Relationship between erosive tooth wear and possible etiological factors among dental students

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between erosive tooth wear (ETW) and possible etiological factors in a group of dental students. Materials and methods A total of 126 dental students from a public dental school were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to investigate the possible etiological factors related to ETW. The Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) criteria were used to examine the status of ETW. A univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the presence of ETW and explanatory variables. Results Univariable analysis revealed that taking acidic foods and alcohol more than 4-5 times per week increases the odds of ETW by 6.043 and 2.532 times, respectively, and taking dairy products, fruit juice, and milk more than 4-5 times per week decreases the likelihood of ETW by 61%, 66%, and 80%, respectively. The results of multivariable regression analysis showed that the frequency of consumption of especially acidic foods significantly increased the risk of ETW (OR = 9.981, 95% CI 3.577-27.849, p < 0.001). Conclusions Although the ETW status of dental students, who are the future dentists, varies depending on different possible etiological factors, especially the consumption of acidic foods has increased the risk of ETW approximately 10 times. Clinical relevance The fndings highlight the high relevance of ETW, especially with acidic food consumption, and the importance of controlling potential etiological factors in dental students

An audit of the time to initial treatment in avulsion injuries

The prognosis of avulsed teeth depends on prompt and appropriate treatment. Good outcome requires education of the general public and non-dental professionals. Retrospective observational survey of case records of avulsion injuries attending a dental hospital trauma clinic. Data collected included: hospital number, date of birth, gender, source of patient's referral, date of trauma, number of avulsed teeth, place of initial presentation, storage, hours till initial presentation, and initial treatment. One hundred and twenty teeth with avulsion were identified in 75 children. The mean age of the patients was 9.8 years (SD = 2.3 years) at the time of trauma with avulsions recorded in 44 (58.7%) boys and in 31 (41.3%) girls. Only 51 (42.5%) teeth were stored in an appropriate medium before attendance at any site and only 48 (40%) of the teeth were seen within 1 h. 83.3% received emergency treatment at general hospital, 89.7% in dental practice and 92.9% at dental hospital. A minority of avulsion injuries were seen within the first hour and a minority were in appropriate storage medium at presentation. Geographical location plays a huge role in the time taken to reach secondary care. However, improving public and non-dental professional knowledge about tooth storage in avulsion injuries is critical to long-term prognosis of the teeth

Dental trauma management knowledge among a group of teachers in two south European cities

The purpose of the present study is to assess the teachers' knowledge regarding dental trauma management in two south European cities. A three-part questionnaire comprised of questions on demographic data and knowledge was distributed to teachers in Porto and Istanbul. Seventy-eight teachers participated in the study; 23 had previously had formal dental trauma education. From the teachers interviewed, 58 of them admitted having no knowledge of dental trauma. Concerning knowledge, 29 teachers from Porto and 12 from Istanbul thought dental trauma emergency should be dealt with immediately. Knowledge of optimal storage media for avulsed permanent teeth was especially poor. In the present study, the majority of teachers did not know the importance of tetanus vaccine control in dental trauma. It is recommended that public education targeted at teachers should be carried out to increase dental trauma management knowledge

The effect of accelerated mineral trioxide aggregate on odontoblastic differentiation in dental pulp stem cell niches

AimTo investigate the effect of accelerated-set mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on the proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp cell niches (DPSC). MethodologyProRoot White MTA (WMTA; Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Johnson City, TN, USA) was mixed with various additives, which included distilled water, 2.5% disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and 5% calcium chloride (CaCl2; Merck). DPSC niches extracted from third molars were cultured directly on MTA in the culture medium. Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4- sulphophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. Cell growth and expression of odontoblastic differentiation markers (dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and collagen type 1 (COL1)) were determined using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis. Osteo-/odontogenic differentiation of DPSC niches was evaluated by measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP). Calcium deposition was assessed using von Kossa staining. The results were analysed statistically using Mann-Whitney tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests. ResultsMTA mixed with 5% CaCl2 and 2.5% Na2HPO4 exhibited optimal cell viability (P<0.05) compared to MTA mixed with distilled water. MTA mixed with 5% CaCl2 and 2.5% Na2HPO4 significantly increased ALP activity (P<0.05), significantly promoted mineralization nodule formation (P<0.05) and significantly enhanced the mRNA expression level of the osteogenic/odontogenic markers (P<0.05; DSPP and COL1) compared with MTA mixed with distilled water. ConclusionsMTA mixed with 5% CaCl2 and 2.5% Na2HPO4 was biocompatible with dental pulp stem cell niches. Accelerated-set MTA promoted better differentiation in DPSC niches than conventional MTA. The accelerators could provide an alternative to MTA mixed with distilled water

