Evaluation of dental status and effectiveness of treatment among children and adolescents in the reference groups aged 6, 12, and 18 years from Skierniewice and its region in 2017-2020

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries is a transmissible chronic disease of dental hard tissues. To monitor the course of carious process, age reference groups were designated which are subject to regular dental check-ups. The groups include children aged 6, 12, and 18 years as well as adults at the age of 35-44 and 55-64 years.

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the state of dentition and effectiveness of treatment among children and adolescents in the reference groups aged 6, 12, and 18 years from the town of Skierniewice and its region in the years 2017-2020.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 385 children and adolescents from the reference groups. Dental examination was carried out in the dental office of the Ogrodowa Medical Centre in Skierniewice. Dental caries intensity expressed by the the DMFT index, and its particular components, D, M, and F (D- the mean number of teeth with caries (decayed), M- teeth extracted (missing), and F- filled) as well as the dental caries treatment index DTI (F/(D+F)) were determined according to sex.

RESULTS

Distribution of the DMFT index components was very similar in children aged 6 years and in 18-year-old adolescents. The D component constituted half the DMF index (50.7% in 6-year-olds and 52.4% in 18-year-olds), the M component values were lowest (16.1% and 12.3%, respectively) while the F component accounted for slightly more than 1/3 of the whole value (33.2% and 35.3%, respectively). In 12-year-olds, the D component value was 68.4% of the DMF index, the M component accounted for only a few percent (4.5%) and the F component was 27.1%. The DTI value was 0.40 for 6-year-olds and 18-year-olds and appeared to be significantly higher than in the group of 12-year-olds (0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

There is an urgent need for monitoring the dental status, professional caries prevention, and conservative treatment of teeth in children and adolescents of the Skierniewice region.

[The effects of topical fluoridation of enamel on the growth of cariogenic bacteria contained in the dental plaque]

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries is a bacterial disease. The most important element used in caries prevention is fluoride, which is derived from the air, diet or fluoride-containing preparations and materials, e.g. glass-ionomer restorations. Fluoride can inhibit metabolism and bacterial growth in the dental plaque. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of topical fluoridation of the enamel on the growth of Lactobacillus spp. in the dental plaque.

METHODS

The study was carried out in 15 patients with good oral hygiene, in whom three-day dental plaque from the enamel was examined. Next, fluoride was rubbed on the same surface and the examination of three-day dental plaque was repeated.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences (p = 0.475) in the amounts of Lactobacillus spp. in the plaque collected prior to and after the topical fluoridation were revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoride rubbed in the enamel, did not affect the amount of Lactobacillus spp. in the dental plaque growing on this material.

[The effects of topical fluoridation of Ketac Molar Aplicap glass-ionomer material on the growth of cariogenic bacteria contained in the dental plaque]

INTRODUCTION

Dental caries is a bacterial disease. The most important element used in caries prevention is fluoride, which is derived from the air, diet or fluoride-containing preparations and materials, e.g. glass-ionomer restorations. Modern fluoride-containing restorative materials are capable of releasing fluoride to the environment. Fluoride can be also accumulated in glass-ionomer cements, thus an attempt was made to saturate these materials with fluoride. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of topical fluoridation of Ketac Molar Aplicap glass-ionomer cement on the growth of Lactobacillus spp. in the dental plaque.

METHODS

The study was carried out in 15 patients with good oral hygiene, in whom 35 fillings with conventional glass-ionomer material, Ketac Molar Aplicap, were performed. After 6 months, three-day dental plaque from these fillings was examined. Next, fluoride was rubbed on the glass-ionomer surface and the examination of three-day dental plaque was repeated.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences (p = 0.143) in the amounts of Lactobacillus spp. in the plaque collected prior to and after topical fluoridation were revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluoride rubbed in the conventional glass-ionomer cement, Ketac Molar Aplicap, did not affect the amount of Lactobacillus spp. in the dental plaque growing on this material.

[The effects of Ketac Molar Aplicap glass-ionomer material on growth of cariogenic bacteria contained in the dental plaque]

INTRODUCTION

In the aging population, the prevalence of root caries has been observed, which is a characteristic feature of the elderly people. The most important element used in caries prevention is fluoride, which is derived from the air, diet or fluoride-containing preparations and materials, e.g. glass-ionomer restorations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Ketac Molar Aplicap glass-ionomer on the growth of Lactobacillus sp. bacteria, one of the species most frequently found in the carietic focus of the tooth root.

METHODS

The study was carried out in 15 patients with good oral hygiene, in whom 35 fillings from Ketac Molar Aplicap conventional glass-ionomer material were performed. After 6 months, three-day dental plaque from these fillings and from the tooth enamel of the control group was examined.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences (p = 0.554) in the amounts of Lactobacillus sp. between the study and control group were revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of inhibiting effect of glass-ionomer material on the growth of the dental plaque with Lactobacillus sp. after the time of observation is implied.

[Influence of topical fluoridation of glass ionomer cements on inhibitory activity on cariogenic bacteria]

Glass ionomer cements are important options in restorative and preventive dentistry due to their adhesion to the tooth surface and fluoride release, which can decrease the risk of recurrent caries. The aim of this study was to define, in vivo, the influence of the topical use of fluoride gel on dental plaque bacteria growing on the glass ionomer cement. Fifteen patients were included into this study. Thirty five class V restorations from the glass ionomer cement (Ketac Molar Aplicap, ESPE Germany) were placed in the patient's one half of the lower jaw. The sound enamel of other side of the lower jaw was treated as a control. After 6 month 72 old dental plaque was collected from the surfaces of restorations and the surfaces of the sound enamel. Total amount of 30 dental plaque samples were investigated according to the previously described method (17). In dental plaque samples the amount of Streptococcus mutans was calculated at the Department of Microbiology, Medical University of Lódź. Next the topical application of fluoride gel (Fluormex) was performed on the surfaces of glass ionomer (Ketac Molar) fillings and the sound enamel. The patients were asked not to clean the teeth for 72 h. After this time the dental plaque was again collected from the surfaces of restorations and sound enamel. Statistical analysis of collected data was accomplished and showed no statistically significant differences in the amount of Streptococcus mutans both on Ketac Molar and the enamel before and after the topical use of fluoride gel. It was concluded that the topical fluoridation of glass ionomer cement did not affect Streptococcus mutans growing in dental plaque.