Carol Mason

The Dental Health and Caries-Related Microflora in Children With Craniosynostosis

OBJECTIVE To compare levels of dental caries, bacterial dental plaque, gingivitis, enamel defects, and caries-related microflora in children with and without craniosynostosis. STUDY GROUP Fifty-seven children with craniosynostosis and their matched controls. OUTCOME MEASURES The decayed, missing, and filled teeth and surfaces in both the deciduous (dmfs and dmft) and the permanent dentition (DMFS and DMFT). The plaque and gingivitis scores and developmental enamel defects were also recorded. The caries-related microflora was sampled using an alginate swab and the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus and Candida species were recorded. RESULTS The dmfs (p <.02) and dmft (p <.01) were significantly greater in the control children. The plaque score for the deciduous dentition only (p <.02) and also the gingivitis score for the permanent teeth only (p <.008) in the craniosynostosis group were significantly greater. The total aerobic bacterial count (p <.004), anaerobic count (p <.002), and Candida count (p <.05) were significantly greater in the control group. The proportion of S. mutans both as a percentage of the total anaerobic count (p <.04) and the total streptococcal count (p <.05) was significantly greater in the control group.

Multiple crown-root fractures in primary molars and a suspected subcondylar fracture following trauma: a report of a case.

Dental trauma is common and often more than one injury is found. Injuries to the primary dentition are usually luxations and mandibular fractures rarely occur. With trauma sustained to the chin, the posterior primary teeth are at increased risk of trauma and mandibular fractures can occur. The case discussed is of a 4-year-old female who presented 2 weeks following dental trauma with multiple primary molar fractures and a possible subcondylar fracture. The need for a detailed examination is emphasized and the management of the case under general anaesthesia is described.

Case report: Macrodont mandibular second premolars, a hereditary dental anomaly

BackgroundMacrodontia or megadontia is a rare dental anomaly that refers to teeth that appear larger than normal. Generalised macrodontia may be associated with certain medical conditions and syndromes. Isolated macrodontia involves single teeth, might be the result of teeth fusion and is mainly seen in the incisor area.Case reportsThis paper describes two unrelated cases presenting with bilateral macrodont second lower premolars and the treatment provided. One case demonstrated the anomaly in both the patient and his father.ConclusionThis case report suggests for the first time in the literature the genetic aetiology and heritability, as a possible autosomal dominant trait, of this rare dental anomaly.