Importance of Dental Clinic Recalls for Caries Prevention in Children: Practice-Based Research.

Objective: to investigate the association between caries incidence in children and the number of clinical preventive visits and follow-up period (intervals). Study Design: a 30-year cohort composed of the dental records of 600 children who were 12-23 months old at their first dental appointment and who were followed up to 12 years of age (200 followed since 1981, Group 1; 200 followed since 1991, Group 2; and 200 followed since 2001, Group 3) was analytically and quantitatively evaluated. Random sample calculation was performed with 95% confidence, a maximum error of 2.95% and a ratio of 50%. Results: association was found between caries incidence and the number of dental visits and consultation intervals. Children who attended a smaller number of preventive visits had a higher incidence of the disease. Children who had an interval between returns greater than 12 months had an 18.7-times greater caries risk compared to children who had intervals no longer than 8 months between return visits. Conclusions: preventive consultations with an average interval of up to 8 months seemed to increase family adherence to preventive procedures and acted as a protective factor against caries incidence in children.

Oral characteristics and medical considerations in the dental treatment of individuals with Williams syndrome.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate oral characteristics and comorbidities that may affect dental treatment of individuals with Williams syndrome (WS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-two subjects diagnosed with WS were included in this observational study. Demographic data and medical history were compiled. Facial aspects, tooth abnormalities and oral characteristics were obtained through clinical and radiographic evaluation by a researcher/dentist. Among 52 subjects, 25 were also evaluated for temporomandibular and occlusal disorders, caries and periodontal disease. From the 52 subjects, 23 (44.2%) were female and the average age was of 20 years old (range from 4 to 35 years old). Cognitive impairment and congenital heart disease were the most common medical disorders found in all 52 (100%) and in 41 (78.8%) subjects, respectively. Among the 52 subjects, 51 (98%) presented at least one dental developmental abnormality, with generalized diastemas (72.5%) and hypodontia (50.9%) being the most frequent ones. Angle class III malocclusion was observed in 52% (13/25) of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The dentist should be aware of the medical conditions of individuals with WS and thus offer an adequate dental treatment. The high prevalence of tooth abnormalities and occlusal disorders requires an early dental treatment planning.

Evaluation of oral manifestations of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IV and VI: clinical and imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess oral manifestations in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IV (MPS IVA) and mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients were assessed, nine with MPS IVA and eight with MPS VI, treated at the Medical Genetics Outpatient Clinic of Hospital Universitário Alcides Carneiro (HUAC) in Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil. Assessments included clinical and intraoral examinations, analysis of occlusal function, and panoramic X-rays. RESULTS: Among all, 64.7% of the patients had unerupted teeth and 52.9% of them had enamel hypoplasia. Regarding the temporomandibular joint, 88.2% of the patients showed flattening of the mandibular condyle, 52.9% showed condylar hypoplasia, and all of them showed decreased mobility. Enamel hypoplasia was observed only in patients with MPS IVA (p < 0.05). On the other hand, only MPS VI patients presented with anterior open bite, restricted mouth opening (p < 0.05), and a higher rate of unerupted teeth, hyperplastic tooth follicle, and condylar defects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Enamel hypoplasia was observed only in patients with MPS IVA, whereas anterior open bite was observed only in patients with MPS VI. Abnormal findings in the maxillomandibular complex were more frequent in patients with MPS VI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The relevant frequency of MPS VI and IVA in the sample allows us to compare the changes occurring in both groups of patients, therefore enabling us to further comprehend the oral manifestations in specific types of MPS.

Clinical evaluation of dental treatment needs in chronic renal insufficiency patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the need for dental treatment in chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) patients undergoing hemodialysis. DESIGN: Transversal study and case control. SETTING: CRI patients were examined at the Pequeno Príncipe Hospital in Curitiba, Brazil. The control group was examined at Nossa Senhora da Conceição Health Clinic in Campo Magro, Brazil. SUBJECTS (MATERIALS) AND METHODS: Thirty-four CRI patients were undergoing hemodialysis. The control group consisted of 34 normoreactive individuals paired by gender and age. INTERVENTIONS: The clinical examination was performed under an artificial light, using an oral mirror, an exploratory probe, a periodontal probe, and a tongue depressor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This study adopted the methodology proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: The CRI patient group needs periodontal and orthodontic treatment. The control group needs restorative treatments, prostheses, as well as surgical and endodontic treatment. CONCLUSION: The profile of dental treatment needs proved to be distinct among the studied groups.

Sialometric analysis in young patients with chronic renal insufficiency.

The present study aimed to evaluate whether or not quantitative changes occur in the salivary flow of patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) who have been submitted to Hemodialysis. Twenty-nine chronic renal patients, between 4 and 25 years of age, submitted to Hemodialysis at Hospital Pequeno Príncipe in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil participated in this study. The results form this study were compared with those of a group consisting of 29 healthy patients, paired by sex and age, whose parents sought out dental treatment at local health clinic in Campo Magro, Paraná. For Sialometric evaluations, samples were collected at the beginning, during and at the end of Hemodialysis, as well as after the analyses had been performed. Salivary flow was calculated by the Banderas-Tarabay formula (1997). The results revealed that the mean salivary flow values presented no difference between the groups. It could therefore be concluded that CRI did not determine quantitative alterations in salivary fluid.

Focal dermal hypoplasia: a case report and literature review.

Focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH), also known as Goltz-Gorlin syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disease affecting tissues derived from the ectoderm and mesoderm. Knowledge and early diagnosis of the craniofacial alterations commonly found in patients with FDH provide oral health care professionals with effective preventive and therapeutic tools. This article aims to review the craniofacial characteristics present in FDH and the main systemic manifestations that have implications for dental management, while presenting a new case of the syndrome with novel oral findings.

Radiological findings and dynamic aspects of stomatognathic structures in Treacher Collins syndrome: clinical case report.

Treacher Collins syndrome usually affects bilateral and symmetric structures that include the orbits, mandible, and ears. The purpose of this report is to describe a clinical case of the syndrome, focusing on the anatomy of the temporomandibular joint, which was assessed using the computed tomography method. Clinical examination included evaluation of mandibular dynamics, investigation of temporomandibular dysfunction, and measurement of bite force. Significant morphological and functional alterations were observed but without significant documented clinical consequences.