Molecular Detection of HPV, EBV, HSV-1, HCMV, and H. pylori Pathogens: An Evaluation among Polish Children with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH).

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a congenital disorder of the enamel tissue, characterized by a quantitative deficiency. In childhood, infections such as EBV, HSV-1, HCMV, or H. pylori may occur and cause various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HPV, EBV, HSV-1, HCMV, and H. pylori infections in two groups of children: children with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and a control group, using molecular methods. The study group included 47 children aged between 6-13 years who had been diagnosed with MIH. The control group consisted of 42 children. The study found that, in the MIH group, the prevalence of HPV-16 was 6.38%, HPV-18 was 4.26%, EBV was 31.91%, HSV-1 was 4.26%, HCMV was 4.26%, and H. pylori was 12.77%. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of any of tested pathogens between the study and the control group (p > 0.05). However, the study found a higher prevalence of EBV infection in children who had smallpox/pneumonia by the age of 3 years. Ten children were found to have at least two pathogens present. Moreover, both groups had a high prevalence and activity of EBV. These findings provide new insights into the carriage of pathogens among children with MIH, providing new information for parents, scientists, and healthcare professionals.

Is Aberrant DNA Methylation a Key Factor in Molar Incisor Hypomineralization?

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a qualitative disturbance of the enamel of the permanent molars and/or incisors. Its etiology is not clearly defined but is connected with different factors occurring before and after birth. It remains difficult to identify a single factor or group of factors, and the problem is further complicated by various overlapping mechanisms. In this study, we attempted to determine whether DNA methylation-an epigenetic mechanism-plays a key role in the etiology of MIH. We collected the epithelium of the oral mucosa from children with MIH and healthy individuals and analyzed its global DNA methylation level in each child using a 5-mC DNA ELISA kit after DNA isolation. There was no statistically significant difference between the global DNA methylation levels in the study and control groups. Then, we also analyzed the associations of the DNA methylation levels with different prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors, using appropriate statistical methods. Factors such as number of pregnancies, number of births, type of delivery, varicella infection (under 3 years old), and high fever (under 3 years old) were significantly important. This work can be seen as the first step towards further studies of the epigenetic background of the MIH etiology.

Prevalence and Possible Etiological Factors of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) in Population of Silesian Children in Poland: A Pilot Retrospective Cohort Study.

(1) Background: This pilot retrospective cohort research study regarded the frequency of the prevalence of molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in a population of Silesian children in Poland. The evaluation of the potential environmental etiological factors was performed and the correlation between the environmental factors and MIH was analyzed. (2) Methods: A total of 613 children were randomly enrolled in the pilot study (9.0 years ± 1.9). A survey was carried out with mothers regarding the potential exposure to environmental etiological factors of MIH in their children. The patients' clinical assessments were carried out in the dental unit. (3) Results: The frequency of prevalence of MIH in the population of Silesian children was established at the level of 6.2% (p < 0.05). MIH symptoms were significantly associated with otitis in early childhood (OR = 2.50), atopic dermatitis (OR = 5.69), and premature delivery before 38 weeks of pregnancy (OR = 2.88). (4) Conclusions: MIH was observed in 6.2% of the population of Silesian children, and there was a relationship between environmental risk factors such as otitis, atopic dermatitis, premature birth, and MIH expression. Therefore, further research is needed to determine the influence of pre-, peri-, postnatal, and prophylactic factors on the frequency and severity of MIH symptoms in children.

Sleep Bruxism in Children: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment-A Literature Review.

(1) Background: Bruxism, a condition characterized by grinding and involuntary clenching of the teeth, is a risk factor for the development of masticatory dysfunction. It can occur together with sleep disturbances and may be associated with abnormal body movements, breathing difficulties, increased muscle activity, and heart rate disturbances. This disorder is becoming an important dental concern in children. (2) Methods: A literature review was carried out based on a search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases for articles on bruxism in children, published between 2014 and 2021. The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of bruxism in children were of particular interest in the study. (3) Results: A total of 40 articles were included in the review. The analyzed studies indicated that the prevalence rates of bruxism in children vary widely from 13% to 49%. The etiology of bruxism is complex and incomprehensible, and the main diagnostic criteria for this condition in children are subjective observation, clinical history, and clinical examination. The recommended therapy for sleep bruxism in children is physiotherapy and psychotherapy. (4) Conclusions: Dentists and primary care physicians should correctly diagnose bruxism in children, educate parents, prevent potential consequences for oral health, and identify possible comorbidities. Appropriate clinical guidelines for the treatment and prophylaxis of bruxism in children should also be developed.

Intramuscular Injections and Dry Needling within Masticatory Muscles in Management of Myofascial Pain. Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain is an important cause of disability among the whole population, and it is a common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Its management techniques vary widely; however, in recent years, there has been a growing interest especially in needling therapies within masticatory muscles, due to their simplicity and effectiveness in pain reduction. METHODS: The construction of the following study is based on PICOS and PRISMA protocols. A systematic literature search was conducted based on the PubMed and BASE search engines. Searching the abovementioned databases yielded a total of 367 articles. The screening procedure and analysis of full texts resulted in the inclusion of 28 articles for detailed analysis. RESULTS: According to analyzed data, clinicians manage myofascial pain either with wet or dry needling therapies. The most thoroughly studied approach that prevails significantly within the clinical trials is injecting the botulinum toxin into the masseter and temporalis. Other common methods are the application of local anesthetics or dry needling; however, we notice the introduction of entirely new substances, such as platelet-rich plasma or collagen. In the analyzed articles, the target muscles for the needling therapies are most commonly localized by manual palpation although there are a variety of navigational support systems described: EMG, MRI or EIP electrotherapy equipment, which often aid the access to located deeper lateral and medial pterygoid muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Needling therapies within masticatory muscles provide satisfactory effects while being simple, safe and accessible procedures although there still is a need for high quality clinical trials investigating especially injections of non-Botox substances and needling within lateral and medial pterygoid muscles.