Management of preeruptive intracoronal radiolucency (PEIR): a case series with up to 8 years follow-up.

Preeruptive intracoronal radiolucency (PEIR) is a rare dental anomaly often incidentally detected during routine radiographic examinations. This condition manifests as a radiolucent lesion beneath the enamel-dentin junction of unerupted teeth, particularly in mandibular molars, posing diagnostic and management challenges due to its asymptomatic nature. The treatment of PEIR depends on the extent of the lesion and the degree of pulp involvement. Case series: This case series reports on four patients with progressive PEIR. In Cases 1 and 2, lesions were incidentally discovered in panoramic radiographs during orthodontic planning (mandibular permanent second molars), and additional surgical exposure to access the lesion was required as teeth were only partially erupted. Interestingly, in Case 3, the PEIR was not visible in earlier radiographs though the crown of the tooth was already mineralized (mandibular permanent second molar). For Case 4, the tooth presented with symptoms of reversible pulpitis (mandibular permanent first molar). All lesions were treated with indirect pulp capping using biocompat-ible material. The patients were followed up for a period of up to 8 years to evaluate treatment success. Indirect pulp capping and restorations were found to be successful in all four cases in the last follow-up: 1 year (Case 2), 1.4 years (Case 4), 1.5 years (Case 1), and 8 years (Case 3). Conclusion: This case series demonstrates the effectiveness of early intervention via surgical exposure and indirect pulp capping and restoration for managing severe cases of PEIR. However, further research with larger samples and long follow-up is necessary.

Efficacy of Different Fluoride Therapies on Hypersensitive Carious Lesions in Primary Teeth.

Background and Objectives: This prospective, comparative, double-cohort study aimed to compare the efficacy of silver diamine fluoride and potassium iodide (38% SDF+KI; Riva Star®) with sodium fluoride varnish (5% NaF; Duraphat®) in hypersensitive carious lesions in primary teeth to evaluate caries arrest and hypersensitivity relief. Materials and Methods: This study included thirty 2-5-year-olds (mean age = 3.67 ± 1.06 years; 16 males and 14 females) who required a desensitizing treatment for hypersensitive carious defects with visible dentin. A total of 15 of the participants were consecutively allocated to treatment with 5% NaF, and they were further compared to an equal number of participants treated with 38% SDF+KI solutions (n = 15). The treatments were performed following clinical evaluation of caries activity using the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMSTM) and the Bjørndal criteria (score of 0-9). Parental-reported hypersensitivity was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (0-10 = no to severe pain). Results: Clinical variables were evaluated at baseline and three months after treatment. Thereafter, a significant decline in hypersensitivity/pain led to lower final scores in the Riva Star® group (0.40 ± 1.12, p = 0.002) than in the Duraphat® group (1.40 ± 2.20, p = 0.004). The caries arrest effect was significantly higher in the Riva Star® group (86.7%) compared to the Duraphat® group three months after treatment (13.3%, p < 0.001). In both groups, there were no statistically significant differences in the children's behavior before, during, and after treatment. Conclusions: Ultimately, with both fluoride therapies reducing hypersensitivity/pain significantly, treatment with 38% SDF+KI was clearly more effective in caries arrest than 5% NaF varnish after a 3-month period.

Digital Application for Promoting Evidence-Based Children's Oral Health to Control Early Childhood Caries: Randomized Control Trial on Parental Acceptance and Efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood caries (ECC) remains a major global health problem. Various measures to prevent it have been implemented in the past, including those using digital applications. AIM: To evaluate the acceptance and efficacy of a digital application (FU-APP) based on evidence-based caries control recommendations for parents of children aged 6-72 months. METHODS: Part 1, prospective questionnaire-based survey to test FU-APP (usage, acceptance, content information, usefulness, and satisfaction) filled out by parents (n = 22); Part 2, two-armed (test n = 20; control n = 23) care-based, randomized controlled trial, where the test arm received instructions verbally and via FU-APP, and the control arm received them only verbally. At baseline and follow-up (4 weeks), intraoral clinical indices (plaque index-API and caries-dmft) were recorded. RESULTS: FU-APP was considered by parents to be a suitable tool for gaining knowledge about oral health practices for their children (all criteria >86%). No differences in the dmft levels were expected. However, API was significantly better at the follow-up in the test-arm (p = 0.01), with no differences in the control-arm (p = 0.72). CONCLUSION: A digital application can serve as an innovative tool to promote evidence-based oral hygiene recommendations among parents of children to control ECC. Its long-term usability and functionality should be tested.

