Bibliometric analysis of scientific articles published in Brazilian and international orthodontic journals over a 10-year period.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at describing the profiles of Brazilian and international studies published in orthodontic journals. METHODS: The sample comprised 635 articles selected from two scientific journals, i.e., Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics and American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, which were analyzed at three different intervals over a 10-year period (1999 - 2004 - 2009). Articles were described in terms of knowledge domain, study design, and country of origin (or state of origin for Brazilian papers). RESULTS: The most frequent study designs adopted in international studies were cohort (23.9%) and cross-sectional (21.7%) designs. Among Brazilian papers, cross-sectional studies (28.9%) and literature reviews (24.6%) showed greater frequency. The topics most often investigated in international articles were dental materials (17%) and treatment devices (12.4%), with the latter topic being addressed by 16% of the Brazilian publications, followed by malocclusion, with 12.6%. In all cases, the most frequent countries of origin coincided with the countries of origin of each journal. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the studies analyzed featured a low level of scientific evidence. Moreover, the findings showed that journals tend to publish studies produced in their own country of origin, and that there are marked discrepancies in the number of papers published by different Brazilian states.

Teething symptoms in the first year of life and associated factors: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurrence and management of teething symptoms during the first year of life and associated factors. STUDY DESIGN: 500 children were recruited at birth. Research assessments including structured interviews, anthropometric measurements and dental examination were carried out after birth, at 6 months and at one-year of age. The primary outcome of this study was defined as the occurrence of one or more teething symptoms within the first year of life, as reported by the mother. RESULTS: Teething symptoms were reported in 73% of the children analyzed (273/375). The symptoms most frequently reported were irritability (40.5%), fever (38.9%), diarrhoea (36.0%) and itching (33.6%). Dentists had little influence on the management of symptoms and self-medication to relieve them was a common practice. The risk of reporting teething symptoms was higher for children from nuclear families (p = 0.040) and for children from families with higher income (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Teething symptoms were highly reported in this population. Pediatric dentists should be accessible and provide adequate orientation when symptoms can be managed at home or immediate referral to health services when more serious diseases are suspected.

Application of computed tomography for supernumerary teeth location in pediatric dentistry.

Conventional radiographs provide bi-dimensional images of three-dimensional structures limiting optimal treatment planning. To overcome this deficiency, Computed Tomography (CT) has been used as a diagnostic method in Medicine and Dentistry. CT allows for supernumerary teeth location, the establishment of positional relations with other teeth, and the assessment of surrounding bone thickness; thus, facilitating surgical access and technique choice while reducing the procedure time, of great importance in pediatric dental care. The aim of this study was to present the possibility of applying CT for supernumerary teeth location, through the case report of a five-year-old female patient presenting two supernumerary teeth in the anterior palatal area. In conclusion, CT appears to be an excellent image diagnostic method for locating unerupted supernumerary teeth, providing precise information for planning and performing the surgical approach, while reducing operatory time and post-operatory complications; factors of extreme importance when treating young children.

Impaction of mandibular molar by supernumerary tooth: case report.

The occurrence of supernumerary teeth in the lower molar region is rare. A prevalence of less than 2% of cases occurring in this region has been estimated. The aim of this study was to present a clinical case of a 7-year-old female patient who had a supernumerary tubercular tooth between the distal root of the primary mandibular left second molar and the impacted permanent mandibular left first molar. Treatment consisted of surgical removal of the supernumerary tooth and case follow-up until the permanent molar's eruption, which occurred in 13 months. This study emphasizes the importance of: early diagnosis, appropriate intervention, and recommended preservation. Thus, it is possible to prevent or reduce complications, simplifying the case outcome.