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Objectives: This study aimed to compare the success of selective removal to soft dentine (SRSD) with or without calcium silicate (CS) and selective removal to firm dentine (SRFD) in permanent dentition. Materials and methods: Between November 2018 and March 2020, 165 posterior deep caries lesions in 134 patients were included in the study and randomly assigned into test (n = 101) and control (n = 64) groups. The control group (n = 46) received the treatment of SRFD with CS, while the test group was further randomized into two groups to receive SRSD with CS (n = 45) and SRSD without CS (n = 45). An additional group (PE) consisted of teeth with exposed pulps during caries removal (n = 29). The primary outcome of the study was to assess the vitality of the teeth based on clinical and radiographic examination after five years. The secondary outcome of the study was to evaluate the influence of baseline variables and CS application on treatment outcome. The success rates of different treatment strategies were compared (Pearson chi-squared and Log-rank tests). The impact of baseline variables and treatment strategies on failure and dentin bridge formation was analyzed using binary logistic regression model. Results: The success rate for SRSD with or without CS (94.1–100%) was significantly higher compared to SRFD (75.8%) and PE (81.8%) after five years (P = 0.012). Failure was less likely for premolars. Cavity type and depth had an influence on dentin bridge formation. Conclusion: A five-year follow-up in this study demonstrated better clinical outcome for SRSD with or without CS compared to SRFD technique, irrespective of age, pre-op sensitivity, cavity type, radiographic depth and activity of the caries. Application of CS after SRSD in deeper cavities provided better healing in terms of dentin bridge formation. Clinical relevance: SRSD might be more advantageous over SRFD for the management of deep caries lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a retrospective analysis of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) scans of secondary ossification centers in the medial clavicular epiphysis, iliac crest apophysis, proximal humeral epiphysis, distal femoral epiphysis, proximal tibial epiphysis, and distal tibial epiphysis. At the same time, we analyzed PMCT scans of the maxillary and mandibular incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. We assessed 203 corpses, whose age ranged from 2 to 30 years, including 156 males and 47 females. The purpose of our study was to compare the processes of secondary ossification center fusion and permanent tooth maturation. Our research hypothesis was that certain stages of skeletal and dental maturation occur along consistent timelines that can be related to the chronological age. Secondary ossification center fusion was evaluated based on Kreitner and also McKern and Steward's classifications. The process of permanent tooth maturation was evaluated with Demirjian's method. Spearman's correlation coefficients (Rho) were positive in all analyses, which indicates that epiphyseal fusion progresses with age. The strongest relationship between the age and the stages of ossification was observed in the proximal tibial epiphysis (p < 0.001; Rho = 0.93) in females and in the medial clavicular epiphysis (p < 0.001; Rho = 0.77) in males. Studies show the importance of concomitant analysis of skeletal and dental maturation with a subsequent comparison of the results to achieve a greater precision in age estimation. A comparison of the results obtained in the study population of Polish children, adolescents, and young adults with the results of other studies in populations of similar ages showed a number of similarities in the time windows of dental and skeletal maturation. These similarities may help in age estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This umbrella review aimed to critically appraise the evidence published in systematic reviews (SRs) on the clinical effectiveness of sealants compared with each other/the non-use in primary/permanent teeth of children and adolescents with at least 12-month follow-up. Methods: A systematic literature search on 4 electronic databases was conducted up to January 18th, 2023. Following handsearching, two review authors independently screened retrieved articles, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias (RoB) using the risk of bias in systematic reviews (ROBIS) tool. Based on a citation matrix, the overlap was interpreted by the corrected covered area (CCA). Results: Of 239 retrieved records, 7 SRs met the eligibility criteria with a moderate overlap among them (CCA = 7.4%). For primary molars, in 1120 1.5- to 8-year-old children, data on the clinical effectiveness of sealants were inconclusive. For permanent molars, 3 SRs found a significant caries risk reduction for sealants versus non-use (≤ 36-month follow-up). There was insufficient evidence to proof superiority of sealants over fluoride varnish for caries prevention (3 SRs), and to rank sealant materials according to the best clinical effectiveness in permanent molars. One study was rated at low and 6 at high RoB, which did not allow for a valid quantitative synthesis. