Increased caries prevalence in adolescents who immigrated from Ethiopia to Israel

The prevalence of caries in adolescents who immigrated from Ethiopia increased rapidly, the longer their residence in Israel. A total of 159 newly immigrated adolescents, aged 11-19, who lived in small absorption institutions, as well as 52 Ethiopian adolescents and 173 Israeli-born adolescents living together in a larger institution, were examined. Caries was recorded using the DMFT index, which indicates caries experience. The mean caries prevalence (DMFT) of the newly immigrated Ethiopians was 0.49 and of those residing in Israel 12-24 months was 1.76. The caries rate was highest in the Israeli group (DMFT-10.0). The percentages of caries-free individuals were 10.0% for the Israelis, 58.8% for the Ethiopians who immigrated earlier and 81.8% for the newly immigrated. The abrupt change in dietary habits seems to have created a new high risk caries group. Caries preventive measures, the use of fluoride products, and patient education and motivation are urgently required.

Physiologic pigmentation of the oral mucosa in Israeli children

Physiologic melanin pigmentation (racial pigmentation) of the oral mucosa varies in prevalence among different races and ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of physiologic pigmentation in Israeli Jewish children of different ethnic origins. A total of 1,300 children, 6 to 10 years of age, was examined. Physiologic pigmentation was found in 13.5% of the population studied. Children of Eastern origin showed a significantly higher prevalence of pigmentation compared with Ashkenazi and Sephardic groups. Because melanin pigmentation can be enhanced by mechanical and chemical stimulation (smoking), this study may serve as a baseline for investigation of melanin pigmentation in various ethnic groups.

Caries protective aspects of saliva and enamel

Saliva may be considered as being similar to enamel but in a liquid phase. Saliva, the mechanics of remineralization and demineralization, the acquired pellicle and the enamel surface all act to maintain the status quo, resisting mineral loss from the enamel.

Effect of the birth process on the neonatal line in primary tooth enamel

The neonatal line is a histologic landmark in primary tooth enamel corresponding to the event of birth. The average width of the neonatal line (NNL) in primary tooth enamel of 147 children was measured. In children with normal birth histories the width of the NNL was found to be 11.9 +/- 4.8 microns. It was wider (18.6 +/- 5.7 microns) in children born by difficult operative delivery and thinner (7.6 +/- 1.5 microns) in children born by Caesarean section. The data suggest that concomitant with the change from intrauterine to extrauterine environment, the birth process itself also contributes to the width of the NNL.

Comparison of dental findings in patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency treated with human growth hormone (hGH) and in untreated patients with Laron-type dwarfism

The effect of human growth hormone (hGH) on dental structures was investigated by comparing two groups of patients with hypopituitarism. One group of 19 patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency who received hGH replacement therapy was compared with a group of 13 patients with high immunoreactive growth hormone and IGF-I deficiency, Laron-type dwarfism, who could not benefit from hGH treatment. Plaster casts of the dentitions and panoramic radiographs were obtained from all patients and analyzed for dental age, arch length, arch circumference, and width of teeth. the main findings were that (1) hGH therapy did not accelerate dental age but enhanced bone age; (2) the mandible was significantly smaller in the untreated group but no significant difference was found between the groups in the maxilla; (3) third molars were missing in more than 90% of the patients with Laron-type dwarfism whereas hypodontia of other teeth was found in 30% of all the patients; and (4) crowding was less prevalent than expected and the mesiodistal width of the teeth seemed to be smaller.

Timing of orthodontic tooth movement in a case with traumatized and avulsed anterior teeth

A traumatic injury to a patient undergoing orthodontic treatment resulted in avulsion, dislodgement, and fracture of upper anterior teeth. Deciding when to institute endodontic treatment and when to resume orthodontic treatment was based upon minimizing the changes for ankyloses and root resorption. Endodontic treatment was carried out two weeks after trauma, and orthodontic treatment continued three weeks after trauma. Radiographs taken six months, one year, and two years after orthodontic completion showed progressive root resorption to the avulsed tooth and minimum root resorption to the remaining anterior teeth.

Changing patterns of dental caries in Ethiopian adolescents who immigrated to Israel

The aim of this investigation was to explore changes in caries prevalence and gingival health in adolescents who immigrated from Ethiopia to Israel, experiencing an abrupt cultural transition. Fifty adolescents, aged 15-17, born in Ethiopia, and 196 adolescents born in Israel were examined. All were pupils of a boarding school, sharing the same living conditions and eating schedules. The results showed a nearly sixfold difference in caries prevalence between the Ethiopian and the Israeli group (1.5/9.6). No differences could be seen clinically between the Ethiopians who immigrated more than 1 yr ago and those who arrived within the last year. Radiographically, a significant difference was found between the two Ethiopian subgroups. Those who arrived more than 1 yr ago had nearly three times more initial caries. Total interproximal caries scores for the Israeli group, Ethiopians who arrived more than 1 yr ago, and newly arrived Ethiopians were 6.9, 5.7 and 2.1 respectively. Oral hygiene was poorer in the Ethiopian group than in the Israeli group; little difference was found in gingival health. Change in dietary habits, more meals per day and more frequent consumption of fermentable carbohydrates, could have been the cause of the change in caries rate.

Diagnosis of developmental dental anomalies using panoramic radiographs

Early detection and diagnosis require medical and dental histories, clinical examination, and radiographs. The panoramic radiograph will yield more accurate results in children older than eight to nine years, when most tooth buds should be discernible.

Deciduous tooth eruption in children who fail to gain weight

In order to investigate the usefulness of the number of erupted deciduous teeth (NET) as a growth parameter, we studied deciduous tooth eruption (DTE) in 46 infants between the ages of 6 and 30 months, who failed to gain weight. The cause of the failure to thrive was intrauterine growth retardation in 17 children, and undetermined in 29. In these babies, height and head circumference were significantly below the mean as well. However, NET was almost unchanged when compared to NET of Israeli children of the same age. These findings support the view that DTE is an independent process, unrelated to other anthropometric measurements. Thus, NET may not be used as a clinical parameter of physical development.

Deciduous tooth eruption in Israeli children. A cross-sectional study

Deciduous tooth eruption (DTE) was studied in 366 Jewish Israeli children: 193 boys and 173 girls. The number of erupted teeth (NET) at different ages was similar in both sexes. No statistically significant correlation was found between NET and anthropometric measurements at birth (weight and length) or subsequently, after eliminating the influence of age, between NET and weight, height, and head circumference. The high normal variability in NET at a given age is demonstrated.