Hattab Faiez N, Yassin Othman M
Department of Restorative and Pediatric Dentistry, Saudi Arabia.
J Contemp Dent Pract. 2011 Nov 1;12(6):429-33. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-1071.
Thalassemia is a group of inherited hemoglobinopathies with thalassemia major representing the severe form of the disease characterized by craniofacial deformities. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed description of dental arch dimensions in subjects with thalassemia major.
The sample consisted of 43 thalassemic subjects, 24 males and 19 females, aged 7.3 to 15.4 years (mean ± SD = 10.6 ± 3.5 years) and control group matched by age and sex. Dental casts of the participants were measured for arch lengths, arch widths, using a digital sliding caliper. Student t-test was used for comparison of mean values between males and females as well as between thalassemic and control groups.
The results show that all means of maxillary and mandibular arch dimensions in thalassemic males and females were smaller than their controls, with 14 of the 16 comparisons being statistically significant (ranged from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).The segmental arch lengths in the maxilla and mandible of thalassemic group were reduced by an average of 2.59 and 2.55 mm respectively, compared with the control group. The mean maxillary and mandibular arch depths (lengths) in the thalassemic group were shorter by 3.21 and 2.63 mm respectively, relative to the controls (p < 0.001). All arch widths thalassemic patients were significantly reduced by an average ranged from 1.33 to 1.90 mm in the maxilla and 1.37 to 1.77 mm in the mandible.
The present study showed that the maxillary and mandibular dental arches dimensions are significantly reduced in patients with thalassemia major compared with healthy control subjects.
Changes in the size of dental arches and tooth dimensions in thalassemic patients have an impact on the occlusal relationships.These changes should be taken into account when planning orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery.
地中海贫血是一组遗传性血红蛋白病，重型地中海贫血是该疾病的严重形式，其特征为颅面畸形。本研究的目的是详细描述重型地中海贫血患者的牙弓尺寸。
样本包括43例地中海贫血患者，其中男性24例，女性19例，年龄在7.3至15.4岁之间（平均±标准差=10.6±3.5岁），并设有年龄和性别匹配的对照组。使用数字游标卡尺测量参与者的牙模的牙弓长度和牙弓宽度。采用学生t检验比较男性与女性以及地中海贫血组与对照组之间的平均值。
结果显示，重型地中海贫血男性和女性的上颌和下颌牙弓尺寸的所有平均值均小于其对照组，16项比较中有14项具有统计学意义（范围从p<0.05至p<0.001）。与对照组相比，重型地中海贫血组上颌和下颌的节段性牙弓长度分别平均减少了2.59和2.55毫米。重型地中海贫血组的上颌和下颌牙弓平均深度（长度）相对于对照组分别短了3.21和2.63毫米（p<0.001）。重型地中海贫血患者的所有牙弓宽度均显著减小，上颌平均减小范围为1.33至1.90毫米，下颌平均减小范围为1.37至1.77毫米。
本研究表明，与健康对照受试者相比，重型地中海贫血患者的上颌和下颌牙弓尺寸显著减小。
地中海贫血患者牙弓大小和牙齿尺寸的变化会影响咬合关系。在计划正畸治疗和正颌手术时应考虑这些变化。
