Treatment choice for first permanent molars affected with molar-incisor hypomineralization, in patients 7-8 years of age: a questionnaire study among Swedish general dentists, orthodontists, and pediatric dentists.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate attitudes and preferred therapy choice for first permanent molars (FPM) with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH). METHODS: An online questionnaire was sent out to general dentists (n = 559) working in the Public Dental Service in Region Västra Götaland, orthodontists (n = 293), and pediatric dentists (n = 156) (members from each interest association), in Sweden. The questionnaire contained three parts: general questions regarding the respondents, patient cases, and general questions regarding extraction of FPMs with MIH. Statistics were carried out using Chi-squared tests, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: A response rate of 36% was obtained. Orthodontists and pediatric dentists were more prone to extract FPMs with both moderate and severe MIH, compared to general dentists. When restoring FPMs with moderate MIH, resin composite was preferred. Compared to the general dentists, the pediatric dentists were more prone to choose glass-ionomer cement in the FPMs with severe MIH. The most common treatment choice for FPMs with mild MIH was fluoride varnish. "When root furcation is under development of the second permanent molar on radiographs" was chosen as the optimal time for extracting FPMs with severe MIH, and the general dentists based their treatment decisions on recommendations from a pediatric dentist. CONCLUSION: Extraction of FPMs with moderate and severe MIH is considered a therapy of choice among general dentists and specialists, and the preferred time of extraction is before the eruption of the second permanent molar.

Adolescents' experiences of using removable functional appliances.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore and describe adolescents' experiences of treatment with removable functional appliances. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Public Dental Service, Gothenburg, Sweden. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Individual interviews focusing on adolescents' experiences of using a removable functional appliance were held with 21 adolescents (12 girls and nine boys). The mean age of the participants was 13.2 years (range 11-15, SD 1.25) at the interview occasion. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed according to a qualitative research approach, phenomenography. RESULTS: Outcomes of data analysis emerged in five categories with totally 12 subcategories that describe the adolescents' various conceptions of the treatment. The adolescent's experiences of using removable functional appliance appeared to have a large variation, comprising of the individual approach, feelings and strategies, the dentist role and receiving external support. CONCLUSION: Participants developed their own strategies of measurement to see improvement. An active involvement of the adolescents' in the treatment seems to be needed, supported by the dentist at coming appointments, using overjet measurement as a tool for motivation. Furthermore, efforts should be made by clinicians to listen and understand adolescents' needs and requirement before the treatment start.