Objective To analyze the association between mandibular vertical asymmetry and the presence of TMD in adult patients. Methods This case-control study recruited patients from the orthodontic clinic at FEBUAP. Patients were classified on the basis of diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD). Panoramic radiographs were measured to determine mandibular vertical asymmetry indices according to criteria described by Kjellberg and Habets. Both methods (DC/TMD and index criteria) were standardized a priori. Results A total of 56 patients were analyzed, of whom 25 (44.6%) met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups (TMD group, n = 15; non-TMD group, n = 10). The highest asymmetry index was observed in the condylar neck, followed by the total condylar asymmetry index, but without significant differences between groups (p > .05). Conclusion There is no association (p > .05) between temporomandibular disorders and mandibular vertical asymmetry.

BackgroundThird molars present more problems than other teeth because they are the last teeth to erupt, and so it is important to assess their development when designing an orthodontic treatment plan. The aim of this study was to compare the angulation of the mandibular third molar and retromolar space before and after orthodontic treatment in cases involving first premolar extraction.Material and Methods76 patients, 59 women (77.63%) and 17 men (22.36%), were recruited from the Orthodontics Clinic at Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (Mexico). Panoramic radiographs were analyzed before and after orthodontic treatment that included first premolar extractions, measuring retromolar space (RS) and the angles formed by the intersection of the axes of the third and second molar (α) and the intersection of the axis of the mandibular plane and third molar (β).ResultsThe data obtained underwent statistical analysis. The angle α and β showed statistically significant differences on the left side in women. In men, only the right side α angle showed significant differences. Retromolar space increased significantly on both sides for both sexes.ConclusionsThird molar angulation presents different behaviors between men and women, with greater verticalization in women. Key words:Third molar, retromolar space, orthodontics.

The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and describe the clinical and radiographic findings of three-rooted primary mandibular first and second molars in a Mexican population. Intraoral periapical radiograph, orthopantomogram or cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were obtained. A total 2284 children from the state of Puebla, Mexico were examined, of whom 20 presented an anatomic variant in tooth crown shape. Of the total teeth with crown alterations, 10 first and 5 second primary mandibular molars were found to have supernumerary roots. In one case, it was possible to obtain micro-CT images. The study recorded prevalence, unilateral or bilateral occurrence, and ratio between sexes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Clinical findings were presence of an anatomical variation (tuberculum paramolare / right and/or left cervical convexity) in primary mandibular first molars. Second molars presented conventional crown morphology. Prevalence of three-rooted primary mandibular first and second molars was 0.44% and 0.22%, respectively. Male: female ratio for presence of threerooted primary mandibular first molars was 4:1, showing genetic predisposition in males, and for second molars it was 1.5:1, with no predisposition according to sex. The clinical and radiographic anatomical variants in primary molars should be considered by pediatric dentists during routine care because they may cause difficulties in restorations.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has modified the perspective of dentistry images, providing manipulable threedimensional images with a 1:1 patient:image ratio. Treatments and diagnosis are modified or corroborated by CBCT; however, its accuracy in thin structures such as cortical bone has been subjected to critical review. The aim of this study is to correlate the measurement of vestibular alveolar bone height using direct measurements and measurements performed with cone-beam tomographic images with standard (SD) voxel resolution. Thirty incisor and premolar teeth of patients undergoing open curettage were measured with a high-precision caliper and with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) at an SD resolution of 0.16 mm voxels in a 3D Orthophos XG Sirona scanner. Intra-observer evaluation was performed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Direct measurements and CBCT measurements were correlated using Pearson correlation (PCC). The mean difference between indirect and direct measurements was 3.15 mm. Paired t test and Pearson Correlation coefficient determined that all measurements differed statistically from each other with p<0.05. With the CT scanner and protocol used in this study, CBCT images do not enable accurate evaluation of vestibular alveolar bone height