Incidence and prevention of traumatic injuries in paediatric handball players in Istanbul, Turkey

Aim: To investigate the frequency of dental injuries in paediatric handball players. In addition, the players' habits with regard to mouthguard usage, as well as their general knowledge of the prevention of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) were investigated. Data were collected by structured one-to-one interviews with children of 14 randomly selected handball teams in the amateur national league. Methods: The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions. The age, gender, trauma experience and league status of each interviewee was recorded. The interviews took place mainly at national championships or tournaments. Results: A total of 212 individuals, 74 girls and 138 boys, were interviewed. Forty-one of the 212 participants (19.3 %) had sustained a dental injury. The mean age of participants was 12 ± 1.6 years. Concussion was the most frequent finding and the cause of injury was a blow from another player. The number of individuals that were aware of mouthguards was only 15.6 % and surprisingly no players used mouthguards. Conclusions: The results show that handball players need more knowledge and education considering the prevention of TDIs from their sports clubs and dentists. The importance of adequate facial protection in contact sports should be endorsed by all sports clubs, and parents advised accordingly. © 2013 European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry

Is there any relationship between hypodontia and hyperdontia with taurodontism, microdontia and macrodontia? A retrospective study

Background: Hypodontia and hyperdontia may occur with other dental anomalies such as microdontia, taurodontism, talon cusp, macrodontia and germination. Aims: The aim of this study to evaluate the relationship between hypodontia and hyperdontia with taurodontism, macrodontia and microdontia. Subjects and Methods: In this retrospective study, 2,348 Turkish patients aged 7 to 12 years and treated between 01.01.2017 and 01.01.2018 in Bahcelievler Oral and Dental Health Hospital were evaluated. Data were collected and differences in the distribution of hypodontia and hyperdontia including other dental anomalies were analysed. Results: Of the total sample of 2,348 patients, 1,126 (48%) were girls, 1,222 (52%) were boys. Hypodontia was found in 177 children (93 girls (53%), 84 boys (47%)). The prevalence of hypodontia and hyperdontia were 7.5% and 0.9%. Taurodontism is the most common dental anomalies in hypodontia patients (39%) followed by microdontia (10%). Taurodontism was more prevalent in girls (42%) than in boys (36.5%). Microdontia was found in 10 patients and macrodontia was observed in 9 hypodontia patients. Hyperdontia was found in 21 children [8 girls (38%), 13 boys (62%)]. The most common supernumerary tooth found was mesiodens (85%) and it's more prevalent in boys (67%) than in girls (33%). Taurodontism is the most common dental anomaly (48%) following macrodontia (19%) and were found to be much more prevalent in boys (53%) (23%) than in girls (37.5%) (12.5%). Microdontia was found in only 1 boy (%7.7) in hyperdontia patients. Conclusion: Hypodontia and hyperdontia with taurodontism, microdontia, and macrodontia need much more complex treatment plan. All cases should be evaluated using interdisciplinary approach for appropriate treatment choice. This helps in longterm and effective treatment planning according to a child's individual requirements

History of water fluoridation

Fluoride, the milestone element of pediatric dentistry, as well as modern dentistry, has been utilized for the last six decades in practice. Researchers all over the world have used fluoride in several forms in the prevention of tooth decay.Today, we are aware that most of this work has involved clinical research with children. It is particularly pertinent that the subject be adequately presented in the field of pediatric dentistry. In 1940's and 1950's were the years of ten-year studies, where caries reductions were first described. The industry of systemic fluoridation, public campaigns and advertisements became popular mostly in western world in 1960's and 1970's. The fluoridated dentifrices and changes of dentrifice formulations were established in 1980's. Many stated that children should receive one form of systemic fluoride and appropriate forms of topical fluoride in 1990's. Analyses showed that maximum protection against caries is obtained when teeth erupt into an environment with low concentrations of ionic fluoride. The similarity in caries reductions obtained in water fluoridation studies and long-term studies with topically administered fluoride regimens, including fluoride-containing dentifrices, indicates that the pre-eruptive effect of fluoride is of borderline significance relative to the more significant post-eruptive effect. It has taken a long time to show that water fluoridation and topical fluoride programs were thus important measures for the control of caries at the community level. Today, we are aware of the fact that the trio of diet, dentifrice and supplementation should exceed the optimal levels