Dental Disorders Research Articles

Dental delivery systems of antimicrobial drugs using chitosan, alginate, dextran, cellulose and other polysaccharides: A review

Dental caries, periodontal disease, and endodontic disease are major public health concerns worldwide due to their impact on individuals' quality of life. The present problem of dental disorders is the removal of the infection caused by numerous microbes, particularly, bacteria (both aerobes and anaerobes). The most effective method for treating and managing dental diseases appears to be the use of antibiotics or other antimicrobials, which are incorporated in some drug delivery systems. However, due to their insufficient bioavailability, poor availability for gastrointestinal absorption, and pharmacokinetics after administration via the oral route, many pharmaceutical medicines or natural bioactive substances have limited efficacy. During past few decades, a range of polysaccharide-based systems have been widely investigated for dental dug delivery. The polysaccharide-based carrier materials made of chitosan, alginate, dextran, cellulose and other polysaccharides have recently been spotlighted on the recent advancements in preventing, treating and managing dental diseases. The objective of the current review article is to present a brief comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in polysaccharide-based dental drug delivery systems for the delivery of different antimicrobial drugs.

The erosive effect of various drinks, foods, stimulants, medications and mouthwashes on human tooth enamel

Two forms of non-carious dental disorder - erosive tooth hard tissue loss and dental erosion - have been increasingly observed in recent years. Dental erosion is the chemical loss of dental hard substances caused by exposure to acids not derived from oral bacteria. Mechanical forces from, for example, the tongue, the cheeks or toothbrushing, increase loss of partly-demineralized tooth surfaces and the cumulative loss of dental hard tissue is defined as erosive tooth wear (ETW). Dental hard tissue losses which occur because of very frequent acid exposure, such as through increased vomiting, but without mechanical stress, are also assigned to tooth erosion. Without prior softening, practically no loss of enamel takes place due to abrasion with the modern Western diet. The present work is a continuation of earlier work. A total of 226 beverages, food, stimulants as well as medicines and mouthwashes were tested for their erosive potential on premolars and deciduous molars covered with a human pellicle. The influence of temperature, phosphate and calcium was also investigated in additional experiments. The change in hardness before and after immersion in the respective test substance was measured and the erosive potential was classified. For each test product, we determined pH and other properties which were possibly related to erosive potential. There were considerable and sometimes surprising differences between the tested products. The addition of phosphate did not influence the erosive potential of the liquids, but calcium did. A modified erosion scheme is presented, which incorporates these and other new findings.
 Accepted for publication: February 6, 2023
 Published online: February 21, 2023

The erosive effect of various drinks, foods, stimulants, medications and mouthwashes on human tooth enamel.

Two forms of non-carious dental disorder - erosive tooth hard tissue loss and dental erosion - have been increasingly observed in recent years. Dental erosion is the chemical loss of dental hard substances caused by exposure to acids not derived from oral bacteria. Mechanical forces from, for example, the tongue, the cheeks or toothbrushing, increase loss of partly-demineralized tooth surfaces and the cumulative loss of dental hard tissue is defined as erosive tooth wear (ETW). Dental hard tissue losses which occur because of very frequent acid exposure, such as through increased vomiting, but without mechanical stress, are also assigned to tooth erosion. Without prior softening, practically no loss of enamel takes place due to abrasion with the modern Western diet. The present work is a continuation of earlier work. A total of 226 beverages, food, stimulants as well as medicines and mouthwashes were tested for their erosive potential on premolars and deciduous molars covered with a human pellicle. The influence of temperature, phosphate and calcium was also investigated in additional experiments. The change in hardness before and after immersion in the respective test substance was measured and the erosive potential was classified. For each test product, we determined pH and other properties which were possibly related to erosive potential. There were considerable and sometimes surprising differences between the tested products. The addition of phosphate did not influence the erosive potential of the liquids, but calcium did. A modified erosion scheme is presented, which incorporates these and other new findings.

