Prevalence of erosive tooth wear and associated risk factors in Colombian adolescents.

Accurate determination of the prevalence of erosive tooth wear (ETW) and associated risk factors in adolescents can inform clinical management guidelines. The aim of this analytical cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of ETW in adolescents aged 12-15 years in the municipality of Usaquén in Bogotá, Colombia. Two calibrated examiners clinically assessed ETW using Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) Index (range: 0-3). All tooth surfaces (excluding proximal) were scored to allow estimation of the Highest (0-3) and Total BEWE (sum of Highest BEWE score per sextant: 0-18) scores per patient. Sociodemographic characteristics, ETW risk factors, and caries severity (ICDAS-epi-merged) were evaluated, and their association with the presence of ETW (indicated by a Highest BEWE score of 2-3) was examined using preliminary analyses and logistic regression models. The study sample included 454 adolescents (mean age: 13.5±1.1 years; female: 61.7%), and the prevalence of ETW was 71.6%. The majority of participants exhibited a Highest BEWE score of 3 (58.0%) and a Total BEWE score ≤8 (84.3%). The preliminary analysis showed an association between the presence of ETW and age, caries, and brushing teeth before eating (p-value < 0.05). Risk factors for ETW included always brushing teeth before eating [adjusted Prevalence Ratio (PRa) 1.31, p-value=0.014], presence of extensive carious lesions (PRa 1.23, p-value = 0.024), male gender (PRa 1.14, p-value = 0.028), and age > 14 years (PRa 1.17, p-value = 0.009). Although ETW was highly prevalent, most Colombian adolescents exhibited low Total BEWE scores. ETW was associated with frequent fruit intake, age, toothbrushing habits, caries lesions, and sex.

[Risk analysis Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW): checklist for a quick assessment of the risk factors for ETW in the dental practice]. / Risikoanalyse Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW): Checkliste zur schnellen Bewertung der Risikofaktoren für ETW in der Zahnarztpraxis.

Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW) is the loss of tooth structure without bacterial involvement. As the resulting loss of tooth structure is irreversible, an early evaluation of the multifactorial etiology, accurate diagnosis and regular follow-up are essential. The ETW is dynamic and its progression should be continuously monitored. A risk analysis table was developed to systematically record risk factors for ETW (Fig. 2). This allows ETW management to be integrated more efficiently into clinical practice and the progression to be documented over the years. If ETW is assumed, the risk analysis should be performed and updated at least every two years. In the assessment, risk-promoting and risk-inhibiting factors are marked, added together and compared. If the negative factors pre-dominate, measures should be taken to minimize the risk for ETW. The main purpose of the risk analysis is therefore to evaluate the individual etiology, coun-teract negative factors, promote positive factors and prevent progression.

In vitro assessment of dental erosion caused by clear aligners.

The primary objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the erosive potential of enamel under the use of clear aligners (CA), by simulating in vivo conditions experienced by patients who do not remove their CA during the consumption of acidic beverages. In addition, the difference in erosion protection conferred by artificial and human saliva was also evaluated. Sound-extracted human premolars (n = 20) had half of their surfaces protected with acid-resistant nail polish and were randomly distributed into two experimental groups (n = 10): teeth immersed in human saliva or artificial saliva. All teeth had half of their lingual surfaces enclosed by a CA device. The erosive challenges consisted of individual immersion of each sample in citrus acid three times a day, intermediated by immersion in human saliva or artificial saliva for 2 h, during ten days of the erosive protocol. The enamel mineral content was analyzed by high-resolution microtomography. The differential mineral concentration profiles were obtained by subtracting the profile of the mineral concentration of the exposed area and enamel under the CA area from the respective sound area (control). In addition, enamel wear and enamel volume loss were measured. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also performed to analyze the enamel surface. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test. The enamel wear was higher in teeth immersed in artificial saliva, when compared to human saliva (p < 0.001). The volume loss of the exposed enamel area was lower for tooth immersed in human saliva than in artificial saliva (p < 0.001), during the acid challenge protocol. The use of CA during acid challenges promoted wear and mineral loss of dental enamel, being these changes more pronounced on the enamel surface under the CA. These results open a new path for the development of further studies adopting clinical protocols that promote more accurate responses in the clinical practice during orthodontic treatment.

Longitudinal assessment of dental erosion-abrasion by cross-polarization optical coherence tomography in vitro.

