Delayed eruption of permanent maxillary first molars among Saudi children: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of delayed development and eruption of permanent maxillary first molars (U6) and associated dental anomalies in a sample of Saudi children. Material and methods: In total, 10,232 panoramic radiographs from 9,672 patients were screened for delayed U6 eruption. Radiographs showing delayed U6 eruption were further examined for associated dental anomalies. The dental age of participants was estimated using The London Atlas of Human Tooth Development and Eruption. Result: Twenty cases of delayed U6 eruption were found, with a prevalence of 0.2%. Of these patients, 3 and 17 were males and females, respectively; 9 and 11 cases were unilateral and bilateral, respectively. Congenital absence of the adjacent permanent second molar was observed in 8 cases, and the congenital absence of permanent teeth, except the adjacent second permanent molar and third molar, was observed in 6 cases. Peg-shaped lateral incisors were observed in 6 females. No significant associations were observed between delayed U6 eruption and dental anomalies. Overall, the average delayed U6 eruption was 2.3 years for males and 2.8 years for females. Conclusion: Among a sample of Saudi children, the prevalence of delayed U6 eruption was 1 in 483 (0.2%) and five times higher in females. No significant associations were found between delayed U6 eruption and dental anomalies; however, congenital absence of the adjacent permanent second molar was observed in 40% of cases.

Evaluation of the shear bond strength of a tricalcium silicate-based material to four self-adhering glass ionomer materials: an in vitro study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of EQUIA Forte HT with that of other restorative materials, including EQUIA Forte, glass ionomer cement (GIC), and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) when bonded to NeoMTA 2. Materials and methods: A total of 120 holes were created in Teflon molds and filled with NeoMTA 2. The restorative materials were immediately applied using customized silicone molds. The samples were randomly divided into two main groups: one to measure the immediate SBS and the other to measure the delayed SBS. These two main groups were further divided into four subgroups based on the restorative material used: EQUIA Forte HT, EQUIA Forte, GIC, and RMGIC. Results: The study groups showed statistically significant differences in the mean SBS (p < 0.0001). The immediate SBS of the RMGIC group (mean ± SD: 5.43 ± 1.22) was significantly higher than those of the GIC and EQUIA Forte groups, with no significant difference found compared to the SBS of EQUIA Forte HT. In the delayed SBS, both the RMGIC and EQUIA Forte HT groups (4.98 ± 0.67 and 4.93 ± 0.60, respectively) demonstrated significantly higher bond strengths than the GIC and EQUIA Forte groups (3.81 ± 0.57 and 4.2 ± 0.63, respectively). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the RMGIC and EQUIA Forte HT groups or between the GIC and EQUIA Forte groups. Conclusion: Based on our findings, EQUIA Forte HT has shown promising outcomes when used as a restorative material following pulpotomies, with results comparable to those of RMGIC.

Comparison of Shear Bond Strength of Three Types of Adhesive Materials Used in the Restoration of Permanent Molars after Treatment with Silver Diamine Fluoride: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Permanent blackish discoloration of the tooth structure post application of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is one of its drawbacks. Several restorative materials have been used to restore and mask the blackish discoloration of SDF-treated teeth. Recently, a new self-adhesive material has been introduced and is marketed as an all-in-one etchant, adhesive, and restorative material indicated for use in all clinical situations. This study aimed to assess the shear bond strength of the new self-adhesive restorative material and compare it with adhesive restorative materials- resin-based composite and resin-modified glass ionomer cement to dentin of extracted permanent teeth treated with 38% SDF. METHODS: Thirty-nine caries-free extracted teeth (n = 39) were grouped into three groups. Following 38% SDF application, the specimens were loaded with resin-based (Group I), the new self-adhesive restorative material (SDR) Surefil (Group II), and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) (Group III). Shear bond strength (SBS) was calculated, and failure modes were evaluated using the universal testing device (3) Results: The composite showed the highest bond strength, followed by Group II while Group III had the lowest bond strength of all tested materials. Regarding failure type, the composite showed 100% adhesive failure, while Group III and Group II showed mostly adhesive failure with some combination. (4) Conclusions: RBC had a significantly stronger SBS to demineralized dentin surfaces of permanent molar teeth treated with SDF when compared to SDR Surefil and RMGIC.

