Dental Developmental Defects: A Pilot Study to Examine the Prevalence and Etiology in a Population of Children between 2 and 15 Years of Age.

Dental development defects (DDDs) are quantitative and/or qualitative alterations produced during odontogenesis that affect both primary and permanent dentition. The etiology remains unknown, being associated with prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors. The aims were to identify the possible etiological factors, as well as the prevalence of DDDs in the primary and permanent dentition in a pediatric population. Two hundred twenty-one children between 2 and 15 years of age, patients of the master's degree in Pediatric Dentistry of the Complutense University of Madrid, were reviewed. DDDs were observed in 60 children. Next, a cross-sectional, case-control study was carried out (60 children in the control group and 60 children in the case group). The parents or guardians completed a questionnaire aimed at identifying associated etiological factors. The prevalence of DDDs in patients attending our master's program in both dentitions was 27.15%. Otitis, tonsillitis, high fevers, and medication intake stood out as the most relevant postnatal factors among cases and controls. The permanent maxillary right permanent central incisor and the primary mandibular right second molar were the most affected; there were no differences in relation to gender. One out of three children who presented DDDs in the primary dentition also presented DDDs in the permanent dentition. Prenatal and postnatal etiological factors showed a significant relationship with DDD alterations, considered risk factors for DDDs in both dentitions.

Edpuzzle versus Moodle: Learning Tools in Pediatric Dentistry Practice: A Study Pilot.

The aim of the present study was to compare the results of two educational platforms for the development of Flipped Learning (FL) in the preclinical practices of paediatric dentistry: Edpuzzle and Moodle 3.4. Methods: Fifty students filled out a questionnaire on knowledge of pulp treatments in primary dentition (Pre-Q). They were divided into two groups: one watched a video on the pulpotomy technique before preclinical practice using Moodle 3.4 (group A) and the other used Edpuzzle (group B). On the day of practice, the students resolved any doubts with the teacher. Next, they performed a pulpotomy on an artificial tooth and answered the questionnaire again (Post-Q) together with a satisfaction survey. Results: In both groups, an increase in the number of correct answers was found in the Post-Q compared to the Pre-Q (p < 0.001), but with no significant differences between groups. The pulpotomy practice ratings were higher in group B, which used Edpuzzle (p < 0.001). In the satisfaction survey, we only found significant differences (p = 0.003) in access to the video, since 100% of the students in group A found it easy to view it through Moodle, unlike in group B. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the use of educational platforms specially designed for FL, such as Edpuzzle, can improve the qualifications of students in paediatric dentistry practices.

Relationship between Physiological Resorption of Primary Molars with Its Permanent Successors, Dental Age and Chronological Age.

The aim of the present study was to analyse root resorption of the primary mandibular molars and their relationship with their permanent successors and the age of the patient. METHODS: The sample consisted of 408 digital panoramic radiographs. The mesial and distal crown-to-root ratios (CRR) of #74 and #75 were calculated by dividing the measures of the length of each root by its coronal height. The Demirjian formation stage of the premolar was established, and dental age was determined. A descriptive and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS to determine the correlation between the variables (Pearson's correlation coefficient) and to identify the differences between them (Student's t-test), with a confidence level of 95%. RESULTS: 723 molars were measured, and tables of CRR depending on dental and chronological age were obtained. The CRR decreased with increasing dental and chronological age, but not uniformly. The CRR of #74 and #75 decreased slightly when the successor premolar was in the initial stages of formation. Gender differences were obtained with respect to chronological age, mainly in girls, because the root resorption of #74 was always more advanced, and the formation of the #34 more advanced. CONCLUSIONS: Root resorption of the molar is slight and progressive when the successor premolar begins formation until stage D, and becomes higher starting at stage E. It is possible to determine the state of the child's maturation and the CRR according to dental and chronological age.

Learning of paediatric dentistry with the flipped classroom model.

INTRODUCTION: The flipped classroom (FC) is a pedagogical model that can be very useful in obtaining a dentistry degree. The main objective of this study was to compare learning between student groups introducing FC in the area of paediatric dentistry at the Complutense University of Madrid in 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 76 students enrolled for the first time in the Pediatric Dentistry programme and completed a questionnaire (pre-Q) regarding specific theoretical knowledge about pulpotomies. Subsequently, they were divided into two groups: group A, which had free access before the class to an explanatory video about the indications and techniques of pulpotomy and group B, which viewed the same video only one time in class. After that, all students completed the same questionnaire (post-Q) again and a survey on the degree of satisfaction about the teaching method. RESULTS: The differences in score between the post-Q and pre-Q in group A had a mean (SD) value of 3.5 (2.4) and in group B, a mean (SD) of 2.5 (2.2), with a p value of .07. In questions 3, 5 and 8, learning was greater in the experimental group (p = .007, p = .02 and p = .001, respectively). For 74.4% of the students in group A, accessing the video previous to the class was a very useful tool. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that implementing FC in paediatric dentistry classes help students to acquire more theoretical knowledge, which is necessary before practical teaching.

Ectopic Eruption of Maxillary First Permanent Molars: Preliminary Results of Prevalence and Dentoskeletal Characteristics in Spanish Paediatric Population.

The ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar (EEM) is a local alteration of dental eruption with a multifactorial aetiology. The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of the EEM in children and to analyse whether there is a relationship between EEM and dento-skeletal characteristics. A total of 322 children were analysed with the Ricketts cephalometric study and descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was carried out. The prevalence of EEM was 8.7%, with no statistically significant differences regarding gender or location, but a higher prevalence in the 7-year-old age group (18.8%) and bilateral EEM was more prevalent than unilateral EEM (p < 0.05). The most frequent findings were a shortened anterior cranial base, a retroposition of the maxilla and a distal position of the upper permanent first molar in relation to the pterygoid vertical in children with EEM. No statistically significant differences were found regarding the cephalometric parameters except a decreased palatal plane in the bilateral EEM group and a distal upper incisor position in the EEM group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the prevalence of the EEM was 8.7%, more frequently bilateral, and significantly in seven-year-old patients. Children with bilateral EEM have decreased palatal plane values and a more posterior position of the upper incisor.

Comparative Analysis of Space Maintenance Using Transpalatal Arch and Nance Button.

The aim of this manuscript analyses the efficacy of Transpalatal Arch (TPA) and Nance Button (NB) in maintaining space after the premature loss of upper primary molars. STUDY DESIGN: 54 subjects who needed space maintenance in the upper arch (23 in the TPA group and 31 in the NB group) and had radiographic follow-up until the appliance removal were enrolled in the study. The space loss was obtained from measurements carried out in initial and final radiographs. Type of dental loss and changes in molar relationship were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean of space loss in the TPA group was 1.336mm, while in the NB group was 0.695mm, with no statistically significant differences between the total space loss neither the type of dental loss within the NB or TPA group (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The loss of space in the unilateral second primary molar is higher in the TPA group than in the NB group, with significant statistically differences (p<0.05). It is concluded that the loss of the leeway space using a TPA as a space maintainer is greater than using a NB.