This study tested a novel in vitro dental erosion-abrasion model and the performance of cross-polarization optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) in longitudinally monitoring the simulated lesions. Thirty human enamel specimens were prepared and randomized to receive three dental erosion-abrasion (EA) protocols: severe (s-EA, lemon juice/pH:2.5/4.25%w/v citric acid), moderate (m-EA, grapefruit juice/pH:3.5/1.03%w/v citric acid) and no-EA (water, control). EA challenge was performed by exposing the specimens to acidic solutions 4x/day and to brushing 2x/day with 1:3 fluoridated toothpaste slurry, for 14 days. Enamel thickness measurements were obtained using CP-OCT at baseline (D0), 7 (D7) and 14 days (D14) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) at D14. Enamel surface loss was measured with both CP-OCT and optical profilometry at D0, D7 and D14. Data was analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA and Pearson's correlation (r) (α = 0.05). CP-OCT enamel thickness decreased over time in the s-EA group (D0 >D7 > D14, p < 0.001) and m-EA group (D0 > D14, p = 0.019) but did not change in the no-EA group (p = 0.30). Overall, CP-OCT and micro-CT results at D14 correlated moderately (r = 0.73). CP-OCT surface loss was highest for s-EA (p <0.001) but did not differ between moderate and no-EA (p = 0.25). Enamel surface loss with profilometry increased with severity (no-EA>m-EA>s-EA, p < 0.001). D14 surface loss was higher than D7 for both methods except for the no-EA group with profilometry. CP-OCT and profilometry had moderate overall correlation (r = 0.70). Our results revealed that the currently proposed in vitro dental erosion-abrasion model is valid and could simulate lesions of different severities over time. CP-OCT was a suitable method for monitoring the EA lesions.

Differences in susceptibility of deciduous and permanent teeth to erosion exist, albeit depending on protocol design and method of assessment.

Controversial results showing that deciduous teeth are more susceptible to erosion than permanent teeth might be related to study designs. We investigated how different conditions (pH: 3.0, 4.0, 5.0; acid agitation: gentle or vigorous; acid exposure times: 1-5 min) affect the susceptibility of both teeth to erosion. Enamel specimens (90 deciduous, 90 permanent) were distributed into groups (n = 15 permanent, n = 15 deciduous) according to acid pH (pH 5, 4 or 3) and agitation (gentle or vigorous) during erosive challenge. Both milder (less incubation time, gentle agitation, and higher pH) and more severe (longer incubation times, vigorous shaking, and lower pH) conditions were used. Demineralization was measured by relative surface microhardness (rSMH) and calcium released to the acid. Demineralization increased gradually for both teeth with increasing incubation time, agitation (gentle or vigorous), and with decreasing acid pH. The differences between deciduous and permanent teeth depended on the protocol design and assessment method. Under milder conditions, demineralization was better detectable with rSMH. Under more severe conditions, differences were more perceptible with calcium analyses. Differences exist in the susceptibility to erosion between deciduous and permanent teeth, but they are only distinguishable when the appropriate assessment method is used for the specific erosive condition.

REGULAR APPLICATION OF FLUORIDES TO TEETH IS LIKELY TO PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION AGAINST ENAMEL EROSION AND ABRASION.

ARTICLE TITLE AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: Zanatta RF, TMF Caneppele, T Scaramucci, R El Dib, LC Maia, DM Ferreira, AB Borges Protective effect of fluorides on erosion and erosion/abrasion in enamel: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized in situ trials. Arch Oral Biol. 2020 Dec;120:104945. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2020.104945. Epub 2020 Oct 16. SOURCE OF FUNDING: Sao Paulo Research Foundation (grant number 2017/13799-8), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, (grant numbers 310953/2015-4 and 310320/ 2017-8). TYPE OF STUDY/DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Assessment of the preventive effects of Nd:YAG laser associated with fluoride on enamel caries using optical coherence tomography and FTIR spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study characterized and monitored, by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the effects of the association of acidulated phosphate fluoride gel (APF-gel) and Nd:YAG (neodymiun:yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser, as sequencial treatments, in the prevention of incipient enamel caries lesions. METHODS: 120 human enamel samples were randomized into 3 groups (n = 40): APF-gel (1.23% F-, 4 min.); Laser+APF (Nd:YAG laser irradiation-0.6W, 84.9J/cm2, 10Hz, followed by APF-gel); and APF+Laser (APF-gel followed by laser irradiation). The samples were subjected to a 15-day pH-cycling, evaluated by OCT (quantification of optical attenuation coefficient-OAC) and FTIR (analysis of carbonate and phosphate content) before treatments, after treatments, and on the 5th, 10th and 15th days of pH-cycling. The statistical analysis was performed (α = 5%). RESULTS: The Optical Attenuation Coefficient (OAC) assessed by OCT increases with the progression of demineralization, and the Laser+APF presented the highest values of OAC in 10th and 15th days of pH-cycling. Nd:YAG decreased the carbonate content after treatment regardless of the application order of the APF-gel, while APF-gel did not interfere in the composition of enamel. The carbonate content was also changed in the first 5 days of the pH-cycling in all groups. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser irradiation before or after the application of APF-gel did not influence the appearance of incipient caries lesions, showing no synergistic effect. Regardless of the application order of the APF-gel, laser irradiation reduces the carbonate content of the enamel, which also changes during the demineralization process. However, irradiation before the application of APF-gel increased the speed of progression of the lesions, which positively impacts public health as it can prevent caries disease, even in high risk individuals. OCT and FTIR are suitable for assessing this effect.