Assessment of oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices among school teachers training visually impaired children

ABSTRACT Background: Visual impairment is a significant disability that affects a sizable section of the population worldwide. Children with sensory deficiencies are more likely to experience oral health neglect and challenges to receiving proper dental treatment. There is a major lack of information about the state of oral health and the treatments that are needed for this population in a growing nation like India. It is crucial to raise schoolchildren’s awareness of oral health issues. The dissemination of information on the causes and prevention of common oral disorders can be greatly aided by school instructors. A school-based program is most successful because it targets kids as they develop good health behaviors. Objective: The objectives were to determine the knowledge of school teachers training visually impaired children about the causes and prevention of dental caries and gingival diseases and to know about their interest and willingness to participate in oral health education programs. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 12 close-ended questions on oral health knowledge and practices was formulated and distributed among 100 school teachers in a blind school in Noida, India. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel. Results: The school had limited knowledge on oral health. Out of the total number of teachers interviewed, only 50% were aware of what does gum bleeding means and only 40% were aware that the health of the mouth and dentition impact the health of the body. Conclusion: Overall, school teachers have inadequate oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. It is imperative to improve school teachers’ attitudes and understanding about oral health, including their awareness of different oral cavity issues and strategies for preventing dental disorders.

Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen Flower: A Comprehensive In vivo Study of its Central and Peripheral Analgesic, Hypoglycemic, Antidepressant, and Anti-Diarrheal Properties

Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen (Local name “Surzo konna”) is a Southeast Asian perennial herb mostly used in rural areas as an ailment of dental disorders. This study involved the evaluation of peripheral and central analgesic activities, hypoglycemic, anti-diarrheal and anti-depressant activities of the methanolic extract of A. calva flower at different doses- (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of body weight) on Swiss Albino mice models. The sample exhibited moderate central analgesic activity at all doses whereas the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice revealed 67.69% reduction in peripheral pain response for both 400 and 600 mg/kg doses (69.23% for standard diclofenac sodium). Reduction in diarrheal faeces was found to be 41.03% and 46.46% at dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively compared to the standard loperamide 53.85%. Hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mice showed statistically significant data depending on increasing doses and thiopental induced sleeping test revealed the sedative activity (P<0.05) compared to diazepam. The in-vivo bioactivities suggest that this plant part can be a potential source of active lead compounds. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 22(1): 65-71, 2023 (June)

Integrating New Prehistoric Palaeopathological Finds from Hungary.

Eight newly identified pathological animal remains identified in two Middle Neolithic assemblages (ca 5330-4940 calBC) in northern and western Hungary were placed within the broader context of relevant prehistoric finds. The aim was to understand the underrepresented Middle Neolithic finds in light of the better-known cases from other prehistoric periods. The newly reported cases include arthritic and inflammatory lesions, as well as dental disorders, such as linear enamel hypoplasia, recognized for the first time in the Hungarian Neolithic. Identifications were based on bone macromorphology. When large samples are available, the frequencies of pathological bone specimens reflect the taxonomic composition. Along with the increasing number of cases, longevity related to exploitation for secondary products also became manifest. Therefore, the effects of assemblage size, disease classification and differences between authors (related to training and the time of publication) need to be considered before pathological lesions can be interpreted in terms of diachronic changes in animal husbandry.

Au-TiO2-Coated Spectroscopy-Based Human Teeth Disorder Detection Sensor: Design and Quantitative Analysis.

