An epidemiological study on early orthodontic treatment need among eastern Saudi Arabian children in the mixed dentition stage.

Estimation of early orthodontic treatment need among children is essential for planning orthodontic interventions in the mixed dentition stages thereby reducing the burden in a publicly funded healthcare system. The present study aimed to assess the early orthodontic treatment need among children with mixed dentition in the Eastern Saudi Arabia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi children visiting the outpatient clinics in a University dental setting, and data were collected based on Index for preventive and interceptive orthodontic need (IPION). Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for data analysis with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The category of 'no treatment need' accounted for 11.3% while 'moderate treatment need' and 'definite treatment need' categories accounted for 29.3% and 59.4% respectively. There was no statistical difference between males and females in the distribution of the three categories of treatment need (p = 0.513). This study demonstrated a very high need for early orthodontic treatment among Saudi children in the mixed dentition stage. Emphasis should be placed on increased awareness and benefits of seeking early orthodontic treatment involving preventive and interceptive procedures in the mixed dentition.

Concomitant Crown Dilaceration and Concrescence in Maxillary Incisors following Trauma to their Primary Predecessors: A Case Report.

Developmental disturbances in the permanent dentition are commonly seen due to traumatic injuries to the primary teeth, especially intrusive and avulsion injuries of the overlaying primary incisors. These disturbances may range from enamel discoloration or hypoplasia, crown/root dilaceration, odontoma-like malformation and eruption disturbances. Concrescence is extremely rare in anterior teeth. This case report describes a rare case that showed a concrescence of the unerupted maxillary right lateral incisor and maxillary central incisor with crown dilaceration. Awareness regarding early diagnosis and the consequences of untreated trauma to primary teeth should be emphasized.

Morphological Analysis of the Mandibular Lingula and Its Relation to Antilingula Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in the Saudi Population.

Adequate knowledge of the anatomy of the medial aspect of the mandibular ramus is essential in order to prevent inferior alveolar nerve anesthetic failure and nerve injuries associated with mandibular ramal surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess the morphology of the lingula and analyze the correlation of presence probability between the lingula and antilingula using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Three-dimensional images reconstructed from mandibular CBCT images of 125 Saudi individuals (250 sides), aged 16-36 years, were retrospectively evaluated for distribution in the shape of the lingulae. Additionally, the presence probability of the lingula and antilingula was assessed with respect to gender and the mandible (unilateral and bilateral), and correlation between the variables was analyzed. A nodular shape of the lingula was most commonly found (37.6%) followed by a triangular shape (30%). No significant differences were observed between the genders with regard to the presence of the lingula (p = 0.108) and antilingula (p = 0.530). Gender was non-significantly correlated with the presence of the lingula and antilingula, whilst the presence of lingula showed a significant but weak correlation with that of the antilingula (rs = 0.221; p = 0.000). The present study provides information regarding morphological variations of the mandibular lingula in the Saudi population. The presence of the lingula was unassociated with that of the antilingula and hence consideration of the antilingula as the absolute landmark for mandibular ramus surgical procedures seems insufficient.

Management of carious primary molars within the community dental setting in Wales: a retrospective observational study.

Background Tertiary prevention is still an integral part of a child's healthcare. In community dental service (CDS), we aim to try to restore carious primary teeth in young children as a means of caries control.Aim To assess the survival rates of individual carious primary molars within CDS, based on the type of dental interventions.Design Retrospective observational study.Methods Fifty patients' notes were reviewed, and patients were selected using a defined protocol. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival curves.Results Out of 251 teeth, the estimated survival rates of teeth restored with stainless steel crowns (SSC) was the highest at 46.7 months, GIC-restored teeth at 45.8 months and unrestored teeth at 18.2 months. There was no correlation seen between the survival rates and the number of further interventions required. The difference between the survival rates of teeth restored with GIC, SSC and unrestored was statistically significant (p <0.05). There was minimal use of SSCs within this sample.Conclusion Our present findings indicate that restored teeth have higher survival rates than unrestored teeth. However, it must be emphasised that restorative treatment may not always be feasible and other factors should be considered in the treatment planning.