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of this umbrella review, sealants are more effective for caries prevention in children's permanent molars compared to no treatment. Future well-implemented RCTs are needed to draw reliable conclusions on the clinical effectiveness of sealants in primary and permanent teeth of children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate luxated permanent teeth for pulp prognosis and risk factors. Methodology: Case records and radiographs of 224 patients, involving 427 luxated permanent teeth, referred for treatment at the Dental Trauma Center–School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, (DTC-SD–UFMG) from 2014 to 2022, were assessed for pulp prognosis classified as vitality, necrosis and pulp canal obliteration (PCO). A competing risk survival analysis estimated the hazards of the three outcomes, and the effect of demographic, clinical and treatment variables was tested using a cause specific Cox regression model. Results: Pulp vitality was found in163 teeth (38.2%), pulp necrosis in 120 teeth (28.1%) and 55 teeth (12.9%) developed PCO. Pulp vitality decreased in the presence of concomitant crown fractures (HR 0.38 95% CI [0.2–0.8] p = 0.006). The risk of pulp necrosis (HR 0.62 95% CI [0.4–0.96] p = 0.03) was lower in cases with open apices but increased with concomitant crown fractures (HR 4.0 95% CI [2.6–6.1] p = 0.001) and intrusions (HR 2.3 95% CI [1.2–4.1] p = 0.007). Lateral or extrusive luxations (HR 3.0 95% CI [1.3–6.9] p = 0.001) and open apices (HR 2.4 95% CI [1.2–4.7] p = 0.01) showed higher rates of PCO. Conclusion: Type of luxation, the diameter of the apical foramen, and the presence of concomitant crown fractures were main determinants of pulp prognosis after luxation injuries in permanent teeth. Clinical relevance: Pulp prognosis after tooth luxation is dependent on the presence and direction of tooth displacement together with infection control. Clinical trial registration: Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to evaluate whether the socio-environmental changes observed in the Central Pampas Dunefields (Argentina) throughout the Holocene (ca. 11,000–350 cal year BP) caused episodes of systemic stress in hunter-gatherer populations. Linear enamel hypoplasia was analyzed macroscopically with a 40 × magnifying glass and oblique light in 337 teeth from 26 adult individuals recovered from 11 archaeological sites. Data were analyzed following three levels of observation: individual, tooth, and number of dental enamel lines. 42.3% of the individuals presented linear enamel hypoplasia. The lines affected males and females similarly. No statistically significant differences were observed between the three Holocene periods. The age of growth-disruption events occurred between 2 and 6.05 years, and stress episodes are registered at earlier ages in the Late Holocene than in the other periods. The causes could be related to metabolic stress associated with weaning, post-weaning, variations in the availability of natural resources over time, development of infectious, and parasitic diseases during changes in social organization strategies and gastrointestinal diseases caused by non-potable water intake. At the regional level, Pampas shows moderate to high values of linear enamel hypoplasia, suggesting the exposure of hunter-gatherer groups to recurrent episodes of stress during the early stages of postnatal life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence suggests the use of less invasive therapy such as pulpotomy in treating permanent teeth with pulp exposure and signs of pulpitis. Hence, this umbrella review aims to evaluate the available systematic reviews on pulpotomy treated permanent teeth. Articles published between January 1970 and May 2021 were searched in ten electronic databases and five textbooks. Only systematic reviews published in English that examined the use of pulpotomy on either carious or traumatic pulpal exposed in mature or immature permanent teeth with signs of pulpitis were selected. The Corrected Covered Areas (CCAs) were calculated to identify the overlap in primary studies, whereas the AMSTAR 2 assessment tool was used to analyze the risk of bias in each included review. Nine systematic reviews were chosen of which two systematic reviews focused solely on coronal pulpotomy, one on partial pulpotomy, and the remaining focused on both coronal and partial pulpotomies. Overall, only two reviews were rated as 'High Quality'. Umbrella analyses showed that both coronal and partial pulpotomies revealed overall high success rates ranging from 88.5% to 90.6%. However, the currently available evidence on the effects of different pulpal medicaments and restorative materials on the success rate of pulpotomy were still inconclusive. Pulpotomy can be regarded as a promising modality in treating mature and immature permanent teeth with carious pulpal exposure or signs of pulpitis. Nonetheless, further