Clinical success and longevity of band and loop compared to crown and loop space maintainers.

AIM: To prospectively evaluate the success and survival rates of band and loop (B&L) compared to crown and loop (C&L) space maintainers. METHODS: Thirty-six children were divided into two groups (18 B&Ls and 18 C&Ls) matched for gender, age and the extracted tooth. For the study group, all clinical procedures were performed by the same paediatric dentist. Regular follow-up appointments were scheduled at 4-6 months. Comparisons in survival time and variables which might have affected the mean survival time were tested using Log rank and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: A total of 16 girls and 20 boys (3.4-6.3 years old) were included. The overall failure rate was 53 %. For B&Ls, the failure rate was 83 % compared to 22 % for C&Ls. The main reason for failure of B&Ls was decementation (87 %), while for C&Ls, it was solder breakage (75 %). The mean survival time for B&Ls was 18.8 months, and for C&L, it was 40.4 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The failure rate and mean survival time for C&Ls were clinically and statistically significantly better than those for B&Ls. Depending on the clinical presentation of the abutment tooth and the intended life expectancy of the space maintainer among other factors, it is recommended that, where a space maintainer is indicated in the primary dentition, preference is given to C&L over B&L space maintainers.

Longevity of band and loop space maintainers using glass ionomer cement: a prospective study.

AIM: This was to prospectively investigate the success and median survival rate of band and loop space maintainers using glass ionomer luting cement for attachment. METHODS: A total of 40 children (22 females and 18 males) between the ages of 3.4 and 7.3 years participated in the study. Each patient received only one band and loop space maintainer. For each child, the same paediatric dentist carried out all diagnosis, band selection, and impression taking and appliance cementation. The same dental technician fabricated all appliances. The luting cement used was Ketac-Cem-Maxicap. Regular follow up appointments were scheduled at 4-6 months intervals. Variables, which might have affected the median survival time for the appliances were tested using Log-Rank and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: 40% of the band and loop space maintainers were successful and 57.5% failed during the study period (40 months). The most common cause of failure was decementation (82% of all failed cases). The overall median survival time was 19.9 months. Appliances fitted in the maxillary and mandibular left side of the mouth showed a statistically higher survival rate than those fitted in the right side (maxillary left quadrant = 35 months, mandibular left quadrant = 28 months, maxillary right quadrant = 14 months, mandibular right quadrant = 16 months) (p<0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall median survival time was clinically acceptable (19.9 months), the failure rate of the band and loop space maintainers in general was high (57.5%). The main reason for failure was decementation of the band. Further studies are required to compare glass ionomer cements with more recent resin modified luting cements.

Risk indicators associated with tooth loss in Jordanian adults.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk indicators of tooth loss in Jordanian adults. METHODS: A sample of 509 Jordanian adults was randomly selected. The subjects were interviewed regarding demographics, social economic status, smoking habits, and oral hygiene practices and then clinically examined by a single examiner. Multiple regression analysis was performed to estimate the simultaneous impact of risk indicators on tooth loss. RESULTS: The subjects' mean age was 42.6 years with an average of 20.9 teeth remaining per person. The overall educational level of the subjects was low. More than 40% reported not brushing their teeth regularly and 56% had had no professional teeth cleaning during the last year. Monthly family income averaged JOD 231, and about a third of the subjects were smokers. The mean number of remaining teeth decreased significantly with age. Smokers, those who brushed irregularly, and those who had not had professional teeth cleaning in the last year had significantly fewer remaining teeth. Men also had significantly fewer remaining teeth. Education and income were also significantly associated with the number of remaining teeth. Age, income, brushing, prophylaxis, and gender collectively explain 75.1% of the variance in the number of remaining teeth. CONCLUSION: Modification of non-disease independent factors could reduce tooth loss and improve oral health in Jordanians.

Oral manifestations of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome: report of two siblings with unusual dental anomalies.

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EvC), also called chondroectodermal dysplasia, is a rare occurrence inherited as an autosomal recessive disease. Despite the fact that oral manifestations play an important role in the diagnosis criteria for EvC, few detailed reports have been published in the dental literature. This articles presents two siblings with EvC, a boy aged 9 years and a girl aged 7 1/2 years, a product of unaffected first cousin parents. The patients manifests: chondrodysplasia of tubular bones resulting in disproportionate dwarfism, polydactyly and syndactyly of hands and feet, severe dystrophic nails, multiple broad labial frenula with abnormal attachments, congenital missing incisors, anomalous teeth, bilateral partial clefts of the alveolar bone, and malocclusion. Other features noted in either cases are: congenital heart defect, median notch of the upper lip, shovel-shaped incisors and taurodontism. Of the unusual dental findings observed in our patients are talon cusp, reduced crown size, supernumerary tooth, and early eruption of teeth. Because half of the cases with EvC have cardiac malformation, dental treatment must be performed under prophylactic antibiotic coverage. Dentists play an important role in early diagnosis and control of dental problem of this condition.

Carbamide peroxide bleaching of teeth with dentinogenesis imperfecta discoloration: report of a case.

Carbamide peroxide dental bleaching has gained much popularity in the past 5 years. Because tooth discoloration caused by dentinogenesis imperfecta involves deep, dark, dentinal stain, practitioners might believe that affected teeth would be resistant to color improvement by bleaching. This article reports the successful use of carbamide peroxide at-home bleaching in a teenager with dentinogenesis imperfecta. Six-month treatment results are shown.