Global variations in eruption chronology of permanent teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Population-based variations have been reported in permanent teeth eruption but only sparse literature exists on the same. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess the global variations in eruption chronology of permanent teeth in children and adolescents and the role of sexes, jaws and classes of socio-economic status (SES) on timing of eruption was explored. METHODS: The protocol for the systematic review was registered in PROSPERO. An extensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Cochrane library, and anthropology databases was carried out until April 2023. Additionally, grey literature search and hand-searching of relevant key journals was done. RESULTS: Overall, 3797 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were retrieved from multiple databases. A total of 939, 191 participants were included from 80 studies of which, 41 were carried out in Asia, 26 in Europe, 5 in Africa, 4 in North America, and 4 in Oceania. The mandibular first molar eruption was found to be as early as 4.09 years while the maxillary second molar erupted as late as 13.45 years. Using a random effects model, 28 forest plots were generated. Meta-regression interpreted tooth eruption to be earlier in females and in the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show that the ages of permanent teeth eruption was advanced in the European population followed by Africa and Asia.

Global variations in eruption chronology of primary teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to assess global variations in the eruption chronology of primary teeth in children and the role of sexes, jaws, and socio-economic status on eruption timing. DESIGN: An extensive search of electronic databases, grey literature, and hand-searching was carried out until April 2023 RESULTS: A total of 42,109 children, with an age range of 0-83 months were included from 42 studies (22 in Asia, 7 in Europe, 5 in Africa, 4 in North America, 3 in Oceania and 1 in South America). The mandibular central incisor was the first tooth to erupt at 6 months in North America and 13.5 months in Asia while the mandibular second molar erupted at 20.1 months in Europe and 29 months in South America. CONCLUSIONS: The age of primary teeth eruption was advanced in the European population followed by North America, Africa, Oceania, and Asia while it was delayed in the South American population. Meta-analysis showed that tooth eruption was earlier in the left quadrant than the right but the role of other factors (sexes, jaws, and socio-economic status) was insignificant. Population-specific data on primary teeth emergence may serve as a baseline for future research. In clinical practice, these population-based eruption charts can serve as a valuable asset for diagnosis and treatment planning in children.

Permanent Anterior Teeth Fractures and its Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among 8-15-Year-Old Schoolchildren of Chennai City - A Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: Tooth fracture is not only a distressing experience on the physical level of a child, but it may also have an effect on emotional and psychological levels. This study aims to assess the permanent anterior teeth fractures and their impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) among 8-15-year-old schoolchildren of Chennai city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty schools were randomly selected by stratified random sampling. All school-going children aged 8-15 years were invited to participate. A total of 7247 children were screened and 628 children with permanent anterior teeth fractures were included. Data were collected using Child Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire. In addition, questionnaire addressing sociodemographic data and factors influencing permanent anterior teeth fractures were recorded. Descriptive statistics was performed to characterize the sample. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference post hoc tests was applied for multiple pair-wise comparisons. RESULTS: The prevalence of permanent anterior teeth fracture was found to be 8.7%. The type of school had highly significant (P < 0.001) influence on the impact of permanent anterior teeth fracture on OHRQoL with negative OHRQoL among the corporation schools. The study participants of corporation schools had negative OHRQoL with significant difference in oral health well-being (P < 0.001) and self-image (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: All the children reporting with tooth fractures had negative OHRQoL. The study stresses the importance of promoting good oral health-care practices to prevent oral disease in children and to meet children's unmet oral health-care needs.

