Comparative evaluation of retention and cariostatic effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic resin-based sealants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Evidence-based information should be provided to clinicians to explain the effectiveness of hydrophilic and hydrophobic forms of resin based sealants (RBSs). Aim: To assess and evaluate the retention and cariostatic effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic RBSs in primary and/ or permanent teeth with at least a follow-up period of 3 months. Materials and Methods: Five databases were searched up to September 2021 for randomized and non-randomized clinical trials (RCTs and non-RCTs) that evaluated the retention and cariostatic effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic RBSs. Two authors nominated the papers, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. Results: By comparing the retention rate and caries incidence between groups, pooled-effect estimates of included articles were generated. After removing duplicates from the 2,810 titles found, only 1938 remained. Twelve of these were thoroughly examined. A total of 12 papers met the inclusion criteria in qualitative analysis: seven RCTs and five non-RCTs. Only ten studies were included in the meta-analysis: five RCTs and five non-RCTs. After 12 months of follow-up, no significant difference was found in the retention of hydrophilic and hydrophobic RBSs with and without a bonding agent. After 12 months of follow-up, no significant difference was found in the cariostatic effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic RBSs. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in retention and the cariostatic impact was found between hydrophilic and hydrophobic RBSs.

Tomographic Evaluation of the Internal Adaptation for Recent Calcium Silicate-Based Pulp Capping Materials in Primary Teeth.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the internal adaptation of recent pulp capping materials (TheraCal and Biodentine) relative to MTA when used as indirect pulp capping for primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty primary molars were randomly allocated into three groups, group (A) was TheraCal, group (B) was Biodentine, and MTA was the control group (C). A standardized round class-V cavity (1.5 mm diameter and 2 mm depth) was prepared using a milling machine on the buccal surface of each tooth with the pulpal floor located on the dentin. Then, pulp-capping materials were applied. Finally, all teeth were restored by composite restoration. The internal adaptation of the pulp-capping materials to the dentinal surface was investigated by microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) to determine the internal gap volume, and by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to determine the high-intensity reflection of light from the floor. RESULTS: Based on Micro-CT findings, TheraCal showed significantly higher internal gap volume than both MTA and Biodentine (p < 0.001), while MTA and Biodentine did not show a significant difference in the gap volume. Based on the OCT findings, TheraCal showed a significantly higher intensity of light reflection than both MTA and Biodentine (p < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference between MTA and Biodentine. Pearson's correlation test showed that there was a strong positive correlation between Micro-CT and OCT (r = 0.686, N = 30, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Biodentine and MTA showed a comparable result in terms of their internal adaptation on the dentinal surface of the primary teeth, and both were better than TheraCal. There is a moderate to a strong positive correlation between Micro-CT and OCT in the measurement of internal adaptation of the tested pulp capping materials. OCT can be helpful and beneficial for the clinical setting and allow dentists to screen and evaluate restorations during follow-up.

Accuracy of the DIAGNOcam and bitewing radiographs in the diagnosis of cavitated proximal carious lesions in primary molars.

AIMS: To evaluate the diagnostic abilities of near-infrared light transillumination (using the DIAGNOcam) and bitewing radiographs in detecting cavitated proximal carious lesions in primary molars. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional analytical, clinical study. The proximal surfaces of primary molars of healthy 5- to 8-year-old children were radiographically screened for the presence of carious lesions in the enamel or outer third of dentin (D1). Two trained and calibrated examiners evaluated the depth of caries in bitewing radiographs and DIAGNOcam images and then verified the presence of cavitation by direct visual examination using the "International Caries Detection and Assessment System" after temporary tooth separation. RESULTS: A total of 236 proximal lesions were included in the study. Most of the clinically cavitated lesions (51.9%) were D1 radiographically and in outer dentin lesions (scores 3 and 4) by the DIAGNOcam (37% and 48.1%, respectively). Although DIAGNOcam showed higher sensitivity (0.852) compared to the radiographs (0.519), it showed slightly less specificity (0.569) compared to the radiographs (0.579). However, DIAGNOcam showed higher value of the area under the curve (AUC = 0.722; P < 0.001) compared to the radiographic method (AUC = 0.561; P = 0.308). CONCLUSIONS: The DIAGNOcam showed higher sensitivity and better accuracy than bitewing radiographs in diagnosing cavitated proximal lesions in primary molars and can be generally considered as an alternative to radiographs to detect cavitation without the hazards of ionizing radiation in children.

A study of dental development in a Caucasian population compared with a non-Caucasian population.

AIM: The aim of the present investigation was to compare dental development in children from a non-Caucasian population (Saudi Arabia) with age- and gender- matched children from a Caucasian population (Australia). STUDY DESIGN: Randomised study comparing two population groups using a common set of standards. METHODS: Dental ages of 842 Australian and 456 Saudi Arabian children were assessed from orthopantomograms (OPGs) using the method of Demirjian and co-workers. The children were divided into male and female groups of 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-14 year-olds, and the dental age of each child compared to that the corresponding calendar age group. RESULTS: In both Australian and Saudi Arabian children, the dental ages were higher than the corresponding calendar ages. The largest difference between calendar and dental ages (1.10±0.80 years, p<0.001) was noted in 11-12 year-old Saudi Arabian girls, and the smallest difference (0.33±1.19 years, p<0.01) in 11-12 year-old Australian boys. These discrepancies between calendar and dental ages were significantly different between Australian and Saudi Arabian children (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results suggest that dental development of both Caucasian and non-Caucasian children are generally underestimated by current standards, a few age-specific differences between the two types of population can be discerned.