Patrícia de Andrade Risso

Studies of dental anomalies in a large group of school children

The identification of specific patterns of dental anomalies would allow testing the hypothesis that certain genetic and environmental factors contribute to distinct dental anomaly subphenotypes. A sexual dimorphism in tooth agenesis and its association with other dental anomalies has been suggested. The aim of this study was to investigate a large group of children to define dental anomaly subphenotypes that may aid future genetic studies. Orthopantamograms of 1198 subjects were examined and 1167 were used in this study. The frequency of tooth agenesis in the studied population was 4.8%. Male:female ratios varied from 2:1 in the agenesis of upper lateral incisors to 0.5:1 in premolar agenesis. The risk of infra-occlusion of primary molars and double formation of primary incisors was increased in individuals with tooth agenesis.

Epidemiologic survey of traumatic dental injuries in children seen at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This epidemiologic survey aimed at assessing the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in children seen at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The records of a total of 111 children (aged 0 to 6 years) seen from 2004 to 2006 in the dental trauma clinic were surveyed, comprising a total of 201 traumatized primary teeth. Data pertaining to the child and to the trauma such as age, gender, etiology, teeth involved, type of traumatic injury, time elapsed between the trauma and seeking care, and the presence and kind of clinical and radiographic sequelae in the first visit were collected from the dental records. All variables studied were assessed by means of frequency analysis and the Chi-square test (p < 0.05). A higher prevalence of trauma was observed in boys (56.7%) and in the age group from 0-3 years (73.8%). The most affected teeth were the central incisors (84.7%) and the most common trauma etiology was a fall from the childs own height (63.0%). The supporting tissues were the most affected. Lateral luxation was the most frequent alteration observed (33.4%), followed by concussion (21.0%). Coronal discoloration (17.7%) and external resorption (18.3%) were, respectively, the most prevalent clinical and radiographic sequelae. Gender had no influence on the clinical (p = 0.54) and radiographic (p = 0.55) sequelae. Even though age had no influence on radiographic sequelae (p = 0.41), clinical sequelae were more prevalent in children aged 0 to 3 years (p = 0.03). In conclusion, traumatisms in primary teeth were more prevalent in boys, and in 0-3-year-old children. Luxation was the most frequent traumatic lesion, and coronal discoloration and external resorption were the most prevalent sequelae.

Assessing the proposed association between tooth agenesis and taurodontism in 975 paediatric subjects

BACKGROUND An association between tooth agenesis and taurodontism has been suggested. The identification of subpopulations with specific associated dental anomalies (subphenotype) would allow testing of the specific hypothesis that certain genetic factors contribute to the specific subphenotype. AIM This work aims to assess a large cohort to verify if the association between tooth agenesis and taurodontism is present. DESIGN Panoramic radiographs of 1002 patients were examined and 975 were used in this study. The presence of tooth agenesis and taurodontism was assessed in the study population. RESULTS The frequency of tooth agenesis was 4.6% and the frequency of taurodontism was 1.6%. There were, however, no observations of concomitant tooth agenesis and taurodontism. CONCLUSIONS Our data do not support the hypothesis that isolated tooth agenesis is associated with isolated taurodontism.

Postobturation pain and associated factors in adolescent patients undergoing one- and two-visit root canal treatment

OBJECTIVES This prospective study evaluated the frequency and intensity of postobturation pain and associated factors in adolescents undergoing one- and two-visit root canal treatment. METHODS 121 patients aged 11-18 years presenting with molars with pulp necrosis were assigned randomly into two treatment groups: one- and two-visit (including interappointment dressing with calcium hydroxide paste). The canals of all teeth were prepared using a preflaring (2/3 middle-cervical) and step-back (1/3 apical) preparation techniques and filled with laterally compacted gutta-percha and sealer. Postobturation pain was recorded on a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 0-5. Data were statistically analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS The frequencies of postobturation pain were 10.5% (6/57) in the one-visit group and 23.0% (14/61) in the two-visit group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p=0.07). The intensity of the pain was similar in both groups, particularly flare-ups, with a prevalence of 1.75% in the one-visit group and 1.65% in the two-visit group. Postobturation pain was significantly associated with the presence of preoperative pain (p=0.04; OR=3.54; CI 95%=1.02-12.30) and a positive culture at the time of obturation (p=0.00; OR=9.43; CI 95%=2.93-30.35). CONCLUSIONS Postobturation pain was more present in the two-visit group, but was not statistically significant. The intensity of postobturation pain was similar. Effective microbiological control and the presence of preoperative pain may influence the postobturation pain in adolescents.

