Dental Management of a Child With Sickle Cell Anemia: A Case Report.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) has been identified as one of the most prevalent genetic conditions. It alters the shape and function of red blood cells. This brief case report presents a case of a five-year-old male with sickle cell disease who complained of pain in the left mandibular region due to deep proximal caries. Before dental management, a complete fitness evaluation was performed with the help of a pediatrician, followed by informed consent. Dental management includes pulpectomy followed by stainless steel crown placement and Glass ionomer cement (GIC) restoration for superficial caries. Other oral manifestations were observed, including a smooth tongue and mucosal pallor. It was concluded that dentists and health professionals should be knowledgeable of the general and oral anomalies that can be present in individuals with sickle cell anemia in order to take preventive action and implement effective management.

Generalized Non-syndromic Hypertaurodontism With Delayed Eruption: A Case Report.

Taurodontism is a rare dental anomaly defined by a change in tooth shape due to Hertwig's epithelial sheath not folding inward at the right horizontal level. It has a larger pulp chamber and a pulpal floor that is shifted apically, and the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) is not constricted. This condition is more frequently observed in permanent teeth than in primary teeth and can occur in a bilateral or unilateral manner, affecting any quadrant or group of teeth. This brief case report discusses a 14-year-old female patient who presented with complaints of decayed teeth in the lower right and left posterior regions of the jaw. Radiographic examination revealed the presence of non-syndromic taurodontism in both the deciduous teeth and their permanent successors. Dental management included oral prophylaxis, application of pit and fissure sealants, indirect pulp capping, and restoration with glass ionomer cement for the affected teeth.

The Influence of the Tongue on the Development of Dental Malocclusion.

The tongue supports the upper dental arch and encourages healthy dental arch development when it rests against the roof of the mouth. On the other hand, over time, malocclusion can result from incorrect tongue position, such as lying low in the mouth or thrusting forward during swallowing or speaking. As a muscular organ, the tongue applies forces to the jaws and teeth that may help with malocclusion or hinder it from aligning properly. The dentition and jaws grow and align according to the way the tongue, teeth, and surrounding structures interact. The tongue's morphogenetic function includes forming the arches and having an important impact on the maxillary complex's development. The tongue frequently assumes a balancing and compensatory function in subsequent phases, functioning more or less like a natural orthodontic bite. In adults, the tongue is able to compensate for problems like open bites, teeth that are out of alignment, or differences in the occlusal and sagittal planes of the spine. In this context, the tongue's ability to sustain occlusion during malocclusion can be considered a compensatory response. This is comparable to how lingual dysfunction may contribute to malocclusion or act as a potential source of recurring orthodontic instability. In order to diagnose and treat orthodontic issues, dental professionals must know the connection between tongue position and dental malocclusion. Malocclusion can be prevented or minimized with early intervention, such as myofunctional therapy to correct tongue position and habits, improving dental health and well-being overall.

Surgical Correction of Ankyloglossia Using Diode Laser-Assisted Frenectomy in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

Tongue-tie is a continuation of the lingual frenum that is attached to the tip of the tongue. It is a congenital oral anomaly that could restrict tongue movements, caused by a lingual frenum a membrane that originates from the floor of the mouth to the bottom of the tongue that is too thick and short, which limits the natural ability of the tongue to move and function. The tongue is an auxiliary organ that facilitates speaking, mastication, and deglutition. This condition may result in several difficulties including chewing, breastfeeding, speech, and pronunciation of particular words, as well as possessing social and mechanical consequences. Ankyloglossia can be seen in young age groups. The use of lasers has increased in dentistry in recent years. However, in oral and maxillofacial surgery, the use of lasers has been largely restricted to soft tissues, and less focus is placed on the use of hard tissues. Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) lasers, and Er, the erbium, chromium: yttrium: scandium gallium-garnet (Cr: YSGG) lasers are among the several types of lasers that have been utilized in dentistry for correction of soft tissues as well as for hard tissues.

Biogenic Tooth-Integrated Fixed Functional Space Maintainer for Pediatric Use: A Novel Approach.

Preschoolers frequently experience traumatic dental injuries, particularly during their two to four years of life. The majority of these injuries result in tooth avulsion because of the alveolar bone resiliency around the primary teeth. This study explains an instance of damage sustained during play that resulted in an early knockout of the primary incisor. Hence, a biogenic tooth-integrated space maintainer was created using the natural crown of the traumatized tooth, and the child was asked to come for a regular follow-up. This treatment may be viewed as a great alternative for natural aesthetic rehabilitation as it promotes speech development, improves oral cleanliness, restores aesthetics and masticatory function, and inhibits the development of aberrant tongue habits and malocclusions.

Exploring the Synergistic Effect of Simvastatin in Oral Health Applications: A Literature Review.

Statins are the first line of treatment for hyperlipidaemia. Along with lowering lipids, it also lowers mortality and cardiovascular risk. Statins play a major role in maintaining the homeostasis of the oral cavity via a number of different mechanisms. It includes regeneration of dentin and pulp by differentiation and increased development of mineralized tissue via the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)-2 Pathway. It shows effective bone health by leading to osteogenic differentiation mesenchymal stem cells, by facilitating epithelization process in wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and fungicidal properties. To the finest of the information we have, there have been very few comprehensive studies that have investigated the effects of statin drugs on various aspects of dental and oral health. As a result, the main objective of this review was to examine the effect of statins on oral health applications. According to the findings of our extensive review, statins have noteworthy and promising effects on several aspects of oral health, including dental pulp cells, chronic periodontitis, alveolar bone loss, orthodontic tooth movement, and so on. Nevertheless, it is concluded that local or even systemic administration of simvastatin should be regarded as an innovative, easily accessible, and safe therapeutic agent that has a significant impact on enhancing the oral health.

Management of Ankyloglossia in a Six-Year-Old Child After Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: A Case Report.

Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is caused by an excessively short, thick lingual frenum that restricts the normal movements and functions of the tongue. It has a higher prevalence in infants than in children and adults. In the present case, a six-year-old male came with his parents with a chief complaint of difficulty in speech. His medical history revealed that he had a congenital cleft lip and cleft palate, for which he had undergone surgery soon after his birth. He was categorized by Kotlow classification as Class II (moderate ankyloglossia). Under local anaesthesia, diode laser surgery was planned to treat the tongue-tie. The patient showed excellent healing after a one-week follow-up. An increase in tongue movements was seen and the patient was put in consultation with a speech therapist.