Are Down syndrome children more vulnerable to tooth wear?

BACKGROUND: An oral condition that has largely been ignored in the Down syndrome population is pathological tooth wear. This study is aimed to create more awareness of the reasons underlying the tooth wear observed in patients with Down syndrome and to suggest different methods to prevent this condition. This research also potentially serves as a platform for future researchers to perform an in-depth analysis of the factors we identified. The aim of this study was to determine if children with Down syndrome are more prone to tooth wear than children who do not have Down syndrome. METHODS: Our sample consisted of 120 children with Down syndrome who were compared with 120 children with no disabilities. The parents or guardians were asked to complete a questionnaire and a 3-day diet chart, while the wear on each tooth was recorded using the standardised Simplified Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index. RESULTS: Children with Down syndrome experience tooth wear more frequently than non-Down syndrome children. A history of asthma, mouth breathing and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease as well as the intake of acidic diet and drinks has exerted significant effects on the prevalence of tooth wear. CONCLUSIONS: The early diagnosis and analysis of the underlying aetiology are important for the management of tooth wear in children with Down syndrome who have shown a greater tendency to develop erosive lesions.

Resin infiltration technique and fluoride varnish on white spot lesions in children: Preliminary findings of a randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To clinically assess the efficacy of resin infiltration versus fluoride varnish for arresting white spot lesions (WSLs) on permanent teeth in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Among the children referred to the our University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, 23 aged between 8-14 with 81 anterior WSLs were included in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to either the resin infiltration group or the fluoride varnish group. WSLs were assessed using a laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent pen, Kavo, Germany) and were characterized at baseline, immediately following resin infiltration application and at a 6-month follow-up. For the statistical analyses, the IBM SPSS Statistics 22 (IBM SPSS, Turkey) program was used to assess the findings of the study. RESULTS: Participant retention was 100% at 6 months. There was no significant difference between the two groups when baseline DIAGNOdent (DD) values were compared (P > 0.05). The reduction in 6-month follow-up DD values were statistically significant in both groups relative to baseline values. The 6-month values of the resin infiltration group were statistically lower than those of the fluoride varnish group (P = 0.028, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Resin infiltration and fluoride varnish are clinically feasible and efficacious methods for the treatment of anterior WSLs. The inhibition of caries progression by resin infiltration should now be considered an alternative to fluoride treatment.

Microleakage of Different Adhesive Systems in Primary Molars Prepared by Er: YAG Laser or bur.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to examine the microleakage of class V cavities of primary molars prepared by either a conventional dental bur or Er:YAG laser and one of two different adhesive systems. METHODS: A total of 50 tooth samples from primary molars were used in this study. They were randomly assigned into five experimental groups of 10 samples each, according to the cavity preparation technique and the type of adhesive system applied to the cavities. Following cavity preparation, etching, bonding, and filling steps, samples were dyed using basic fuchsine and were sectioned longitudinally in buccolingual direction. Percentages of dye penetration at gingival and occlusal margins were calculated for each group. RESULTS: Overall, microleakage scores of gingival margins were significantly higher than those of occlusal margins (P < 0.001). The group that underwent laser preparation, laser etch, and self-etch bonding procedures had worse microleakage scores for gingival margins. However, all groups had similar occlusal scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Self-etch bonding systems and cavity preparation with Er:YAG laser may be an alternative to conventional restoration of primary molars with compomers. Further studies are warranted to fully elucidate the effect of laser-based etching techniques in cavities prepared by laser.

Effect of a somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) on tear secretion in rats.

PURPOSE: In this study we investigated the effect of a somatostatin analogue, octreotide, (SMS 201-995) on tear secretion in rats. METHOD: The animals were anaesthetized intraperitoneally (ip) with urethan (1.2 g/kg) The drugs were injected subcutaneously (sc.). Tear samples were collected by folding a 5 mm section of the Schirmer strip over the lower lid margin to absorb tear fluid from the lower conjunctival sac for 5 mm. Forty animals were divided into four groups (n = 10). Group I (control) received 1 ml of saline, group 2 received 100 microg/kg of SMS 201-995, group 3 received 50 microg/kg of acetylcholine (Ach), group 4 received 100 microg/kg of SMS 201-995 and 30 min later 50 microg/kg of Ach. At t = 0 the local anesthetic proparacain HCI was instilled onto the ocular surface to minimize reflex secretion. Baseline secretion was measured before administering the various treatments. RESULTS: While Ach alone significantly increased tear secretion, SMS 201-995 reduced it compared to saline (control) (p<0.0001, p<0.001, respectively). SMS 201-995 combined with Ach decreased tear secretion compared to Ach alone (p<0.03). CONCLUSION: SMS 201-995 significantly inhibits Ach stimulated tear secretion in rats.