Dental needs and conditions of individuals with Lowe syndrome: An observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Lowe syndrome (LS) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain, kidneys, nervous system, and eyes, predominantly in males. The aim of this study was to examine dental conditions, dental treatments, and access and/or barriers to care for those with LS compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: Surveys assessing dental conditions, dental treatments, and access and/or barriers to care were administered to families in the Lowe Syndrome Association and families with healthy children who had dental appointments at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) pediatric dental clinic. One parent or a guardian of pediatric patients with LS or not at TUSDM was asked to complete an online survey. RESULTS: One hundred and eight surveys were obtained (n:58 from the LS group and n:50 from the healthy group). The LS group was significantly more likely (p < .05) to report "crooked/misaligned teeth," "difficult time chewing," "bad breath," and "mouth cysts" and was significantly less likely to report 6-month examination, "cleaning," and "filling." The LS group reported significantly greater difficulty locating a dentist. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that individuals with LS are more vulnerable to developing severe dental conditions and experiencing difficulties in accessing dental care than healthy individuals. Additionally, those who present with this syndrome may be less likely to receive specific necessary dental treatments. As a result, it is essential to offer appropriate dental care and support to individuals with LS to guarantee they achieve optimal oral health.

Attitudes and opinions of telehealth in the dental school environment: A survey study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess provider attitudes and opinions regarding telehealth in the dental school environment. METHOD: A survey was developed and validated and was sent to 849 predoctoral students, postdoctoral students (residents), and faculty at a single dental school. It consisted of 13 questions regarding the participants' professional backgrounds, opinions, and attitudes toward telehealth. The survey opened on November 16, 2021, and remained open for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Of 849 survey recipients, 163 (19%) responded. Among 161 usable surveys, 90 (56%) were predoctoral students, 42 (26%) were postdoctoral students, and 29 (18%) were faculty. Fifty-four percent reported having completed at least one telehealth visit. Among this subset, 80% strongly agreed or agreed that telehealth is a good adjunct in providing care; 74% strongly agreed or agreed that telehealth has improved communication with patients. CONCLUSION: Most dental providers reported positive opinions and attitudes regarding telehealth's ability to improve communication and serve as an adjunct to providing care. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: In the right circumstances, telehealth offers an alternative to traditional oral healthcare delivery methods. Based on the perceptions of dental providers, the use of telehealth may also be beneficial in combination with traditional approaches in the dental school environment.

Retention of Zirconia Crowns Compared to Stainless Steel Crowns: An Ex-Vivo Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the retention of 3M stainless steel crowns™ (SSCs), Kinder Krowns® zirconia crowns (ZCs), and EZCrowns ZCs on extracted primary mandibular second molars ex-vivo. METHODS: A total of 45 extracted primary mandibular second molars were allocated randomly to either of the three groups. All teeth were mounted in Dentsply acrylic molds and then prepared for crown cementation. Crowns were cemented with glass ionomer cement (GIC). Retention testing was performed using Instron 5566A. Differences in retention between the groups were tested via Welch's analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post hoc comparisons were performed with the Games-Howell test. RESULTS: Welch's ANOVA resulted in statistically significant differences between the three groups (P<0.001). The mean±SD force in Newtons (N) for the SSC group, Kinder Krowns® group, and EZCrowns group were 337.0±137.1 N, 89.4±53.6 N, and 106.5±77.7 N, respectively. Post hoc comparisons with the Games-Howell test presented that the SSC group had significantly higher retention than both the ZC groups (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the ZC groups (P=0.76). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this ex-vivo study results, due to their statistically significant higher retention, stainless steel crowns should be selected over zirconia crowns when in need of a full coverage restoration. But if esthetics are a concern, dentists can choose freely between either of the ZCs tested in this study.

Radiographic Effectiveness of Resin Infiltration in Arresting Incipient Proximal Enamel Lesions in Primary Molars.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this split-mouth, randomized, prospective clinical trial was to evaluate radiographically the effectiveness of resin infiltration, as an adjunct to standard-of-care preventive measures compared to standard-of-care preventive measures alone, in arresting the progression of non-adjacent, incipient, proximal enamel lesions in primary molars 24 months after treatment. METHODS: The study included a total of 45 healthy five- to eight-year-olds who had been diagnosed radiographically with at least two non-adjacent, incipient, proximal enamel lesions in primary molars (90 lesions). Test group lesions were treated using resin infiltration followed by five percent topical sodium fluoride (NaF) application versus five percent NaF alone in the control group. The alpha level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The children were examined after six, 12, 18, and 24 months. Twenty-five subjects were examined at the 24-month follow-up visit, At which time 10 of the 25 test lesions (40 percent) showed caries progression while 18 of the 25 control lesions (72 percent) showed caries progression (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Resin infiltration as an adjunct to standard-of-care preventive measures is significantly more effective radiographically in reducing the progression of non-adjacent, incipient, proximal enamel lesions in primary molars compared with standard-of-care preventive measures alone after 24 months.