Cross-polarization optical coherence tomographic assessment of in situ simulated erosive tooth wear.

This clinical study tested cross-polarization optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) monitoring of erosive tooth wear (ETW). Twenty participants completed a 14-day/arm, 3-arm crossover study simulating different ETW severities. Participants received two enamel specimens (per arm) and were randomized to: severe (s-ETW, lemon juice/pH:2.5/4.25%wt/vol citric acid), moderate (m-ETW, grapefruit juice/pH:3.5/1.03%wt/vol citric acid), and non-ETW (water). Enamel thickness was measured with CP-OCT (day[D] 0, 7, 14) and micro-computed tomography (µ-CT; D14). Enamel surface loss was determined with CP-OCT and optical profilometry (OP; D7, D14). CP-OCT showed higher enamel surface loss for D14 than D7 for m-ETW (P = .009) and s-ETW (P = .040) and differentiated severity at D14 (s-ETW > non-ETW, P = .027). OP was able to differentiate surface loss between days (D7 < D14, P < .001) for m-ETW and s-ETW, and ETW severity effect after 7 and 14 days (non-ETW < m-ETW < s-ETW, P < .001). At D14, CP-OCT and µ-CT were positively correlated (r = .87, ICC = .62). CP-OCT showed potential as a tool for clinical ETW monitoring.

Objective assessment of simulated non-carious cervical lesion by tridimensional digital scanning.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the use of 3D intraoral scanner/image analysis for the detection and monitoring of simulated non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 288 NCCLs of different severities and simulated using a laboratorial model associating toothbrush stiffness (soft, medium, and hard) and toothpaste abrasivity (low, medium, high, and negative control) were analyzed. Dental impressions were taken from specimens before and after 35K and 65K brushing strokes, and then scanned with a CEREC Omnicam scanner. 3D models were analyzed for volumetric tooth loss. 3D optical profilometry was considered as the gold standard. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD tests (alpha = 0.05), and agreement between methods by using intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Toothbrushes of hard and mid stiffness caused higher tooth loss than soft when associated with the highest abrasive, at 35K and 65K strokes (p < 0.001). Variation in slurry abrasivity led to differences in tooth loss (with control < low < medium < high, p < 0.0001) after both 35K and 65K strokes, regardless of the type of toothbrush used, except at 35K, wherein control = low (p = 0.55). 35K strokes caused less tooth loss than 65K for all abrasive slurries (p < 0.0001) except controls. The intraclass correlation coefficient for agreement between the test and gold standard methods was 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of 3D images from intraoral scanner could detect and monitor NCCL progression, although this ability was limited on incipient lesions. Overall good agreement was found between the test method and optical profilometry. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The suggested method may be applicable to detect and monitor NCCLs clinically.

Impact of early biofilm on the assessment of initial enamel erosion with swept-source optical coherence tomography.