Human tooth functionality is the most important for the human body to become fit and healthy. Due to the disease attacks in human teeth, parts may lead to different fatal diseases. A spectroscopy-based photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor was simulated and numerically analyzed for the detection of dental disorders in the human body. In this sensor structure, SF11 is used as the base material, gold (Au) is used as the plasmonic material, and TiO2 is used within the gold and sensing analyte layer, and the sensing medium for the analysis of the teeth parts is the aqueous solution. The maximum optical parameter values for the human tooth parts enamel, dentine, and cementum in terms of wavelength sensitivity and confinement loss were obtained as 28,948.69 nm/RIU and 0.00015 dB/m for enamel, 33,684.99 nm/RIU and 0.00028 dB/m, and 38,396.56 nm/RIU and 0.00087 dB/m, respectively. The sensor is more precisely defined by these high responses. The PCF-based sensor for tooth disorder detection is a relatively recent development. Due to its design flexibility, robustness, and wide bandwidth, its application area has been spreading out. The offered sensor can be used in the biological sensing area to identify problems with human teeth.

Demography, common disorders and mortality of Boxer dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK

BackgroundThe Boxer is a popular dog breed with a distinctive appearance. However, the breed has been linked with several health conditions, some of which have been associated with its moderately brachycephalic conformation and its white colouration. Anonymised primary-care veterinary clinical records were explored to extract data on the demography, common disorders and mortality of Boxers in the UK in 2016.ResultsThe study population of 336,865 dogs included 3,219 (0.96%) Boxers, of which 10.71% were recorded as white. The mean adult bodyweight was 30.43 kg (SD 5.73 kg). Annual disorder counts did not differ statistically between the sexes or between white and non-white Boxers. The most prevalent fine-level precision disorders were otitis externa (n = 230, 7.15%), epulis (188, 5.84%), corneal ulceration (161, 5.00%) and periodontal disease (149, 4.63%). Of the 34 most common fine-level disorders, none differed in prevalence between white and non-white dogs. The most prevalent disorder groups were skin disorder (n = 571, 17.74%), neoplasia (457, 14.20%) and ear disorder (335, 10.41%). White Boxers had higher prevalence than non-white Boxers for two disorder groups: dental disorder and brain disorder. The median longevity of 346 Boxers that died during the study was 10.46 years (IQR 9.00–11.98, range 2.76–18.00). Median longevity did not differ statistically between the sexes or between white and non-white Boxers. The most common grouped causes of death were death – unrecorded cause (n = 73, 21.10%), neoplasia (43, 12.43%) and brain disorder (33, 9.54%).ConclusionsThere was minimal evidence of substantial health differences between white and non-white Boxers. Among the four most common disorders recorded in Boxers, two were typically common across all types of dogs (otitis externa and periodontal disease) while two suggested strong predispositions for the Boxer breed (epulis and corneal ulceration), showing the value of eliciting breed-specific disorder patterns for insights for potential health reforms. The overall longevity of Boxer dogs was consistent with other breeds of similar body size.

Inflluência da saúde da cavidade oral na expressão facial e exame de acupuntura em equinos

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the influence of oral health on horses’ facial expression, reactivity of the acupuncture points and the perception of trainers and owners. We investigated 87 adult horses involved in sports or working activities. Pain was scored in person and by photography by an evaluator “blinded” to the animals’ dental condition, using the Horse Grimace Scale (HGS). The acupuncture examination was performed by the same evaluator. Animals were evaluated before (T0) and 15 days (T1) after dental treatment. All horses included in the study had dental disorders. Statistically significant results were seen in median HGS scoring (3 vs. 1, p = 0.001) and number of reactive acupoints (11.2±5.6 vs. 4±2.9, p = 0.001). Additionally, complaints by the trainers/owners were lower at T1 compared with T0. There was a reduction in the pain reaction to application of pressure on following acupoints: dental point (44 vs. 4), Stomach-7 (31 vs. 3), Tiple-Heater (TH)-17 (27 vs. 4), and TH-16 (22 vs. 4). We concluded that acupuncture can be an adjunct method for diagnosis of dental disorders and treatment follow-up.