Influence of treatment setting on success of pulpectomy in primary molars: a retrospective analysis up to 4 years.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the success of primary molar pulpectomy with a minimum of 1 year and up to 4 years follow-up with focus on the treatment setting (general anesthesia, sedation, local anesthesia alone). METHOD AND MATERIALS: Data were retrieved from 92 patients' records between 2012 and 2020. The pulpectomy treatment using calcium-hydroxide/iodoform paste was performed under general anesthesia (n = 45), nitrous oxide sedation (n = 21), or local anesthesia alone (n = 39). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: The overall success of pulpectomy was 59.5% 4 years post-treatment. The 4-years clinical success rate was clinically relevantly higher under general anesthesia (78.6% vs 57.1% under nitrous oxide sedation, 43.8% with local anesthesia only) and in the mandibular arch (70.8% vs 38.5% in the maxillary arch). This could be related to the strict case selection under sedation and especially general anesthesia. Despite statistically significant differences in the bivariate analysis for most outcomes and follow-up periods, this was not the case in multivariate regression. CONCLUSION: Pulpectomy performed in primary molars offers a successful long-term treatment option especially with a strict case selection as under general anesthesia.

Silver Diamine Fluoride Renaissance in Paediatric Dentistry: A 24-Month Retrospective and Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been incorporated into the treatment of dental caries in children, mainly in countries with high caries prevalence. In Europe, however, SDF started to gain popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of SDF and to evaluate dentists'/parents' acceptance of SDF use in paediatric patients treated in a German university setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patients treated with SDF between 2017 and 2020 was carried out. Only teeth with no reported clinical/radiographic evidence of irreversible pulpal inflammation were included. The outcome measures were success, minor failures (caries progression, reversible pulpitis) and major failures (irreversible pulpitis, abscess). The treatment acceptance by dentists and the parents of SDF-treated children was cross-sectionally evaluated using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed. Results: A total of 93 patients (mean age 5.3 ± 2.9 years) with 455 treated teeth (418 primary/91.9%; 37 permanent/8.1%) were included and followed up for up to 24 months (19.9 ± 10.5 months). SDF was used for dental caries (98.2%) and hypersensitivity relief on MIH teeth (1.8%). Most teeth did not show any failure (total success 84.2%). A total of 5 teeth (1.1%) showed minor failures, and 67 teeth (14.7%) showed major failures (p = 0.001). Success/failure rates were not affected by patient compliance, gender, dentition, or operator (p > 0.05). In total, 30 questionnaires were collected from parents (mean age 36.8 ± 6.4 years). SDF was applied on anterior (n = 2/6.7%), posterior (n = 15/50%) and anterior/posterior teeth (n = 13/43.3%). At the 1-week follow-up, 80% of parents noticed black teeth discoloration. Treatment satisfaction was higher for posterior (95.2%) than for anterior teeth (36.4%; p < 0.001). In the 27 responses from clinicians, SDF was generally considered a viable option in paediatric dentistry (n = 23; 85%). Conclusions: SDF was found to be effective and well-accepted by parents and dentists for caries inactivation in a paediatric dentistry German university setting.

