Dental Anomalies in a Sample of Lebanese Children: a Retrospective Study.

Background: Dental anomalies (DAs) represent a significant chapter in pediatric dentistry with a lot of practical relevance. Both primary and permanent dentitions may be affected. Objective: The main objective of our study was to evaluate, using digital panoramic radiographs, the prevalence, distribution, and patterns of DAs in a sample of Lebanese children aged between 8 and 15 years old. Methods: 112 digital panoramic radiographs of patients aged between 8 and 15 years (60 males and 52 females) from the year 2017 till 2022 attending the department of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health at the Faculty of Dental Medicine at the Lebanese University were assessed for DAs of number (hypodontia, oligodontia, hyperdontia), of size (microdontia, macrodontia), of shape (fusion, gemination, dilaceration, taurodontism), of position (transposition, ectopia, impaction), and of structure (dentin dysplasia, amelogenesis imperfecta, dentinogenesis imperfecta). The data were analyzed statistically using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Results: Out of 112 patient radiographs, 84 showed at least one DA, which suggests a very high prevalence (75%). Among them, 36.9% exhibited multiple types of anomalies. These 84 patients showed a total of 274 DAs, distributed equally among males and females. Conclusion: Dentists should be alerted to the presence of DAs. Their high prevalence requires careful clinical and radiological examinations for early detection. Regular monitoring is mandatory and could guide preventive approaches to minimize associated dental complications.

Clinical Performance of Two Types of Primary Molar Indirect Crowns Fabricated by 3D Printer and CAD/CAM for Rehabilitation of Large Carious Primary Molars.

OBJECTIVES: This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of two types of esthetic crowns fabricated using a three-dimensional (3D) dental printer and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system as an alternative full-coronal restoration for extensively carious pulp-treated primary molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomization was done for 50 lower primary molars in 50 child patients, split into two groups based on the fabrication method used: Group A: CAD/CAM crowns using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blocks and Group B: 3D dental printed crowns using GC photopolymer resin. All crowns were evaluated at baseline and at 3rd, 6th, and 12th months using the U.S. Public Health Service criteria for gingival health, retention, and marginal integrity for both groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The survival rate of 3D-printable crowns was 84% compared with 80% survival rate using CAD/CAM fabricated crowns at the end of the 12th-month follow-up. No statistically significant differences were noted in restoration failure. In the evaluation of gingival health between the two groups' follow-up times, no statistically significant differences were noted at the 3rd- and 6th-month follow-ups, yet at the 12th month, statistically significant differences were noted (p = 0.022) when comparing gingival health. No statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups when comparing marginal integrity scores in all the follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: Resin crowns fabricated via 3D dental printer and PMMA crowns fabricated using CAD/CAM are acceptable esthetic choices in restoring pulp-treated primary molars with great marginal integrity and crowns retention. 3D-printed resin crowns showed less cementing failure and performed better regarding gingival response compared with PMMA crowns.