Publication trends of the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry: A bibliometric analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry (JERD) stands out as one of the most prominent international journals publishing research in esthetic dentistry. This study analyzed articles published by JERD since the year 2000 through bibliometric analysis. METHODOLOGY: The search was conducted in January 2024 using Scopus. The following data were extracted from the articles: citation count, year, language, access type, funding agency, study design, theme (general and specific), country, institution, authors, and keywords. The VOSviewer software was used to generate collaborative network maps among the data. Dimensions were consulted to measure altmetric data. Google Trends was used to investigate the global popularity of JERD research. RESULTS: A total of 1394 articles were included in this analysis. Citation count ranged from 0 to 625 (average: 16.9). Articles were published between 2000 and 2023. Laboratory studies were more prevalent (n = 850), with the most investigated general theme being restorative procedures (n = 882), and the highlighted specific theme being the use of composite resin (n = 327). The United States had the highest number of articles (n = 640), with the diverse distribution among other countries. The most common keyword was "cad/cam" (n = 63). VOSviewer demonstrated high collaboration among countries. Intense mentions were identified primarily on Facebook. According to Google Trends, Egypt was the country that searched for JERD the most. CONCLUSIONS: JERD exhibited significant growth in the number of published articles and their diversity by topics, types, origin (country), number of citations, and impact factor. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The JERD is a journal that publishes studies influencing clinical practice. Identifying the key characteristics of this journal is essential for charting future paths.

Assessment of space changes in the lower dental arch after the premature unit loss of a primary molar: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Premature loss of primary teeth presents a significant challenge in oral health, with conflicting views on using space maintainers. AIM: To assess mandibular arch space changes associated with premature lower primary molar (PM) loss with or without a space maintainer. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial with children (6-9 years old) with premature loss of a lower PM divided into two groups: control group (CG), without a space maintainer, and intervention group (IG), with a space maintainer. Dental casts were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Linear distance; intercanine width and length; and arch width, length, and perimeter were measured. ANOVA and t-test were applied (p = .05). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (mean: 7.3 years; standard deviation [SD]: 0.92) were included: 14 in CG and 12 in IG. CG had a greater space loss (-0.9 mm; SD: 0.45) than IG (-0.4 mm; SD: 0.61) at 3 months (p < .05). No difference between the groups was observed after 6 months (p = .610). CG decreases space at 6 months, especially with the first permanent molars without intercuspation (-2 mm; SD: 0.71; p = .007). CONCLUSION: Premature lower PM loss resulted in reduced arch space loss after 6 months, regardless of a space maintainer use. CG showed more loss of space when the first permanent molars lacked intercuspal relationship.

Fluoride Varnish in Dentistry: A Bibliometric Analysis of the 100 Most-Cited Papers.

A highly cited paper is a milestone and might impact research and clinical practice. The present study analyzed the 100 most-cited papers on fluoride varnishes in dentistry. A search was performed on July 20, 2022, on the Web of Science Core Collection. Two independent researchers extracted the following data: number and citation density; year and journal of publication; study design; main topic; authors; institutions; keywords; countries and continents. Scopus and Google Scholar were consulted to compare the number of citations. Bibliometric networks were generated in the VOSviewer. The number of citations ranged from 36 to 351, and thirteen papers were cited more than 100 times. The papers were published between 1977 and 2018, most of which were published after 2008 (48%). The most prevalent journal was Caries Research (17%). Intervention studies were the most common design (41%). The most discussed topics were dental caries prevention (48%) and dental remineralization (31%). Europe was the continent with the highest number of publications (46%), mainly from Sweden (14%), and Umea University had the most substantial number of studies (8%). Petersson L.G. was the author with more papers in the top 100 (6%). The most used keywords were "dental caries" (34%) and "fluoride varnish" (31%). It can be concluded that the top 100 cited papers on fluoride varnish primarily originated from Europe, with the majority consisting of intervention studies focusing on the utilization of fluoride varnish for the prevention of dental caries.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Most-Cited Papers Concerning Dental Fluorosis.

