An intelligent system for pavement management

This paper describes a method for the evaluation of pavement condition through artificial neural networks using the MLP backpropagation technique. Two of the most used procedures for detecting the pavement conditions were applied: the overall severity index and the irregularity index. Tests with the model demonstrated that the simulation with the neural network gives better results than the procedures recommended by the highway officials. This network may also be applied for the construction of a graphic computer environment.

Exatidão, precisão e reprodutibilidade de medidas dentárias em modelos de gessso e imagem tridimensional

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Distração osteogênica médio-sagital da mandíbula: avaliação em modelos de estudo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A influência do padrão respiratório no crescimento craniofacial

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da movimentação dentária fisiológica durante o tratamento da Classe I de Angle após a extração de pré-molares

Pós-graduação em Odontologia - FOA

Avaliação do índice de Litle em indivíduos que utilizaram o aparelho funcional T4K

The study aimed to assess the degree of dental crowding correction on the lower anterior region of patients treated with T4k functional appliance using Little’s irregularity index. Twenty caucasian patients of both gender (10 female and 10 male) were selected. They featured malocclusion Class I and II in mixed dentition, with chronological age between 5.7 and 11 years. The treatment lasted from 1 year and 11 months up to 3 years and 11 months. Lower anterior crowding was measured using Little’s irregularity index. Measurements were obtained on study models achieved before and after functional orthopedic therapy, using a digital caliper in millimeters and placed parallel to the occlusal plane. Overjet and overbite measurements were also performed using a caliper. Results demonstrated that the therapy provided significant decrease in overjet (average = 1.55 mm) and also in the irregularity index (average = 1.23 mm). There was a nonsignificant raise in overbite. There was no relation between the studied variables and the treatment period or even with the patient’s age in the beginning of the therapy. The treatment with T4k resulted on reduction and improvement of dental crowding.

Posttreatment and physiologic occlusal changes comparison

Objective: To compare posttreatment and postretention occlusal changes with the physiologic occlusal changes caused by natural development of untreated subjects. Materials and Methods: The sample was divided into three groups. Group 1 comprised 97 subjects treated with four premolar extractions at a mean pretreatment (T0) age of 13.03 years, a mean posttreatment (T1, first observation) age of 15.12 years, and a mean postretention (T2, second observation) age of 20.52 years. The mean observation period (T2-T1) was 5.39 years. Group 2 comprised 58 subjects treated nonextraction at a mean pretreatment age of 12.83 years, a mean posttreatment age of 14.99 years, a mean postretention age of 20.22 years, and a mean observation period of 5.22 years. Group 3 comprised 114 untreated subjects at a mean age at T1 of 14.91 years and at T2 of 20.48 years. The mean observation period was 5.56 years. Dental casts were evaluated using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) index and the Little irregularity index in maxillary and mandibular arches. Changes in PAR and Little indexes were compared among the three groups by analysis of variance and Tukey tests. Results: Intergroup comparison showed that at T1 and T2 the treated groups presented smaller PAR and Little indexes than the untreated group. In the observation period, the treated groups showed greater increase in PAR and Little maxillary indexes than the untreated group. The extraction group showed a greater increase of the Little mandibular index than the untreated group. Conclusions: The treated groups showed more changes according to PAR and Little maxillary indexes than the untreated group. The posttreatment change of the mandibular anterior crowding of the treated extraction group was greater than the mandibular crowding caused by physiologic changes in the untreated group

Stability of maxillary anterior crowding treatment

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the stability and the relapse of maxillary anterior crowding treatment on cases with premolar extraction and evaluate the tendency of the teeth to return to their pretreatment position. METHODS: The experimental sample consisted of 70 patients of both sex with an initial Class I and Class II maloclusion and treated with first premolar extractions. The initial mean age was 13,08 years. Dental casts' measurements were obtained at three stages (pretreatment, posttreatment and posttreatment of 9 years on average) and the variables assessed were Little Irregularity Index, maxillary arch length and intercanine. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to know if some studied variable would have influence on the crowding in the three stages (LII1, LII2, LII3) and in each linear displacement of the Little irregularity index (A, B, C, D, E) in the initial and post-retention phases. RESULTS: The maxillary crowding relapse ( LII3-2) is influenced by the initial ( LII1), and the teeth tend to return to their pretreatment position. CONCLUSION: The results underline the attention that the orthodontist should be given to the maxillary anterior relapse, primarily on those teeth that are crowded before the treatment.