Primary tooth vital pulp therapy techniques taught in dental schools in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

Worldwide, dental schools employ varying approaches to teaching vital pulp therapy (VPT) for primary teeth. However, little is known about the VPT techniques taught in dental schools in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the approaches of VPT for primary teeth taught in undergraduate dental schools in Saudi Arabia. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2022, using an online questionnaire distributed to pediatric dentistry faculty members at all dental schools in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire collected information on socio-demographic characteristics, educational background, work setting, and VPT teaching approaches. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models assessed the association between participants' characteristics and the VPT techniques taught. Seventy-seven faculty members from 17 out of 27 dental colleges in Saudi Arabia participated in the study. Most respondents reported teaching indirect pulp capping (95%), with glass ionomer cement and calcium hydroxide being the most popular materials. Only 11 participants (14%) taught direct pulp capping, with mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium hydroxide being the most commonly used materials. Pulpotomy procedures were taught in all dental schools, with formocresol being the most commonly used medicament (84%). No significant associations were found between faculty member characteristics and the likelihood of teaching indirect pulp capping. However, older age categories had a significantly higher chance of teaching direct pulp capping (trend odds ratio: 2.27, p = 0.02). In conclusion, most faculty members (95%) reported teaching indirect pulp capping using glass ionomer cement and calcium hydroxide for primary teeth. Only 14% of the respondents taught direct pulp capping, and the use of mineral trioxide aggregate for direct pulp capping appears to be increasing. Formocresol was the most commonly used pulpotomy medicament. Further research is needed to investigate factors that influence the teaching of VPT for primary teeth in Saudi Arabia.

NeoPUTTY® Versus NeoMTA 2® as a Pulpotomy Medicament for Primary Molars: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of the premixed bioceramic (NeoPUTTY®) as pulpotomy medicament in primary molars in comparison to NeoMTA® 2. METHODS: Seventy primary molars indicated for pulpotomy in 42 children were randomly allocated into two groups: (1) a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) group (NeoMTA® 2); and (2) a premixed bioceramic group (NeoPUTTY®). Clinical and radiographic examinations of the molars following pulpotomy were conducted by two independent evaluators at six and 12 months. The data were analyzed using Fishe`s exact tests. RESULTS: At 12 months, the clinical and radiographic success for the MTA group were 100 percent (34 out of 34) and 94.1 percent (32 out of 34), respectively. For the NeoPUTTY® group, the clinical and radiographic success were 97.1 percent (34 out of 35) and 92.8 percent (32 out of 35), respectively. No significant differences were found between the two materials. CONCLUSIONS: NeoPUTTY® showed a comparable success to mineral trioxide aggregate in primary molar pulpotomies over 12 months. Further clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are recommended.

Evaluation of fissure sealant retention rates using Isolite in comparison with rubber dam and cotton roll isolation techniques: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies comparing retention rates of pit and fissure sealants placed under Isolite, rubber dam, and cotton roll combined have not been conducted until now. AIM: To evaluate the retention rate of pit and fissure sealants (PFS) placed under three different isolation techniques (Isolite system [IS], rubber dam isolation [RDI], and cotton roll isolation [CRI]). DESIGN: One hundred and forty-four teeth from 48 children aged 6-15 years attending paediatric dental clinics at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia were randomized to receive three PFS using three isolation techniques. The children that met the inclusion criteria were randomized by a simple block random allocation method. All PFS were placed by an operator and evaluated by a blinded evaluator. The evaluation scores were recorded at baseline and followed up over a period of 12-22 months. RESULTS: The children's mean age was 8.58 ± 1.93 years. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. A total of 123 teeth were clinically evaluated; of these teeth, 22% had completely retained sealants, whereas approximately 66% had a partial loss of sealants, and approximately 12% had a complete loss of sealants. There were, however, no significant differences between the three isolation techniques on the retention rate of pit and fissure sealant. CONCLUSION: The types of isolation had no impact on the retention rate of pit and fissure sealant.