A high number of citations can indicate the potential of any specific paper to influence other research and generate changes in clinical practice. Analyzing the most-cited papers in a certain scientific field may assist researchers to identify the influential papers as well their main characteristics. The present study aimed to analyze the 100 most-cited papers concerning dental fluorosis (DF) through a bibliometric review. A search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS-CC) database in November 2021. The papers were displayed in descending order according to the number of citations in WoS-CC. Two independent researchers performed the selection. Scopus and Google Scholar were used to compare the number of citations with WoS-CC. The following data were extracted from the papers: title, authors, number and density of citations, institution, country, continent, year of publication, journal title, keywords, study design, and theme. Collaborative networks were generated using the VOSviewer software. The top 100 most-cited papers were published between 1974 and 2014 and were cited 6,717 times (ranging from 35 to 417). Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (24%), Journal of Dental Research (21%), Journal of Public Health Dentistry (17%), and Caries Research (13%) published the most papers. Observational studies (60%) and literature reviews (19%) were the most common study designs. The main topics were epidemiology (44%) and fluoride intake (32%). The countries with the highest number of papers were the USA (44%), Canada (10%), and Brazil (9%). The University of Iowa (USA) had the most papers (12%). Levy SM was the author with the highest number of papers (12%). The 100 most-cited papers on DF were mainly observational studies focused on epidemiology and originated in North America. There were few interventional studies and systematic reviews among the most-cited papers concerning this topic.

The Top 100 Most-Cited Papers in Erosive Tooth Wear: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Citation rates can be used as an indicator of the influence and relevance of scientific papers. The present study analyzed the 100 most-cited articles related to erosive tooth wear (ETW). The top 100 most-cited papers focusing on ETW topics were collected from the Web of Science database on November 11, 2020. The following bibliometric data were extracted from papers: title, authorship, institutions, countries, number of citations, year of publication, journal title, study design, topic, and keywords. Scopus and Google Scholar were searched to compare the number of citations. The VOSviewer software was used to generate collaborative network maps for the authors and keywords. The number of citations of the 100 most-cited papers ranged from 71 to 330 (average: 97.44). The papers were published between 1949 and 2015. Caries Research (28%) and The Journal of Dentistry (16%) presented the majority of papers. Laboratorial (44%) and observational studies (33%) were the most common study designs. The most studied topics were epidemiology (31%) and the erosive potential of substances (drinks, foods, or medicines) (22%). The countries with the highest number of most-cited papers were England (32%), Germany (18%), and Switzerland (10%). The University of Bern was the institution with the most papers (10%). Lussi A was the author with the highest number of papers in the top 100 (14%). The most common keyword was "dental erosion" with 64 occurrences. The top 100 most-cited papers related to ETW were composed mainly of laboratorial and observational studies focusing on epidemiology and the erosive potential of substances.

Are electronic apex locators accurate in determining working length in primary teeth pulpectomies? A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies.

BACKGROUND: The lack of a well-defined apical constriction in primary teeth raises concerns regarding the accuracy of electronic apex locators (EALs) for measuring working length. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of EALs in determining working length in primary teeth pulpectomies. METHODS: Two reviewers searched ten databases up to September 2021. Clinical studies evaluating the accuracy of the electronic measurement of working length in primary teeth pulpectomies were included. Studies without a comparison group, with samples smaller than ten root canals, and that did not use a multiple frequency EAL were excluded. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the paired differences in mean lengths between measurements obtained by electronic and comparative methods. In addition, a meta-analysis of proportion was applied according to the level of difference between the measures. The risk of bias and applicability of the studies were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The certainty of evidence was assessed with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were included in the qualitative analysis and twenty-three in the quantitative analysis. The methods of comparison for the electronic measurement were the radiographic method, radiovisiographic, scanning electron microscopy, and direct visualization. The meta-analysis showed that the electronic measurement tends to be shorter than radiographic measurement, while the other methods showed no difference. The proportion analysis showed a higher pooled proportion of difference values between electronic and comparative measurements within -0.5 to +0.5 mm (69.31%). The certainty of the evidence suggested very low confidence in estimating the outcome. DISCUSSION: The results of this review denote a good performance of the EALs in determining working length in primary teeth pulpectomies. However, these results are based on clinical studies with low methodological quality and high heterogeneity, which require careful interpretation for clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results suggest acceptable accuracy of EALs in determining working length in primary teeth pulpectomies, the low quality of the included studies and the very low certainty of the evidence require clinicians to interpret these results with caution. More robust evidence is required to support that these devices are accurate for primary teeth. REGISTRATION: CRD42021277414 (PROSPERO).

