Search Results (9)

Background/Objective: With a prevalence linked to modern lifestyle, erosive tooth wear (ETW) is a growing clinical problem among children and adolescents. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to record the awareness and knowledge of ETW among Greek dentists and to explore their preferred treatment decisions. Methods: A case-based digital questionnaire was distributed to a stratified sample of dentists practising in Athens (n = 218). We collected data regarding clinical scoring, possible aetiological factors, and clinical management of ETW and used descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and odds ratio calculations to process the outcome. Results: The response rate was 92%. The majority (71%) recorded ETW among their patients, but only 5% used an established and validated scoring system. Almost 1/3 registered only the location of the lesions. Over 70% disclosed the possible causes of ETW, with frequent consumption of fizzy soft drinks (67%) and acidic foods (56%) being the most common. Most respondents managed the ETW patients in their own clinic, while 23% referred them to another dentist or a university clinic. The respondents focused on secondary prevention (dietary advice, oral hygiene, and fluoride exposure) and preferred less invasive options for anterior teeth, with restorative care restricted to the lower molars. Conclusions: The majority of the dentists participating in this survey registered ETW and its possible causes and seem to have adopted a preventive and minimally invasive approach for the management in children and adolescents. For the case documentation, a minority took advantage of standardised scoring systems for lesions and dietary habits, and very few performed salivary diagnostics. The findings underscore the need of continuing education to offer updates on the most current guidelines and focusing on patients’ needs and expectations. Full article

Background: Changes in mandibular cortical bone have been documented in children with chronic diseases but not in healthy populations. Aim: We aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the mandibular cortical bone of a healthy paediatric population using dental panoramic radiographs (DPTs). The secondary objective was to assess the effect of dental status on cortical bone. Design: The DPTs of 660 individuals, aged 6–18 years, were evaluated by two blinded examiners. Bone was qualitatively categorized according to the Mandibular Cortical Index (MCI), and its width was calculated using the Mandibular Cortical Width Index (MCW). Differences between gender and age were tested using Fisher’s exact and correlation with dental status with the chi-square test. Results: A significant correlation was observed between bone morphology and gender, with girls having more frequent even and sharp endosteal margins than boys, who showed semilunar defects. The degree of erosion increased with age, as did bone thickness. A positive correlation between thickness and type of dentition was recorded, with normal bone predominating in children in the mixed dentition stage. Νο correlation was found between bone morphology or thickness and the factors associated with dental status. Conclusions: Bone quality and quantity vary significantly between different genders and age groups. Dental needs and treatment characteristics did not seem to affect the above parameters. Full article

Background: Early detection of secondary caries near dental restorations is essential to prevent further complications. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the sensitivity of fluorescence and near-infrared (NIR) imaging techniques for detecting secondary caries and to provide insight into their clinical utility. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was used to select studies from seven databases, emphasizing diagnostic accuracy studies of secondary caries detection using fluorescence and NIR imaging techniques. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) instrument assessed bias risk and practicality. Two evaluators performed data extraction, screening, and quality assessment independently. Results: From 3110 initial recordings, nine studies were selected for full-text analysis. Wide variations in sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) values were reported across the studies. These studies exhibited variable SE and SP values, and the findings highlighted the importance of method selection based on clinical context. This systematic review underlines the potential for fluorescence and NIR imaging to detect secondary caries. However, results from different studies vary, indicating the need to consider additional variables such as restoration materials. Conclusions: Although these technologies exhibit potential for detecting caries, our research underscores the complex procedure of identifying secondary caries lesions. It is a continuous necessity for progress in dental diagnostics to promptly identify secondary caries lesions, particularly those in proximity to tooth-colored ones. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) designing and manufacturing technology is a direct derivative of digital technology. Three-dimensional volume and surface acquisition, CAD software, and 3D manufacturing are major changes included in daily practice in many orthodontic and pedodontic offices. Customized appliances can be designed using dental CAD software or general-purpose CAD software in the office or a laboratory. Materials that can be used are resins, alloys, or zirconia. Methods: The search strategy of this critical review included keywords in combination with MeSH terms in Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library up to June 2022 in the English language without any limit to the publication period. Results: According to our search, 12 articles were selected for our study. All the articles were in vitro prospective studies. Conclusions: The results suggested that almost all the known appliances can be designed and printed in a tailor-made fashion in contrast to the traditional one-size-fits-all approach. Customized appliances should be manufactured according to the patient’s needs, and this is justified by the certainty that this approach will be beneficial for the patient’s treatment. There is a need for more research on all direct 3D-printed appliances. Full article