Oral Health Related Quality of Life among Malaysian Rural Children: A Study Using Child-OIDP Index

Introduction: Dental disorders are reported to cause significant effects on overall quality of life (QoL). The aim of the present study was to measure the prevalence of oral impacts on daily activities and Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) among 12–16-year-old children in a rural school in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 195 participants age group 12-16 years. A pre-tested structured ‘A Malay version of Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (Child-OIDP)’ questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The data obtained was coded and subjected to statistical analysis. The mean OIDP scores were calculated for gender and age differences. Impacts on the 8 daily activities due to oral health problems were expressed as frequency and percentages. Results: The study population consisted of 195 participants with 49.7% (n=97) boys and 50.3% (n=98) girls. The study showed that the most prevalent impacts were difficulty in eating at 38.5%, difficulty in cleaning their teeth at 37.9% and difficulty in smiling and laughing at 29.2%. There was no significant difference between genders and age groups(p<0.05). The frequency of the impact was with a sizeable number reporting being affected once or twice a week and at moderate severity. The main conditions causing the impact were decayed teeth (38.2%), tooth ache (32.8%) and mouth ulcers (25.6%). Conclusion: A sizeable number of schoolchildren reported an impact to their OHRQoL in terms of disruption to performing one or more of the eight daily activities due to oral health problems.

A Review: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Restorative Dentistry in Recent Times

Artificial intelligence is defined as "the study and improvement of computer systems capable of performing tasks typically requiring cognitive abilities, such as image perception, speech recognition, decision making, and language translation." When a computer imitates analytical traits such as "learning and problem-solving," which humans normally connect with other human brains, the term "AI" is employed. A profusion of studies and papers on the function of AI in restorative dentistry have been published in recent years, with the majority of the efforts focusing on recognising and diagnosing dental disorders such as caries, gum disease, and tooth fractures. The major purpose of this study is to undertake a thorough review of prior research on the impact of artificial intelligence on restorative dentistry. The relevance of the theme tooth reconstruction was prioritised during the search. AI has achieved important improvements in a wide range of medical fields, most notably in dentistry for the diagnosis, localization, classification, estimation, and assessment of dental disease. This review only covers seven papers on the impact of AI on restorative dentistry. Artificial intelligence (AI) has advanced significantly as a powerful tool for computerised tooth repair during the previous two decades. More study is needed, however, to compare different types of AIs and assess their clinical usefulness in occlusal interface restoration.

The Role of Natural Compounds in Optimizing Contemporary Dental Treatment-Current Status and Future Trends.

For a long period of time, natural remedies were the only ailment available for a multitude of diseases, and they have proven effective even after the emergence of modern medicine. Due to their extremely high prevalence, oral and dental disorders and anomalies are recognized as major public health concerns. Herbal medicine is the practice of using plants with therapeutic characteristics for the purpose of disease prevention and treatment. Herbal agents have made a significant entry into oral care products in recent years, complementing traditional treatment procedures due to their intriguing physicochemical and therapeutic properties. There has been a resurgence of interest in natural products because of recent updates, technological advancements, and unmet expectations from current strategies. Approximately eighty percent of the world's population uses natural remedies, especially in poorer nations. When conventional treatments have failed, it may make sense to use natural drugs for the treatment of pathologic oral dental disorders, as they are readily available, inexpensive, and have few negative effects. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and applications of natural biomaterials in dentistry, to gather relevant information from the medical literature with an eye toward its practical applicability, and make suggestions for the directions for future study.

Knowledge Improvement After Dental Health Education for Elementary School Students in Surabaya, East Java

Background: During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, many people were afraid to go to the dentist, which affected their dental and oral health conditions. Dental cavities may hamper children's growth and development; if this condition continues, it will affect the children's dietary intake, which may impact their quality of life and, if allowed to, cause stunting. Although in this condition, we still have to take preventive precautions with dental health education in school-age children. This required increasing dental health knowledge and understanding of dental disorders, particularly. Purpose: To describe oral and dental health knowledge improved following dental health education at Muhammadiyah 4 Elementary School, which is located in Pucang, Surabaya City, East Java. Methods: Two surveyors were responsible for data collecting. This study's sample size was 105 people ranging from third to fifth grade. The seminar covered dental and oral health via a hybrid method. The participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire form for the pre-and post-test to determine the improvement of oral and dental health knowledge for the dental health education evaluation. Results: Most oral and dental health participants understood the presentation on oral and dental health education. The post-test percentage was higher (89.14%) than the pre-test rate (60.29%). Conclusion: The program findings demonstrated that oral and dental health education with a hybrid method effectively increased elementary school children's understanding of dental and oral health status.