Prevalence of toothache and associated factors in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of toothache in children and adolescents and to verify its association with sociodemographic characteristics and dental caries experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six main and three grey literature databases were searched in February 2021. Observational studies that assessed the prevalence of toothache and associated factors were included. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated following the guidelines by Fowkes and Fulton. Proportion and association meta-analyses were performed in MedCalc and Revman software, respectively. The certainty of the evidence was determined with the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Seventy-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-two presented high methodological quality and a low risk of bias. The overall pooled prevalence of toothache in children and adolescents was 36.2% (95%CI: 33.0-39.42; I2: 99.72%; P < 0.001). Females (OR: 1.17; 95%CI: 1.08-1.26; I2: 91%; P < 0.001) and children and adolescents whose caregivers had ≤ 8 years of schooling (OR: 1.42; 95%CI: 1.30-1.56; I2: 77%; P < 0.001) presented the higher chance of reporting toothache. Dental caries experience increased the chance of reporting toothache in 3.49 times (95%CI: 2.70-4.51; I2: 92%; P < 0.001). The certainty of the evidence was very low. CONCLUSIONS: The overall pooled prevalence of toothache was considered high. Sociodemographic characteristics (sex and caregivers' educational level) and previous dental caries experience were significantly associated with toothache reports. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Toothache is still a recurrent issue in many countries. Thus, it is essential to understand its possible associated factors to reduce the occurrence of new episodes.

Prevalence of sequelae after traumatic dental injuries to anterior primary teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Clinical and radiographic sequelae are common following traumatic dental injuries to primary teeth. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the prevalence of such sequelae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Searches were conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and BBO/LILACS databases as well as the gray literature. The outcome of interest was the prevalence of the most common sequelae following traumatic dental injuries to anterior primary teeth. Observational studies that evaluated such sequelae were included. Data were extracted, and methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. The number of sequelae per tooth and the total number of teeth evaluated in each study were considered to calculate pooled prevalence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The quality of the evidence was determined using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Twenty-five articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The prevalence of each complication in descending order was as follows: 39.7% crown discoloration (95% CI: 29.52-50.32), 24.3% pulp necrosis with infection (95% CI: 17.34-32.06), 16.2% periapical radiolucency (95% CI: 8.88-25.49), 15.9% premature tooth loss (95% CI: 9.93-23.15), 14.8% pulp canal obliteration (95% CI: 8.46-22.73), 11.9% pathological root resorption (95% CI: 7.68-16.98), 7.1% abscess/fistula (95% CI: 4.4-10.6), and 1.8% ankylosis (95% CI: 0.82-3.17). The certainty of the evidence was very low. CONCLUSIONS: Crown discoloration was the most common sequela in injured primary teeth, but this should be interpreted with caution due to the very low certainty of the evidence. Considerable variation was found in the prevalence of each sequela.

Association between sella turcica bridging and impacted maxillary canines.