Objective: This study examined the impact of early biofilm on the tooth surface, during the assessment of initial enamel erosion using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Method and materials: Forty-five enamel windows of 2 × 4 mm2 were prepared on 23 extracted human teeth. The specimens were exposed to citric acid (pH 3.2) for 30 minutes and randomly divided into three groups (n = 15): Group 1, no biofilm; Group 2, 1-day-old biofilm; and Group 3, 3-day-old biofilm. Specimens in Groups 2 and 3 were inoculated with oral bacteria (Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mitis, and Actinomyces naeslundii) to produce early laboratory-cultivated biofilms for 1 and 3 days respectively. Surface microhardness (SMH) measurements were taken at pre- (t1) and post-erosion (t2); and SS-OCT scans were done at t1, t2, and post-biofilm cultivation (t3). Integrated reflectivity (IR) of the tooth-air interface (IRsurface) and enamel (IRenamel) were computed from the mean A-scans. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t tests and one-way ANOVA (α = .05). Results: A significant increase in IRenamel was observed at t2 (P < .05). At t3, IRsurface between Group 1 (control) and Group 2 (P = .012) as well as Group 3 (P = .001) were significantly different. Significant variances in IRenamel were perceived between t2 and t3 for Groups 2 and 3 but not for Group 1. Conclusion: As early biofilm affected SS-OCT assessment of initial enamel erosion, they should be removed from the tooth surface prior to OCT procedures..

Multicenter study to develop and validate a risk assessment tool as part of composite scoring system for erosive tooth wear.

OBJECTIVES: (i) To develop, validate, and apply in practice a new risk assessment tool for erosive tooth wear (ETW) including a risk factors questionnaire and a saliva secretion evaluation, which combined with a clinical index, can be part of an ETW composite scoring system; (ii) to assess ETW lesions and current and past erosive challenges in younger age groups. METHODS: The Tooth Surface Loss/Erosion Working Group of the European Association of Dental Public Health consisted of an international panel of experts designed the survey component of the new tool (Erosive Wear Assessment of Risk-EWAR) and confirmed its construct and content validity. After receiving ethical approvals and informed consents, the EWAR tool (questionnaire + saliva secretion evaluation) was applied in a multicenter cross-sectional study with 207 participants aged 15-21 years old from four countries (Finland, Greece, Romania, the USA). BEWE score was used for the clinical assessment of ETW. RESULTS: A total of 58.5% of participants had ETW. 10.9% and 20.3% of participants had low secretion of stimulated (< 1 ml/min) and unstimulated saliva (< 0.25 ml/min), respectively. The following factors were bivariately significantly associated with ETW: energy drink consumption, low secretion of stimulated saliva, juices consumption, erosive drink consumption for quenching thirst between meals, erosive drink kept in the mouth, feeling pain/icing after consuming something acidic or cold, and co-existence of other type of tooth wear. In regression analysis, only energy drink consumption (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.39, 8.9), low secretion of stimulated saliva (OR = 36.3, 95% CI: 4.71, 78.94), and feeling pain/icing (OR = 8.8, 95% CI: 1.92, 40.04) remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: The examiners of the study reported that the EWAR tool appeared to be an affordable and easy-to-use instrument. Some challenges occurred during the saliva collection process. Inferential analysis revealed that the risk factors/indicators of low stimulated salivary flow, energy drink consumption, and pain/icing with ETW were considered the most important in ETW occurrence. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EWAR tool combined with the BEWE clinical index can be used for ETW risk assessment for epidemiological studies and chairside use.

Erosive assessment of dry mouth lozenges and tablets on enamel and dentin.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the erosive potential of dry mouth lozenges and tablets on enamel and dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following lozenges and tablets were tested: Salese, Oracoat Xylimelts, Cotton Mouth, TheraBreath, DenTek OraMoist, SmartMouth, ACT, CVS Health, Rite Aid, Med Active, and Hager Pharma. pH Analysis: Each lozenge or tablet was crushed with a pestle and mortar and 5 g of the resultant powder was dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water (pH 7.02) The pH of each lozenge solution was assessed by using a calibrated pH meter. Titratable Acidity (TA) was determined by adding 0.1 M of NaOH to each homogenous tablet solution until the pH reached 7.0. Gravimetric Analysis was measured with freshly extracted molars crown/roots were sectioned at the CEJ and enamel and dentin specimens were fabricated. The specimens were then submerged in 5 ml of solution containing 2.5 gm of crushed tablets for 24 h, 48 h, 96 h and 14 days with measurements performed at each interval after drying. The solutions were renewed at each interval. RESULTS: Significant correlation between pH and TA was observed for lozenges and tablets evaluated (p < 0.0001). Both variables were strongly correlated with enamel and dentin loss (p < 0.0001). For enamel, DenTek resulted in significantly more substance loss (p < 0.05) than with the other tested products, while Xylimelts presented the lowest percentage of substance loss. For dentin, Cotton Mouth resulted in the highest substance loss, and Xylimelts presented the lowest percentage of substance loss. CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong correlation between the pH, tritatable aciditiy, and erosive potential of these products. DenTek and Cotton Mouth reported erosive effect to the enamel and dentin, respectively. Xylimelts performed better than the rest of the products in relationship to enamel and dentin.

