Proteomic profile of the acquired enamel pellicle of children with early childhood caries and caries-free children.

Acquired enamel pellicle plays an important role in the pathogenesis of early childhood caries (ECC), working as a protective interface between the tooth and the oral cavity. The aim of this cross-sectional in vivo proteomic study was to compare the acquired enamel pellicle protein profile of 3-5-year-old children with ECC (n = 10) and caries-free children (n = 10). Acquired enamel pellicle samples were collected and processed for proteomic analysis (nLC-ESI-MS/MS). In total, 241 proteins were identified. Basic salivary proline-rich protein 1 and 2, Cystatin-B, and SA were found only in the caries free group. When comparing caries free and ECC groups, lower protein levels were found in the caries free group for hemoglobin subunit beta, delta, epsilon, gamma-2, globin domain-containing protein and gamma-1, neutrophil defensin 3, serum albumin, protein S100-A8, and S100-A9. The proteins histatin-1, statherin, salivary acidic proline-rich phosphoprotein ½, proline-rich protein 4, submaxillary gland androgen-regulated protein 3B, alpha-amylase 1 and 2B were found at higher levels in the caries free group. The exclusive and the proteins found at higher levels in the caries free group might have protective functions that play a role in the prevention of caries, besides providing important insights to be evaluated in future studies for the possible development of new therapeutic strategies for ECC.

Saliva proteomic profile of early childhood caries and caries-free children.

OBJECTIVE: Saliva plays an important antimicrobial role and it is related to the pathogenesis of early childhood caries (ECC). The aim of this study was to compare the proteomic profile of unstimulated saliva of children aged 3-5 years who had ECC and caries-free (CF) children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After the saliva collection from 20 children (ECC: n = 10; CF: n = 10), the samples were processed for proteomic analysis on a mass spectrometer. RESULTS: 1638 proteins were identified, of which 355 were present in both groups. A total of 579 proteins were exclusively identified in the CF group and included Leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein, Protein S100-A5, Protein S100-A8 and Mucin-2. Moreover, 704 proteins were exclusively identified in the ECC group, including Enamelin. The differential expression analysis revealed that 112 proteins were up-regulated in the CF group. Among these proteins, we highlighted Hemoglobin subunit gamma-1 (343-fold increase), gamma-2 (336-fold increase) and alpha (40-fold increase). CONCLUSIONS: The proteomic profile of the saliva varied substantially between the groups. Hemoglobin subunit gamma-1, gamma-2 and alpha may play a protective role in children with ECC. These proteins should be evaluated in future studies, because they may be possible good candidates to be included in anti-caries dental products.

Usefulness and satisfaction of a digital learning tool for caries detection using ICDAS / Utilidade e satisfação de uma ferramenta digital de aprendizado para detecção de cárie utilizando ICDAS

Objective: this study aimed evaluate the usefulness and satisfaction of a digital learning tool (DLT) using ICDAS (International caries detection and assessment system) created for learning and training visual detection of carious lesions in a non-controlled setting. Material and Methods: the DLT containing 60 pictures of sound and carious surfaces was distributed through social media and professional associations, aiming at both dentists and dental students. Analysis was based on data collected through a personal, professional and satisfaction questionnaire and Google Analytics. Results: a total of 2300 users accessed the DLT and 1517 completed it, filling out the questionnaires. Users required 2.29 sessions to accomplish the DLT in an average time of 15 min and 14 seconds each. The satisfaction questionnaire showed that 84.8% of users found in the DLT exactly what they expected and 91.8% found it useful. Around 88.4% of users found that the DLT helped in discussion of ICDAS with colleagues and 88.9% with superiors; 88.3% found that the DLT provided immediate learning results. The DLT was most useful to dental students (83.7% of users), and overall satisfaction was 86%. Conclusion: users found the DLT useful for learning and training visual detection of carious lesions using ICDAS, and general satisfaction was high. (AU)