Impact of a Dental Storybook on Parents' Knowledge of Children's Oral Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a dental storybook on parents' knowledge about oral health of their children and to assess their perception of its effect in reducing dental anxiety levels among their children, as well as improving their oral health knowledge. Patients and Methods: This was a two-arm parallel, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) which was performed at the pediatric dental clinics in the Dental University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Parents of 88 children (6-8 years old) were included in the present study. Parents and their children were randomly divided into two groups as follows: the intervention group (received the storybook and verbal oral hygiene instructions) and the control group (only received verbal oral hygiene instructions; same information included in the book). Three dental visits, including screening, examination/cleaning and treatment, were provided for each child. In the screening visit, baseline parental oral health knowledge was evaluated for all parents. Afterward, parental oral health knowledge was re-evaluated in the examination visit. In the treatment visit, a parental perception questionnaire was administered to parents following treatment to evaluate their satisfaction regarding the use of the storybook in reducing anxiety levels among their children. Results: There was a significant improvement in the total knowledge score at the follow-up visit in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.0001). Overall, the majority of parents perceived the storybook as a useful source of information, and they found it to be effective in reducing dental anxiety levels among their children. Conclusion: The dental storybook is an effective educational tool that can help parents become more knowledgeable about their children's oral health. Moreover, parents perceived the storybook as an effective tool for enhancing their oral health knowledge and lowering their children's dental anxiety.

Evaluation of the Shear Bond Strength of Four Bioceramic Materials with Different Restorative Materials and Timings.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of a resin composite (RC) and a resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) to four different bioceramic materials and to compare the effects of the immediate vs. delayed placement of restoration on the SBS. A total of 160 Teflon blocks and 40 blocks/material, were randomly filled with one of the bioceramic materials (NeoPUTTY®, NeoMTA2®, TotalFill® BC RRM™ Fast Set Putty, and ProRoot® MTA). The restoration was performed immediately or in a delayed time frame (after 7 days) using a Filtek™ Z350 XT Flowable composite (bonded to the bioceramic materials using Single bond universal 3M) or GC Fuji II LC® RMGI. The SBS test was performed at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min, and the failure mode was evaluated under a digital microscope by one blinded examiner. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Games-Howell post hoc test was used to compare the mean SBS between the groups. The mean SBS of the bioceramic materials to RC was significantly higher than to RMGI except for ProRoot MTA (p-value 0.65). The SBS values to RC were as follows: ProRoot MTA (7.64 MPa); NeoMTA2 (8.57 MPa) which was significantly higher than both NeoPUTTY (4.04 MPa) and TotalFill® BC RRM™ Fast Set Putty (4.38 MPa). For RMGI groups, ProRoot MTA showed the highest SBS (7.18 MPa), followed by NeoMTA2 (4.15 MPa), NeoPUTTY (1.62 MPa), and TotalFill® BC RRM™ Fast Set Putty (1.54 MPa). The delayed timing restoration showed a significantly higher SBS than the immediate, except for the immediate RMGI restoration with MTA. To conclude, the SBS of RC to the bioceramic materials was significantly higher than RMGI, except for ProRoot MTA. Both restorative materials had a significantly higher SBS to the MTA groups in comparison to premixed bioceramics. Delayed RC restoration had a higher SBS than immediate restoration. Similarly, delayed RMGI restoration had a higher SBS than immediate restoration with premixed bioceramic but not with MTA.