Evaluación orofacial de los niños Síndrome Prader-Willi / Avaliação orofacial de crianças com Síndrome de Prader-Willi / Orofacial assessment of children with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de salud bucal y el crecimiento craneofacial de pacientes con síndrome de Prader-Willi (SPW), en comparación con niños obesos que no padecen SPW. Métodos y resultados: Se seleccionaron 40 niños con SPW y 40 controles obesos de 10,9 años de edad (control: 11,89 años) y un IMC de 22,72 kg / m2 (control de 36,43 kg / m2). La evaluación de la salud oral ha incluído el número de dientes, tipo de dentición, presencia de caries, sangrado gingival, maloclusión, acumulación de placa, erosión dental, hiperplasia gingival e hipoplasia del esmalte. Los cuestionarios evaluaron los hábitos de higiene oral. Las radiografías panorámicas evaluaron el crecimiento craneofacial. El grupo de casos tenía un 6,8% menos de dientes en comparación con el grupo de control. Se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el sangrado gingival, la erosión dental y la hipoplasia del esmalte (p = 0,009; p = 0,02 y p = 0,006, respectivamente). Aunque no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas, se observó un número aumentado de lesiones cariosas y apiñamiento dental en niños con SPW (p = 0,35 y p = 0,07). Ambos grupos mostraron mala higiene dental. Los niños con SPW mostraron un crecimiento de la rama mandibular aumentada en comparación con el control (p = 0.03). Conclusión: Los niños con SPW tenían hemorragia gingival estática aumentada e hipoplasia del esmalte que los controles con obesidad no SPW. Los niños con SPW pueden presentar un crecimiento vertical craneofacial

Objetivo: Avaliar a saúde bucal e o crescimento craniofacial de pacientes pediátricos com SíndromedePrader-Willi(SPW),emcomparação a crianças obesas não-sindrômicas. Métodos e resultados: Foram selecionadas 40 crianças com SPW e 40 controles não obesos com SPW, com idade de 10,9 anos (controle: 11,89 anos) e IMC 22,72 kg / m2 (controle 36,43 kg / m2). Foram avaliados o número de dentes, tipo de dentição, presença de cárie, sangramento gengival, má oclusão, acúmulo de placa bacteriana, erosão dentária, hiperplasia gengival e hipoplasia do esmalte. Os questionários avaliaram os hábitos de higiene bucal. Radiografias panorâmicas avaliaram o crescimento craniofacial. O grupo caso teve um número 6,8% menor de dentes em comparação ao grupo controle. Observouse diferença estatisticamente significante no sangramento gengival, erosão dentária e hipoplasia do esmalte (p = 0,009; p = 0,02 e p = 0,006, respectivamente). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante, observou-se um número aumentado de lesões de cárie e apinhamento dentário em crianças com SPW (p = 0,35 e p = 0,07). Ambos os grupos apresentaram má higiene dental. As crianças com SPW apresentaram crescimento aumentado do ramo mandibular com diferença estatisticamente significante (p = 0,03). Conclusão: As crianças com SPW apresentaram sangramento gengival estatisticamente aumentado e hipoplasia do esmalte do que os controles não obesos com SPW. Crianças com SPW podem apresentar crescimento vertical craniofacial aumentado. Mais investigações são necessárias para essa população.

Aim: To assess the oral health status and craniofacial growth of patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), compared to obese non-PWS children controls. Methods and Result: 40 PWS children and 40 non-PWS obese controls, aged 10.9 years (control: 11.89 years) and BMI 22.72 kg/m2 (control 36.43 kg/m2) were selected. The number of teeth, type of dentition, presence of caries, gingival bleeding, malocclusion, plaque accumulation, dental erosion, gingival hyperplasia, and enamel hypoplasia were assessed. Questionnaires assessed oral hygiene habits. Panoramic radiographs assessed craniofacial growth. The study group had a 6.8% lower number of teeth compared to the control group. A statistically significant difference was seen in gingival bleeding, dental erosion and enamel hypoplasia (p=0,009; p=0,02 and p=0,006; respectively). There were no statistically significant differences, it was observed an augmented number of carious lesions and Although a higher prevalence of carious lesions and dental crowding was observed in PWS children, the difference was not satisctically significant (p=0.35 and p=0.07 respectively). Both groups showed poor dental hygiene. PWS children showed augmented mandibular ramus growth with a statistically significant difference (p=0.03). Conclusion: PWS children had statically augmented gingival bleeding and enamel hypoplasia than non-PWS obese controls. PWS children may present increased craniofacial vertical growth. Further investigations are needed for this population.

