Colonization and vertical transmission of Streptococcus mutans in Turkish children.

The aim of the study was to establish the colonization of Streptococcus mutans and to determine the possibility of intra-familial transmission in a group of Turkish children and their parents. A total of 56 children participated in the study together with their parents (20 fathers and 49 mothers). Saliva samples were collected from the individuals and cultivated on S. mutans selective TYCSB agar. The typical isolates of S. mutans were identified by using classical microbiological methods, as well as molecular typing of S. mutans clones which was performed by using AP PCR with OPA5 primer for the detection of transmission. The vertical transmission of salivary S. mutans was detected among 14 mother-father-child, 35 mother-child (one twins) and 6 father-child combinations. The homologies of strain types were recorded as 24% and 16.6% for mother-child and father-child combinations, respectively. A significant positive correlation (p<0.001) was found between the infected children and their parents with high S. mutans counts.

The oral manifestations of Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis VI): a case report.

Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome is one of the genetic disorders involving disturbances in mucopolysaccharide metabolism resulting in increased storage of acid mucopolysaccharide in various tissues. The basic defect in Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome is a deficiency of arylsulfatase B, which leads to accumulation of dermatan sulfate in tissues and their urinary excretion. The deposition of mucopolysaccharides leads to a progressive disorder involving multiple organs that often results in death in the second decade of life. This disease, which has several oral and dental manifestations, is first diagnosed on the basis of clinical findings. A large head, short neck, corneal opacity, open mouth associated with an enlarged tongue, enlargement of skull, and a long antero-posterior dimension are the main characteristic features. Dental complications can be severe and include unerupted dentition, dentigerous cystlike follicles, malocclusions, condylar defects, and gingival hyperplasia. An 11-year-old boy with Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type VI) is described in this article, with special emphasis on the oral manifestations.

Dental management of isolated growth hormone deficiency: a case report.

In case of growth hormone deficiency, periodontal problems may accompany due to the abnormal formation of teeth making plaque accumulation easier. The purpose of this report is to describe dental management of a 14-year old female patient with isolated growth hormone deficiency. She was referred to the Department of Periodontology for treatment of severe gingival inflammation. Periodontal treatment was done by means of scaling and root planning and the patient as well as her father was instructed on better oral hygiene. Following completion of the initial periodontal treatment and improvement of oral hygiene, the dentin carious lesions in the upper incisors were restored. Orthodontic treatment as well as treatment with human growth hormone supplementation was planned.

Might there be a link between mannose-binding lectin polymorphism and dental caries?

The aim of this study is to analyze two polymorphisms in exon 1 of Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene in children with carious teeth and children caries-free in order to determine the frequencies of these polymorphisms and to investigate possible association between MBL polymorphisms and dental caries. Fourty-two children with carious teeth and 40 children caries-free participated in the study. Two-hundred microliters of peripheral blood samples were taken in EDTA tubes and genomic DNA was isolated. PCR-RFLP method was used with BanI and MboII digestion enzymes. The overall distribution of genotypes did not significantly differ between two groups and there was also no significant difference in the allele frequency of codon 54 wild type (allele A) (p=0.884, p=0.585). It has been concluded that further investigations may be required to show possible association between MBL and dental caries in which high number healthy children are participated.

Mesiodens in primary, mixed and permanent dentitions: a clinical and radiographic study.

The term mesiodens refers to a supernumerary tooth located between the maxillary central incisors. The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics of mesiodens among children in Turkey. The study population involved 24 children who attended the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Ege University for dental problems. The characteristics of mesiodens were obtained from clinical and radiographic examinations. Results showed that twenty-four patients had thirty-four mesiodens for an average of 1.42 mesiodens per person. Males were affected approximately 3 times more frequently in comparison with females. Forty-two percent of the patients had bilateral mesiodens. All of the mesiodens were conical in shape and 91% were in the downward position. The age and sex distribution, location, direction, eruption of mesiodens and effects on permanent maxillary incisors were also presented in this study. It could be concluded that, delayed, ectopic or asymmetric eruption of the central incisors should alert the clinician to the possibility of a mesiodens.

Mandibular bilateral fusion in primary dentition: case report.

Fusion has been described as a developmental anomaly characterized by the union of 2 adjacent teeth. Bilateral dental fusion in the primary dentition is a rare dental anomaly. The purpose of this report was to present a 9-year-old boy who had bilateral fusion of his mandibular primary lateral incisor and canine teeth.