Potential for nitrous oxide sedation in pedodontics practice to reduce the need for dental general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible reduction in the need for dental general anesthesia through nitrous oxide sedation in combination with behavior management techniques among patients younger than 12 years of age referred to a specialized pedodontics practice due to high dental treatment need and poor cooperation with dental treatments. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of the digital medical records of all children treated under nitrous oxide sedation in a specialized pedodontics clinic between 2012 and 2017 was performed. The reduction of the need for dental general anesthesia was measured depending on the success rate of nitrous oxide sedation at the patient level with relation to multiple related factors such as age, reason for referral, and treatment need. RESULTS: Nitrous oxide was used in 406 dental treatment sessions on 228 pre-cooperative and/or anxious patients aged 3 to 12 years (mean 6.4 ± 1.7; 43.4% female); 91.9% of the nitrous oxide sedation sessions were successful in achieving the intended dental treatment. Complete oral rehabilitation was possible for 84.0% of the patients using nitrous oxide sedation without the need for dental general anesthesia. Regarding age, dental general anesthesia reduction among preschool children was lower than school children (77.8% and 87.9%, respectively). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of anxious or semi-cooperative children with high dental treatment need can be treated without the use of dental general anesthesia when a comprehensive concept of caries management is combined with the use of nitrous oxide sedation and behavior management techniques. Nitrous oxide sedation should therefore be considered as an option for dental treatment of semi-cooperative children with high dental treatment need before planning dental general anesthesia.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown affect dental emergency care in children? Retrospective study in a specialized pedodontic center.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 led to the adoption of containment measures including the temporary closure of dental clinics. However, dental emergencies have not ceased during this pandemic. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze patient profiles and the offered management options to pediatric patients presenting with dental emergencies during a COVID-19 lockdown. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis was performed of patient records of children seeking emergency dental treatment during a 7-week lockdown period in 2020 in a university pedodontic clinic in Germany, and compared to a similar cohort from 2019. Data on patient, tooth, and session level were collected. RESULTS: The 2020 cohort consisted of 83 patients, and the 2019 cohort included 46 patients, showing a 45% greater need for emergency treatment in 2020. The most common chief complaint was plaque-induced gingivitis/oral mucosal conditions in 2020 (26.4%), and irreversible pulpitis in 2019 (25.5%). Dental caries (without spontaneous pain) was the second most common chief complaint in both cohorts (20.7% and 23.4%, respectively). Most interventions in 2020 were minimally invasive treatments (eg, Hall Technique, silver diammine fluoride; 20.3%), which were in 2019 not considered at all; followed by pharmacologic treatment (16.9%), which was in 2019 also highly used (35.9%). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in emergency pediatric dental visits and shifted treatment options towards less invasive procedures.

One year clinical success of pulpectomy in primary molars with iodoform-calcium hydroxide paste.

OBJECTIVES: In order to retain primary molars, eg with irreversible pulpitis or pulp necrosis, pulpectomy can be an alternative to extraction. However, reports on the success of pulpectomies in primary teeth vary widely in the literature. Thus, the objective of this study was not only to analyze the success rate of primary tooth pulpectomy 12 months posttreatment in the setting of a specialized clinic, but also to identify and analyze various factors that modify the outcome. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Between 2012 and 2018, a total of 76 dental records of the Department of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Greifswald fulfilled the inclusion criteria, resulting in a 1-year analysis of 62 primary molars with an idoform-calcium hydroxide paste as root canal filling material almost exclusively covered by a stainless steel crown as restoration. RESULTS: The pulpectomy treatment was successful after 1 year in 93.5%, with a significantly higher survival for mandibular primary molars (100.0% vs 83.3%; chi-square test P = .01). Apart from the very few cases in the mixed dentition, no other factors related to the patient (sex, caries level, general health conditions, distance to clinic), tooth (first or second primary molar, pulpal and periapical condition before treatment), or treatment (indication, academic qualification of the operator, number of visits) proved to be of significance for the treatment outcome due to the overall high success rate. CONCLUSION: Pulpectomies for pulpally involved or even necrotic primary molars followed by stainless steel crowns as restoration should be considered as a treatment option, especially in the mandible. (Quintessence Int 2021;52:528-537; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b1244443).

How to Intervene in the Caries Process: Dentin Caries in Primary Teeth.