The Use of a Dental Storybook as a Dental Anxiety Reduction Medium among Pediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a specially designed dental storybook in reducing dental anxiety among children. Eighty-eight children (6−8 years old) were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (received the storybook) and the control group (did not receive the storybook). Three dental visits (screening, examination and cleaning, and treatment) were provided for each child. Anxiety was assessed following each visit using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and the Venham clinical anxiety scale (VCAS). The behavior was assessed using the Frankl's Behavior Rating Scale (FBRS). The intervention group showed significantly lower anxiety and more cooperative behavior during treatment than the control group (p < 0.0001). The intervention group showed a significant decrease in anxiety scores and more cooperative behavior across time according to the CFSS-DS (p = 0.001) and Frankl behavior scale OR = 3.22, 95% CI 1.18−8.76. Multivariate models found that using the storybook was a significant independent factor in reducing anxiety and improving behavior after controlling for sex, previous visits, family income, and mother's education. In conclusion, the dental storybook can decrease children's dental anxiety and improve their behavior during dental treatment.

Knowledge and perception of parents regarding halitosis in their children in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate parents' knowledge about halitosis, and to compare parents' perception of halitosis in their children to the presence of halitosis clinically. METHODS: Children between 3 and 8 years attended to Dental University Hospital, King Saud University, were screened. Children satisfying inclusion criteria and their parents agreed to participate were included. Questionnaires regarding parents' knowledge and perception about halitosis in their children were filled by attending parents. Then, the assessment of halitosis in the participating children carried out by portable gas chromatograph device (OralChromaTM). RESULTS: A total of 67 children (44 girls and 23 boys) were included in this study with a mean age of 5.3 years (SD = 1.7). The majority of the questionnaires (n = 44, 65.7%) were filled by accompanying fathers. One in two (52.2%) parents obtained high knowledge score about halitosis. Parents' knowledge was significantly associated with the mean age of the children (P = 0.02). Thirty-nine (58.2%) parents perceived halitosis in their children. Gender, child's age, parents' education level, or family income were not associated with parents' perception of halitosis. Halitosis was detected clinically in 58 children (86.6%). Thirty-eight (57%) of parents' perception of halitosis was in consistency with OralChromaTM readings; however, there was no significant association between parents' perception and the OralChromaTM score. CONCLUSION: Half of the parents had good knowledge about halitosis and 6 in 10 parents perceived halitosis in their children which is quite less than the presence of halitosis detected clinically. Moreover, parents' perception was not associated with the OralChromaTM score.

Toothbrushes as a Source of DNA for Gender and Human Identification-A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have reported the use of toothbrushes as a reliable source of DNA for human or gender identification. The present systematic review with the available information was conducted to answer the focus question "Is a toothbrush a reliable source of DNA for human or gender identification?". METHODS: The keyword combination "Toothbrush" and "DNA" was used to search databases including MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science along with a manual search of reference lists of relevant articles. Duplicates and irrelevant articles were excluded, and the remaining articles were fully read for the final selection of articles. The risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS tool). RESULTS: Of the 130 articles obtained, 122 duplicates or irrelevant articles were eliminated. Following the full-text reading of eight articles, five articles were selected based on eligibility criteria. The five studies reported that a toothbrush is a good source of DNA irrespective of the time interval. In a few studies some samples were not sufficient for complete DNA profiling due to factors such as the method of DNA extraction. CONCLUSION: Although a toothbrush is an excellent source of DNA for human and gender identification, future studies with a larger sample size, appropriate control group, and standardized technique of DNA extraction need to be conducted. Additionally, factors influencing the quantity and quality of DNA in toothbrushes need to be determined with standardized techniques.

Cervical and Lumbar Pain among Dental Interns in Saudi Arabia: A National Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence indicated that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent among dentists. However, limited data are available on the prevalence and predictors for cervical and lumbar pain, the two most common subtypes of MSDs reported internationally. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective of this nationwide cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of cervical and lumbar pain among dental interns in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected using an online survey that was distributed to dental interns who graduated during the 2018-2019 academic year from all dental schools in Saudi Arabia. The survey included questions related to sociodemographic characteristics, symptoms of MSDs, and ergonomic preventive practices. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess several predictors of cervical and lumbar pain among our sample population. RESULTS: Of the 1,552 eligible interns, 889 (57%) completed the survey (mean age: 24.8 years, 55% female), with 65% enrolled at public universities. The overall prevalence of cervical pain was 41%, and the corresponding prevalence for lumbar pain was 32%. Female participants had significantly higher odds of reporting cervical pain [odds ratio (OR): 2.02, p <0.001]. Participants who typically avoid excessive bending and twisting were significantly less likely to report cervical pain and lumbar pain (OR: 0.51, p <0.001, and 0.46, p <0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cervical pain and lumbar pain are highly prevalent among Saudi dental interns. Female sex was identified as a potential risk factor for cervical pain, and avoiding bending and twisting during dental work was identified as a protective factor for cervical and lumbar pain. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that cervical and lumbar pain represent relevant health issues for dental students. Our data add further support to the notion that dental schools should consider enhancing training on dental ergonomics, enabling healthier careers for future dentists in Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge Levels and Educational Experiences among Dental Graduates in Saudi Arabia Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect: A National Study.

