Changes in periodontal and microbial parameters after the space maintainers application.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and microbiological changes accompanying the inflammatory process of periodontal tissues during treatment with space maintainers (SMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The children were separated into fixed (Group 1, n = 20) and removable (Group 2, n = 20) appliance groups. A full periodontal examination, including probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI), was performed. Anaerobic microorganisms in the crevicular fluid were detected with the culture method. Clinical and microbial evaluations were performed before (T0) applications. as well as at three (T1), and 9 months intervals (T2) after the application of the fixed or removable appliances. RESULTS: The PI, PPD, and BOP scores at the testing sites of both groups increased significantly from before treatment (T0) to the 9 months' time frame (T2) (P < 0.05), The presence of anaerobic bacteria in the subgingival dental plaque increased from T0 (n = 13, 65%) to T1 (n = 16, 80%) in the fixed SM group, but not statistically significant. The same values were obtained in T1 and T2 (n = 16, 80%). CONCLUSION: Although, the results of this study demonstrate that the application of fixed or removable SM appliances in children induced an increase of clinical periodontal parameters, anaerobic microbiota consisting of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forshia were not observed in any of the samples in short-term. Further long-term and comprehensive investigations are necessary.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of double teeth in primary dentition and associated anomalies in the permanent successors.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding potential problems associated with primary double teeth (PDT) are important to provide prophylactic measures, thereby preventing or minimizing possible complications. The purposes of this study were to investigate the prevalence of PDT in a group of Turkish children and to compare the distribution of the different types of double primary teeth and their relationship to permanent successors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 17,268 children underwent a clinical examination to determine the presence of PDT. One hundred fifty-two PDT of 128 children were included in this study. All the 128 children with PDT underwent a clinical examination and had photographs taken at the time of the examination. The children underwent a further periapical or panoramic radiographic examination to determine the status of the underlying permanent successors. The PDT was classified according to Aguilo's classification. RESULTS: The prevalence of PDT was 0.74%, with no significant statistical difference between the sexes. PDT was most frequently observed between the mandibular lateral incisors and canines. Of the 152 PDT, 10.7% were Type I, 15.3% were Type II, 26.1% were Type III, and 47.9% were Type IV. Dental anomalies on the succedaneous permanent teeth were diagnosed in 69.4% of the children with affected primary dentition. Aplasia of the permanent lateral incisor was observed most frequently in association with Type I (52.7%) PDT. Caries involvement was observed most frequently in Type III (56.2%) PDT. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study have clinical relevance for the diagnosis of children with PDT. Early clinical and radiographic identification of PDT can help the clinician to evaluate the number and condition of permanent successors and draw up a proper treatment plan.

Bond strength of different restorative materials to light-curable mineral trioxide aggregate.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the bond strength of methacrylate-based (MB) composites, silorane-based (SB) composites, and glass-ionomer cement (GIC) in comparison to TheraCal and to compare those findings with the reference pulp capping material (MTA). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 90 acrylic blocks were prepared. Each of the blocks were prepared as 15 mm high and 10 mm diameter and the blocks had a 2 mm high and a 5 mm diameter central hole. In 45 of the samples, the holes were fully filled with TheraCal and in the other 45 samples, the holes were fully filled with MTA. The TheraCal and the MTA samples were randomly divided into 3 subgroups of 15 specimens each: Group-1: Methacrylate-based (MB) composite; Group-2: Silorane-based (SB) composite; and Group-3: Glass-ionomer cement (GIC). For the shear bond strength (SBS) test, each block was secured in a universal testing machine. After the SBS test, the fractured surfaces were examined under a stereomicroscope at ×25 magnification. RESULTS: The analysis of variance that compared the experimental groups revealed the presence of significant differences among the groups (P < 0.001). The highest (19.3 MPa) and the lowest (3.4 MPa) bond strength value were recorded for the MB composite-TheraCal and the GIC-TheraCal, respectively.There were significant differences in bond strength between the TheraCal and the MTA groups for the MB composite subgroup (P < 0.001) and the SB composite subgroup (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in bond strength for the GIC subgroup (P ≯ 0.05). Conlusions: The results from this in vitro study suggest that the new pulp capping material, known as light-curable MTA, showed clinically acceptable and higher shear bond scores compared to MTA when used with the MB composite.

Maxillary dental anomalies in patients with cleft lip and palate: a cone beam computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of maxillary dental anomalies in patients affected by unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip with palate and to determine whether statistical differences were present or not between cleft and normal sides in UCLP group by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). In addition, the frequency of those dental anomalies was compared with previous studies presenting the same population without cleft Study Design: Fifty non-syndromic patients affected by UCLP (28 patients) and BCLP (22 patients) were selected for analysis of dental anomalies by means of CBCT. The frequency of maxillary dental anomalies including tooth agenesis, microdontia of lateral incisor, ectopic eruption and impaction of canine and supernumerary tooth were examined. Pearson chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were performed for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: All patients affected by UCLP and BCLP were found to have at least one maxillary dental anomaly. The most frequently observed dental anomaly was tooth agenesis (92.5% and 86.4%, respectively) in UCLP and BCLP groups. Tooth agenesis and canine impaction were observed more commonly in the cleft side (75.0% and 35.7%, respectively) than in the normal side (57.1% and 14.3%, respectively) in UCLP group (p≯0.05). All dental anomalies were found to be higher in both cleft groups than in general populations not affected by cleft. CONCLUSION: Since patients affected by UCLP and BCLP had at least one dental anomaly and higher dental anomaly frequency as compared to patients without cleft, those patients should be examined carefully prior to orthodontic treatment.

