In-Office Pediatric Emergency Dental Visits During and After the COVID Pandemic.

Purpose: To describe the demographics of patients younger than 18 years of age who sought dental emergency visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the treatment provided, the patients' payment sources and the impact of the pandemic on oral health. Methods: A retrospective electronic chart review was conducted for dental emergency visits between 2020 and 2023 at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit, Mich., USA. The data set included the patients' demographics, insurance type, reason(s) for the dental emergency visit and the provider's diagnosis and treatment provided. Results: Six- to 10-year-old children were the most frequently seen group for an emergency dental visit (40 percent). The majority had public insurance. Delta Dental was the most common payment source (47 percent). Diseases of pulp and periapical tissues accounted for the highest proportion of emergency visits (55 percent) and extractions were the most common treatment performed (54 percent). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, children may not have received optimum dental care and lacked regular dental visits and preventive treatment, which probably led to an increase in the severity of dental conditions.

Cost Estimates for Bioactive Cement Pulpotomies and Crowns in Primary Molars.

PURPOSE: To explore cost-effective options for pulpotomy, chamber fillings, and crowns in primary molars using bioactive cements. METHODS: Thirty extracted primary molars were divided into five groups, each having two sets of three teeth (one first molar and two second molars). Pulpotomy and restorative options were randomly assigned: Biodentine plus Ketac Molar; NuSmile NeoMTA plus Tempit LC; NeoMTA Plus plus Fuji IX; MTA Angelus plus IRM capsule; MTA Flow plus IRM powder and liquid. After mixing one dose, pulp chambers of the first molar and one second molar were filled with a two-millimeter layer of bioactive cement and filling material (protocol A). The other second molar's chamber was solo filled by a single mixed dose of bioactive cement (protocol B). The cost for each material was calculated independently, regardless of the group to which they belonged. A market assessment for primary molar crowns was performed, and a comparison table was produced. RESULTS: For protocol A, the lowest mean cost per tooth (LMC) was obtained for NeoMTA cements and IRM powder and liquid; for solo bioactive cement pulp chamber filling, protocol (B), LMC was obtained for NeoMTA cements. Zirconia crowns were the costliest. CONCLUSIONS: NeoMTA-type cements were the most cost-effective option for single-tooth pulpotomy. Zirconia crowns had the highest cost per tooth.

Deep Sedation Technique for Dental Rehabilitation of a Patient with Klippel-Feil Syndrome.

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a congenital anomaly characterized by a defect in the formation or segmentation of the cervical vertebrae, resulting in their fusion. The clinical triad of the syndrome consists of short neck, low posterior hairline, and limited neck movement, although fewer than 50 percent of patients demonstrate all three clinical features. The short neck and its immobility and instability present a significant challenge for endotracheal intubation. The purpose of this paper is to describe the management of a 13-year-old patient with KFS, extensive dental caries, and restricted mouth opening using a deep sedation technique in the operating room, which allowed successful completion of dental treatment.

Oral, radiographical, and clinical findings in Weaver syndrome: a case report.

Weaver syndrome is a rare condition characterized by accelerated growth, advanced osseous maturation, and distinct craniofacial features that can occur in both males and females. Etiology is unknown and no definitive oral characteristics have been established. The objective of this case report is to describe the oral and radiographic findings of a 14-year-old male with Weaver syndrome. A comprehensive dental examination was performed under general anesthesia. The clinical findings were: severe generalized heavy plaque with subgingival calculus, gingival edema, malocclusion and maxillary atresia, mild micrognathia of the mandible, enlarged tongue, and bifid uvula. Clinical and radiographic caries were not found. Out of over 40 possible cases of Weaver syndrome previously reported in the literature, only two were related to the oral cavity. Bifida uvula was not mentioned until now as clinical findings associated with the syndrome. Autism, macroglossia, and cleft palate were seldom mentioned. The oral manifestations in Weaver syndrome are not yet well known. Future studies will be required to improve the subject matter.

Management of complications after traumatic injuries to immature permanent maxillary incisors: a five years follow up case report.

The management of traumatic injuries to the teeth and soft tissues represent a challenge for the dental practitioner requiring knowledge and expertise necessary for adequate diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the emergency, short and long-term management of young permanent teeth involved with complex luxation injuries. Emergency management, orthodontic forced eruption and pulp therapy approaches used are described in details. The case was followed-up clinically and radiographically for 5 years.

Clinical manifestations and dental management of dentinogenesis imperfecta associated with osteogenesis imperfecta: Case report.

Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) associated with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues and results in dentine dysplasia. This case report discusses the systemic and dental manifestations of OI and DI in a 4-year-old child, with moderate presentation of both disorders, who was treated at King Fahd Military Medical Complex in Dhahran. Dental treatment included the use of strip and stainless-steel crowns under local anesthesia, as well as behavior modification techniques. Rigorous home care instructions, including reinforcement of the oral hygiene practice and avoidance of any episode that may lead to bone fracture, were discussed with the parents. The case was reevaluated at 3-month follow-up visits, wherein the medical and dental histories were updated, the child's growth was monitored, periodic clinical and radiographic examinations were performed, and the oral hygiene was evaluated via the debris index score and caries risk assessment. Further treatment of the permanent dentition may be needed in the future.