Healing complications of traumatized permanent teeth in pediatric patients: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND Traumatic dental injuries (TDI) can affect soft and hard dental tissues and supporting structures in different ways and severity. AIM This study describes the complications associated with health in traumatized permanent teeth (TPT) over a 12-month period and assesses the relationships between TDI, involved tissues, and root development (RD). DESIGN The study enrolled 294 patients with 548 TPT. Data were collected on the TDI, RD, and the healing complication (HC) and when they were examined (03, 06, and 12 months). Frequencies are described and analyzed using the chi-squared test, relative risk (RR), and Mantel-Haenszel analysis (P≤0.05). RESULTS Healing complications were present in 201 (36.68%) teeth and were more frequently diagnosed 3 months (63.68%) after the TDI. Pulp necrosis was the most common HC (38.3%), and it was significantly associated with avulsion (P=0.023). Teeth with complete RD showed a tendency of developing HC over time, independent of TDI (P=0.05). HC in teeth with complete RD related to support tissue trauma (P=0.005) and avulsion (P<0.001) appeared more frequently after 3 months. CONCLUSION Healing complications are more common in teeth that have suffered trauma in supporting tissues and avulsion, especially in teeth with complete RD. The HC occur more frequently in the first 3 months, and a necrotic pulp was the most common complication.

Oral chemical burns caused by self-medication in a child: case report.

There are few published reports that discuss oral burns in children. Electrical, chemical, and thermal agents are the main causative agents of these burns. Some chemicals can cause burning in the mucosa of cheeks, lips, tongue, and palate. Because of the clinical state of acute pain associated with lack of or inadequate care to relieve the symptoms, some patients use self-medication. The purpose of this work is to report the case of oral chemical burns caused by topical self-medication for tooth pain relief, and also to discuss the clinical presentation and the treatment performed.

Electromagnetic interference of endodontic equipments with cardiovascular implantable electronic device

OBJECTIVES Assess the electromagnetic interference (EMI) of endodontic equipment with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and related factors. METHODS The laser device, electronic apex locators (EAL), optical microscope, endodontic rotary motors, gutta-percha heat carrier (GH), gutta-percha gun and ultrasonic device were tested next to CIEDs (Medtronic and Biotronik) with varied sensitivity settings and distances. CIEDs were immersed in a saline solution to simulate the electrical resistence of the human body. The endodontic equipment was tested in both horizontal and vertical positions in relation to the components of the CIED. The tests were performed on a dental chair in order to assess the cumulative effect of electromagnetic fields. RESULTS It was found no EMI with the Biotronik pacemaker. EALs caused EMI with Medtronic PM at a 2 cm distance, with the NSK(®) EAL also affecting the Medtronic defibrillator. GH caused EMI at 2 cm and 5 cm from the Medtronic defibrillator. EMI occurred when devices were horizontally positioned to the CIED. In the majority of the cases, EMI occurred when the pacemaker was set to maximum sensitivity. There was cumulative effect of electromagnetic fields between GH and dental chair. CONCLUSIONS EALs and GH caused EMI which ranged according to type and sensitivity setting of the CIEDs and the distance. However, no endodontic equipment caused permanent damage to the CIED. The use of GH caused a cumulative effect of electromagnetic fields. It suggests that during the treatment of patients with CIEDs, only the necessary equipments should be kept turned on. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Patients with CIEDs may be subject to EMI from electronic equipment used in dental offices, as they remain turned on throughout the treatment. This is the first article assessing the cumulative effect of electromagnetic fields.

Postoperative pain and associated factors in adolescent patients undergoing two-visit root canal therapy.