Background: Three-dimensional printing technology is an additive manufacturing technology that is used to reconstruct 3D objects. In the last decade, it has been rapidly involved in dentistry and in orthodontics. This article aims to review the literature and present the accuracy of different 3D printer types and any factors that could affect the 3D printing of dental models in the orthodontic field. Methods: The search strategy of this systematic review included keywords in combination with MeSH terms in Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until June 2022 and only in English. Results: Eleven articles were selected for our study. All the articles were in vitro prospective studies, and they presented a low risk of bias. The results suggested that the accuracy of a printed dental cast can be affected by the different types of 3D technologies, the dental cast’s base design, and the printing materials. The accuracy appears to not be affected by the layer height and the position of the model on the building template. Conclusions: According to this systematic review, all different types of 3D technology can produce clinically accepted results for orthodontic purposes. There is a need for more studies to clarify the accuracy and added value of 3D printing technology in orthodontics. Full article

Background: Root resorption (RR) of the adjacent teeth due to upper canine impaction requires an appropriate modification of the orthodontic treatment plan and the mechanotherapy used. Aim: The aim of this review was to assess scientific evidence published during the last decade, concerning the prevalence of lateral incisor RR caused by impacted maxillary canines, based only on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The location of RR on this tooth, as well as the prevalence of RR on the other adjacent teeth, were additionally evaluated. Methods: This review followed the criteria specified by the PRISMA statement. Four databases were searched for articles published between January 2008 and June 2021. Predefined and piloted data collection forms were used to record the necessary information. Results: A total of 5098 records were initially screened. Only seven articles were finally eligible for further analysis. A total number of 540 participants (176 males and 364 females) was derived from the included studies. RR of maxillary lateral incisors was common (50%). RR of mild severity was more common (62%), more frequently located in the middle (52%) and apical (42%) thirds of the root. Conclusions: Further research with more homogeneous groups is required. Full article

Since untreated dental caries remain a worldwide burden, this umbrella review aimed to assess the quality of evidence on the clinical effectiveness of different restorative materials for the treatment of carious primary teeth. A literature search in electronic bibliographic databases was performed to find systematic reviews with at least two-arm comparisons between restorative materials and a follow-up period ≥12 months. Reviews retrieved were screened; those eligible were selected, and the degree of overlap was calculated using the ‘corrected covered area’ (CCA). Data were extracted and the risk of bias was assessed using the ROBIS tool. Fourteen systematic reviews with a moderate overlap (6% CCA) were included. All materials studied performed similarly and were equally efficient for the restoration of carious primary teeth. Amalgam and resin composite had the lowest mean failure rate at 24 months while high-viscosity and metal-reinforced glass ionomer cements had the highest. At 36 months, high-viscosity glass ionomer cements showed the highest failure rate with compomer showing the lowest. Most reviews had an unclear risk of bias. Within the limitations of the review, all materials have acceptable mean failure rates and could be recommended for the restoration of carious primary teeth. Full article

Background: Our study intended to investigate the null hypothesis that there is no effect of diet consistency on rat mandibular growth. Methods: A total sample of 24 female wistar rats, 30 days old, was used in this study. In the first group, the rats were fed soft diet and in the second group, they were fed hard diet for 60 days. On the 60th day, the rats were sedated and lateral cephalometric X-rays were taken. Lateral cephalometric X-rays were digitized with 7 craniofacial landmarks for the linear measurements, as well as with 12 curves and 90 landmarks, of which 74 were semilandmarks and 16 were fixed landmarks for morphometric analysis. These landmarks were exposed to Procrustes superimposition and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to describe the shape variability of the mandible. Results: Means measurements of the soft diet group compared to those of the hard diet group were significantly different in linear and morphometric analysis measurements. The soft diet group of wistar rats revealed significant changes on the condyle (smaller), the angle of the mandible, and on the body of the mandible. Conclusions: Diet consistency affects the craniofacial growth of rats. Soft diet could be responsible for less mandibular growth. Full article

Dental eruption refers to the vertical displacement of a tooth from its initial non-functional towards its functional position. Tooth eruption disorders may be expressed in various clinical conditions, which may be grouped as “primary retention” and “secondary retention”. The purpose of this article is to review the literature and the clinical parameters of the various conditions related to tooth eruption disorders. Materials and Methods: The search strategy of this critical review included keywords in combination with MeSH terms in Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Library until February 2022 and only in English. Results: “Primary Failure of Eruption” (PFE) occurs during the eruption process and includes clinical characteristics of both primary and secondary retention, which make diagnosis difficult. PFE is distinguished by Types I and II. In Type I, the defect in the eruption process occurs in all the relative teeth at the same time, whilst in Type II, the clinical expressions vary in multiple quadrants of the mouth, and the second molars erupt more. The variability of the PFE’s clinical spectrum seems to be connected to a genetic origin. The differential diagnosis among single ankylosis, secondary retention, and PFE is based on the occlusal relationship between the upper and the lower teeth distally, most commonly the first molar, which has not yet fully erupted. The treatment approach depends on many factors and combines surgical and orthodontic techniques. Full article