Changes in sella turcica (ST) development may be associated with impaction of the permanent canine teeth. Calcification of the interclinoid ligament, which forms a bridge between the anterior and posterior clinoid processes of the sphenoid bone, has been termed ST bridging. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an association exists between ST bridging and the presence of impacted maxillary canines (IMCs) in a Brazilian population. In this case-control study, 2 blinded and calibrated examiners measured the length (interclinoidal distance), depth, and diameter of the ST on cephalometric radiographs of 64 adults divided into a case group with IMCs (n = 32) and a control group without IMCs (n = 32). The degree of calcification was established as no (class I), partial (class II), or complete (class III) calcification. A t test was used to compare ST dimensions between the groups, and a chi-square test was used to analyze the association between the degree of calcification and the groups. The association between ST bridging and IMC was estimated by means of logistic regression analysis (α = 0.05). The study findings showed that ST length in the case group was shorter than that in the control group (P = 0.042; t test), and the length was shorter in men than in women (P = 0.038; t test). The ST bridging frequency was higher in the case group (P = 0.03; chi-square test), and there was no difference between men and women. The presence of ST bridging might be associated with increased odds of IMCs (P < 0.01; adjusted odds ratio = 5.92). In this patient sample, the occurrence of IMCs was positively associated with the presence and severity of ST bridging.

Oral hygiene prior to cardiac surgery to prevent infections: Randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT: It is not clear if an oral hygiene protocol to control biofilm applied before cardiac surgery can reduce infection rates. OBJECTIVE: We aim to verify the effectiveness of an oral hygiene protocol in reducing postoperative infections when compared to usual practices, in patients admitted to a cardiology unit, prior to cardiac surgery. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized, blind, controlled clinical trial, with 107 participants who expected to undergo cardiac surgery, randomized into two groups: Experimental Group (EG) standardized oral hygiene protocol (54) and Control Group (CG), usual practices performed in patients admitted (53). INTERVENTION: a standardized oral hygiene protocol, 1 day before surgery: professional prophylaxis with a portable ultrasound device, tooth brushing and flossing plus a 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate solution (0.12% CHX) mouth rinsing. When applicable, removable prostheses cleaning. PRIMARY OUTCOME: the presence of infection. RESULTS: The occurrence of postoperative infection was higher in CG = 7 (13.2%) than in EG = 5 (9.3%); but no statistical difference was found between protocols (p = 0.518). The length of stayed from surgery to discharge presented a statistical difference (p = 0.047; RR = 4.9; CI = 1.01-24.33); the percentage of postoperative infection was almost five times higher in those participants who stayed 11 or more days. CONCLUSION: The standardized oral hygiene protocol with mechanical and chemical cleaning, 1 day before cardiac surgery, was not more effective than the usual practices performed regarding the reduction of postoperative infections. Other interventions regarding oral hygiene procedures before cardiac surgery must be studied to contribute to the reduction of adverse post-surgical events. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Site Ensaclinicos.gov.br number U1111-1214-2862. DESCRIPTORS: Healthcare Associated Infections, Cardiovascular Diseases, Periodontal Diseases, Dental Biofilm, Cardiovascular Surgery.

BURNOUT SYNDROME AMONG DENTISTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

OBJECTIVE: Burnout syndrome has negative consequences on the dentist's health and performance during work. This systematic review aimed to assess the prevalence of Burnout syndrome in dentists. METHODS: Searches were carried out in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, LILACS databases, and searches in the gray literature on January 27, 2021. There were no restrictions on language and search period. For the diagnosis of Burnout, only studies that used the Maslach burnout inventory questionnaire and its subscales emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and reduced personal accomplishment (PA) were included. Proportion meta-analyses were performed using the Stata 13.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 37 articles were included in the narrative and 31 in quantitative syntheses. The overall prevalence of Burnout syndrome in dentists was 13% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.006-0.21; I²: 97.07%) and the total prevalence in the subscales EE, DP, and PA, were, respectively: 28% (95% CI: 0.24-0.32; I²: 20.70%), 18% (95% CI: 0.08-0.28; I²: 85.61%) and 10% (95% CI: 0.08-0.13; I²: 0%). About the levels of Burnout syndrome in the subscales, 25% (95% CI: 0.19-0.31; I² 92.58%) presented high EE, 18% (95% CI: 0.10-0.26; I² 96.62%) high DP and 32% (95% 0.20-0.45; I² 97.86%) low PA. About continuous data, the mean of EE, DP and PA was respectively 17.90 (95% CI: 9.36-26.43; I² 94.8), 6.93 (95% CI: 3.41-10.45; I² 80.2) and, 34.69 (95% CI: 23.82-45.55; I² 98.8). No study presented all the positive criteria of the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklist. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there was a considerable prevalence of burnout syndrome in dentists, mainly in the subscale of emotional exhaustion.