Erosive Tooth Wear, Presence of Parafunctional Habits and Tooth Injuries-Occurrence in a Group of Children and Adolescents Exposed to Domestic Violence.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of parafunctional habits, erosive tooth wear and occurrence of tooth injuries among children being under the care of Social Welfare Centre and children treated in the Department of Children's Dentistry of the Medical University of Warsaw. STUDY DESIGN: The study contains environmental and medical interviews, record-based analysis and clinical examination. Parafunctional habits were rated on the base of dental interviews and clinical examinations. The occlusal surfaces were evaluated by visual examination using modified tooth wear index (TWI). Tooth injuries were reported from a medical interview labeled using Andreasen classification. The consent of the bioethics committee and guardians of children participated in the study was obtained. RESULTS: The study involved 782 patients, including 404 children from dysfunctional families (average age 11,4 ± 3,7) and 378 from ordinary families-control group (8,53 ± 3,92). In the study group we observed higher prevalence of erosive tooth wear (44,66% vs 18,02% p=0,000), dental trauma (9,4% vs 3,44% p=0,001) and a presence of parafunctional habits (67,8% vs 20,4 % p=0,000). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of parafunctional habits, erosive tooth wear and tooth injuries may be an indicator of domestic violence and a component of maltreated child syndrome.

Evaluation of the assessment of tooth wear by general dental practitioners.

Aim To evaluate currently available methods for assessing and monitoring tooth wear in a general dental practice environment.Method A questionnaire was developed and used to obtain data. Models were used to test the dentists' assessment of tooth wear. Ethical permission was obtained.Results Twenty general dental practitioners were interviewed and 100% were aware of the use of study models, 50% about the use of photographs and 45% of the BEWE. Methods used to assess and monitor tooth wear were study models (75%), photographs (65%), BEWE (10%), Smith & Knight index (0%) and no method (15%). Sixty-five percent of dentists were unaware of any guidelines on monitoring tooth wear. In comparing serial photographs, no participant correctly identified all the wear changes and 25% thought a change had occurred when one hadn't. Statistical analysis showed a sensitivity of only 73% with a specificity of 75%. In comparing serial study models (same cases as used in the photographs), 55% of participants identified a change when no change occurred and 50-60% of participants were able to correctly identify if wear had or had not occurred. Participants graded the models according to BEWE. Statistical analysis of these results shows a sensitivity of just 69% with a specificity of only 55%. The inter-operator agreement (Fliess' Kappa) showed an even lower degree of agreement was found with only 0.12, which suggests only a slight level of agreement, less than that with photographs.Conclusion Dentists do not seem to be aware of the current guidelines but do make reasonable attempts to monitor tooth wear. None of the currently available methods are ideal and even the use of serial study models is open to much inter-operator variability.

Socio-economic characteristics, acid drinking patterns and gastric alterations associated with erosive tooth wear in children: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS: Assessing the influence of socio-economic characteristics, acid drinking patterns and gastric alterations considering erosive tooth experience in children. METHODS: Cross-sectional study to assess 08-10-year-old children enrolled in the primary education in public schools in Florianopolis, Brazil (n = 1085). Caregivers have answered questionnaires comprising independent variables (head of the household education frequency consumption of sports drinks, acid juice/soda, chewing gum, recurrent vomiting, gastric disorders and vomiting after overeating). Four trained dental surgeons have examined the children for the erosive tooth wear-dependent variable (O'Sullivan index), as well as collected dental caries (DMFT) and dental crowding (DAI index) information. A two-stage cluster-sampling plan was conducted. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were applied (Odds ratio, OR; 95% Confidence interval, CI and 5% significance level). RESULTS: The prevalence of erosive tooth wear was 15.67%. Erosive tooth wear was positively associated with high consumption of sports drinks (OR 3.42; 95% CI: 1.18-9.23). Children whose caregivers' educational level was equal or less than four years of study were less likely to have erosive tooth wear (OR 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17-0.88). CONCLUSION: High consumption of sports drinks is positively associated with erosive tooth wear. Children whose caregivers' educational level is low are less likely to present erosive tooth wear.