high-quality clinical trials with long-term follow-up and better control of confounding factors are warranted in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the erosive preventive effect of toothpastes in permanent (PT) and deciduous teeth (dt).Design: Enamel samples were divided into five groups (n = 20): G1: placebo toothpaste; G2: NaF toothpaste; G3: AmF-NaF-SnCl2 anti-erosion toothpaste; G4: SnF2−toothpaste; and G5: NaF anti-erosion toothpaste for children. The samples were exposed to five erosion-abrasion cycles (artificial saliva incubation; 3 min in 1% citric acid; 2 min in slurry, toothbrush abrasion, 50 strokes, 200 g). Surface microhardness (SMH), surface specular reflection intensity (SRI), and cumulative surface loss (CSL) were measured. Comparisons among toothpastes were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis tests and comparisons between PT and dt were evaluated using Wilcoxon's rank sum test.Results: G1 exhibited significantly lower SMH values in PT than the other toothpastes (p < 0.05), with no significant differences among the others groups. In dt, G1 and G4 exhibited significantly different values than the other groups (p < 0.05). G4 exhibited lower values of SRI in both types of teeth. Deciduous teeth presented significantly higher SRI than PT (p < 0.05), except for G3. Deciduous teeth generally presented higher CSL than PT, except for G3.Conclusions: Deciduous teeth were more prone to mineral loss than permanent teeth. G5 exhibited better efficacy for both teeth, while G3 exhibited a better preventive effect only for deciduous teeth.Clinical relevance: Erosive tooth wear prevalence in children is growing and deciduous teeth are more susceptible than permanent teeth. Considering this, it is important to know the preventive effect of different toothpastes in an initial erosion-abrasion model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the likelihood of children suffering traumatic dental injuries in the permanent dentition subsequent to traumatic dental injuries in their primary dentition. Materials and methods: A longitudinal study was conducted in Pelotas, Brazil. Children were assessed in 2007, when they were aged 2-5 years, and in 2013, at which time, they were aged 8-11 years. Data collection included interviews with parents and clinical oral examination for dental trauma and occlusion. The classification proposed by Andreasen and Andreasen was used, and crown discoloration and fistula were added to this criterion in order to assess pulp involvement. Child/parent report was used to aid in the diagnosis of both treated and untreated injuries. As a limitation, no radiographs were taken. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 110 children were included. Dental trauma frequency in the primary dentition was 38.2% and that in the permanent dentition was 30.9%. In the multivariate analyses, children with dental trauma in the primary dentition showed a higher likelihood of suffering dental trauma in the permanent dentition [odds ratio (OR) 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-8.91, P = 0.05]. Conclusions: Individuals with previous trauma in the primary dentition are prone to further trauma in the permanent dentition. The history of dental trauma may be used to predict dental trauma in the permanent dentition and to establish preventive measures. Clinical relevance: Behavioral characteristics may be related to the risk of a child suffering injuries. The results suggested that some children are accident-prone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We investigated the effect of different dietary substances on deciduous and permanent enamel. Materials and methods: Enamel specimens were prepared from human teeth ( n = 108 deciduous molars and n = 108 permanent premolars). We measured the chemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity, viscosity, calcium, phosphate, fluoride concentration and degree of saturation) of nine dietary substances. The teeth were immersed in the respective substance (2 × 2 min; 30 °C; shaking), and we measured the baseline surface hardness (SH) in Vickers hardness numbers (VHN), and the changes in SH after 2 min (ΔSH) and the 4 min (ΔSH) immersion. We analysed the differences between deciduous and permanent teeth using the Wilcoxon test and correlated ΔSH to the different chemical parameters. Results: Deciduous teeth were significantly softer (549.53 ± 59.41 VHN) than permanent teeth (590.15 ± 55.31 VHN; p < 0.001) at baseline, but they were not more vulnerable to erosive demineralization. Only orange juice, which presented milder erosive potential, caused significantly more demineralisation in deciduous teeth at ΔSH. Practically all chemical parameters significantly correlated with ΔSH ( p < 0.05). Substances with lower pH, higher titratable acidity, lower Ca, higher P and lower F concentrations, higher viscosity and more undersaturated solutions presented more erosive demineralisation. Conclusion: Different parameters in dietary substances affect erosive demineralisation in deciduous and permanent teeth, but we