Objetivo: o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a utilidade e a satisfação de uma ferramenta digital de aprendizado (FDA) utilizando o ICDAS (International caries detection and assessment system), criada para aprender e treinar a detecção visual desse índice de forma virtual. Material e Métodos: a FDA contendo 60 fotos de superfícies hígidas e cariadas foi distribuída por meio de mídias sociais, visando profissionais e estudantes de odontologia. A análise baseou-se nos dados recolhidos através de um questionário de satisfação da experiência e Google Analytics. Resultados: um total de 2.300 usuários acessaram a FDA e 1.517 a completaram até os questionários. Os usuários precisaram de 2,29 sessões para realizá-la em um tempo médio de 15 min e 14 segundos. O questionário de satisfação mostrou que 84,8% dos usuários encontraram exatamente o que esperavam e 91,8% a acharam útil. Cerca de 88,4% dos usuários acreditaram que a FDA ajudou na discussão do ICDAS com colegas e 88,9% com superiores; 88,3% acharam que foi fornecido resultados de aprendizagem imediatos. A FDA foi mais útil para estudantes de odontologia (83,7% dos usuários) e a satisfação geral foi de 86%. Conclusão: os usuários acharam a FDA útil para aprender e treinar a detecção visual de lesões cariosas utilizando o ICDAS. A satisfação geral alcançada foi considerada alta. (AU)

Sealing of cavitated occlusal carious lesions in the dentine of deciduous molars: a two-year randomised controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This two-arm, parallel-group, tooth-randomised, controlled noninferiority clinical trial aimed to compare survival rates between the sealing and restoring of cavitated occlusal carious lesions in dentine [International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) 5] of deciduous molars using resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) and to assess caries progression radiographically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 68 molars with ICDAS 5 occlusal lesions were randomly allocated into two groups, a sealing group (n = 31), in which RMGIC was placed directly over the carious lesion, and a restoration group (n = 37), in which a restoration with the same material was placed after selective caries removal. During the baseline and follow-up visits, dental caries was registered and caries activity was assessed according to a visuotactile criterion. At baseline, patient caries status (dmf-t) and cavity depth and extent (mesiodistal and buccolingual) were measured before RMGIC placement. An independent and blinded examiner evaluated the treated teeth using the USPHS criteria after one and two years. Standardised interproximal radiographs were taken for caries progression assessments. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, no lesion progression was observed radiographically. After one year (n = 60; 27 sealed and 33 restored) and two years (n = 48; 23 sealed and 25 restored) of follow-up, the treatment success rates were 78.8% and 76.0% in the restoration group and 59.3% and 47.8% in the sealing group, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression showed that lesions smaller than 2 mm in the mesiodistal extent were less prone to fail after one year (p = 0.03). However, survival curves (log-rank test) were statistically significantly different only after two years (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sealing ICDAS 5 occlusal lesions of deciduous molars using RMGIC achieved lower survival rates than restorations. Both sealing and restoration effectively arrested caries progression for two years. Clinical relevance Sealing dentine carious lesions can be effective for treating lesions involving the inner and outer half of the dentine. Ultraconservative treatments can arrest carious lesions presenting obvious cavitation in primary molars. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ReBEC Register no. RBR-225n35.

Influence of Isolation Technique on the Survival of Resin-Modified Glass-Ionomer Restorations in Primary Molars: A 9-Months Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the survival of occlusal and occlusal-proximal restorations performed with resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) in deciduous molars using rubber dam and cotton rolls isolation. Material and Methods: Ninety-two patients were included and 200 deciduous molars with cavitated occlusal or occlusoproximal dentin caries lesions were randomized into two groups: cotton rolls (n = 100) and rubber dam (n = 100) and RMGIC restorations were placed. At baseline and in the follow-up visit, presence, severity and activity of caries lesions were registered. Two independent, blinded examiners evaluated the treated teeth clinically using the USPHS criteria and radiographically after 9 months. Descriptive analysis, survival curve (log-rank test) and Cox regression were performed to assess risk factors related to failure. Results: Out of the 179 teeth (92 cotton rolls group and 87 rubber dam group) evaluated at 9-month follow-up period. No lesion progression was observed radiographically. The overall treatment success rate was 85.47% (83.47% for cotton rolls and 87.35 rubber dam group). No significant difference between isolation methods was observed in the log-rank test (p = 0.16). Cox regression showed no risk factors related to failure. Conclusion: No difference was found in the survival of occlusal and occlusal-proximal restorations performed with RMGIC in deciduous molars using a rubber dam and cotton rolls isolation after a 9-month follow-up period.