BACKGROUND: Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is considered a serious problem worldwide. Dentists have a significant role in recognizing and reporting CAN cases. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the CAN-related knowledge and educational experiences among Saudi dental graduates. DESIGN: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to dental graduates from all dental schools in Saudi Arabia (n = 1552). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between knowledge level and different predictors. RESULTS: A total of 988 dental graduates completed the questionnaire. The majority of them were dissatisfied with the amount of education they had received in their school (56.4%). Around 60% of the participants had inadequate knowledge regarding CAN. Graduates from government schools who received dental education about CAN and female participants had significantly higher odds of having adequate knowledge scores than others (odds ratio = 2.0, 3.1, and 1.7, respectively). Only 39.5% of the participants felt confident in their ability to identify CAN cases, and only 9.7% knew how to report such cases. CONCLUSIONS: Graduate dental students have insufficient knowledge about CAN. More time should be dedicated to educating students about this important topic in dental curricula.

Comparison of Fissure Sealant Chair Time and Patients' Preference Using Three Different Isolation Techniques.

This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the patient's preference and chair time needed during pit and fissure sealant placement under three isolation techniques (Isolite system, rubber dam isolation, and cotton roll isolation). Participants, aged 6-15 years and requiring four sealants on the first or second permanent molars, attending the pediatric dental clinics at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia were enrolled according to the inclusion criteria. Each participant received sealants on three random first or second permanent molars using three isolation techniques. The time required for sealant placement was recorded for each technique. Following sealant placement, an interview-based questionnaire was administered to the participants to evaluate their preference regarding the isolation techniques. Forty-eight children (23 male and 25 female) with a mean age of 8.58 ± 1.93 years participated in this study. The mean chair times were 248.14, 255.89, and 243.29 s for the Isolite system, rubber dam isolation, and cotton roll isolation, respectively. Approximately 79% of participants considered cotton roll isolation to be the most comfortable, whereas approximately 71% were significantly less likely to use rubber dam isolation again. In conclusion, there were no significant differences in sealant placement time among the three isolation techniques. However, cotton roll isolation was the technique that was most preferred by the participants.

Halitosis and Associated Risk Factors in Children: A Cross-sectional Study.

AIM: To investigate risk factors associated with halitosis in children using OralChroma™. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven children between the ages of 3 and 8 who attended a pre-general anesthesia assessment at the Dental University Hospital at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were enrolled in this study after satisfying the inclusion criteria. Demographic data, medical history, and oral hygiene practices were obtained by a standardized questionnaire completed by the parents of each child. Clinical dental examination was conducted to record the following: caries index (dmft/DMFT), simplified debris index (DI-S), modified gingival index (MGI), and Winkel tongue coating index (WTCI). Clinical halitosis was assessed using the OralChroma™ device that measures the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), and dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3). Statistics were completed using Spearman's correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U-test to assess the association with the VSC scores with continuous and binary variables, respectively. Then, multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to detect the degree of association. RESULTS: High VSC measures were detected in 58 children (87%). The dmft/DMFT was significantly associated with H2S level (ß = 26.84, p = 0.034) and CH3SH level (ß = 19.96, p = 0.016) after controlling possible confounders. There was no significant association of DI-S, MGI, and WTCI with the VSC measures. CONCLUSION: The result suggested that dmft/DMFT score (children's caries experience) is associated significantly with high levels of H2S and CH3SH in the sample studied. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Caries experience in children is a significant risk factor for halitosis and should be considered during the management of halitosis.