generally observed no differences in susceptibility to erosion between both types of teeth; only orange juice (less severe acid conditions) caused perceptible differences. Clinical relevance: We observe that permanent teeth are harder than deciduous teeth, but most substances cause no perceptible difference in erosive demineralisation in both types of teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this retrospective university-based study has been to evaluate the longevity and factors associated with failures of adhesive restorations performed in deep carious lesions of permanent molars after complete (CCR) and selective caries removal (SCR). Materials and methods: The sample was composed of composite resin and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) restorations placed in permanent molars of children attending a university dental service who were followed up for up to 36 months. Information collected retrospectively from clinical records was used for analyzing data. The following factors were investigated: gender, caries experience, visible plaque and gingival bleeding indexes, operator's experiences, number of restored surfaces, and type of capping and restorative materials. The Kaplan-Meier survival test was used to analyze the longevity of the restorations. Multivariate Cox regression analysis with shared frailty was used to assess the factors associated with failures ( p < 0.05). Results: Four hundred seventy-seven restorations carried out in 297 children (9.1 ± 1.7 years) were included in the analysis. The survival of the restorations reached 57.9 % up to 36 months follow-up with an overall annual failure rate of 16.7 %. There was no difference in restoration longevity when CCR or SCR was performed ( p = 0.163); however, CCR presented more pulp exposure ( p < 0.001). Multi-surface restorations showed more failures than single-surface (HR 3.22, 95 % CI 1.49; 6.97), and teeth restored with RMGIC had a lower survival rate than those restored with composite resin (HR 4.11, 95 % CI 1.91; 8.81). Patients with evidence of gingivitis had more risk of failure in their restorations (HR 2.88, 95 % CI 1.33; 6.24). Conclusion: Overall, adhesive restorations performed in young permanent molars of high caries risk children presented limited survival, regardless of the caries removal technique. Risk factors for failure were identified as multi-surface fillings, RMGIC restorative material, and poor oral hygiene, reflected by gingival bleeding. Clinical relevance: Composite fillings associated with a strict caries preventive regimen may play an important role in the survival of restorations placed in high caries risk children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the water storage degradation of resin-dentine bonds of different adhesive systems to primary and permanent human dentine. Methods: Flat occlusal human dentine surfaces of 15 primary molars and 15 permanent molars were randomly assigned according to adhesive systems: Adper Single Bond 2; Clearfil SE Bond and One Up Bond F Plus. After bonding procedures, the adhesives were applied according to the manufacturers' instructions and composite resin blocks were built. Restored teeth were sectioned rendering rectangular sticks (RS) (0.4 mm). The RS were submitted to microtensile bond strength (µTBS) test according to the water storage time: 24 h, 1-year, and 2-years. Mean µTBS values were analysed by three-way analysis of variance (mixed design) and Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05). The failure mode was analysed at 400× magnification. Results: All three factors isolated showed significant influences on µTBS, as did the cross-product interactions between material vs. storage time (p = 0.01) and substrate vs. storage time (p = 0.002). Bond strength means to primary dentine were lower than to permanent dentine (34.7 ± 10.1 and 45.8 ± 12.9 mPa, respectively) after 2-years of water storage. The one-step self-etch adhesive (One Up Bond F Plus) showed less stable bond strength after 2-years of water storage. Conclusion: The resin-dentine bond of primary teeth was more prone to degradation over time compared to permanent dentine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was introduced for a detailed evaluation of dental caries. The aim of the present study was to compare the ICDAS scores and radiologically evaluated caries depths to the histologically evaluated carious lesions in permanent teeth. 