Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Following Root Canal Treatment of First Permanent Molars Among Children. A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of pediatric patients (9-18 years old) who underwent root canal treatment (RCT) on first permanent molars (FPMs). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at three healthcare centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants (n = 482) completed the validated OHIP5-Ar questionnaire to assess OHRQoL. Responses were classified as "optimal" (no problems) or "less than optimal" (any reported problems). Logistic regression analyzed the relationship between OHRQoL and sociodemographic factors. Results: There were 66.8% children reported optimal OHRQoL after RCT. Logistic regression showed no significant association between optimal OHRQoL and gender, family income, or location of treated tooth. However, although not statistically significant. Treating only one FPM with RCT (compared to multiple teeth) and lower family income (compared to higher income) were more likely to have decreased or increased odds of optimal OHRQoL (AOR = 0.684 or 1.424; respectively). Conclusion: RCT on FPMs can be a successful treatment option for pediatric patients, offering optimal oral health-related quality of life.

Oral health related knowledge, attitude and behavior among group of mothers in relation to their primary school children's oral health: a cross-sectional study.

The etiology of oral diseases in children is complex and multifactorial. The oral health of children can be influenced by various factors, including parental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, as well as socioeconomic status. The objective of this study was to assess, among mothers of children aged 6-12 years, (1) mothers' knowledge about their children's oral health, (2) mothers' attitude toward their children's oral health, and (3) mothers' dental behavior concerning their oral health and to evaluate their influence on their children's dental caries. This cross-sectional study involved three questionnaires to be filled in by mothers of primary school children in addition to an oral examination of their children to measure decayed, missing, filled teeth for primary (dmft) and permanenet (DMFT) dentitions. The mother-child pairs were recruited through multistage stratified random sampling of primary schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was comprised of four sections: 1-demographic characteristics and socioeconomic status 2-Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (mothers' attitudes and behavior pertaining to their oral health) 3-mothers' knowledge regarding the oral health of their children 4-mothers' attitude toward their children oral health. A total of 1496 mother-child pairs completed the study. The mean values of dmft were 4.08 ± 3.47; DMFT was 1.82 ± 2.07; total dmft and DMFT were 5.65 ± 4.05. According to the questionnaire results, mothers in private schools had a more favorable attitude and behavior toward their oral health, as well as a more favorable knowledge and attitude toward their children's oral health. The multiple linear regression model revealed that children's dmft/DMFT scores were significantly related to mother education, mother questionnaire scores, and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. Children's oral health is significantly impacted by oral health-related knowledge, attitude and behaviors of their mothers in addition to income status and education level.

Non-Destructive In Vitro Evaluation of an Internal Adaptation of Recent Pulp-Capping Materials in Permanent Teeth Using OCT and Micro-CT.

The objective of this study was to assess and compare the internal adaptation of various pulp-capping materials, namely TheraCal, Biodentine, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), on the dentin of permanent teeth through the utilization of micro-computed tomography (MCT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Thirty permanent molars were divided into three groups using a random process: group A (TheraCal), group B (Biodentine), and group C (MTA, which served as the control group). On the buccal surface of each tooth, a class V cavity of a standardized cylindrical shape was prepared. Subsequently, the respective pulp-capping material was applied to the cavity based on the assigned group, followed by restoration with composite resin. Based on the MCT results, it was observed that group A had a considerably larger gap volume in comparison to groups B and C (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in gap volume between groups B and C. Regarding the OCT findings, group A displayed a substantially higher level of light reflection than groups B and C (p < 0.001). Group C exhibited a significantly lower level of light reflection in comparison to group B (p < 0.001). Biodentine and MTA revealed similar outcomes in terms of how well they adhered to the dentinal surface in permanent teeth. Both materials exhibited superior performance in comparison to TheraCal. The utilization of OCT in clinical practice could be advantageous as it enables dentists to monitor and evaluate restorations during post-treatment follow-up. It is imperative to intensify efforts aimed at making OCT equipment more accessible and applicable, overcoming its current limitations, and allowing for its widespread utilization in clinical practice.

Chemomechanical caries removal methods: A literature review.

Aim: To provide dental practitioners and researchers with a comprehensive review of the historical development, chemical composition, mechanisms of action, advantages, and drawbacks of different chemomechanical caries removal (CMCR) agents. Methods: An electronic search was performed for all articles published on CMCR agents in various databases, including the Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar bibliographic databases, from January 1, 1975, to July 31, 2022. Results: Records were identified using the following search terms: Brix3000, Carie-Care, Caridex, Carisolv, chemomechanical caries removal, conventional surgical method, and Papacárie. A total of 171 articles were screened based on the titles and abstracts, of which 126 were deemed eligible for inclusion after duplicates were removed. Following a manual search of the reference list, eight articles were added. Articles were then excluded for other reasons, such as being written before 1975, being written in a language other than English, and the non-availability of the full text. Overall, 120 articles were included in the analysis (literature reviews [n = 27], systematic reviews [n = 8], research articles [n = 82], case reports [n = 3]). Conclusion: CMCR is a potential method of caries control in the future as an alternative to the conventional surgical approach in standard dentistry applications. It is more widely accepted, less painful, and has comparable efficacy to the conventional surgical method. Clinical significance: A continuous trend among manufacturers has been observed since 1975 to reduce the drawbacks of CMCR agents. Moreover, evidence-based minimally invasive techniques, including CMCR agents that require minimal or no aerosol-generating procedures, are preferred while measures to control the spread of coronavirus disease are in force.