For an ORCA/EFCD consensus, this review systematically assessed available evidence regarding interventions performed and materials used to manage dentin carious lesions in primary teeth. A search for systematic reviews (SRs) and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with a follow-up of at least 12 months after intervention was performed in PubMed, LILACS, BBO, and the Cochrane Library. The risk of bias tool from the Cochrane Collaboration and the PRISMA Statement were used for assessment of the included studies. From 101 screened articles, 2 SRs and 5 RCTs, which assessed the effectiveness of interventions in terms of pulp vitality and success of restoration, and 10 SRs and 1 RCT assessing the success of restorative materials were included. For treatments involving no carious tissue removal, the Hall technique showed lower treatment failure for approximal carious lesions compared to complete caries removal (CCR) and filling. For the treatment of deep carious lesions, techniques involving selective caries removal (SCR) showed a reduction in the incidence of pulp exposure. However, the benefit of SCR over CCR in terms of pulp symptoms or restoration success/failure was not confirmed. Regarding restorative materials, preformed metal crowns (PMCs) used to restore multisurface lesions showed the highest success rates compared to other restorative materials (amalgam, composite resin, glass ionomer cement, and compomer), and in the long term (12-48 months) these were also less likely to fail. There is limited evidence supporting the use of PMCs to restore carious lesions with single cavities. Among nonrestorative options, silver diammine fluoride was significantly more effective in arresting caries than other treatments for treating active carious lesions of different depths. Considerable heterogeneity and bias risk were observed in the included studies. Although heterogeneity observed among the studies was substantial, the trends were similar. In conclusion, less invasive caries approaches involving selective or no caries removal seem advantageous in comparison to CCR for patients presenting with vital, symptomless, carious dentin lesions in primary teeth. There is evidence in favor of PMCs for restoring multisurface carious lesions in primary molars.

Obliteration after recurrent dental trauma in a 7-year-old patient: 4-year follow-up.

Traumatic dental injuries are reported to have a high prevalence regardless of the region or the age group. Concussion injuries are considered as moderate, but very frequent injuries. They are associated with a wide spectrum of pulpal reactions. Pulp canal obliteration in spite of negative sensitivity proves ongoing pulp vitality. This case report presents multiple traumatic dental injuries in both maxillary central incisors with two different pulpal reactions during a follow-up period of 4 years in a healthy 7-year-old girl. The initial trauma with a concussion required no invasive treatment. Three days later, the child presented again with a new dental trauma. At the follow-up appointments after 3, 4, 6, 12, and 18 months, the traumatized teeth were functional and asymptomatic, but the radiograph after 1 year showed partial obliteration in the coronal part of the maxillary right central incisor. After 4 years, the periapical radiograph showed complete apical closure, and increase in root length and dentin thickness for both maxillary central incisors, with almost complete root canal obliteration in the right central incisor, whereas the left central incisor showed no signs of obliteration. Thus, this case showed different pulpal reactions to traumatic dental injury and that the loss of clinical sensitivity of the obliterated tooth does not automatically mean the loss of vitality and the need for endodontics. Regular follow-ups are essential in concussion cases to observe the pulp vitality and root formation.

Management of an immature, partially necrotic permanent molar by pulp revascularization: Two-year follow-up.

Root canal treatment of immature teeth is considered a great challenge for both the dentist and the patient. The thinness of the root canals walls and the lack of an apical barrier leads to unpredictable treatment results. Revascularization is a novel promising treatment option in the field of regenerative endodontics for management of immature necrotic permanent teeth. This case presents a successful treatment of an 8-year-old patient with a partially necrotic, immature permanent mandibular right first molar pulp by revascularization. The revascularization procedure was performed in two appointments using nitrous oxide sedation to reduce the child's anxiety during treatment. Following root canal disinfection with NaOCl, a triple antibiotic paste (ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and minocycline) was applied into the canal. One week later, induction of bleeding, application of MTA, and tooth restoration using a stainless steel crown were performed. At the subsequent follow-up appointments (3, 9, and 16 months) the tooth was asymptomatic. After 2 years a radiographic assessment revealed complete periapical healing and apical closure, as well as increase in root length and dentin thickness. CONCLUSION: This case supports the evidence of revascularization as a biological treatment option for the management of necrotic young permanent teeth.