The role of circumferential fiberotomy in enhancing orthodontic stability

Objectives: Circumferential septal fiberotomy (CSF) following orthodontic treatment has been propagated to improve stability and prevent relapse of tooth alignment. The hypothesis of no difference between performed CSF and controls was tested. Methods: In 9 consecutively admitted patients at the end of orthodontic tooth alignment, the lower arch-wire was removed. CSF was performed from the mandibular canine to the central incisor on a randomly chosen side, while the contra-lateral side served as unsurgerized control. At baseline and every 4 weeks up to 6 months, study casts were taken and 1) analyzed using the Irregularity Index (II)according to Little and 2)photographed, traced and superimposed digitally. The translational and rotational movements of teeth as well as gingival parameters were analyzed as well. Results: By using the II and by superimposing the tracings, no statistically significant differences were found between the test (CSF) and control sides for any parameters. Moreover, CSF did not impinge on the gingival tissues. Conclusion: Since CSF did not improve stability of orthodontically aligned teeth nor prevent relapse during the healing pahse of up to 6 months, CSF should not be recommended following orthodontic therapy.

Long-term follow-up of maxillary fixed retention: survival rate and periodontal health.

AIM To assess the long-term success of maxillary fixed retainers, investigate their effect on gingival health, and analyse the survival rate after a mean period of 7 years (minimum 5 years) in retention. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty one subjects were included in the study A clinical examination of the upper canine to canine region including gingival index (GI), plaque index, probing depth, and bleeding on probing (BOP) was performed. Intraoral photographs and dental impressions were taken and irregularity index was determined and compared to the values of the immediate post-therapeutic values; failures of retainers were also recorded and analysed. RESULTS The mean observed retention time was 7 years and 5 months. Irregularity index: Changes occurring during retention were statistically different between the lateral incisors bonded to retainers and the canines not bonded to retainers. Only six patients showed changes in irregularity index of the lateral incisors in spite of a retainer in place. Periodontal health: The median value of the GI for all teeth bonded to upper retainers was 1.10 and the median value of the plaque index (PI) was 1.14. PI was not a significant predictor of GI. The overall BOP of the bonded teeth to the retainer for each participant was 22.3 per cent. Failure rate: Twenty-eight out of 41 patients experienced no failure of the upper bonded retainer (68.3 per cent). Detachments were the most frequent incidents. CONCLUSION Although plaque accumulation might be increased in patients with already poor oral hygiene, maxillary bonded retainers caused no significant negative effects on the periodontal health.

