ABSTRACT
Developmental anomalies of dentition includes abnormalities in teeth size, shape, structure, and number. Dental fusion is one such condition and is one of the most important and frequent developmental dental anomalies that can aï¬ect children's oral health. This condition can present various clinical challenges, including aesthetic concerns, occlusal disturbances, and potential impacts on the development and eruption of permanent teeth. The etiology of dental fusion is multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, and possibly mechanical factors during tooth development. Diagnosis is done based on clinical examination and radiographic imaging to differentiate fusion from other similar anomalies such as gemination and concrescence. The present case report describes dental fusion in primary teeth seen in two young pediatric patients. These case reports aim to provide an overview of the prevalence, diagnosis, and management strategies for fusion in primary teeth, emphasizing the importance of a Pediatric Dentist in optimizing outcomes for affected children.
ABSTRACT
Stainless steel crowns (SSC) have long been the standard choice due to their durability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. Other esthetic crowns, known for their superior esthetic properties and biocompatibility, have emerged as a popular option in recent years. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, up to June 2024. The population under study was primary teeth, with the intervention being the application of aesthetic crowns. These were compared against SSC, with the primary outcome being the level of microbial adhesion on the crowns in primary teeth. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models to estimate pooled differences in microbial adhesion levels. A total of five studies were included in the review. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in microbial adhesion between esthetic and SSC, with esthetic crowns showing lower levels of bacterial colonization. Specifically, the mean difference in colony-forming units (CFU). Esthetic crowns exhibit significantly lower microbial adhesion compared to SSC in pediatric patients, suggesting a potential advantage in reducing the risk of secondary caries and other microbial-related complications. However, further long-term clinical studies are warranted to confirm these results and assess their clinical implications.
ABSTRACT
Background Pediatric dental anxiety is a significant barrier to effective dental care, necessitating non-pharmacological interventions. Alpha wave entrainment has shown promise in adult studies for reducing procedural anxiety and pain perception, but its effectiveness in pediatric dental settings remains underexplored. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative alpha wave entrainment in alleviating anxiety in gender-specific participants to the interventions. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 252 pediatric patients (aged 7-12) with cooperative dispositions. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving alpha wave entrainment or a control group receiving conventional behavior management techniques. The experimental intervention involved 10-minute sessions of binaural beats with visual stimulation designed to induce alpha-wave synchronization. Anxiety levels were assessed using physiological measures (heart rate and blood pressure), both pre- and post-interventions. Results The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in heart rate and systolic blood pressure post-intervention compared to the control group. These changes indicate a decrease in anxiety levels, with no significant gender differences in the response to the intervention. Conclusion Alpha wave entrainment effectively reduces dental anxiety in pediatric patients, with similar efficacy observed across genders. This study supports the incorporation of alpha wave entrainment into pediatric dental practices as a viable alternative to traditional anxiety management techniques.
ABSTRACT
Background Dental caries is one of the most common oral health diseases in children. Early childhood caries (ECC) in children can lead to delayed overall growth in the future. This can be prevented by early initiation of infant oral hygiene practices (IOHP). As mothers are the primary caregivers, assessing their behavioral factors that play a significant role in IOHP can help design a customized health prevention plan for appropriate infant oral hygiene practices. Methodology A questionnaire based-study was carried out in an Anganwadi (rural child care center in India) of Nagpur region, Central India, for two months. Parents of young children were interviewed about the oral health care of children. The study was planned to evaluate the various methods used by parents to perform IOHP and to identify various behavioral determinants that affect IOHP. An integrative model of behavior change was used to evaluate factors determining the behavioral determinants in performing oral hygiene. Results Out of 144 parents, 105 (72.92%) initiated IOHP immediately after birth. Most of them (76, 52.78%) used a moist cloth to clean the oral cavity. The other methods used were the parent's finger, water, etc. Most of the parents were unaware of commercially available oral wipes. Out of the various factors of behavioral determinants of integrative theory, oral health beliefs, emotional reactions, self-standard, and skills played a significant role in modifying parents' intention to maintain the oral hygiene of young children. There was a direct correlation between the educational qualification of the mother and oral hygiene practices. Conclusion The results of this study reveal an integrative structure that includes factors like oral health beliefs, emotional reactions, self-standard, external support, social norms, and skills that are responsible for the behavior of parents towards oral health care. These factors vary from individual to individual. Modifying these specific behavioral determinants in parents could improve the oral hygiene practices of infants and toddlers. Community-based oral health care programs should be tailormade to target these specific barriers.
