. There were differences in temperature between teeth, free gingiva, attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa. These were nearly in agreement with the anatomical view. Thermography need no longer be restricted to the anterior portion using a mirror, and can now be applied to the dental region. (+info)
A closer look at diagnosis in clinical dental practice: part 1. Reliability, validity, specificity and sensitivity of diagnostic procedures.
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Dentists are involved in diagnosing disease in every aspect of their clinical practice. A range of tests, systems, guides and equipment--which can be generally referred to as diagnostic procedures--are available to aid in diagnostic decision making. In this era of evidence-based dentistry, and given the increasing demand for diagnostic accuracy and properly targeted health care, it is important to assess the value of such diagnostic procedures. Doing so allows dentists to weight appropriately the information these procedures supply, to purchase new equipment if it proves more reliable than existing equipment or even to discard a commonly used procedure if it is shown to be unreliable. This article, the first in a 6-part series, defines several concepts used to express the usefulness of diagnostic procedures, including reliability and validity, and describes some of their operating characteristics (statistical measures of performance), in particular, specificity and sensitivity. Subsequent articles in the series will discuss the value of diagnostic procedures used in daily dental practice and will compare today's most innovative procedures with established methods. (+info)