ABSTRACT
Dens invaginatus is a rare developmental anomaly characterized by an infolding of the enamel organ within the crown or root of a tooth, and it is an example of a dental anomaly that has a higher incidence in patients with CL/P. If undiagnosed, dens invaginatus can lead to severe, acute pain and pulpal necrosis since it can permit direct entry of bacteria into the dental pulp. Treatment of dens invaginatus includes prophylactic sealant or composite restoration, endodontic therapy if pulpal involvement has already occurred, or extraction if aberrant tooth morphology precludes endodontic therapy. Few studies report on the incidence of dens invaginatus in patients with CL/P. The purpose of this article is to describe 4 cases of dens invaginatus in patients with CL/P which were encountered in a cleft-craniofacial orthodontic clinic. Each case describes dens invaginatus in a maxillary lateral incisor, and treatments ranged from sealant application to endodontic therapy to extraction. These cases highlight the importance of awareness of this dental anomaly among cleft team providers to facilitate early diagnosis in patients with CL/P.
Subject(s)
Cleft Lip , Cleft Palate , Dens in Dente , Cleft Lip/therapy , Cleft Palate/therapy , Dens in Dente/diagnostic imaging , Dens in Dente/therapy , Dental Pulp Necrosis , HumansSubject(s)
Pediatric Dentistry/methods , Space Maintenance, Orthodontic/methods , Tooth Loss/physiopathology , Child , Dentition, Mixed , Esthetics, Dental , Humans , Orthodontic Appliance Design , Orthodontic Appliances, Removable , Space Maintenance, Orthodontic/instrumentation , Tooth, Deciduous/physiologySubject(s)
Dental Caries/therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Dental Materials/therapeutic use , Dental Restoration, Temporary/methods , Fluorides, Topical , Humans , Molar , Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/administration & dosage , Quaternary Ammonium Compounds/therapeutic use , Silver Compounds , Tooth, DeciduousABSTRACT
Contemporary dental care incorporates individually tailored preventive protocols based on caries risk assessment and minimally invasive tooth preparation for restoration. Methods that allow for the earliest possible detection of caries provide clinicians with the options of preventive intervention or caries excavation during initial enamel or dentinal penetration. Adding laser fluorescence to the traditional caries diagnostic armamentarium enhances diagnostic accuracy and the clinician's ability to confidently select the appropriate modality for intervention in the primary and young permanent dentition.
Subject(s)
Dental Care for Children/methods , Dental Caries Activity Tests/methods , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods , Child , Child, Preschool , Dental Caries/diagnosis , Dental Caries Activity Tests/instrumentation , Dental Cavity Preparation/methods , Dentition, Permanent , Diagnosis, Oral/instrumentation , Early Diagnosis , Humans , Infant , Technology, Dental , Tooth, DeciduousABSTRACT
The detrimental effects of prolonged pacifier use on the developing oral structures are often the primary focus of dental professionals; however, non-nutritive sucking with a pacifier has other consequences that include not only harmful effect but positive influences as well. This article will address some of the issues for consideration regarding the use of pacifiers and provide information for appropriate recommendations to parents of infants and toddlers regarding the use and cessation of non-nutritive sucking with a pacifier.
Subject(s)
Pacifiers , Sucking Behavior , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Malocclusion/etiology , Pacifiers/adverse effects , Sucking Behavior/physiology , Sudden Infant Death/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Managing the behavior of pediatric patients has been the focus of many studies; however, paying attention to the parents and their individual circumstances may be just as important to achieve our treatment goals. Parents today expect to be involved in treatment decisions and often have distinct expectations regarding their children's experiences. Parental attitudes and emotions can adversely affect the tone of the appointment and negatively influence the child's perception of the event. Managing the behavior of a challenging child is difficult, but combining that with the challenging behavior of a parent can be exhausting. This article will provide anticipatory guidance on how to enhance communication skills to avoid confusion and offer direction to parents before, during, and after the treatment of their children.
Subject(s)
Dentists , Parents , Professional-Family Relations , Attitude to Health , Behavior Control , Behavior Therapy , Child , Child Behavior , Child, Preschool , Communication , Cooperative Behavior , Counseling , Cultural Diversity , Dental Care/psychology , Health Education, Dental , Humans , Informed Consent , Parent-Child Relations , Parents/education , Parents/psychology , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
This article focuses on risk-based caries prevention and specific protective measures for preschool pediatric patients, to provide an age-appropriate approach designed for individual caries risk and optimize preventive care for preschoolers both in-office and at home.
Subject(s)
Dental Care for Children/standards , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Practice Guidelines as Topic/standards , Cariogenic Agents/administration & dosage , Child, Preschool , Dental Care for Children/methods , Fluorides/administration & dosage , Humans , Oral Hygiene/methods , Risk AssessmentABSTRACT
This article presents clinical observations as well as a review of the literature regarding upper airway obstruction in the pediatric dental patient. Dentists will derive enhanced skills to identify the various types of upper airway obstruction and provide appropriate recommendations for intervention or referral to a physician to minimize detrimental effects on dental development.
Subject(s)
Airway Obstruction/etiology , Tongue Habits/adverse effects , Adolescent , Airway Obstruction/prevention & control , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Malocclusion/complications , Sleep Apnea Syndromes/complications , Sleep Apnea Syndromes/therapyABSTRACT
Adolescence is a time of accelerated growth with increasing caloric needs. A strong attraction for the taste of sugar and its availability have had detrimental consequences for the adolescent's dentition and general health. Numerous factors combine to contribute to the demineralization and erosion that predispose the enamel to smooth surface caries. Obesity and its associated maladies, eating disorders, and pregnancy are additional issues for consideration. Determining the need for and appropriate timing of extraction of third molars should be included in the treatment plan.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Dental Care , Tooth Demineralization/prevention & control , Tooth Erosion/prevention & control , Carbonated Beverages/adverse effects , Diet/adverse effects , Diet, Cariogenic , Female , Fluorides, Topical/administration & dosage , Humans , Obesity/prevention & control , Osteoporosis/prevention & control , Pregnancy , Pregnancy in Adolescence , Tooth Demineralization/etiology , Tooth Erosion/etiologyABSTRACT
The recommended age for the first dental visit seems to vary among and within the professions. Unfortunately, the first visit often is prompted by clinical caries or dental trauma. The purpose of this paper is to provide guidelines for examining the toddler and information to be offered to parents during the consultation. Early identification and intervention for children with high caries risk, education of other health professionals and parents with preventive strategies, and the establishment of a relationship with a dentist prior to a traumatic injury should be mutual goals.