Assessment of restorative treatment of patients with amelogenesis imperfecta.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess restorative treatment outcomes in the mixed dentition of amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) patients and determine the postrehabilitation oral health status and satisfaction of the patients. METHODS: Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed on eight AI patients, who had 74 restorations placed in permanent incisors and molars, to allow evaluation of the integrity of the restorations and periodontal status post-treatment. Subjects completed a survey regarding esthetics, function, and sensitivity. RESULTS: Among the 74 restorations evaluated, seven were lost; of the remaining restorations, 31 were posterior, and 36 were anterior. Ten were rated clinically unacceptable. Teeth with stainless steel crowns had a moderate gingival index (mean=2.3) and plaque index (mean=2.0) scores. Widening of the periodontal ligament and pulp canal obliteration were common radiographic findings. Subject's recall of satisfaction regarding esthetics (P=.002) and sensitivity (brushing-P=.03; eating-P=.01) showed a statically significant difference before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: During mixed dentition, teeth with amelogenesis imperfecta may be restored with conventional treatment modalities. Direct restorations should be considered "interim" with multiple repairs anticipated. Post-treatment, gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation were observed. Subjects were satisfied with their appearance and reported a decrease of hypersensitivity.

Illustrated information for parent education: parent and patient responses.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of using illustrations, when educating parents about their child's upcoming operative appointment, on parents' and child patients' responses to the treatment. METHODS: Data were collected from 189 parents of 4- to 10-year-old pediatric dental patients who needed operative treatment. The parents received information about their child's upcoming operative visit either verbally or with the support of standardized illustrations (flip chart), and/or individualized drawings. Parents and providers responded to surveys following the operative appointments. RESULTS: Verbally informed parents were more likely to (a) miss the operative appointment (47% vs 19%/16%/10%; P<.001) and (b) remain in the operatory during treatment (47% vs 18%/26%/19%; P<.01) than parents who received standardized illustrations, individualized illustrations, or both illustrations. The patients whose parents had received verbal information behaved more negatively than the children whose parents had received illustrative information. Overall, Frankl behavior ratings ranged from 1="definitely negative" to 4="definitely positive" (3.30 vs 3.54; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Educating parents about the basic disease process of dental caries with the aid of illustrations increased parents' cooperation with the recommended dental treatment for their children and improved their children's behavior during the treatment.