Association of COL1A2 (PvuII) gene polymorphism with risk and severity of dental fluorosis - A case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Dental fluorosis is a foremost public health problem in many countries, including India. Very few studies investigated gene polymorphism and risk of dental fluorosis. Genetic polymorphisms in Collagen Type I, alpha 2 (COL1A2) gene, found to be linked with bone pathogenesis, may affect the tooth formation resulting in the vulnerability to dental fluorosis. AIM: To assess the association between COL1A2 (PvuII) gene polymorphism and risk as well as severity of dental fluorosis. METHODS: The present case control study was conducted among participants with (n = 60) and without (n = 60) dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis was assessed using Modified Dean's fluorosis index (1942). The PvuII polymorphisms (in exon 25) inside the COL1A2 gene were genotyped by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) procedure. Statistical analysis were carried out with Chi-square test and Odds Ratio (OR) was determined with multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The genetic polymorphism in COL1A2 PvuII was found to be associated with the risk of dental fluorosis which was highly significant (p < 0.001). The odds ratio was 31.4 times [OR = 31.9, 95% CI: 3.9-48.7] higher for the homozygous PP genotype group and 4.0 times [OR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.0-10.7] higher for the heterozygous Pp genotype. CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphism of COL1A2 was found to be associated with dental fluorosis. The present study provides an insight for identification of the population who may subsist at risk of developing dental fluorosis in their later life.

Comparative evaluation of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine against oral microbes: A school-based randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Mouth rinse that is natural, safe, cost-effective, readily available and culturally acceptable is required as an adjunct to routine tooth brushing to combat dental diseases. The aim of present study was to compare the effectiveness of salt water rinse with chlorhexidine mouth rinse in reducing dental plaque and oral microbial count. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of salt water against S. mutans, L.acidophilus, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis was determined by Macrobroth Dilution method. Thirty participants were randomly allocated into study group (salt water rinse) and control group (chlorhexidine rinse). Baseline DMFS, defs and plaque scores were recorded. Baseline unstimulated saliva samples were collected by spitting method. Oral prophylaxis was done after baseline sample collection. The participants were advised to rinse the allocated mouthrinse for 5 days under the supervision of co- investigator. Pre- rinse (after oral prophylaxis) and Post -rinse (5th day of mouthrinsing) plaque examination and salivary microbial analysis was done. The collected salivary samples were immediately transported and streaked on the respective media for microbial count. RESULT: MIC of salt water was 0.7 M for S. mutans, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis and 0.8M for L. acidophilus. There was statistically significant reduction in the plaque scores, salivary S. mutans, L. acidophilus, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis count from baseline, pre-rinse to post-rinse in the study group (p=0.001) and control group (p=0.001). Salt water was as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing dental plaque (p = 0.19) and A. actinomycetemcomitans (p = 0.35) count and while chlorhexidine was superior against S. mutans (p = 0.001), L. acidophilus (p = 0.001) and P. gingivalis (p =0.001). CONCLUSION: Salt water rinse can be used as adjunct to routine mechanical plaque control for prevention of oral diseases.

Comparative assessment of the prevalence of periodontal disease in subjects with and without systemic autoimmune diseases: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Immune mechanism shares a common pathway both for systemic autoimmune diseases and periodontal diseases. Scientific exploration of literature revealed limited studies on the association between systemic autoimmune diseases and periodontal diseases in India. AIM: The aim of the study is to find whether the presence of systemic autoimmune diseases in an individual is a risk factor for the development of periodontal disease. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a hospital-based case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 253 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, attending the Rheumatology Department of Government General Hospital, Chennai-3, and 262 patients without systemic autoimmune diseases, attending the outpatient department of the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai-3, constituted the case and control groups, respectively. Age, gender, and oral hygiene status matching was done. Oral hygiene status was assessed using oral hygiene index (OHI) and periodontal status was assessed using community periodontal index (CPI) and loss of attachment (LOA) index. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 15 (SPSS Inc, 2006, Chicago). RESULTS: Results showed 99.2% and 73.9% prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis, respectively, in the case group as compared to 85.5% and 14.9%, respectively, in the control group. There is no linear relationship between OHI scores and prevalence of periodontitis (CPI and LOA scores) in the case group. Patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases showed more prevalence of periodontal diseases irrespective of oral hygiene scores. CONCLUSION: It is postulated that the presence of systemic autoimmune diseases may pose a risk for the development of periodontal diseases.