The top 100 most-cited papers authored by Dr. Jens Ove Andreasen: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Dr. Jens Ove Andreasen, the "father" of dental traumatology, passed away on September 26, 2020. As a tribute, the aim of this study was to catalog and analyze the top 100 most-cited papers (co)authored by Dr. Andreasen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on October 21, 2020, in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS-CC) database. The numbers of citations in the WoS "All Databases" section, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were cross-matched. Two researchers collected the following bibliometric data: title, number of citations, authors, country, year, journals, study design, and theme. The VOSviewer software was used to generate collaborative network maps for the authors and keywords. RESULTS: Of 194 papers identified in WoS-CC, a list was compiled with the 100 most-cited papers (co)authored by Dr. Andreasen. The number of citations of each paper ranged from 24 to 365 (mean: 85.4). Nine papers were cited more than 200 times. Most papers were published in Dental Traumatology (55%), between the 1990's and 2000's (60%), with a laboratory design (40%). One hundred and nine (co)authors, from 19 countries were identified in the top 100 most-cited papers. Dental traumatology was the most studied theme (52%). CONCLUSIONS: The top 100 most-cited papers (co)authored by Dr. Jens Ove Andreasen were composed mainly of laboratory and observational studies, published mostly in Dental Traumatology. The present study was a humble homage to highlight the importance of his research and work. However, his legacy goes beyond the numbers and will always remain unsurpassed.

Influence of hand and rotary files for endodontic treatment of primary teeth on immediate outcomes: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endodontic treatment of primary teeth can be time-consuming. AIM: To compare hand and rotary files regarding the time for root canal chemical-mechanical preparation, child's behavior, apical limit of the obturation, and post-operative pain. DESIGN: This secondary data from a randomized clinical trial with two parallel arms evaluated endodontic instrumentation in 88 children aged 4-9 years. Stratified and block randomization was performed into two groups: K-file hand and ProDesign Logic rotary files. The evaluated outcomes were the chemical-mechanical preparation time, child's behavior using the Frankl scale, apical limit of the obturation, and post-operative pain using the Faces Pain Scale-Revised. One operator and all outcome appraisers were blinded to the chemical-mechanical technique. Multiple linear regression, chi-square, and Fisher's exact test were performed. RESULTS: The mean time for chemical-mechanical preparation using hand files was 24.5 (SD 4.0) minutes, and using rotary files, it was 17.0 (SD 2.5) minutes (P < .001). No difference was found between the instrumentation methods in the child's behavior, apical limit of the obturation, or post-operative pain. CONCLUSIONS: The ProDesign Logic file reduced the average procedure time but presented no difference in the other variables studied when compared to the K-file.

Efficacy and adverse events of 4% articaine compared with 2% lidocaine on primary molar extraction: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the most effective anaesthetic solution for children; nerve block, especially mandibular, can be difficult for general dentists. Therefore, the study aims to compare the efficacy and the adverse events of articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:100 000 with lidocaine 2% with epinephrine 1:100 000 for primary molar extraction using buccal infiltration. METHODS: These are data from a parallel triple-blind randomised controlled trial with a computer-generated allocation treatment. Forty-three children aged 6-10 years with a clinical and radiographic indication of primary molar extraction were enrolled. The intervention was local buccal infiltration with articaine 4% compared with lidocaine 2%. The main outcome was pain during anaesthetic injection and tooth extraction. Adverse events were examined as secondary outcomes. Children were treated in a University setting from April to June 2019. RESULTS: Both solutions had similar anaesthetic efficacy in primary molar extraction when applied by the infiltrative technique (ß -0.47; 95% CI -3.19 to 2.24; P = .76); however, children reported higher mean pain during articaine deposition (ß 2.43; 95% CI 0.28-4.57; P = .02). The measured lidocaine pH was 3.19 (0.15) and articaine was 2.43 (0.00) (P = .04). Post-operative pain, oedema and nausea were observed without differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the efficacy of articaine compared to lidocaine for primary molar extraction. Articaine was more painful during the injection. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Primary molar extractions can be performed with both articaine and lidocaine buccal infiltration.