94 Age and feeding behavior associated with dental disorders in Western horses

Dental disorders can lead to discomfort and chronic pain in horses, affecting their behavior, management, and athletic performance. There is a lack of research on equine management and epidemiology of dental problems in horses trained in Western disciplines. Our main goal is to investigate dental disorders in Western riding horses located in West Texas and their association with management and behavior. For each horse, a Texas Veterinary Board of Medical Examiner (TVBME) licensed Equine Dental Provider investigated the oral environment with a bright headlight, speculum, mirror, probe, and endoscope, assisted by veterinarians for sedation and health evaluation. All findings and pictures were documented through the Pimbury Dental App and approved by an equine dental veterinarian. We developed a dental scoring system to quantify the dental findings ranging from 0 (no abnormalities) to 120 (fractures, periodontal disease, severe pathologies such as hypercementosis, and oral ulcerations associated with all teeth), where higher dental scores indicated worse dental conditions. Horse owners filled out a survey for each horse, which included feeding, medical, riding, and behavioral history. Wecorrected for multiple testing using Bonferroni adjustment, and the significance level was set to α ≤ 0.01. Forty-seven horses with adult dentition (out of the same planned study with over 200 horses) were included in the preliminary correlation analyses. Dental scores ranged from 10 to 60 points (Mean = 32.89, SD ± 11.306). Older age is significantly correlated with increased dental scores (P < 0.001). Commonly reported hay-eating behavioral issues, such as several pauses (P < 0.01) and dropping hay (P < 0.001), show significant correlations to higher dental scores. Dental care history demonstrates a trend toward significance. Horses with no history of dental care scored on average 7.6 points higher than individuals with past dental care (P = 0.03). While we are still adding individuals to the analysis, the preliminary results demonstrate that disruptive hay-eating behaviors could be a sign of dental issues. Furthermore, age is a strong factor influencing dental problems, with a lack of previous dental care as a possible component in Western horses.

123 US senior horses: Prevalence of medical conditions and routine preventative veterinary care

Although senior horses (aged ≥ 15 years) account for up to one-third of the equine population, information regarding their health and management is currently limited in the US To address this gap, we conducted a US-wide survey with senior horse owners. The present project is a subsection of this study with the objectives to 1) determine the prevalence of medical conditions in senior horses, 2) assess the frequency of routine preventative veterinary care (RPVC) for senior horses, and 3) identify risk factors for lack of RPVC. The anonymous survey was distributed through a press-release and social media channels and was online from Oct. 15th to Nov. 21st, 2020. Of 2927 started surveys, 2717 were eligible for analysis. Disease-prevalence estimates were calculated from response frequencies. For each RPVC frequency category (0, 1–2, ≥ 3 times/year) responses were counted and expressed as percentages. Risk factors for lack of RPVC were determined by binomial logistic regression, with P ≤ 0.05 indicating statistical significance. The top 5 veterinary-diagnosed medical conditions reported to affect horses at the time of the survey were: osteoarthritis 29.8%, dental disorders 14.8%, lameness 13.9%, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction 11.8%, and ocular disorders 6.0% (n = 2433 total responses to question). The 5 most reported non-veterinary diagnosed (i.e., self-diagnosed, farrier-diagnosed, etc..)medical conditions were: osteoarthritis 10.8%, lameness 4.5%, dental disorders 3.3%, abscess 2.3%, and gastric ulcers 1.9% (n = 2247). Overall, 36.0% of owners stated that their horse did not have any veterinary-diagnosed medical conditions (n = 2433), while 28.6% reported that their horse had no veterinary or non-veterinary diagnosed condition (n = 2236). Most horses had received RPVC 1–2 times during the year before the survey (75.5%), while 14.3% had received RPVC more frequently, and 10.2% never during that year (n = 2402). The risk of no RPVC during the year before the survey was significantly higher for pleasure, semi-retired, and retired horses when compared with competition horses (P < 0.05) and was also higher in retired horses compared with pleasure horses (P < 0.05). In conclusion, about 2-thirds of senior horses were reportedly affected by at least one veterinary-diagnosed medical condition, with osteoarthritis being the condition most frequently reported. Diagnosis for medical conditions was predominantly made by veterinarians and rarely by other individuals. While most horses had received at least one RPVC visit during the year before the survey, retired senior horses were at a particularly high risk of not having received any RPVC that year.

