No abstract

Background: Retention of primary molars beyond the expected time of exfoliation is uncommon; this condition is known as persistence. A retained primary tooth, with the crown in good condition, roots, and supporting alveolar bone can serve adults for many years. Objective: To determine the prevalence of retained primary molars and investigate the reasons for their persistence in Umm Al-Qura University. Methods: Overall, 500 extra-oral panoramic radiographs were assessed to investigate whether primary molars persisted beyond the expected exfoliation period. Dental records were also reviewed to investigate the possible reasons for persistence. The collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed, with P < .05 considered significant. Results: Seventy-six retained primary molars were identified (39 in females and 37 in males) in 500 panoramic radiographs (from 260 females and 240 males). Agenesis of the permanent successor tooth was the most frequently encountered reason for the retention of primary molars (19%). The second most frequent reason was ectopic deviation of the path of eruption of the successor (11%). The third most common reason was impaction of the successor (10%). Conclusion: The incidence of retained primary molars in the investigated population was 15.2%. The most common reason for the persistence of primary molars was agenesis of the permanent successor, followed by ectopic eruption and impaction of the successor teeth. These data highlight the need for education and awareness of dentists and patients to preserve the primary tooth when there is no permanent successor present and support an appropriate treatment plan for each case.

Objective: To evaluate the barriers faced by patients with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFC) throughout their treatment course in Saudi Arabia. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Eleven different governmental health care centers across Saudi Arabia. Patients: Records of pediatric patients with NSOFC. Interventions: A questionnaire with multiple validation stages was designed to assess the barriers in care of these patients through telephonic interviews with the parents or guardians of patients with NSOFC. Main Outcome Measures: We identified 3 care-barrier–related factors: (1) geographic accessibility, (2) appointment availability and accessibility, and (3) scheduling-related barriers. Results: Overall, 240 participants of both sexes, with orofacial cleft of various types and with various demographic characteristics (residence, family monthly income, and caregiver level of education) were included. The highest mean score of care barriers was reported for scheduling-related barriers. Overall, 186 individuals reported sometimes/often not receiving the required medical care for the following reasons: scheduling difficulties (89%; 37.1%), prolonged waiting room time (40%; 16.7%), and transportation difficulties (36%; 15.0%). A linear regression showed that parents cited late appointments as the main reason for patients with NSOFC not receiving adequate medical care. Care-barrier factors were significantly related to gender ( P = .035), patient age ( P < .001), place of residency ( P < .001), and caregiver’s level of education ( P = .015). Conclusions: Gaps in the health care system directly related to common care barriers need to be addressed to ensure adequate care for patients with NSOFC.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been linked to behavioral problems, but no study has assessed its relationship with dental anxiety. Therefore, this study’s goal is to assess the relation between ETS and both behavioral problems and dental anxiety among children. Methods: The study sample was collected from two centres in Jeddah from October 2019 to January 2020. Inclusion criteria included healthy 5–16-year-old children having their first dental visit with no emergency complaint. The questionnaire including general information, ETS exposure, the child’s anxiety using the Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (ACDAS) and dental behavior using the Frankl Behavioral Rating Scale. Results: Of 500 children, 337 (67.4% response rate) responded to the questionnaire, among whom 201 (59.6%) had been exposed to passive smoking compared to 136 (40.4%) who had not. Exposed children had a statistically significantly greater tendency to develop anxiety (p = 0.002) and demonstrate uncooperative behavior (p = 0.006). Generalized linear mode and binary regression analyses suggested that ETS has a statistically significant effect on children’s dental anxiety and behavior (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children exposed to ETS demonstrated statistically significantly higher anxiety levels and uncooperative behavior in the dental clinic compared to those who were not exposed.

Background: Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) aims to re-establish balance between the widths of the jaws. It is mainly utilized to treat skeletal and dental manifestations associated with transverse maxillary constriction and to improve facial structures involving the nasal cavity. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate parents’ perceptions of breathing pattern changes after their child had undergone RME and the associated effects on sleep quality and fatigue. We also evaluated nasal cavity changes in three dimensions in six randomly selected patients. Methods: Ninety-one children aged 5-13 years with transverse maxillary deficiency and no major systemic diseases or syndromes were recruited. Their parents completed a 16-item questionnaire pre-treatment and 6 months post-treatment. The questionnaire included items pertaining to changes in (1) sleep apnea and breathing patterns, (2) sleep quality and fatigue, and (3) behavior. The cone beam computed tomography scans from six randomly chosen patients were also subjected to stereolithographic reconstruction of the midface pre-RME and post-RME. Results: Responses in the three domains exhibited good reliability. Significant improvements were observed in 59% of the items post vs. pre-RME. The overall rates of dry mouth in the morning, snoring half of the time, and heavy breathing decreased by ≥30%. The percentage change in headache in the morning, snoring loudly, and snoring half of the time was >80%. In addition, in the series of six cases, the mean difference in nasal cavity area post-RME was 4.1 mm2. Conclusion: Post-RME, parents perceived that their children exhibited improved behavior and were less fatigued during the day. Enhanced sleep quality and breathing patterns were also observed, but to a lesser extent.