Does the pre-emptive administration of paracetamol or ibuprofen reduce trans- and post-operative pain in primary molar extraction? A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus whether the pre-emptive administration of analgesics reduces trans- and post-operative pain in primary molar extraction. AIM: Investigate whether the pre-emptive administration of ibuprofen and paracetamol reduces trans- and post-operative pain on primary molars extraction compared to placebo. DESIGN: A parallel, placebo-controlled, triple-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted. Forty-eight children who needed primary molar tooth extraction were selected and treated under local anaesthesia and pre-emptive administration of placebo or analgesics. Self-reported pain was evaluated during the anaesthesia, extraction, and 2, 6, and 24 hours of post-operative period, using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Children's baseline anxiety, behaviour during the procedure, parents' anxiety, and post-operative analgesia were also assessed. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: No association was found between the use of pre-emptive analgesic and lower scores of trans- and post-operative pain compared to placebo. Children who presented negative behaviour reported greater pain during anaesthesia (P = .04) regardless of pre-emptive analgesia group. Children from the placebo group were more likely to need post-operative analgesia at 2 hours of follow-up (P = .03). CONCLUSION: The pre-emptive administration of analgesics did not significantly reduce trans- and post-operative pain in children after primary molars extraction.

Poor sleep quality and prevalence of probable sleep bruxism in primary and mixed dentitions: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of probable sleep bruxism (SB) in the primary and mixed dentitions using non-instrumental approach and evaluate whether sleep quality is associate with probable SB in different age ranges. METHODS: School-based cross-sectional study with children aged 2-5 (primary dentition, n = 372) and 8-10 years old (mixed dentition, n = 563) enrolled in public schools at Florianopolis and their parents. The sleep characteristics, socioeconomic status, and presence of probable SB were assessed using questionnaires. Seven trained examiners (Kappa > 0.7) assessed tooth wear. Children were selected following a stratified sample (2-5); and a system of the proportionality, first the schools of the sanitary districts and after the classrooms (8-10). Unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression was performed with probable SB as a dependent variable. Independent variables were as follows: family income, parent schooling, drooling, tooth wear, and sleep quality. The independent variables presenting p value ≤ 0.20 were included in the adjusted model. RESULTS: The prevalence of probable SB was 22.3% in primary and 32.7% in mixed dentition. Probable SB was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (p < 0.001) in mixed dentition (PR 1.80; 95% CI 1.34-2.44) adjusting for age and drooling. In the primary dentition, the adjusted regression did not show association between analyzed characteristic and probable SB. Sex, socioeconomic, head of the household educational status, drooling, and tooth wear were not associated with probable SB in both dentitions. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of probable SB is higher in mixed than in primary dentition and poor sleep quality is associated with probable SB in children aged 8-10 years.

Demystifying behaviour and dental anxiety in schoolchildren during endodontic treatment for primary teeth-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Behaviour and anxiety of children are predictors of effective dental treatment. AIM: Compare the behaviour and anxiety during preventive care, endodontic treatment, and dental extraction. DESIGN: Controlled clinical trial was conducted with 99 children aged 6-9 years. The children were distributed among three groups: G1 (control)-prophylaxis and topical fluoride; G2 (intervention)-endodontic treatment; and G3 (intervention)-tooth extraction. Behaviour was measured using the Frankl scale. Dental anxiety was assessed using the modified Venham Picture Test and measured at three moments: before, during, and after the procedure. Caregivers answered a questionnaire addressing the child's previous dental experience. Clinical examinations were performed by a calibrated examiner (Kappa > 0.70) for the identification of dental caries (d-dmft/D-DMFT). Statistical analysis involved repeated-measures Poisson regression, with level of significance was P < 0.05. RESULTS: Neither negative behaviour nor anxiety was associated with the type of procedure. Negative behaviour was associated with the need for restraint during a previous dental appointment (P = 0.012). Dental anxiety was associated with age (P = 0.037), previous difficult behaviour (P < 0.001), moment of measurement (P < 0.001), and dental caries on permanent teeth (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Negative behaviour and dental anxiety in children were not associated with the type of treatment performed.