Evaluating Disease Patterns of Military Working Dogs in the Republic of Korea: A Retrospective Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate disease patterns among military working dogs (MWDs) at the Armed Forces Medical Research Institute (AFMRI) to provide basic medical data on Korean MWDs. The medical records of procedures performed at AFMRI between November 2017 and March 2021 were reviewed. Physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory tests were performed according to the status of each dog. A total of 353 MWDs (215 males and 138 females; mean age, 6 ± 3 years) were analyzed in this study. Among Korean MWDs, gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are the most frequently diagnosed, followed by dental and musculoskeletal disorders. Foreign body (FB) ingestion had the highest prevalence of GI disorders, with the most common FB being a leather collar or leash. General and dental surgeries, including removal of gastric FB and tooth extraction, were routinely performed at the AFMRI. Preventative care focusing on dental disease and FB ingestion may be helpful for effective performance and good quality of life in MWDs, with the regular assessment and prevention of environmental factors that may contribute to behavioral problems such as FB ingestion, coprophagy, and anorexia.

Scaling down for better periodontal health: The role of nanotechnology

Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach in the treatment of periodontal diseases, which affect a large proportion of the population worldwide. By studying nanotechnology, we can gain a better understanding of how these materials can be used in daily practice. Nanotechnology involves the development of materials, devices, and systems that exhibit unique physical, chemical, and biological properties at the nanoscale level. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases, including periodontal disease, which affects a significant portion of the global population. The use of nanotechnology in dentistry, also known as Nano dentistry, provides promising solutions for the treatment of various dental disorders, including periodontal disease. This article summarizes the current research trends in periodontal nanotechnology, including nanoscale drug delivery systems and nanomaterials for tissue engineering and regeneration. Nanoparticles offer significant advantages over conventional drug delivery systems due to their controlled release and improved bioavailability, making them a promising approach for periodontitis treatment. Furthermore, nanomaterials act as three-dimensional scaffolds, providing a favourable environment for tissue regeneration by promoting cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The potential of nanotechnology in tissue engineering is vast, and its application in bone defect repair and implant success rates has shown great potential. However, safety issues and biological risks must be addressed before routine implementation of nano dentistry in periodontal treatment. Overall, this article provides insights into the potential of nanotechnology in periodontics and its translation into a more specific approach of nano periodontology in periodontology.

Idiopathic Non-Dental Facial Pain Syndromes in Italian Children: A Clinical Case Series.