Methods of assessment of early dentine erosion: a review.

Dentine erosion is an increasingly recognised problem, especially in aging population, and various methods have been utilised for its assessment. This narrative review was planned to summarise the methods for the assessment of the early stages of dentine erosion. Relevant original articles published in the English language from 2013 to 2017 were reviewed. Laboratory techniques and methods with in vivo potential were separately studied. It is evident that the assessment of early dentine erosion is complex and requires a combination of methods. For clinical evaluation, chemical analysis and optical methods show great potential but are in need of more validation.

Diagnostic Value of the Basic Erosive Wear Examination for the Assessment of Dental Erosion on Patients, Dental Photographs, and Dental Casts.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this trial was to investigate the diagnostic value of the basic erosive wear examination (BEWE) in clinical use, on dental photographs, and on dental casts over a two-year follow-up period (2013-2015). According to the main hypothesis for longitudinal monitoring of dental erosion, the BEWE is equally reproducible by the three assessment methods. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The clinical assessment included intraoral photographic documentation, dental impressions, oral examination, and assessment of BEWE. Clinical assessment of BEWE was done by one blinded examiner, whereas assessment on photographs and dental casts was performed by three calibrated examiners and repeated after 14 days. The three assessment methods were analyzed separately by longitudinal agreement and inter- and intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) alongside 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Comparing the longitudinal data of the years 2013-2015, clinical use and photographs showed no significant difference (p=0.0681-0.9963), whereas the statistical analysis showed a significant difference for dental casts by comparing data from 2013 vs 2014 (p=0.0266) as well as data from 2013 vs 2015 (p=0.0001). Statistical evaluation of overall BEWE showed an intrarater reliability of 0.79-0.91 for photographs and 0.60-0.87 for dental casts. The interrater reliability was 0.77 (95% CI=[0.69; 0.84]) for photographs and 0.63 (95% CI=[0.52; 0.72]) for dental casts. CONCLUSION: This investigation showed that in longitudinal clinical monitoring, the assessment of the BEWE on patients and dental photographs yielded comparable results. In addition, based on these findings, the assessment of the BEWE on dental casts showed moderate reproducibility. Therefore, dental casts may be better used for laboratory assessment techniques.

A novel electron-microscopic method for measurement of mineral content in enamel lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To assess Scanning Electron Microscopy in Back-Scattered Emission mode (BSE-SEM) for measurement of lesion mineral content as a function of depth. Direct comparison is made with Transverse Micro-Radiography (TMR) and Surface Micro-Hardness (SMH) on carious and erosive lesions. DESIGN: Caries lesions prepared from sound bovine enamel at 37 °C and pH 4.6 in unsaturated (7d) or part-saturated (8d, 4.1 mM Ca2+, 8 mM Pi) lactic acid /methyl cellulose gel system, followed by TMR analysis. Erosive lesions prepared from sound bovine enamel (1% citric acid, pH3.8, room temperature) for 5, 10, 15 or 20 min at n = 10 per treatment group. SMH readings (Vickers diamond, 1.9 N, 20 s) were taken from acid-treated and reference areas of each sample. BSE-SEM performed on polished cross-sections of lesioned samples (Jeol JSM6490LV SEM; high vacuum, 10 keV beam voltage, magnification x500 with constant working distance of 10 mm). Under identical SEM conditions, polished standards i.e. MgF2, alumina, Mg, Al and Si provided a calibration plot of BSE-SEM signal vs. atomic number (z¯). Mineral content vs. depth plots were derived from the cross-sectional BSE-SEM data. RESULTS: Cross-sectional BSE-SEM images clearly differentiate between caries and erosive lesions. Comparison of caries lesion mineral loss from BSE-SEM with TMR data showed good correlation (R2 = 0.98). Similarly, comparison of BSE-SEM data from erosive lesions showed good correlation (R2 = 0.99) with hardness loss data from SMH. CONCLUSION: BSE-SEM provides a relatively rapid and cost-effective method for the assessment of mineral content in demineralised tooth enamel and is applicable to both caries and erosive lesions.