Comparison of the Remineralizing Effect of Brushing with Aloe vera versus Fluoride Toothpaste.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present in vitro study is to compare the remineralization brushing effect of three toothpastes and Aloe vera (AV) gel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty sound extracted teeth were placed in a demineralizing solution for 4 days and randomly assigned to four groups: group A: 1,450-ppm fluoride toothpaste; group B: AV nonfluoridated toothpaste; group C: AV 1,000-ppm fluoridated toothpaste; and group D: AV gel. A 3-minute pH cycling was performed twice a day for each group for 12 days. Specimens were analyzed before and after by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The outcomes were analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov's tests, repeated-measures analyses of variance followed by univariate analyses, and Bonferroni's multiple comparisons tests to compare the calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio within time among toothpaste groups. RESULTS: Following remineralization, the Ca:P ratio increased in all groups. The difference of the Ca:P ratio was not significant between groups C, D, and A. The mean ratio was significantly lower in group B (p-value = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The AV gel demonstrated a remineralization capacity equal to that of the 1,450-ppm fluoride toothpaste. In contrast, fluoride-free AV toothpaste showed a lower remineralization efficiency. Further studies are required to understand its mechanism.

Assessment of caries on the first permanent molars in a group of seven- to thirteen-year-old schoolchildren: Comparison of DMF and ICDAS systems.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare ICDAS and DMFT/S in the evaluation of caries status of the first permanent molar in 200 children aged 7 to 13 years. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional design study. Participants were selected from two private schools in Lebanon. The examinations were performed by two trained and calibrated examiners using a dental mirror and a WHO probe. The number of decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) teeth was recorded in DMFT/S form, and the numbers related to D, M and F were then added to record the DMFT/S value (D1MFT/S, D2MFT/S and D3MFT/S). In the ICDAS, the assessment of caries associated with restorations and sealant was recorded. Student t tests/and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the continuous variables. Chi-square tests and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the categorical variables. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 9.21 ± 1.927 (7-13 years old). No significant difference was found between the mean time to score DMFT, DMFS and ICDAS indices (-p-value > 0.05). The prevalence of caries with D1MFS, D2MFS and D3MFS was 80.5%, 54% and 30.5%, respectively. However, the prevalence of caries with ICDAS II was 77.5%. CONCLUSION: The DMF index is an international user-friendly system that shows the carious history of teeth. However, the ICDAS assesses the different stages of caries and describes the restorative status of the tooth, promoting new preventive approaches and curative needs. More studies should be done to confirm these findings.

Techniques for managing behaviour in pediatric dentistry: comparative study of live modelling and tell-show-do based on children's heart rates during treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tell-show-do is the most popular technique for managing children"s behaviour in dentists" offices. Live modelling is used less frequently, despite the satisfactory results obtained in studies conducted during the 1980s. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of these 2 techniques on children"s heart rates during dental treatments, heart rate being the simplest biological parameter to measure and an increase in heart rate being the most common physiologic indicator of anxiety and fear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this randomized, controlled, parallel-group single-centre clinical trial, children 5 to 9 years of age presenting for the first time to the Saint Joseph University dental care centre in Beirut, Lebanon, were divided into 3 groups: those in groups A and B were prepared for dental treatment by means of live modelling, the mother serving as the model for children in group A and the father as the model for children in group B. The children in group C were prepared by a pediatric dentist using the tell-show-do method. Each child"s heart rate was monitored during treatment, which consisted of an oral examination and cleaning. RESULTS: A total of 155 children met the study criteria and participated in the study. Children who received live modelling with the mother as model had lower heart rates than those who received live modelling with the father as model and those who were prepared by the tell-show-do method (p < 0.01). The model used for live modelling (father or mother) and the child"s age were determining factors in the results obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Live modelling is a technique worth practising in pediatric dentistry.

[Multidisciplinary approach to behavior control of children during dental care: clinical study on the effect of learning by imitation]. / Approche multidisciplinaire du contrôle du comportement de l'enfant durant les soins médico-dentaires: étude clinique sur l'effet de la technique d'apprentissage par imitation.

Many techniques of behavioral control of children have been developed to help the good performance of their health treatment. The objective of this study was to test the effect of the "modeling" technique on the pulse of the children during dental treatment. 69 girls and 86 boys were selected and divided into 3 groups A, B and C. Groups A and B were approached using the "modeling" technique and by taking respectively the mother or the father as a model. For the group C, the 'tell show do' approach was only used. The pulses of these children were registered during the check-up session and the cleaning therapy that followed. The results showed statistical significance (p < 0.001) of the two major factors investigated: gender of the children and choice of the model when using the modeling technique.