Background and Objective. In forensic investigations, mandibular canines provide excellent materials to identify gender since they are more likely to survive disasters. The objective of this study was to investigate gender dimorphism by comparing the mesiodistal width of mandibular permanent canines and intercanine distance in a group of Lebanese population. Methods. Participants consisted of undergraduate students from the School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, for two academic years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Canine widths and intercanine distance were measured by one operator directly on dental casts using a digital caliper. Results. One hundred thirty-three Lebanese dental students (54 males and 69 females) aged 18–25 were included in the study. The intercanine distance was significantly greater in males (P value < 0.0001). The right and the left canine widths were significantly greater in males than in females (P value < 0.0001). However, no significant difference was found between left and right canines for males (P value > 0.05) and females (P value > 0.05). The mean width of canine was greater than 7.188 mm for males. Conclusion. The parameters measured in the present study are of great help in sex identification in forensic investigations in the Lebanese adult population.

Objective:The aim of this study was to describe the diameter and the position of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) in relation to adjacent anatomical landmarks in the maxilla in a Lebanese population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) technology.Materials and Methods:CBCT images of 58 Lebanese adult patients were included in this study and a total of 116 GPF were evaluated bilaterally. The diameter of the GPF and its position relative to the maxillary molars, and distances to the midline maxillary suture and to the anterior nasal spine were analyzed.Results:Of all foramina assessed, 41.38% were located opposite to the third molar, 29.31% were distal to it, 27.59% were between the second and the third, and only 1.72% were opposite to the second. The average diameter was 5.633 mm on the right and 5.723 mm on the left, and the average distances to midline maxillary suture and anterior nasal spine were 16.228 mm and 48.294 mm on the right and 14.907 mm and 48.122 mm on the left, respectively.Conclusion:Within the limits of this study, we conclude that in Lebanese patients, the GPF location is variable, very rarely opposite to the second molar, and more closely related to the third, but may present mesial or distal to it in one-fourth of patients.

Background To evaluate the success rate of orthodontic mini-implant (MI) in relation to implant characteristics, mainly implant distance to alveolar crestal bone (AC) and root proximity (RP) to adjacent teeth. Methods Two hundred sixty MIs (209 in maxilla, 51 in mandible) were categorized into success ( n = 229) and failure ( n = 31) groups. Distances from MI to the most adjacent tooth (DT) and to AC level (DC) were measured on periapical radiographs taken with the orthoradial projection technique. Appropriate statistical tests (chi-square, t test, logistic regression) were applied. Results DC measurements were statistically significantly greater in the success group (7.46 ± 1.7 mm) compared to 3.43 ± 0.81 mm in the failure group. Root proximity was not associated with miniscrew failure. Patient age, mini-implant site, and DC were significant predictors of mini-implant failure ( p < 0.001), which decreased significantly with increasing age (Coef = − 0.345; p = 0.013) and when the mini-implant was placed between premolars ( p = 0.028) or between premolar and first molar ( p = 0.045) . The probability of failure also decreased with increasing DC distance (Coef = − 3.595; p < 0.001). Conclusion The distance to alveolar crest was strongly associated with long-term stability. More apical placement of the MI from the crest would be compatible with a denser and thicker bucco-lingual/palatal bone level.