Sedation and its Potential Risks in Children with Autism Spectrum Due to Drug Overlaps: A Critical Review

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse pharmacological overlap in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) under conscious sedation in a dental office environment, identifying any potential risks and complications. Material and Methods: A critical review was conducted by selecting articles from online databases (Pubmed and Lilacs), using a search algorithm and eligibility criteria. The Medscape® platform was used to verify interactions between drugs commonly used by patients with ASD and medications used for sedation in paediatric dentistry. Results: Due to their polydrug use, children with ASD are at risk of complications, namely Serotonin Syndrome (SS), Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), increase or decrease of the QT interval (QTi) and Torsade de Pointes (TdP), due to pre-existence of metabolic syndrome, deepening the sedation level or even leading to a decrease in the sedative capacity of the drugs used. Conclusion: It is essential to assess better drug interaction in ASD patients submitted to sedation. The severity of the disorder and the need for sedation for dental treatment are directly proportional. However, increases in sedative doses tend to increase risks and complications in children with ASD.

Non-Invasive Methods and the Use of Infiltrating Resins for the Control of Caries Progression in Deciduous Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the influence of non-invasive treatment associated with the use of infiltrating resin for managing caries lesions in primary teeth. Material and Methods: A systematic review was performed by selecting articles from 6 online databases, using a search algorithm and eligibility criteria for data extraction and data synthesis for the papers included. Clinical trials involving primary teeth with incipient caries lesions (1/2 of the enamel or 1/3 of the outer dentin) were included, presenting full text and answering the study's guiding question. This study used the RoB 2 tool for the risk of bias assessment and GRADE for certainty of evidence. Random effects meta-analyses were implemented, and lesion progression treatment effects were estimated through relative risk (RR) and associated 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 440 studies were found. After analyzing the inclusion criteria and removal of duplicates, eight studies were analyzed for quality evidence. Five of the eight studies included in this review contributed to the meta-analysis, all with some reflections regarding the risk of bias. Overall, the results of the meta-analysis showed that non-invasive treatment, when associated with the use of infiltrating resins, significantly reduced the risk of caries progression in relation to the treatment without this addition for follow-up periods ranging from 12 months to 2 years (RR 0.51 [0.40-0.65]). Conclusion: There is moderate certainty of evidence that the use of infiltrating resins associated with non-invasive treatments decreases the risk of caries progression in primary teeth with incipient caries lesions (1/2 of the enamel or 1/3 of the dentin outer) when combined with non-invasive control methods alone.