84 freshly extracted human teeth were included. Visual examination and scoring of the occlusal aspect were performed according to the ICDAS II criteria after completing a respective e-learning programme to support training in the use of ICDAS. Bucco-lingual digital X-ray images of the teeth were taken. Specimens were then fixed in formalin and embedded in a photocuring one-component methacrylate-based resin. Longitudinal sections were cut and stained with rhodamine B, fuchsin and acetic light green dye to assess the caries extension by light microscopic analysis. Assessing ICDAS II scores and histological findings, a rank correlation coefficient of r = 0.890 could be found. ICDAS II/radiology and histology/radiology showed correlation coefficients of r = 0.658 and 0.661, respectively. Evaluating receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, no exact predictability could be found for caries lesions in enamel for both ICDAS II and radiological evaluation. Focussing on deep dentin lesions, values of 0.940 (ICDAS II) and 0.845 (radiology) showed high predictability with respect to the histologically observed caries extension. The present study indicates an acceptable validity of the ICDAS II criteria when applied to permanent teeth. Especially, dentin lesions can be reliably detected. Thus, ICDAS assessment provides the possibility of reducing X-ray exposure for caries detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed at analyzing the protective effects of salivary pellicles, formed with saliva from adults or children, on enamel from permanent or deciduous teeth. Materials and methods: Ninety human enamel specimens (45 permanent premolars and 45 deciduous canines) were ground, and the outer 200 μm of enamel was removed. We divided the teeth into three further subgroups: no salivary pellicle (control), adult salivary pellicle (AP), and child salivary pellicle (CP). We collected stimulated saliva from adults and children and placed 160 μl of either saliva on enamel specimens from AP and CP, respectively. Control specimens received no saliva. Specimens were stored at 37 °C for 2 h and then submitted to an erosive challenge (10 mL; 1 % citric acid; pH 3.6; 25 °C, 1 min). Pellicle formation and erosion was repeated for a total of 4 cycles. After every cycle, relative surface reflection intensity (rSRI) and surface microhardness (rSMH) were calculated. Results: On permanent enamel, AP presented significantly better protective effects, with less rSMH loss ( p < 0.001) and less rSRI loss ( p < 0.001). On deciduous enamel, CP presented significantly better protective effects than AP and control ( p < 0.05), for both measured parameters. Conclusion: We conclude that pellicles from adults and children promote different erosion protective effects, where adult pellicle provides better protection for permanent enamel, and child pellicle promotes better protection on deciduous enamel. Clinical relevance: The present results provide a better understanding toward the protective effect of salivary pellicle against dental erosion and brings light to one more factor involved in the erosion of deciduous teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyzed a newly developed optical reflectometer for measuring erosive tooth wear (ETW) in vitro. Three examiners independently assessed the labial surface of 80 deciduous canines and 75 permanent incisors. One examiner performed visual examinations (BEWE), and the other two used the optical pen-size reflectometer to measure surface reflection intensity (SRI) on the same labial surfaces. The examinations were made in duplicate with at least 1 week interval. Intra- and inter-rater agreements were calculated using weighted kappa analysis for BEWE, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) as well as Bland-Altman plots for SRI. The teeth were separated into without (BEWE 0) or with (BEWE 1-3) ETW, and SRI cut-off points were calculated. Intra-rater agreement for the visual examination was 0.46 and 0.82 for deciduous and permanent teeth, respectively. Inter-rater and intra-rater agreement for SRI were good (ICC > 0.7; p < 0.001). SRI measurements produced high specificity values for deciduous and permanent teeth (≥0.74 and ≥ 0.84, respectively), and lower sensitivity values (≥0.37 and ≥ 0.64, respectively), but permanent teeth had generally higher SRI values (p < 0.05). We observed a significant association between BEWE and SRI (p < 0.05). The optical pen-size reflectometer was able to adequately differentiate ETW on permanent teeth, with highly reliable and reproducible measurements, but ETW on deciduous teeth was less accurately differentiated. The reflectometer is a good candidate for clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, by gender, of vertical root fracture (VRF) as the main reason for the extraction of permanent teeth in dental clinics in Tokyo. Materials and methods: Participating dentists were requested to provide information about extractions of permanent teeth they had performed from 1 January 2013 to 30 June 2013. The main reasons for extraction were categorized as follows: VRF, caries (horizontal root fracture included), periodontal disease and others. Results: At a total of 24 clinics, 736 teeth were extracted from 626 patients during the 6-month period. A total of 233 teeth were extracted by VRF (31.7 %), and 93.6 % of these were endodontically treated teeth. Among non-vital extracted teeth, 82.1 % (179/218) had cast posts or screw posts. The percentage of extraction due to VRF was 29.4 % in males and 34.7 % in females. In females, the percentage of extractions due to VRF (34.7 %) was higher than for periodontal disease (28.1 %). In males, the percentage of extractions due to VRF increased with age ( p < 0.05). The tooth