Risk Factors Associated with Children Receiving Treatment at Emergency Dental Clinics: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: The process of managing children at the emergency dental clinic (ER-C) is a difficult challenge. This matched case-control study assessed risk factors associated with children visiting the ER-C compared to visits at the regular dental clinic (RD-C). (2) Methods: The participants included 421 children aged three to 12 years who were recruited at the ER-C (cases) and RD-C (controls) at King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital, with each group matched for gender and age. A data-collection form was developed and validated in both Arabic and English, containing the following four sections: DMFT/dmft index, Frankl's behaviour rating scale, Dental Neglect Scale, and Dental Care Barriers questionnaire. (3) Results: The ER-C (vs RD-C) group showed significantly more uncooperative behaviour (p = 0.002), a higher total mean dental neglect score (p = 0.003), and a higher dental barrier score (p < 0.001). Binary regression analysis showed that those making their first visit (AOR: 2.65, p < 0.001) and with higher dental barriers (AOR: 1.121, p < 0.001) were statistically significantly more associated with ER-C visitation. (4) Conclusion: These findings suggest that children who visit the ER-C are more prone to dental care barriers, uncooperative behaviour, and dental neglect, thus highlighting the importance of encouraging and planning their attendance to ensure optimal dental care.

Assessment of dental caries and salivary characteristics among type 1 diabetic Saudi children.

Background/purpose: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) is considered the most common chronic disease in childhood. This study aimed to assess dental caries and salivary characteristics among a group of Saudi children with DM1. Materials and methods: Forty children with DM1 and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. A saliva sample was obtained to measure flow rate of saliva, buffering capacity, potential of hydrogen (pH), and bacterial counts. Oral examination and dental caries were recorded using Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (dmft/DMFT) indices for primary/permanent teeth. Results: Children with DM1 showed higher DMFT scores with a mean of 3.5 compared to 2.8 in healthy children. The differences between both groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.14). Regarding dmft score, children with DM1 showed a significantly lower mean score of 4.5 compared to 6.5 in healthy children (P = 0.019). The flow rate of saliva showed a non-significant reduction in children with DM1 compared to healthy children with a mean of 0.86 and 0.96, respectively (P = 0.24). The mean salivary pH was found to be higher in the healthy group, but this was statistically non-significant (P = 0.118). The buffering capacity was significantly lower in children with DM1 compared to healthy children (P = 0.013). Mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli counts were found to be not significantly different between both groups (P = 0.422, P = 0.118 respectively). Conclusion: Children with DM1 showed remarkably lower caries experience in primary teeth and lower buffering capacity compared to healthy children.

Outcomes of root canal treatment of first permanent molars among children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The first permanent molar (FPM) is considered the tooth most susceptible to caries, as it is the first permanent tooth to erupt in the oral cavity, making it susceptible to environmental conditions that may appear as caries, hypoplasia, or hypomineralization. Several treatment options are available for managing deep caries, including root canal treatment (RCT). However, there is a lack of data on the success and failure rates of RCT in FPM among children. This study aimed to determine the success and failure rates of RCT in FPM among children and related factors. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at three major centers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Children aged 9-18 years who underwent an RCT between 2010 and 2019 were included. Clinical and radiographic examinations were also performed. Results: Based on the loose criteria, most of the evaluated teeth (79.6%) were successfully treated. The treatment failed in only 20.4% of participants. Older patients and teeth with acceptable restoration quality had an increased success rate compared to younger patients and teeth with unacceptable restoration quality. A shorter time lapse between treatment and assessment resulted in a lower success rate compared to a longer time lapse. Based on strict criteria, 72.9% of the patients were successfully treated. The use of a microscope and teeth with acceptable restoration quality resulted in an increased success rate compared to teeth treated without the microscope and with unacceptable restoration quality. Conclusions: The success rate of this procedure was high. Several factors, including older age, acceptable restoration quality, and the use of a microscope, increase the probability of success.

Information seeking behaviour of dental trauma patients and their parents.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dental trauma is a common public health issue that can be associated with high costs and lifelong treatment. Children and parents should have the correct information regarding its management to reduce the potential long-term sequelae. Understanding their information seeking behaviour is therefore important to ensure that they are able to access, understand and retain the relevant information. The aim of this study was to investigate (a) the different ways that patients undertaking treatment for dental trauma, and their parents, look for relevant information, (b) their information needs, and (c) their preferred format of information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a two-phase study: Phase I involved in-depth interviews with 10 patients who were currently undergoing treatment for dental trauma, and 11 parents. In phase II, the themes and sub-themes identified from the interviews were used to develop patient and parent questionnaires, which were distributed to all trauma patients and parents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and who were attending the dental clinics from March to May 2014. RESULTS: Patients and parents had different concerns immediately following the trauma, during treatment and in the long term, and they wanted different forms of information to answer their concerns. Reliability was the main issue about trusting the information available in the Internet, social media and other online sources. Therefore, patients preferred to obtain information verbally from their dentist, while parents preferred written information. CONCLUSION: Patients and parents have different information needs, and these also vary at different stages of treatment. It is therefore important to customize the way information is provided for each group accordingly.