AVALIAÇÃO DA ESTABILIDADE DAS ALTERAÇÕES PROMOVIDAS PELO APARELHO REGULADOR DE FUNÇÃO FRÄNKEL-2 NOS ARCOS DENTÁRIOS

O objetivo do presente estudo consistiu em analisar a estabilidade das alterações oclusais em 18 pacientes com má oclusão de Classe II, divisão 1, idade média inicial de 10,77 anos, tratados com o aparelho regulador de função RF-2 durante 18 meses e reavaliados num período de pós-tratamento 7,16 anos, em média. Os 54 modelos de gesso foram avaliados no início do tratamento (T1), no final do tratamento (T2) e decorridos 7,16 anos pós-tratamento (T3). Foram analisadas as alterações transversais e sagitais; o Índice de irregularidade de Little e o Índice de Prioridade de Tratamento (IPT). As alterações ocorridas nos períodos analisados foram verificadas por meio da análise de Variância- ANOVA e, em seguida, pelo teste de comparações múltiplas de Bonferroni, com o valor crítico adotado de 0,05. Os resultados demonstraram que o tratamento com o RF-2 promoveu um aumento transversal estatisticamente significante, tanto no arco dentário superior quanto no inferior, porém, no período pós-tratamento, houve recidiva parcial ou mesmo total deste aumento na maioria das dimensões analisadas. Já o comprimento dos arcos dentários superior e inferior diminuiu durante todo o período avaliado. O Índice de Irregularidade de Little apresentou-se estável durante o tratamento, entretanto aumentou no período pós-tratamento. Além disso, o tratamento com o RF-2 proporcionou uma diminuição estatisticamente significante do IPT, refletindo a eficácia do tratamento realizado uma vez que esta diminuição permaneceu estável no período pós-tratamento. Portanto, o aparelho RF-2 demonstrou ser eficaz na correção dentária da má oclusão de Classe II, divisão 1, com estabilidade dos resultados decorridos 7,16 anos após o tratamento. Porém, em relação ao ganho transversal nos arcos dentários obtido durante o tratamento, houve recidiva parcial ou total de todas as variáveis analisadas.(AU)

AVALIAÇÃO DA ESTABILIDADE DAS ALTERAÇÕES PROMOVIDAS PELO APARELHO REGULADOR DE FUNÇÃO FRÄNKEL-2 NOS ARCOS DENTÁRIOS

O objetivo do presente estudo consistiu em analisar a estabilidade das alterações oclusais em 18 pacientes com má oclusão de Classe II, divisão 1, idade média inicial de 10,77 anos, tratados com o aparelho regulador de função RF-2 durante 18 meses e reavaliados num período de pós-tratamento 7,16 anos, em média. Os 54 modelos de gesso foram avaliados no início do tratamento (T1), no final do tratamento (T2) e decorridos 7,16 anos pós-tratamento (T3). Foram analisadas as alterações transversais e sagitais; o Índice de irregularidade de Little e o Índice de Prioridade de Tratamento (IPT). As alterações ocorridas nos períodos analisados foram verificadas por meio da análise de Variância- ANOVA e, em seguida, pelo teste de comparações múltiplas de Bonferroni, com o valor crítico adotado de 0,05. Os resultados demonstraram que o tratamento com o RF-2 promoveu um aumento transversal estatisticamente significante, tanto no arco dentário superior quanto no inferior, porém, no período pós-tratamento, houve recidiva parcial ou mesmo total deste aumento na maioria das dimensões analisadas. Já o comprimento dos arcos dentários superior e inferior diminuiu durante todo o período avaliado. O Índice de Irregularidade de Little apresentou-se estável durante o tratamento, entretanto aumentou no período pós-tratamento. Além disso, o tratamento com o RF-2 proporcionou uma diminuição estatisticamente significante do IPT, refletindo a eficácia do tratamento realizado uma vez que esta diminuição permaneceu estável no período pós-tratamento. Portanto, o aparelho RF-2 demonstrou ser eficaz na correção dentária da má oclusão de Classe II, divisão 1, com estabilidade dos resultados decorridos 7,16 anos após o tratamento. Porém, em relação ao ganho transversal nos arcos dentários obtido durante o tratamento, houve recidiva parcial ou total de todas as variáveis analisadas.(AU)

Screening Subclinical Keratoconus With Placido-Based Corneal Indices

Purpose. To assess in a sample of normal, keratoconic, and keratoconus (KC) suspect eyes the performance of a set of new topographic indices computed directly from the digitized images of the Placido rings. Methods. This comparative study was composed of a total of 124 eyes of 106 patients from the ophthalmic clinics Vissum Alicante and Vissum Almería (Spain) divided into three groups: control group (50 eyes), KC group (50 eyes), and KC suspect group (24 eyes). In all cases, a comprehensive examination was performed, including the corneal topography with a Placidobased CSO topography system. Clinical outcomes were compared among groups, along with the discriminating performance of the proposed irregularity indices. Results. Significant differences at level 0.05 were found on the values of the indices among groups by means of Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon nonparametric test and Fisher exact test. Additional statistical methods, such as receiver operating characteristic analysis and K-fold cross validation, confirmed the capability of the indices to discriminate between the three groups. Conclusions. Direct analysis of the digitized images of the Placido mires projected on the cornea is a valid and effective tool for detection of corneal irregularities. Although based only on the data from the anterior surface of the cornea, the new indices performed well even when applied to the KC suspect eyes. They have the advantage of simplicity of calculation combined with high sensitivity in corneal irregularity detection and thus can be used as supplementary criteria for diagnosing and grading KC that can be added to the current keratometric classifications.