ABSTRACT
Talon cusp is a rare odontogenic developmental anomaly with male predilection and multifactorial etiology. It projects as an accessory cusp-like structure from the cingulum area or the cement enamel junction (CEJ) affecting both primary and permanent dentition. It is imperative to clinically examine the developing dentition for occlusal harmony, especially in children with this anomaly. This report highlights facial cellulitis as a complication arising from a type I taloned maxillary lateral incisor and its endodontic management in a female pediatric patient. It emphasizes the clinical significance, early diagnosis, and prompt prophylactic management of the talon cusp so as to prevent the development of acute sequelae in children.
ABSTRACT
Oral disease has affected almost half of the world's population, causing an enormous economic burden. To overcome this huge problem, oral health promotion is one of the most cost-effective methods. Digital media can play a pivotal role in achieving the goal of reducing this burden by providing a wider platform to reach out to the population even in the areas of deficit oral health care service. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of digital media in oral health promotion. The combinations of terms in the following two broad categories were used to search the literature on PubMed, Cochrane Library articles, WHO guidelines on oral health promotion through digital media, and Google Scholar: Intervention (digital media, Mobile phones, Text messages, social media, Cell phones, MHealth application, Telemedicine, Television, Videos) and Outcome (Oral Health education, Oral health, Oral health promotion, Oral health literacy, Oral health knowledge, Oral health attitude, Oral health practice, Oral hygiene improvement). The review was conducted in two phases, using the standardized checklist applicable to studies. Initially, abstracts were retrieved, followed by the assessment of the full papers against the review criteria. Among the selected studies, digital interventions helped in providing continuity of care and services in seven studies, eight addressed the increase in knowledge, attitude, and practice, and all the studies analyzed oral health needs. The findings concluded that digital media-based interventions can enhance oral health literacy and help in tackling this problem among different age groups.
ABSTRACT
Children are particularly terrified of having dental treatment. They are physically resistant, frail, and unwilling to cooperate. This severe distress during the pre-operative phase could cause the dentist to have issues with behavior control. Additionally, it may make pediatric dental treatments less effective. In order to reduce anxiety and control behavior in children receiving dental care, sedation is a pharmacological management technique that supports the provision of effective and high-quality dental services. The aim is to compare and evaluate the efficacy of sedative agents like dexmedetomidine and midazolam in pediatric dental practice. A thorough review of the literature was conducted using electronic databases like "MEDLINE, PubMed, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), as well as the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, www.clinicaltrials.gov, conference proceedings abstracts, a bibliography of pertinent references, and manual searches of journals, conferences, and books". There were no restrictions on the language or the date of publication when searching the electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials were included which compared dexmedetomidine and midazolam in children up to 16 years of age subjected to dental treatment. Information on procedures, participants, interventions, outcome measures, and results were independently extracted by three review writers (TS, SL, and RO). Trial authors were contacted for papers that were confusing or lacking information. The risk of bias was evaluated for each study. We adhered to the Cochrane statistical recommendations. Three trials totaling 229 participants were included. All three studies were rated as having a low risk of bias, with none of them having a high or unclear risk. Meta-analysis was done for the available data for the primary outcomes like sedation level and recovery time. We searched for randomized controlled trials up to Jan 31, 2020. Participants are randomly assigned to an intervention or control group in randomized controlled trial research. While patients in the control group often get a placebo therapy or procedure, those in the interventional group receive the treatment being studied. We found three studies eligible to include in the review. One study evaluated 73 individuals who received general anesthesia for dental treatment. There were 72 and 84 individuals in the second and third investigations, respectively. All the participants of the three studies were divided randomly into two groups and were subjected to dexmedetomidine and midazolam as sedative agents. We gave the evidence an "extremely low certainty" rating. Because there are just three short trials with unusual parameters for comparison, the results are questionable. Overall, the results do not allow us to draw any firm conclusions. Three randomized controlled trials included in this systematic review reported data with varying conclusions; hence we recommend more randomized controlled trials to be conducted on this subject matter.
ABSTRACT
Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies is very frequent in children. Ingestion of dislodged restorations, dental appliances, crowns, and teeth in dental operatory is frequently reported. Early diagnosis of foreign bodies ingestion in a dental operatory and awareness of its signs and symptoms are very crucial. A five-year-old boy accidentally ingested a stainless steel crown during the trial fit at the dental operatory. Crown retrieval was attempted but without success, and thus, the patient was further observed for possible signs and symptoms. Due to possible serious complications, ingestion of foreign bodies during dental procedures must be appropriately prevented and managed if it occurs.