types with the highest percentage of extractions due to VRF were the upper canine (46.7 %), lower second premolar (48.0 %) and lower first molar (50.0 %) in males and the upper first premolar (43.3 %), upper second premolar (44.4 %), lower second premolar (53.8 %) and lower first molar (54.5 %) in females. Conclusions: These results indicate that we need to pay more attention to maintaining vital teeth while being aware of the particular tooth types in which VRF most frequently occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed at investigating the association between body mass index (BMI) and the timing of permanent tooth emergence in Jordanian children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 2,498 Jordanian schoolchildren and adolescents aged 4-16 years were examined for permanent tooth emergence. The BMI was used to classify the subjects into 4 groups: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. Probit analysis was used to determine the median age at emergence of each tooth and BMI was used as a factor variable to detect statistically significant differences in the times of tooth emergence within pairs of BMI groups. In addition, binary logistic regression was used to assess the contribution of BMI grouping to the prediction of early emergence for each tooth. Results: It was found that permanent teeth especially canines, premolars and second molars tended to emerge earlier in children with higher BMIs and later in children with lower BMIs. Conclusions: This study showed a significant and positive relationship between BMI and earlier emergence of permanent teeth, especially phase II mixed dentition permanent teeth. These findings could be relevant in managing children with varying BMIs in the fields of orthodontics, pediatric and forensic dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Undertaking endodontic treatment under general anaesthesia (GA) is often described as difficult and hazardous, but no study reports on safe and efficacious conditions for endodontic treatment under GA. This study aims to evaluate whether compromises made for the endodontic treatment of permanent teeth under GA are acceptable. It describes the quality of endodontic treatment undertaken in two series of consecutive patients treated either under GA or local anaesthesia (LA). Materials and methods: Post-operative data sheets and periapical radiographs were collected for 255 permanent teeth treated under GA during a 4-year period (GA group, 125 patients with special needs) and for 246 permanent teeth treated under local anaesthesia over 7 months (LA group, 180 healthy patients). The radiographic criteria for quality of endodontic treatment (RCQET) were considered satisfactory when (1) the root filling was within 2 mm of the apex; (2) the filling displayed no voids or defects; and (3) all the visible canals had been obturated. The type of tooth, pulpal status and periapical status were considered independent variables for RCQET. Results: The proportion of satisfactory RCQET reached 63% in both groups and differed by type of tooth, being significantly lower for molars than for other teeth. Conclusion: From a technical point of view, compromises made for the endodontic treatment of permanent teeth under GA are acceptable. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate the long-term success of endodontic treatment performed under GA. Clinical relevance: This study supports the feasibility of endodontic treatment for patients treated under GA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of Er:YAG laser surface treatment on the tensile bond strength of a sealant in permanent teeth. A total of 30 sound third molars were selected and embedded in cold-cure acrylic resin. The enamel surfaces were flattened by a grinding. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups and pretreated as follows: (1) 37% phosphoric acid; (2) Er:YAG laser (1.5 ml/min water spray, 100 mJ energy output, 10 Hz frequency, focal distance 17 mm); (3) Er:YAG laser + 37% phosphoric acid. The treated surfaces were isolated by double adhesive Sellotape and after insertion of a split Teflon matrix at an isolated site, sealant was applied. The specimens were thermocycled and stored at 37°C in distilled water for 72 h, then subjected to a tensile bond strength test (50 kgf at 0.5 mm/min). The mean tensile bond strengths (±SD, in megapascals) were: 18.51±5.68 in group 1, 8.06±2.69 in group 2, and 17.33±5.04 in group 3. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and the Tukey test. No significant difference were found between groups 1 (37% phosphoric acid) and group 3 (Er:YAG laser + 37% phosphoric acid) but treatment with the Er:YAG laser alone (group 2) resulted in significantly lower tensile bond strength than seen in the other groups. In this setting, the Er:YAG laser prepared the enamel surface for sealing but did not eliminate the need for acid etching before sealant application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the DIAGNOdent 2095 with visual examination for occlusal caries detection in permanent and primary molars. The sample comprised 148 permanent human molars and 179 primary human molars. The samples were measured and visually examined three times by two examiners. After measurement, the teeth were histologically prepared and assessed for caries extension. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve were calculated. Intra-class correlation (ICC), unweighted kappa and the Bland and Altman method were used to assess inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility. DIAGNOdent showed higher specificity and lower sensitivity than did visual examination. The ICC values indicated an excellent agreement between the examinations. Kappa values varied from good to excellent for DIAGNOdent but from poor to good for visual examination. In conclusion, the DIAGNOdent may be a useful adjunct to conventional methods for occlusal caries detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study comprised 140 natural crowns of the teeth extracted from 31 boys and 35 men, as well as 39 girls and 35 women. They were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of primary teeth and group II consisted of permanent teeth. In each group, two subgroups were distinguished: subgroup A containing teeth without caries and subgroup B comprising carietic teeth. Zinc, iron, copper, nickel, chromium, cobalt, lead, cadmium, selenium, and strontium were determined in the samples by using the total reflection X-ray fluorescence method. Significantly higher concentrations of zinc, iron, copper, nickel, selenium, and strontium were detected in the crowns of healthy primary and permanent teeth than in the crowns of the carietic primary and permanent teeth. The concentrations of chromium, cobalt, lead, and cadmium were significantly higher in primary and permanent teeth with caries than in the healthy ones. Judging from the obtained results, we think that lower concentrations of zinc, iron, copper, nickel, selenium, and strontium together with higher concentrations of chromium, cobalt, lead, and cadmium in the carietic primary and permanent teeth, in relation with the respective concentrations of those elements in healthy teeth, can be one of the caries risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study in Athens, Greece, during the summer of 2003, 2,304 patients (1,168 boys and 1,176 girls) were examined by a young dentistry. The examination occurred within the framework of a routine dental check-up performed at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The age span ranged from 3.00 to 24.93 years of age. Sex, age and present permanent teeth were recorded. Wisdom teeth were excluded. The sequence of tooth eruption differs significantly in the lower and upper jaw, whereas no significant differences existed when comparing the sides of each jaw. The tooth eruption in the lower and upper jaw of male and female probands is symmetrical. In comparing the upper and the lower jaw of both genders, it becomes evident that there is a tendency for earlier tooth eruptions in the lower jaw. In respect to the tooth eruption sequence, a change was noted in the upper jaw. Contrary to the reports of other authors, the second premolar has changed places with the canine and erupts prior to this tooth. This could also be demonstrated in recent studies from New York and Bremen (Germany). Otherwise no major differences concerning the sequence of tooth eruptions were observed, when compared with the results gained from other populations. Concerning the entire dentition, no acceleration of the tooth eruption could be noted. The computed differences of teeth eruption as a mean value calculated over all teeth was ±1 year at maximum, compared with studies from different continents. Oral examination of teeth is a simple tool to calculate tooth eruption intervals. This first investigation in a population of Athens revealed a change in the eruption sequence of permanent teeth. These findings are relevant for dental treatment planning and should be reconfirmed at certain intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the age and sequence of eruption of permanent teeth, as well as gender differences, in children and adolescents in Kelantan, Malaysia. Cross-sectional data on permanent teeth eruption were collected by examining pre-school, primary and secondary school children of 5–17 years of age. The subjects were drawn by multistage random sampling from the school registers. There were 2,382 subjects in the sample, 1,062 boys and 1,320 girls. The data were subjected to probit regression analysis. The mean age of eruption of lower first molar was 6.0 (95%CI: 5.8, 6.2) years. The median age of eruption of each tooth was earlier in girls than in boys. Although the range of years during which the permanent teeth erupted was similar in both sexes, i.e. 6–12 years, the sequence of the tooth eruption differed. All mandibular teeth, with the exception of first and second premolars in both males and females, tended to erupt earlier than their maxillary counterparts. The findings seem to correspond to earlier studies done in the other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]