AVALIAÇÃO DA ESTABILIDADE DAS ALTERAÇÕES PROMOVIDAS PELO APARELHO REGULADOR DE FUNÇÃO FRÄNKEL-2 NOS ARCOS DENTÁRIOS

O objetivo do presente estudo consistiu em analisar a estabilidade das alterações oclusais em 18 pacientes com má oclusão de Classe II, divisão 1, idade média inicial de 10,77 anos, tratados com o aparelho regulador de função RF-2 durante 18 meses e reavaliados num período de pós-tratamento 7,16 anos, em média. Os 54 modelos de gesso foram avaliados no início do tratamento (T1), no final do tratamento (T2) e decorridos 7,16 anos pós-tratamento (T3). Foram analisadas as alterações transversais e sagitais; o Índice de irregularidade de Little e o Índice de Prioridade de Tratamento (IPT). As alterações ocorridas nos períodos analisados foram verificadas por meio da análise de Variância- ANOVA e, em seguida, pelo teste de comparações múltiplas de Bonferroni, com o valor crítico adotado de 0,05. Os resultados demonstraram que o tratamento com o RF-2 promoveu um aumento transversal estatisticamente significante, tanto no arco dentário superior quanto no inferior, porém, no período pós-tratamento, houve recidiva parcial ou mesmo total deste aumento na maioria das dimensões analisadas. Já o comprimento dos arcos dentários superior e inferior diminuiu durante todo o período avaliado. O Índice de Irregularidade de Little apresentou-se estável durante o tratamento, entretanto aumentou no período pós-tratamento. Além disso, o tratamento com o RF-2 proporcionou uma diminuição estatisticamente significante do IPT, refletindo a eficácia do tratamento realizado uma vez que esta diminuição permaneceu estável no período pós-tratamento. Portanto, o aparelho RF-2 demonstrou ser eficaz na correção dentária da má oclusão de Classe II, divisão 1, com estabilidade dos resultados decorridos 7,16 anos após o tratamento. Porém, em relação ao ganho transversal nos arcos dentários obtido durante o tratamento, houve recidiva parcial ou total de todas as variáveis analisadas.(AU)

Menstrual irregularity: a possible clinical marker of metabolic dysfunction in women with class III obesity

Purpose. To evaluate whether menstrual irregularity in morbidly obese women is indicative of metabolic dysfunction.Patients and Methods. Fifty-seven women with morbid obesity were evaluated. They were divided into two groups: one comprising women without menstrual dysfunctions or hirsutism (Group 1), and another obese women showing menstrual dysfunction with or without hirsutism (Group 2). The following were evaluated: age, colour, childbirth, marital status, profession, socio-economic level, education, age at menarche, body weight, height, body mass index, presence of hirsutism (Ferriman Gallwey Index), abdominal circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, menstrual cycle, blood pressure, presence of acanthosis nigricans, insulin resistance (IR), fasting glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, insulin and the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA test).Results. Clinical and epidemiological aspects did not present statistical differences. Clinical and laboratory parameters did not show statistically significant alterations; however, HOMA test values for Group 2 were significantly higher than those for Group 1.Conclusions. The presence of IR in class III obese women can cause menstrual dysfunctions such as amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea even in the absence of hyperandrogenism, suggesting that IR plays an important role in the ovarian mechanisms involved in the menstrual cycle control.