Halitosis in Children Undergoing Full Mouth Rehabilitation under General Anesthesia.

Interventions and management modalities of pediatric halitosis have been suggested in the literature, however, the effect of full mouth rehabilitation (FMR) under general anesthesia (GA) on pediatric halitosis was not reported. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate parents' perceptions of their child's halitosis before and after FMR under GA; and to evaluate the effect of FMR on clinical halitosis. Fifty-seven children between 3-8 years old, scheduled for FMR under GA, were included after satisfying the inclusion criteria and upon parental consent. Parents' perception of halitosis in their children was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire and a breath sample was collected to assess the level of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) using OralChromaTM before and after FMR under GA. Sixty percent (n = 34) of the parents perceived halitosis in their children before FMR and about 80% (n = 27) of them reported improvement in halitosis after FMR. Clinical halitosis was detected in 84.2% (n = 48) of the sample before treatment. A statistically significant reduction in halitosis was found in 56.3% (n = 27) of the children after treatment (p < 0.001). In conclusion, majority of parents perceived an absence or reduction of halitosis in their children following FMR and significant improvement of clinical halitosis.

Effect of Aging on the Microhardness of Different Resin-based Fluoride-releasing Fissure Sealants: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of aging on the microhardness score [Vickers hardness number (VHN)] of different resin-based fluoride-releasing sealants compared to non-fluoride resin-based sealants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 48 extracted sound molars that were sectioned mesiodistally were used. In the current study, four types of sealants were compared: Group A, a resin-based non-fluoride-releasing pit and fissure sealant (Eco-S sealant) served as a control. Groups B, C, and D received resin-based fluoride-releasing pit and fissure sealants Helioseal F, Fissurit F, and Embrace™ WetBond, respectively. Subsequently, each group was further divided into immediate and aged subgroups. The samples had been evaluated regarding their microhardness using a pyramidal diamond indenter of a Vickers hardness test at two-time intervals: Immediately and after the aging process through thermocycling. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between mean VHN and material types (p = 0.72). Aging appeared to significantly increase the mean VHN (p = 0.001). The interaction model between material type and time factor showed that the effect of aging differs by the material type, where the VHN of the Embrace™ group increased significantly after aging from 24.33 ± 5.60 to 31.70 ± 3.59 (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: While there were no significant differences in the microhardness of commonly used fluoride-releasing fissure sealants, time appears to significantly increase the mean microhardness score (VHN), especially in the Embrace™ group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Embrace™ WetBond fissure sealant showed a significant improvement in the mean microhardness score (VHN) with time. However, clinical studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm our results.

Treating Mucocele in Pediatric Patients Using a Diode Laser: Three Case Reports.

A mucocele is the most common minor salivary gland disease and among the most common biopsied oral lesions in pediatric patients. Clinically, a mucocele appears as a round well-circumscribed painless swelling ranging from deep blue to mucosa alike in color. Mucoceles rarely resolve on their own and surgical removal under local anesthesia is required in most cases. Different treatment options are described in the literature, including cryosurgery, intra-lesion injection of corticosteroid, micro-marsupialization and conventional surgical removal using a scalpel, and laser ablation. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to report three cases of mucocele removal in pediatric patients using a diode laser with a one-month follow-up. Mucoceles were removed by a pediatric dentist using a diode laser with a wavelength of 930 nm in continuous mode and a power setting of 1.8 Watts. In all cases, no bleeding occurred during or after the procedure and there was no need for suturing. On clinical examination during the one-month follow-up, in all three cases there was minimal or no scarring, minimal post-operative discomfort or pain, and no recurrence. Diode lasers provide an effective, rapid, simple, bloodless and well accepted procedure for treating mucocele in pediatric patients. Minimal post-operative discomfort and scarring was reported by all the three patients.