Molar incisor hypomineralization and oral health-related quality of life: a sample of 8-12-years-old children.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and tooth sensitivity on the oral health in terms of the quality of life (OHRQoL). In addition, the impact of tooth maturity on tooth sensitivity was evaluated in the study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children aged 8-12 years with and without MIH participated in this descriptive cross-sectional study. They were chosen through the convenience sample technique. The Pediatric-Oral-Health-related-Quality-of-Life (POQL) scale was used to assess OHRQoL. The presence of the MIH and decayed, filled and missing teeth due to caries (using dmft/s, DMFT/S indexes) were recorded. The tooth sensitivity and dental maturity status were evaluated with the Shiff-Cold-Air-Sensitivity-Scale (SCASS) and Demirjian-method, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by Pearson Chi-Square Test and Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05). RESULTS: In this study, the participants were a total of 260 children, half were affected by the MIH. Their mean POQL scores were higher than those of the children without MIH with a statistically significantly difference in the total child scale score (p=0.014). Among the children with the MIH, child total QoL score was found to be higher in SCASS positive response group (p=0.011). The teeth with MIH (p<0.001) showed higher response to the stimulus. According to the dental age and dental maturity categories of the children with MIH, the total child scale score was found to be higher in the SCASS category (p=0.011), and the response status to the SCASS was statistically significant (p=0.042 and p=0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Among the children with MIH, the OHRQoL was found to be negatively affected. The teeth with the MIH tend to reveal more tooth sensitivity than healthy teeth. Many conditions such as having MIH, and tooth sensitivity might have an impact on the OHRQoL. In addition, more sensitivity to the stimulus was observed in the teeth with lower tooth maturity status; the dental age and dental maturity might have effects on tooth sensitivity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Considering the negative impacts due to MIH, the evaluation of OHRQoL is critical for dentists to employ a well-defined guide in their clinical decisions.

Ferric sulfate pulpotomy in primary teeth with different base materials: a 2-year randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of zinc oxide-eugenol, calcium hydroxide, and mineral trioxide aggregate as base materials on the clinical and radiographic success of ferric sulfate pulpotomies in primary molars. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Following hemostasis with 15.5% ferric sulfate, 105 teeth were randomly allocated to three groups: Group 1, zinc oxide-eugenol; Group 2, calcium hydroxide; and Group 3, mineral trioxide aggregate. All teeth were restored with stainless-steel crowns. Clinical and radiographic examinations were conducted at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: After 24 months, clinical success rates for Groups 1 to 3 were 97.1% (34/35 teeth), 94.2% (33/35 teeth), and 97.1% (34/35 teeth), respectively (P > .05). Radiographic success rates were 65.7% (23/35 teeth), 65.7% (23/35 teeth), and 77.1% (27/35 teeth), respectively (P > .05). Internal resorption was the most observed radiographic finding (15/105 teeth). CONCLUSIONS: The choice of zinc oxide-eugenol, calcium hydroxide, and mineral trioxide aggregate, as base materials, did not affect the clinical and radiographic success of ferric sulfate pulpotomies in primary teeth.

Oral health status of children with phenylketonuria.

Background Diet plays an integral role in the maintenance of oral health, but dietary modifications due to medical problems such as phenylketonuria (PKU) can have adverse effects on oral health. This descriptive study was performed to evaluate the oral health status of children with PKU. Methods One hundred and ninety-seven patients with PKU aged between 1 and 22 years were evaluated. Clinical evaluations were performed by one experienced dentist regarding dental caries, gingival health and dental erosion. Categorical variables were assessed with descriptive statistics. Differences in feeding frequencies and sociodemographic characteristics were compared regarding dental caries using chi-square (χ2) tests. Results One hundred and thirty-two patients (67%) had dental caries. The mean plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) values were 1.37 ± 0.58 and 1.40 ± 0.64, respectively, which shows moderate plaque accumulation and moderate gingival inflammation. Of the patients, 85.3% did not brush their teeth regularly and 90.4% had never visited a dentist before. No statistically significant differences were found in dental caries according to feeding frequencies (p = 0.448). Conclusions Despite the high prevalence of caries in patients with PKU, most had never seen a dentist. Physicians must encourage patients with PKU and their parents to have regular dental visits to maintain an optimal general and oral health.

HEMA diffusion from dentin bonding agents in young and old primary molars in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare amounts of HEMA diffusion from three dentin bonding systems in young and old primary molars at a remaining dentin thickness (RDT) of 1 mm. METHODS: Occlusal cavities were prepared with RDT of 1 mm in young and old primary molars. Chambers that contain 1 ml of distilled water were attached to each tooth. The groups were treated with Total Etch+Syntac Single Component, Syntac Single Component and Clearfil SE Bond. Water eluates were analyzed by HPLC at 4 min, 24 h and 72 h. RESULTS: The cumulative HEMA release amounts were significantly different among all groups (p<0.05). Acid-etching significantly increased pulpward diffusion of HEMA and young primary teeth presented higher dentin permeability. SIGNIFICANCE: Acid-etching significantly increases pulpward release of HEMA from dentin bonding systems in primary molar teeth. Young primary molars have higher dentin permeability; so the pulp should be protected with cavity liners in deep cavities. However, the dentin bonding systems can be considered safe for clinical use in primary teeth, even in deep cavities, since the released HEMA amounts are below the level of cytotoxicity.

HEMA diffusion from dentin bonding agents through various dentin thicknesses in primary molars.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in vitro HEMA diffusion amounts from three dentin-bonding systems in primary molars with various remaining dentin thicknesses. METHODS: Occlusal cavities were prepared with remaining dentin thickness of 0.5, 1 and 2 mm respectively. Chambers that contain 1 ml of distilled water were attached to each tooth. The groups were treated with Total Etch + Syntac Single Component, Syntac Single Component and Clearfil SE Bond. Water eluates were removed after 72 hours for analyses by HPLC. RESULTS: The cumulative HEMA release amounts were significantly different between all groups (P< 0.05). Decreasing dentin thickness and acid-etching significantly increased pulpward diffusion of HEMA.

Clinical evaluation of a polyacid-modified resin composite under different conditioning methods in primary teeth.

This study evaluated the clinical performance of a polyacid-modified resin composite, Dyract AP (De Trey/Dentsply), under different conditioning methods in primary teeth. Eighty-one box-shaped cavity preparations (three restorations per patient) on the mesial or distal surfaces of primary first or second molars were prepared in 27 patients. The cavity preparations were either non pre-treated or pre-treated with 36% phosphoric acid or NRC (De Trey/Dentsply). The teeth were restored with Prime & Bond NT (De Trey/Dentsply) and Dyract AP. The restorations were evaluated at baseline and 6, 12 and 18-month recalls according to the modified Ryge criteria by two calibrated operators. The data obtained from the clinical assessment of all restorations were subjected to statistical analysis by chi-square-tests at a 0.05 level of significance. The ratings of each criteria were compared among each evaluation period between treatment groups. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference among each evaluation period between groups in regard to color match, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, secondary caries, surface texture, anatomic form and retention.

Association between early childhood caries and clinical, microbiological, oral hygiene and dietary variables in rural Turkish children.

Mutans streptococci are the principal bacteria isolated from children with early childhood caries (ECC). The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the relationships between factors related to ECC with salivary mutans streptococci (MS). A total of 95 children with ECC from low-income families in rural Ankara participated in this study. Breast and/or bottle-feeding habits continued in 31.5% of the children beyond 37 months. Forty percent of the bottle-fed, 35.5% of the breast-fed, and 29.4% of the breast-and bottle-fed children continued their habits beyond 37 months. Caries prevalence was significantly related to the age and feeding habits. Eighty one percent of the children did not have a toothbrushing habit and 41% had been taking sweetened medicine. High counts of MS are determined with increasing age, bottle usage, and snacking habits. We concluded that factors related to ECC are common among Turkish children.

Risk factors of early childhood caries in Turkish children.

This study was performed to determine the relationship between infant feeding habits, oral hygiene patterns, parents' education level and early childhood caries (ECC) in nine-to 59-month-old Turkish children. Clinical examinations were carried out by a pediatric dentist using dmft indices, and the dmft was found to be 5.8. In the other part of the study, the mothers completed questionnaires for information related to risk factors. Father's education level and fluoride consumption showed statistical associations with caries. Breast - bottle-feeding together was more common, and these children had a higher prevalence of caries than the children who were only breast-fed. Also, children who were bottle-fed at night developed more caries lesions. Frequent consumption of sugar-containing beverages was a common habit among children. Brushing habit did not have any effect on carious development in this study. Based on these associations it is concluded that ECC is a risk factor for general health of children in Turkey.