Co-Sleeping as a Protector against Malocclusion in the Primary Dentition: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mothers practice co-sleeping and breastfeeding simultaneously, for convenience and to strengthen bonding. Due to the scarcity of studies analyzing the impact of co-sleeping on primary dentition, this study aimed to analyze the possible effects of co-sleeping on children’s occlusion. In this cross-sectional study, mothers of 221 children aged 2−5 years who had been breastfed for less than 6 months completed a questionnaire about non-nutritive sucking habits. The WHO (World Health Organization) and IOTN-AC indices (the Aesthetic Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) were used to assess malocclusion. The type of sagittal (dental and skeletal), transverse and vertical malocclusion was recorded. The non-co-sleeping group showed significantly higher pacifier use (p < 0.05), digital sucking (p < 0.05) and atypical swallowing (p < 0.05) habits. The non-co-sleeping group showed significantly higher mean scores on the IOTN-AC (p < 0.05) and WHO (p < 0.01), a significantly higher presence of canine class II (p < 0.05), anterior open bite (p < 0.05), posterior crossbite (p < 0.05), overbite (p < 0.05), skeletal class II (p < 0.01) and protrusion (p < 0.05). In conclusion, children who practice co-sleeping appear to have a lower frequency and duration of non-nutritive sucking habits. Co-sleeping may contribute to a lower development of malocclusions in children who are weaned early (before six months of age).

Restoration of Proximal Contacts in Decayed Primary Molars Using Three Different Matrix Systems in Children Aged 5-9 Years: An In Vivo Study

Aims and objectives

Proximal contacts and their interdigitation through occlusal contact with opposing teeth play a major role in children, for the eruption of permanent teeth into normal position. Determining the ideal matrix band system for proximal restorations helps in the construction of contacts and contours. This study is designed to determine the most suitable matrix band system for proximal restorations.

Materials and methods

A total of 96 proximal cavities were selected among patients aged 5–9 years and were equally divided into three groups. Group I: T-band, group II: ProMatrix, and group III: FenderMate. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were taken to evaluate carious lesions and restorations. Class II cavity was prepared and glass ionomer restorations were done using matrix systems. The efficacy of matrix bands was evaluated through the operator's questionnaire and postoperative radiographs.

Results

No statistical significance was found between the three matrix bands but FenderMate showed few clinical drawbacks that were statistically significant (p < 0.005).

Interpretation and conclusion

Matrix systems used in this study showed good results in restoring proximal contacts and contours. FenderMate showed few drawbacks when compared with the other two matrix systems. None of the matrix systems used in the present study were able to create 100% accurate proximal contacts and contours.

How to cite this article

Dindukurthi MK, Setty JV, Srinivasan I, et al. Restoration of Proximal Contacts in Decayed Primary Molars Using Three Different Matrix Systems in Children Aged 5–9 Years: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(1):70–74.

Association between coronal caries and malocclusion in an adult population

Purpose

Only a few but conflicting results have been reported on the association between malocclusions and caries. We investigated this association using data from the population-based cross-sectional Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP).

Methods

Sagittal, vertical and transversal intermaxillary relationship, space conditions and sociodemographic parameters of 1210 dentate subjects (median age 30 years, interquartile range 25–35 years) were collected. Caries was assessed with the Decayed-Missing-Filled Surfaces index but analyzed as ordered outcome (four levels: sound, enamel caries, caries, tooth loss) in ordinal multilevel models, taking into account subject, jaw, and tooth level simultaneously.

Results

Anterior open bite ≤3 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–3.61), increased sagittal overjet of 4–6 mm (OR = 1.31, CI: 1.05–1.64), distal occlusion of ½ premolar width (OR = 1.27, CI: 1.05–1.53) and distal 1 premolar width (OR = 1.31, CI: 1.06–1.63) were associated with adjusted increased odds for a higher outcome level (caries). Anterior spacing (OR = 0.24, CI: 0.17–0.33), posterior spacing, (OR = 0.69, CI: 0.5–0.95), posterior crowding (OR = 0.57, CI: 0.49–0.66) and buccal nonocclusion (OR = 0.54, CI: 0.33–0.87) were associated with a lower outcome level (caries).

Conclusion

The results from this population-based study suggest that a connection between caries and malocclusion exists to a limited extent in young adults. The associations with caries are contradictory for several malocclusion variables. Distal occlusion (OR = 1.31, CI: 1.06–1.63) and related skeletal anomalies displayed positive associations with caries whereas crowding did not. Orthodontic treatment of anterior crowding would probably not interfere with caries experience. These aspects should be considered for patient information and in treatment decisions.