This prospective study investigated the frequency and intensity of postoperative pain and identified associated factors in adolescents undergoing two-visit root canal therapy. Sixty-four patients aged 11 to 18 years old presenting with molars with pulp necrosis were assigned consecutively to two visits (plus an interappointment dressing using calcium-hydroxide paste). Pain intensity was recorded on a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 0-5. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. The frequency of postoperative pain was 32.8% (21/64), with intensities of VAS 1 and VAS 2 in 81%, VAS 3 in 14.3% and VAS 4 in 4.7% of the 21 cases in which it was experienced. Spontaneous preoperative pain (odds ratio (OR) = 6.60; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.61-26.97; P = 0.009) and absence of apical perodontitis (OR = 5.65; 95% CI = 1.34-23.87; P = 0.01) were associated with postoperative pain. The frequency of postoperative pain was high, but the intensity, in general, was low, including flare-ups. The presence of spontaneous preoperative pain and absence of apical periodontitis increase the probability of suffering from postoperative pain.

Profiles of Trauma in Primary and Permanent Teeth of Children and Adolescents

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the dental trauma profile in primary and permanent teeth from patients between 0 and 15 years old who attended the Faculty of Dentistry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Data regarding gender, age, trauma classification, tooth type, and affected tissues were obtained from dental records. The data were analyzed descriptively and by the χ2 test (p < 0.05). Data associated with 333 traumatized teeth (70% primary and 30% permanent teeth) were included. The mean ages of children with affected primary and permanent teeth were 3.35 ± 2.02 and 9.09 ± 2.43 years, respectively. Males presented more permanent teeth with trauma (64.4%) than primary ones (55.6%; p = 0.085). The upper central incisors, both primary (68.9%) and permanent (69.4%), were the teeth most commonly affected. Primary teeth showed a higher frequency (p < 0.001) of supportive tissue trauma (73.3%) and lower frequency (p = 0.001) of hard tissue trauma (40.7%) than those in permanent ones (51.5% and 60.6%, respectively). The most frequent trauma in the supportive tissue was subluxation (27.2%) and permanent lateral luxation (42.0%). In the hard tissues, permanent teeth presented a higher prevalence of trauma than primary ones (p = 0.001), however this difference was not statistical significant when each type of fracture injury was evaluated individually (p > 0.005). With affected primary teeth, there was a greater frequency of trauma in the gingival mucosa (31.0%; p = 0.022); in the permanent ones, traumatic lesions in the chin region were the most prevalent (20.8%; p = 0.009). Trauma was recurrent in 26.3% of primary teeth and in 20.2% permanent teeth. Therefore, primary and permanent teeth showed distinct trauma profiles, suggesting that distinct preventive and therapeutic approaches are needed for these two groups.

Risk factors for traumatic dental injuries in the Brazilian population: A critical review

BACKGROUND/AIMS Strategies for the prevention of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) should consider the risk factors involved for each population studied. The aim of this study was to perform a critical review regarding the risk factors for TDI in the Brazilian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in the MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, and BBO databases using MeSH terms, synonyms, and keywords, with no language or date restrictions. In the first step, all relevant studies identified, regardless of the type of statistical analysis performed, were grouped according to their geographic location. In a second step, the studies using Andreasens criteria to classify the injuries and multivariate analysis to identify the risk factors for TDI in Brazilian subjects were included for data extraction. RESULTS The search strategy initially identified 3373 articles. However, only 108 articles assessed TDI with predisposing factors and were included in the first step. From those, 28 were deemed eligible for inclusion in the second step. No consensus related to the relationship between gender and TDI in the primary dentition was achieved. Nonetheless, males were found to be more prone to trauma in the permanent dentition. Overjet, inadequate lip sealing and anterior open bite increased the risk for TDI, both in primary and permanent dentitions. Social environment was related to trauma only in primary dentition. For permanent dentition, dental caries, obesity, binge drinking, and drug use were identified as considerable risk factors for TDI. CONCLUSION The risk factors for TDI in the Brazilian population are similar to those found worldwide. However, some differences can be observed, such as gender and socioeconomic indicators as predisposing factors.