No abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as an apexification material when used in non-vital immature permanent incisors in children. Fifteen children with a mean age of 11.7 years and 17 non-vital permanent incisors were ajudged suitable for inclusion. Standard endodontic procedures were followed and an apical plug of 3-4 mm was created by using MTA after a calcium hydroxide intracanal dressing had been applied for at least 1 week. Final obturation was completed by using thermoplastisized Gutta-Percha (Obtura II) at least 1 week following MTA placement. Subjects were reviewed clinically and radiographically at 3-month intervals. Mean follow-up time for MTA was 12.53 months (+/-2.94 SD). Of the total of 17 teeth treated, MTA placement was considered to be adequate in 13 teeth. The procedure showed clinical success in 94.1% of the cases, radiographic success was found to be 76.5% and in further three cases (17.6%) the outcome was considered to be uncertain. This is one of the very few studies that have reported the out coming of MTA as an apexification material in children with non-vital teeth and incomplete root development. However, larger clinical studies are required to evaluate the long-term success of this procedure.

Children with cerebral palsy who drool do not appear to produce excess saliva. Their salivation is similar to the control children.

Aims To provide information regarding the different types of soft drinks and critically reviewing their risk on the dental and general health of children and adolescents, as well as the cost associated with such drinks. Methods The literature was reviewed using electronic databases, Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, and was complemented by cross-referencing using published references list from reviewed articles. Search words; soft drinks, juices, carbonated drinks, sports and energy drinks, soft drink and dental diseases, soft drink and health, cost of soft drinks, soft drink advertising, sugar tax on soft drinks were used for this review. In total, 104 papers were reviewed by both authors; of these, 62 papers were found to have relevant information. Results The consumption of soft drinks was found to have increased dramatically over the past several decades. The greatest increase in soft drink consumption has been among children and adolescents. Some commercial soft drinks are high in sugar content and acidity. In addition, they supply energy only and are of little nutritional benefit and lack micro-nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Soft drink consumption can contribute to detrimental oral and general health. Efforts have been made by manufacturers and government agencies to reduce the potential harmful effects of sugar-containing soft drinks on teeth and general health. These include banning the sale of soft drinks in schools, restricting soft drinks advertising, modifying the composition of soft drinks and introducing tax on sugar-containing soft drinks. Conclusions The consumption of soft drinks with high sugar content and acidity can contribute to detrimental oral health and may also affect general health. Therefore, it is necessary to educate patients about the harmful effects of different types of soft drinks as it is not always easy for individuals to identify from drink labelling the ingredients which they contain.

Prevalence of drooling in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and its severity across dental age (i.e. children with primary, mixed, and permanent dentitions) was investigated. One hundred and sixty children and adolescents (91 males, 69 females; mean age 10 years 10 months, SD 4 years 2 months; range 4 to 18 years) with CP who attended special schools were involved in this study. Sixty eight per cent of participants had spastic CP with the majority (45%) diagnosed as having quadriplegia. Presence or absence of drooling was determined by direct observation of the participants. Other data, such as age, sex, learning disability*, and type of CP were collected using questionnaires. Results showed 93 of 160 children (58%) with CP had a drooling condition and of these 53 (33%) had severe drooling. It was found that the degree of drooling decreased as the child's dental age increased. Prevalence of drooling in children with primary dentition was found to be 75% as compared with 43% of those with permanent dentition, although this difference was not statistically significant. It was concluded that any invasive treatment to reduce drooling should, perhaps, be postponed until the child's oromusculature has matured.