Revascularization in an immature necrotic permanent incisor after severe intrusive luxation injury: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulp necrosis as a result of trauma is common in almost all intruded teeth, and the ideal treatment method for intruded immature and necrotic teeth has not yet been determined. Therefore, the aim of this report was to present a case of pulp revascularisation in a severely intruded immature maxillary right incisor. CASE REPORT: After clinical and radiographic examination, the incisor was defined as necrotic. Revascularisation therapy was performed over multiple appointments. After 21 months of recall appointments, healing of the periapical area and apical closure were seen to be complete. However, at the 27-month appointment, the vitality tests were negative and revascularisation of the right incisor, which had intrusion injuries, had not occurred. The tooth underwent root canal treatment. Finally, the tooth spontaneously erupted into the vestibule and was repositioned with orthodontic appliances. CONCLUSION: Although revascularisation can promote continued root development and root dentin apposition, long-term root canal treatment may be required due to treatment results with periapical inflammation in intruded teeth with open apices.

Evaluation of the accessory mental foramen in a pediatric population using cone-beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to clarify the occurrence, diameter, and location of the accessory mental foramen (AMF) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from a sample of Turkish children. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective was carried out using a total of 275 CBCT images from child and adolescent patients were randomly selected from existing records in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at the University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey. The mental foramen (MF) and AMF were assessed on axial, sagittal, and coronal CBCT slices. RESULTS: The mean age was 10.51 ± 3.32 years, consisting of 139 males (mean age 10.64 ± 3.42) and 126 females (mean age 10.38 ± 3.18). Twenty-one AMFs were observed in 18 of 275 patients (6.5%, 10 boys and eight girls). There was no significant difference in gender in relation to the prevalence of AMF (p = 0.65). The mean area of the 21 AMFs and the MF on the side with the AMF were 0.7 mm² (SD ± 0.5) and 3.8 mm² (SD ± 2.2), respectively. CONCLUSION: It is important to stress that detecting the AMN using CBCT with 3D reconstructions may reduce the risk of paralysis, hemorrhage, and postoperative pain in this region. Our study presents the first report assessing the occurrence, diameter, and location of the AMF in the pediatric population using CBCT images. In this respect, not surprisingly, the mean size of the AMF of our population is smaller than other reports in the literature that involve adult populations.

Identification of the mandibular landmarks in a pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine and compare the reliability to accomplish of common mandibular landmarks and to determine the incidence of incisive canals, anterior looping, and lingual foramina in children from panoramic and CBCT images. DESIGN: Panoramic and CBCT images from 100 children and adolescent patients were randomly selected. In order to grade the visibility of mandibular anatomical landmarks, a four-point rating scale was used. RESULTS: In panoramic images, the mandibular canal could be observed in 92.5% of cases, with good visibility in 12.0%. The mental foramen could be observed in 44.5% of cases, while none had good visibility. Anterior looping of the mental nerve was present in 16.5% of the cases, and none had good visibility. An incisive canal could be identified in 22.5% of cases, with only 1.5% showing good visibility. The lingual foramen could be visualized in 61.0% of cases, with good visibility in 6%. In CBCT images, the mandibular canal, the mental foramen, and the lingual foramen could be observed in 100% of the cases, with good visibility in 51.0%, 98.5%, and 45.0% of cases, respectively. Anterior looping of the mental nerve was present in 26% of cases, with 2% having good visibility. An incisive canal could be identified in 49.5% of cases, with only 75% showing good visibility. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the applicability of CBCT images to visualize critical structures in children.

Prevalence and intra-oral distribution of agenesis of permanent teeth among Eastern Turkish children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe agenesis of permanent teeth, excluding the third molars, in a sample of children in Eastern Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study assessed 1,291 digital orthopantomograms (OPT) (678 males and 613 females), taken at the Faculty of Dentistry, Ataturk University, Erzurum. The chi-square test was used to compare maxillary and mandibular hypodontia in males and females. RESULTS: Eighty children were found to have at least one tooth absent from their permanent set of teeth. The prevalence of tooth agenesis was 6.2%. A total of 135 permanent teeth were missing as a result of the congenital condition. Tooth agenesis was found more frequently in females than in males. Although there was no significant difference between genders in the prevalence of hypodontia among the children (p>0.05), the difference between genders in children who had congenitally missing teeth (CMT) reached a statistically significant level (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When hypodontia in a Turkish paediatric population was compared to other populations, the characteristics were found to be similar to the Western population. However, the population in Eastern Turkey differs from the population in Asia, where there is less incisor tooth agenesis and more second molar tooth agenesis.