The orofacial pain syndromes (OFPs) are a heterogeneous group of syndromes characterized by painful attacks involving the orofacial structures. They may be summarily subdivided into two great categories: (1) orofacial pain mainly attributed to dental disorders such as dentoalveolar and myofascial orofacial pain or temporomandibular joint (TM) pain; (2) orofacial pain mainly attributed to non-dental pain as neuralgias, facial localization of primary headaches or idiopathic orofacial pain. The second group is uncommon, often described by single case reports, can often show overlapping symptoms with the first group, and represents a clinical challenge, carrying the risk of undervaluation and possibly invasive odontoiatric treatment. We aimed to describe a clinical pediatric series of non-dental orofacial pain and better to underline some topographic and clinical features associated with them. We retrospectively collected the data of children admitted to our headache centers (Bari, Palermo, Torino) from 2017 to 2021. Our inclusion criterion was the presence of non-dental orofacial pain following the topographic criteria of 3° International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), and exclusion criteria included the pain syndromes attributed to the dental disorders and pain syndromes due to the secondary etiologies Results. Our sample comprised 43 subjects (23/20 M/F, in the range of ages 5-17). We classified them int: 23 primary headaches involving the facial territory during attacks, 2 facial trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, 1 facial primary stabbing headache, 1 facial linear headache, 6 trochlear migraines, 1 orbital migraine 3 red ear syndrome and 6 atypical facial pain. All patients described debilitating pain for intensity (moderate/severe), 31 children had episodic attacks, and 12 had continuous pain. Almost all received drugs for acute treatment (less than 50% were satisfied), and some received non-pharmacological treatment associated with drug therapy Conclusion. Although rare OFP can occur in pediatric age, it can be debilitating if unrecognized and untreated, affecting the psychophysical well-being of young patients. We highlight the specific characteristics of the disorder for a more correct and earlier identification during the diagnostic process, already difficult in pediatric age, and to define the approach and possible treatment to prevent negative outcomes in adulthood.

Remineralization Strategies for Teeth with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): A Literature Review.

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a highly prevalent dental developmental disorder with a significant health burden for patients and high treatment needs, yet no comprehensive review article on all remineralization systems as a non-invasive treatment approach for MIH has been published. Typical characteristics of MIH-affected teeth are a lower mineral density and lower hardness compared to healthy teeth leading to sensitivity and loss of function. Thus, the use of formulations with calcium phosphates to remineralize MIH-affected teeth is reasonable. This review presents an up-to-date overview of remineralization studies focusing on active ingredients investigated for remineralization of MIH, i.e., casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP), hydroxyapatite, calcium glycerophosphate, self-assembling peptide, and fluoride. Overall, 19 studies (in vitro, in situ, and in vivo) were found. Furthermore, an additional search for studies focusing on using toothpaste/dentifrices for MIH management resulted in six studies, where three studies were on remineralization and three on reduction of sensitivity. Overall, the studies analyzed in this review showed that MIH-affected teeth could be remineralized using calcium phosphate-based approaches. In conclusion, calcium phosphates like CPP-ACP, calcium glycerophosphate, and hydroxyapatite can be used to remineralize MIH-affected teeth. In addition to MIH-remineralization, CPP-ACP and hydroxyapatite also offer relief from MIH-associated tooth sensitivity.

Community awareness of dental fluorosis as a health risk associated with fluoride in improved groundwater sources in Mangochi District, Malawi

Abstract Fluoride is one of the priority chemicals being monitored under the sustainable development goal target for drinking water. Excessive ingestion of fluoride in concentrations higher than 1.5 mg/L may cause dental, skeletal and neurological disorders. The study assessed community awareness of dental fluorosis as a health risk associated with fluoride contamination in groundwater sources in Mangochi district. Water samples from 82 water points were tested for fluoride and concentrations between 0.2 and 27.2 mg/L were detected, with a mean value of 3.7 mg/L and a median value of 3.1 mg/L. Nine water points registered fluoride concentrations above 6 mg/L, which is Malawi standard value for fluoride in boreholes and shallow wells. Prevalence rate for dental fluorosis among children in the study was at 82.7%. However, 100% of the children's parents displayed low or no awareness of dental fluorosis as a health risk associated with fluoride contamination in drinking water. The study recommends the use of solar powered reticulated systems, whose water source shall be from a contamination-free zone, and supply to the affected villages. Human health risk assessment using the US-EPA approach needs to be conducted in the affected villages to understand the extent of exposure to fluoride-related health risks.