Treatment outcome for dentin hypersensitivity with laser therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laser protocols for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) have not yet been studied systematically. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to review clinical trials on the treatment of DH with laser therapy through a systematic review and meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The search of electronic databases resulted in 562 publications up to April 2020. The inclusion criteria were studies carried out on humans and reporting on the treatment of DH with laser therapy. Case reports, literature reviews and systematic reviews were excluded. Selected by abstract, potentially eligible papers were read in full (n = 160). Independent examiners performed data extraction and the assessment of the risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were included in the analysis, and 11 in the quantitative analysis. It was observed that most studies followed up patients for a maximum of 6 months (55%). Through the meta-analysis, we observed statistically significant differences between the average pain before and after 3 months of treatment with highand low-power lasers. However, through indirect comparisons, it was observed that the high-power laser showed a greater tendency to reduce the pain levels after 3 months of treatment as compared to the low-power laser, but without a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to conclude that regardless of the type of laser used in the treatment of DH, this treatment is an effective option for the control of pain symptoms. However, it was not possible to establish a defined treatment protocol, since the evaluation methods are very different from each other. Text for Rewiew and clinical cases.

Use of Restorative Materials in Primary Teeth - A Retrospective University-Based Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the types of restorative materials used for restorative treatment in primary teeth through a retrospective university-based study. Material and Methods: The sample consisted of all clinical records of children attended at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic at the School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. Inclusion criteria were primary anterior and posterior teeth that received dental restorations for treatment of dental caries lesions, dental trauma or dental development defects from 2013 to 2018. Restoration repairs and interim restorations during this period were also recorded. Descriptive analyzes were performed to assess the distribution according to the type of restorative material used over the years. Results: A total of 5,236 restorative procedures were performed in primary teeth, including restoration repair and interim restorations. Of those, 69% were done in posterior teeth and 31% in anterior teeth. Sixty percent of the procedures performed during this period were made of composite resin and a lower percentage of glass ionomer cement (18%) followed by silver amalgam (1%). The number of interim restorations was smaller but proportional to those of composite resin over the years. Conclusion: A tendency to carry out restorative treatment of primary teeth with composite resin during the 6 years of follow-up was observed.

Conservative approach for molar-incisor hypomineralization: a case report and 7-year follow-up.

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) can result in minor injuries or major structural loss, especially in incisors and molars. Patients with MIH seek dental treatment early, usually in childhood. Choosing the best treatment option during this stage can be a challenge. Because these patients still present a mixed dentition, the use of prosthetic appliances is not usually the best option. This case report with a 7-year follow-up presents an overview of a conservative approach for the restoration of teeth affected by MIH. A 10-year-old girl presented with permanent molars and incisors that exhibited qualitative defects of enamel characteristic of MIH. During the restoration phase, direct resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) restorations were placed in all 4 first molars with the aid of acetate crowns, which were used to facilitate reconstruction of the tooth morphology. The maxillary incisors were previously treated by another dentist, and the mandibular incisors were treated later, since they were not the main complaint of the patient at the time. During 7 years of follow-up, the RMGIC restorations proved to be a good option, presenting greater longevity in a molar with minor structural defects and requiring repair or replacement in molars with larger structural defects. Despite some failures and the necessity for new restorations, the patient conveyed satisfaction with the treatment and reported no tooth sensitivity, and there was no recurrence of caries. During this follow-up period, the defective mandibular incisors were treated first with enamel microabrasion, which proved esthetically unsatisfactory, and then with direct composite resin veneers. The results in this patient suggest that use of RMGIC may be a feasible conservative option for tooth restoration in young patients with a mixed dentition when permanent molars exhibit extensive structural loss associated with MIH.