Maria Gisette Arias Provenzano

Efficacy of an oral health promotion program for infants in the public sector

This study compared the caries index (dmft), presence of sucking habits and facial alterations in children attended by the preventive program for infants and children assisted by spontaneous demand, at the same age, at the public sector of Maringá, PR. A total of 100 children were evaluated (1-6 years), who were divided into 2 groups: GI - children attended by the infant program with educational and preventive care and bimonthly follow-up, since the 1st year of age; GII - children assisted for conventional treatment (preventive and restorative) according to the needs, and follow-up as requested by the parents. Data collection was performed by interview with the parents and clinical examination for evaluation of the dmft and facial alterations. Analysis of data (Mann-Whitney test for dmft comparison and chi-square test for all other comparisons) demonstrated a significant difference (p<0.05) in relation to the dmft index (GI: 0.2; GII: 3.0), percentage of caries-free children (GI: 88%; GII: 57%) and non-nutritive sucking habits (GI: 47%; GII: 75%). The breastfeeding and bottle utilization practices were similar for both groups. Facial alterations were more frequently observed (p<0.05) in GII (48%) than GI (8.4%), especially for the variables (p<0.05) high arched palate (GI: 10.2%; GII: 35.4%), anterior open bite (GI: 14.2%; GII: 35.4%) and mouth breathing (GI: 6.1%; GII: 29.1%). It was concluded that the infant program is more effective than the spontaneous demand program, reaching the goal of oral health maintenance in the child population.

Effects of palatal crib and bonded spurs in early treatment of anterior open bite: A prospective randomized clinical study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the overbite correction of fixed palatal crib (FPC) and bonded lingual spur (BLS) in the early treatment of anterior open bite (AOB) in mixed dentition (primary outcome) as well as its influence on dental and skeletal cephalometric measurements (secondary outcome). MATERIALS AND METHODS The selected patients had AOB and a mean age of 8.23 years. They were divided into the following three groups by casting lots: control (n  =  13), palatal crib (n  =  13), and spur (n  =  13). Data from the lateral teleradiography was obtained at the beginning, at 6 months, and after 1 year. The cephalometric analysis was performed by Cef-X program, recording the values of SNA, SNB, ANB, SnG oGn, 1.PP, IMPA, nasolabial angle, overbite, and overjet. Intergroup and intragroup comparisons were obtained via one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS The degree of AOB was similar at baseline (P > .05). At 6 months and then after 1 year all groups showed improvement in the overbite. However, only the crib and spur groups showed positive overbite. No cephalometric measurements changed significantly over the period analyzed. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the FPC and BLS are simple and effective for the treatment of anterior open bite, with the advantage given to the FPC.

Performance of Preventive Methods Applied to the Occlusal Surface of Primary Teeth: A Randomized Clinical Study

Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance of three preventive materials on the occlusal surfaces of primary molars over a 36-month period. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with a split-mouth design involving four experimental groups: G1 – resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer ® ); G2 - resin sealant (Alpha Seal Light ® ); G3 - silver diamine fluoride (Cariostatic ® ); and G4 - control group without material. Thirty-two children aged 36 to 60 months, attending a pediatric clinic, with a deft index ≥ 1 and four primary second molars participated in the study. The material retention was evaluated in G1 and G2, and the presence of incipient caries was evaluated in all groups. Data were submitted to the Wilcoxon test and survival test (α = 5%). Results: At three, six, 12, 24 and 36 months, G2 exhibited greater material loss (maximum loss: 44%) in comparison to G1 (maximum loss: 35%), but this difference did not achieve statistical significance (p = 0.214). The highest incidence of incipient caries occurred in G3 (20%), but no significant differences were found between groups at any evaluation time (p = 0.154). Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences between the evaluated products regarding material retention and dental caries, although there was more material loss in teeth that received the Alpha Seal ® sealant resin, and a greater number of carious lesions in the Cariostatic® group (silver diamine fluoride).

Avaliação Clínica dos Selantes Realizados com Cimento de Ionômero de Vidro Modificado por Resina (Vitremer®) em Molares Decíduos

Resumen pt: Objeti vo: Avaliar a efi cacia preventi va do cimento de ionomero de vidro modifi cado por resina (Vitremer) uti lizado como selante em molares deciduos,...