ABSTRACT
Salivary biomolecules are considered important modulators of the oral microflora, with a potential subsequent impact on dental health. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between salivary enzymatic activity and carious experience in children. The carious experience of a sample of 22 school children was evaluated by calculating dmf/DMF indices, following WHO recommendations. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, and salivary alpha-amylase levels, total protease activity, and matrix metalloproteinase levels (MMP-8 and MMP-9) were measured. The data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests. Our findings revealed no significant relationship between the investigated salivary parameters and the carious experience in permanent teeth (DMFT/DMFS scores). Carious indices scores for primary teeth (dmft and dmfs) were positively associated with MMP-8 levels (r = 0.62, p = 0.004 and rs = 0.61, p = 0.006, respectively) and MMP-9 levels (r = 0.45, p = 0.05 and rs = 0.48, p = 0.039, respectively) and negatively associated with alpha-amylase levels (rs = -0.54, p = 0.017 and rs = -0.59, p = 0.006, respectively). Although with a marginal significance, PEK-054 levels positively correlated with dental caries, while for PFU-089, a negative correlation was observed. These results suggest that salivary alpha-amylase and MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels may be considered potential indicators of carious experience in children. Further studies with a prospective design are needed in order to elucidate the role of these biomolecules in caries development.
ABSTRACT
Hypodontia (tooth agenesis) is regarded as the most common congenital dental anomaly. The present review discusses the epidemiological characteristics of congenitally missing second permanent molars (CMSPMs) within a systematic review of the literature. The review was based on Pubmed library associated with the search of various scientific databases or academic resources, improved by hand search of reference lists. The terms 'hypodontia' or 'anodontia' in combination with 'prevalence' or 'epidemiology' were searched in the data sources for studies published between January 2001 and December 2020. Abstracts of non-English papers were also analyzed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: i) Study provided precise data about CMSPMs, even if no second permanent molar was reportedly missing; ii) the number of CMSPMs distributed by jaw was provided and iii) studies on subjects >3 years were used. The exclusion criteria were as follows: i) Studies on patients with history of trauma of the maxilla or the mandible, any type of syndrome affecting bone metabolism, metabolic disorders, previous extraction or tooth loss due to dental caries, cleft lip and palate; ii) studies performed on cohorts of patients with hypodontia and iii) studies reporting data including third molars, except for those that presented sufficient data to perform correct calculations. A total of 79 studies were selected, accumulating a population of 281,968 people, with an average sample size of 3,524.60±11,255.25. The prevalence of CMSPMs (IpHSPM) was 2.79±3.16% among all missing teeth (1.03±1.59% for upper CMSPMs and 1.76±2.32% for lower CMSPMs; P=0.011). There were no significant differences (P=0.250) in IpHSPM between men (1.59±1.52%) and women (2.13±1.67%). However, significant differences were recorded between continents. Furthermore, lower CMSPMs were found more frequently in orthodontic samples (P=0.033). The prevalence of CMSPMs is low compared with the overall prevalence of CM teeth. Despite the rarity of these anomalies, early detection is important to enable practitioners to plan and start treatment at the best time for optimal results.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dental agenesis (DA), brings together the anodontia, oligodontia, hypodontia, characterized by a deficit in the development of a variable number of teeth. The objectives of the study were to illustrate the phenotypic variability of non-syndromic DA, to identify cases of DA with hereditary genetic transmission, and establish the mode of DA genetic pattern in these cases, together with the determination of DA prevalence in the population group study. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional observational study was performed on a mixed population group, consisting of 861 Caucasian patients, between January 2018-December 2019. The clinical evaluation protocol of patients with DA, used to illustrate their phenotype, included the following stages: oral examination, photographic examination, and radiological examination. The evaluation protocol specific to the family genetic study of patients with DA, involved the following three stages: family survey, construction of the family tree and analysis of the pedigree structure. RESULTS: The prevalence of DA in the population group was 2.78%. Regarding the phenotype, DA mainly affected the upper arch (50% of cases); bilateral DA had a significantly increased incidence (83.33% of cases) compared to unilateral form; in most cases (75%), a patient lacked one to two teeth, the lack of two teeth being the most common form (83.33% of cases); the upper lateral incisors were the teeth most frequently involved in DA (31.11% of the total missing teeth). Regarding the family genetic study, hereditary DA with autosomal dominant inheritance was present in 37.50% of cases. In the other cases (62.50%), isolated, sporadic forms of DA were registered, suggesting a spontaneous de novo mutation or a disorder of odontogenesis of a non-genetic nature. CONCLUSIONS: We consider that this study is of interest for current scientific research with applicability in dental medicine, by bringing actual information on the prevalence of non-syndromic DA in South-East Romania, the variety of phenotypic spectrum of DA for this geographic area, and the role of heredity in the DA genetic determinism in the studied population.