Is there any difference in length measurement methods for pulpectomies in primary teeth?-A double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Working length is an important step in primary teeth pulpectomy. AIM: To evaluate whether there is a significant difference in the accuracy of electronic apex locators compared to the conventional radiography in working length measurements. DESIGN: Sixty-four children (192 canals) between 5 and 9 years of age with indication for pulpectomy of a primary molar were included after eligibility criteria. A radiographic measurement was obtained from pre-operative radiography from the cusp tip to the apex or resorption of the root. The electronic measurement was obtained from a complete measurement of the canal with an electronic device up to the apex. Data were analysed with Bland-Altman plots and Wilcoxon test. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05. RESULTS: Statistically, there is not any significant difference between radiographic and electronic measurements for the palatal canal or distal canal, as well as mesiobuccal canals (P > .05). Statistically, there, however, is a significant difference between the measurements for the distobuccal canal and mesiolingual canal measurements (P < .05). High internal consistency for both radiographic and electronic methods was achieved (α â‰… 1). CONCLUSIONS: Electronic and radiographic methods are similar in determining the length measurement of the root canals in primary teeth pulpectomies, except in distobuccal or mesiolingual canals.

The impact of crown fracture in the permanent dentition on children's quality of life.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Among the diseases related to oral health, traumatic dental injuries (TDI) can lead to pain, loss of function and aesthetic problems, with physical, emotional and social consequences for children and their families. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between enamel fracture and enamel-dentin fracture with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study had a representative sample of 1589 children between 8-10 years of age from public schools. The OHRQoL was obtained through the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10 ), which is a questionnaire validated for Brazilian children. Clinical data were collected by 4 calibrated examiners (Kappa > 0.7) using the Decay, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index, Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and TDI. A socio-economic questionnaire was sent to the caregivers to be answered at home. Descriptive statistics and Poisson regression with prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of TDI was 10.6%, and among these 10.3% who had an impact on the OHRQoL, it was due to enamel-dentin fracture. Children with enamel-dentin fracture had (PR 1.35; 95% CI 1.07-1.70) higher prevalence of impact on the OHRQoL. Children with enamel fracture had no impact on the OHRQoL (P = .254). CONCLUSION: Enamel fracture had no significant impact on children's quality of life, while enamel-dentin fracture did have an impact on quality of life.

Pulp necrosis and crown discoloration: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between pulp necrosis and crown discoloration in traumatized primary teeth has not been clearly determined yet. AIM: The study verified whether there is an association of pulp necrosis and crown discoloration in traumatized primary teeth through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Lilacs/BBO, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and grey literature. A methodological quality assessment appraisal was independently conducted by two researchers. Random-effects models were employed, and heterogeneity was tested (I2 index/P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Eight studies with low risk of bias were included in the analysis. A total of 1,494 traumatized primary teeth participated in the pooled meta-analysis. Diagnosis of pulp necrosis was evaluated in 1,414 teeth through clinical and/or radiographic analyses, and the analysis demonstrated a positive association (P = 0.0005/OR 8.37 [2.51, 27.90], I2  = 87%). Eighty teeth were diagnosed with pulp necrosis through endodontic access, and there was no statistically significant association (P = 0.36/OR 2.46 [0.36, 16.94], I2  = 54%). The pooled meta-analysis showed a positive association (P = 0.0003/OR 5.93 [2.24, 15.72], I2  = 83%). CONCLUSION: The positive association between pulp necrosis and crown discoloration should be considered with caution once the diagnosis of pulp necrosis was performed by limited criteria.