Enamel defects and tooth eruption disturbances in children with sickle cell anemia

Abstract Sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease caused by a mutation in the beta-globin gene, can present oral manifestations such as delayed tooth eruption and hypomineralized enamel and dentin. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) and delayed tooth eruption in children with sickle cell anemia. The sample comprised 56 male and female children with sickle cell anemia aged 6 to 12 years and treated at the Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of Pernambuco, Brazil. The data were collected according to the WHO criteria for DDE and tooth eruption. The prevalence of DDE was 58.2% and increased with age, affecting 43.8% of children aged 6 to 8 years and 66.7% of those aged 10 to 12 years (p>0.05; Pearson's chi-square test). There was no significant association between DDE and sex; the most prevalent type of DDE was diffuse opacity (6.2%). Tooth eruption was delayed in 18 children (32.1%). The delay increased with age and was detected in 11.8% of children aged 6 to 8 years, in 20.0% of those aged 8 to 10 years and in 54.2% of those aged 10 to 12 years (p<0.05; Pearson's chi-square test). Delayed tooth eruption was higher in males (36.7%, p>0.05). The prevalence of DDE was high, increased with age and was similar between sexes, while delayed eruption was higher in males and showed a significant association with age.

Maxillary sinus floor pneumatization and alveolar ridge resorption after tooth loss: a cross-sectional study

Abstract This is a cross-sectional study that aimed to estimate maxillary sinus floor (MSF) pneumatization in single missing tooth of posterior maxilla, by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT images were analyzed bilaterally and divided into 2 groups: edentulous site (EdS) - edentulous single region of upper second premolar, first or second molars; Tooth site (TS) - contralateral region homologous to the EdS region, with tooth present. Variables evaluated were: sinus height (SH), estimated sinus pneumatization (eSP: ∆ EdS - TS), healed ridge height (HR) and presence of localized sinus pneumatization (LSP) in molars teeth at TS. HR were categorized according to therapeutic option for posterior maxilla. 183 CBCT scans were included and it was observed that EdS presented a higher SH than the TS (p < 0.001) showing an eSP of 0.9 ± 2.93 mm. First molars presented the highest SH for both sides, although significant differences were detected when compared to second molars. First molars were mostly affected by LSP at TS (36 out of 43). Individuals with LSP at TS presented lower HR than the ones without LSP (p < 0.05). 54% of the cases presenting LSP obtained HR < 5 mm, which indicates sinus lift surgery. The present study showed that tooth loss in posterior maxilla favors sinus pneumatization and the identification of LSP at molar roots seems to indicate a greater necessity for sinus lift surgeries.