Epidemiological pattern of malocclusion in Brazilian preschoolers

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution profile of malocclusion in Brazilian preschoolers and its association with macro-region, housing, gender, and self-reported race. In total, 6,855 children aged five years participating in the National Oral Health Survey (called SB Brasil 2010) were analyzed. Malocclusion was diagnosed according to the Foster and Hamilton index. We conducted descriptive, bivariate and multiple regression analyses (PR/CI95%). We identified that 63.2% of children had at least one of the occlusal problems evaluated: canines' key (22.9%), overjet (32.9%), overbite (34.6%), and posterior crossbite (18.7%) and, thus, were considered with malocclusion. Higher probability of the presence of malocclusion was identified among the residents of the Midwest (1.08/95%CI 1.01-1.15), Northeast (1.21/95%CI 1.14-1.28), Southeast (1.27/95%CI 1.20-1.34) and South (1.34/95%CI 1.26-1.42) regions when compared to residents in the North. It was also higher among female children (1.06/95% CI 1.02-1.09). No associations were identified concerning race and location of the municipality (capital/no capital). A high prevalence of malocclusion was identified in Brazilian preschoolers, and it was associated with gender and the macro-region. These findings may contribute to expanded public policies and greater access to treatment for this population.

Common dental diseases in children and malocclusion

Malocclusion is a worldwide dental problem that influences the affected individuals to varying degrees. Many factors contribute to the anomaly in dentition, including hereditary and environmental aspects. Dental caries, pulpal and periapical lesions, dental trauma, abnormality of development, and oral habits are most common dental diseases in children that strongly relate to malocclusion. Management of oral health in the early childhood stage is carried out in clinic work of pediatric dentistry to minimize the unwanted effect of these diseases on dentition. This article highlights these diseases and their impacts on malocclusion in sequence. Prevention, treatment, and management of these conditions are also illustrated in order to achieve successful oral health for children and adolescents, even for their adult stage.

Occlusal Features and Caries Experience of Hong Kong Chinese Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To study occlusal features and their relation to caries experience in Hong Kong Chinese preschool children. Methods: Seven kindergarten classes in Hong Kong were selected using a stratified random sampling method, and the 4- and 5-year-old Chinese kindergarten children were invited to join the survey. Two calibrated dentists performed the clinical examinations in the kindergartens. Occlusion features, including incisal overjet; canine and molar relationship; median diastema; and primate space as well as malocclusion features, including crossbite; anterior open bite; and scissor bite, were recorded. Caries experience was recorded with the dmft index. Results: A total of 538 children were invited to participate in the study, and finally 495 children were examined (92%). Approximately half (52%) had a normal incisor relationship. Most children had a class I canine relationship (left-79%; right-75%). Approximately two-thirds had a flush terminal plane (left-64%; right-65%). Most children (76%) had a maxillary primate space, and 47% had a mandibular primate space. The prevalence of median diastema, anterior crossbite, and unilateral posterior crossbite was 30%, 12% and 1%, respectively. No bilateral posterior crossbite or scissor bite was found. Approximately half (49%) had caries experience. The mean dmft score was 2.1. Gender and age were not associated with either the studied occlusal features or the mean dmft score (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Approximately half of the Hong Kong preschool children studied had a normal occlusion, and two-thirds of them had a flush terminal plane. About three-quarters of them had a maxillary primate space, and half of them had a mandibular primate space. Their occlusal traits were not associated with caries experience and prevalence.

Condições socioeconômicas estão associadas ao overbite e overjet? Uma avaliação utilizando fotografias digitais

OBJETIVO: estimar a associação entre fatores socioeconômicos e más oclusões do tipo overbite e overjet em escolares em fase de dentição permanente jovem. MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado em 251 escolares de sete a 15 anos, de ambos os sexos, regularmente matriculadas no ensino fundamental de escolas públicas e privadas do município de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. Todos os sujeitos da amostra realizaram fotografias extrabucais padronizadas de face (frontal em repouso, frontal sorrindo e perfil) e intrabucais (frontal, lateral direita e lateral esquerda em oclusão, oclusal superior e oclusal inferior), para o diagnóstico das alterações. As fotografias foram avaliadas por três examinadores em regime cego e as discordâncias foram discutidas até a obtenção de consenso. Overbite e overjet foram diagnosticados segundo critérios de Angle. RESULTADOS: constatou-se que 35,4% das crianças apresentaram overbite e 18,3%, overjet. Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre a renda familiar com overbite (p=0.003) e com overjet (p=0.029), observando-se que a maioria das crianças que não possuíam overbite (69,4%) era de famílias com baixa renda (até 2 salários mínimos). De modo semelhante, a maioria dos portadores de overjet era de famílias com renda mais elevada, ao passo que a maioria daqueles sem overjet tinha renda familiar baixa. Para as demais variáveis não houve diferenças estatisticamente significante na distribuição de frequência de overjet e overbite. CONCLUSÃO: a prevalência de overbite e overjet nos escolares estudados é alta, especialmente entre aqueles com maior renda familiar.