A Comparative Study of the Efficiency of two Different Glass Ionomer Using ART Technique in a Group of Egyptian Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effect of conventional glass ionomer cement and Nano-glass ionomer using atraumatic restorative technique (ART) in a group of Egyptian autistic children. Materials and Methods: Thirty autistic patients had cavitated lower first primary molars (class I only) were included in this study. According to the type of restorative material used, the children were classified into 2 groups: (Group I) their teeth were restored with conventional glass ionomer, (Group II) their teeth were restored with Nano-glass ionomer (ketac N 100). All children were checked clinically, radio graphically and for bacterial count evaluation at baseline (before treatment) and after 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. Results: After 6 months, group I showed statistically significant higher prevalence of pain, food stagnation, restoration defects and widening of lamina dura than group II while for bacterial count evaluation, the microbiological assay results show there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that Nano-glass ionomer can be considered a successful alternative restorative material for ART technique with promising results in treatment of children with autistic spectrum disorder. since it requires little setup time and the equipment is portable. It might help to reduce barriers to treatment of patients with disabilities and young and uncooperative children in which fear and anxiety are the reasons behind the unmanageable behaviors of children in the dental chair [8,9]. The prevalence of autism has been increasing drastically over the past few decades. Due to tremendous lack of awareness, this special group is often neglected. Few studies over the past years showed a higher rate of oral diseases among the autistic patients [10]. Autism specifically affects brain function in the areas responsible for the development of communication and social interaction skills. The hallmark of autism is the lack of communication skills. Affected children also have problems with language, behavior and social skills [11]. Most recent studies of centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that children who meet the Autistic Disorder criteria range in numbers of up to 12 per 1,000 children, worldwide. Prevalence rates per country are difficult to determine. Wong [12], and Posserud et al. [13], calculated and identified respective country's approximate prevalence rates of autism diagnoses of children living in other countries throughout the world and combined as follows: