Peripheral odontogenic fibroma in a child with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome: Case report

INTRODUCTION

Ellis-van Creveld (EVC) syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder predominantly characterized by a disproportionate dwarfism, ectodermal dysplasia, postaxial polydactyly, and congenital heart malformations and pulmonary hypoplasia.

OBJECTIVE

In this article, we hereby present a case of a 6-year-old Brazilian boy with EVC syndrome who presented a rare oral lesion as well as a remarkable number of classical and uncommon oral and dental features.

CASE REPORT

Clinical and radiographic examination revealed multiple enamel hypoplasia, teeth agenesis, conical teeth, lower canine rotation, bilateral posterior crossbite, taurodontism of deciduous and permanent molars and delayed tooth eruption, dental caries, and absent vestibular sulcus. Additionally, a whitish lobulated nodule located in the alveolar ridge in the anterior region of the mandible was noted. Anatomopathological examination was compatible with the diagnosis of peripheral odontogenic fibroma (POF). In a 10-month clinical follow-up, no signs of recurrence were observed.

CONCLUSION

In view of the characteristic oral findings of EVC syndrome and the potential for recurrence of POF, the pediatric dentist plays an essential role in clinical follow-up, planning and preventive, and rehabilitative treatment.

Fluoride varnishes supplemented with nano-sized sodium trimetaphosphate reduce enamel erosive wear in vitro

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of fluoride (F) varnishes with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) on erosive tooth wear (ETW) in vitro.

METHODS

Enamel blocks (n = 100) were divided into 5 experimental groups (n = 20/group): Placebo (Pla - without F/TMP); 5 % NaF (NaF); 5 % NaF + 5 % micrometric TMP (NaF+5 %MICRO); 5 % NaF + 2.5 % nano-sized TMP (NaF+2.5 %NANO), and 5 % NaF + 5 % nano-sized TMP (NaF+5 %NANO). Blocks received a single varnish application (6 h contact), and were submitted to 4 daily erosive challenges (ERO, 0.05 M citric acid, pH 3.2, 90 s, under agitation), for 5 days. After ERO, half of the blocks (n = 10/group) were subjected to brushing abrasion (ERO+ABR). Profilometry, surface hardness (SH), and cross-sectional hardness (ΔKHN) were determined. The data were submitted to 2-way ANOVA and Fisher's LSD test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Enamel wear was significantly lower for ERO compared with ERO+ABR for all varnishes tested (p < 0.001), following the pattern NaF+5 %NANO < NaF+5 %MICRO < NaF < NaF+2.5 %NANO < Pla (both for ERO and ERO+ABR). The highest SH loss was observed for Pla and the lowest for NaF (ERO) and NaF+2.5 %NANO (ERO+ABR), without significant differences among NaF+2.5 %NANO, NaF, and NaF+5 %MICRO. The highest ΔKHN values were observed for NaF+5 %MICRO and NaF+5 %NANO at 5-30 µm, with less marked differences among the groups at 30-70 µm (ERO and ERO+ABR).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of TMP to F varnishes significantly improves protection against ETW in vitro. The use of 5 % nano-sized TMP further enhances such effects.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

F varnishes containing TMP can reduce enamel loss caused by ERO or ERO+ABR.

Maternal methylmercury exposure during early-life periods adversely affects mature enamel structure of offspring rats at human exposure levels: a concern for oral health

Although there are many studies on the health effects of methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity during in utero and early development, little is known about its effects on mineralized tissues present in the oral cavity, such as enamel structure. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of MeHg exposure on the physico-chemical, ultrastructural and functional properties of mature tooth enamel. Specifically, we studied offspring of mothers exposed to MeHg during the prenatal and postnatal periods which are the developmental stages associated with tooth enamel formation. Female rats were exposed to MeHg at a dose of 40 μg/kg/day for 42 days of pregnancy and lactation. The enamel of offspring was analyzed by (1) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Raman to assess physicochemical composition, (2) Scanning Electron Microscopy for ultrastructural evaluation, (3) Transmitted Polarizing Light Microscopy for analysis of the enamel extracellular matrix, and (4) resistance and hardness were evaluated by microhardness. The results showed that MeHg exposure during this sensitive enamel formation period induced changes in inorganic and organic content and enamel prisms ultrastructure alterations and disturbed the organic extracellular matrix due to a decreased enamel strength. These novel findings establish for the first time that maternal exposure to MeHg pre and postnatal promoted relevant changes in mature enamel of their offspring rats.

Amount of Dentifrice and Fluoride Concentration Influence Salivary Fluoride Concentrations and Fluoride Intake by Toddlers

The present study evaluated fluoride (F) concentrations in saliva of toddlers after brushing with dentifrices containing different F concentrations, applied in different quantities, and estimated F intake from toothbrushing. The study comprised a double-blind, crossover protocol, in which toddlers (n = 18, 2-3 years old) were randomly assigned into six groups, according to possible combinations of dentifrices (0/550/1,100 ppm F, as NaF) and amounts (rice grain, pea size, and transverse technique). Volunteers used a F-free dentifrice during 1 week. On the 7th day, saliva samples were collected before (baseline), and at 5/15/30/60 min after toothbrushing. All dentifrice expectorated after brushing was collected. F concentrations (saliva and expectorate) were determined with an ion-specific electrode. Data were submitted to ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Fisher's LSD or Student-Newman-Keuls' tests (p <0.05). Brushing with 550 ppm F dentifrice (pea size or transversal technique) increased the area under the curve (AUC) at similar levels compared to 1,100 ppm F (rice grain). The highest AUC and salivary F at 5 min after brushing were achieved by 1,100 ppm F (pea size), followed by 550 ppm F (transversal technique). Regarding F intake, the highest values were observed for 550 ppm F (transversal technique), followed by 1,100 ppm F (pea size). It is possible to conclude that the amount of dentifrice and F concentration in the product significantly affected both salivary F concentrations and F intake during toothbrushing.

[Cerebral vascular disorders and arterial hypertension: cardiologic and neurologic aspects]

OBJECTIVE

To report and discuss some cardiologic, neurologic and radiologic aspects in different types of stroke (AVC) present in hypertensive patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective study in patients with acute cerebrovascular accident (AVC) and high blood pressure (HTA). Separate this population in three groups according to the results of computerized tomography scanning of the brain (TAC): hemorrhage (H) cerebral infarction (IC) and lacune (L). In each group describe the findings.

SETTING

Department of Internal Medicine in a University Hospital of Lisbon.

PATIENTS

Thirty-four patients, after having discarded 8 because their TAC were normal. Twenty were men (M), 14 women (F) with a total age average of 58 years.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

All patients had AVC, HTA and underwent initial TAC. For each group were considered: Past history, cardiac repercussions of HTA, neurologic features and the localisations of cerebral lesions. For statistical study were used the Student T Test. There was 45% of IC, 24% of H and 26% of L. In past history was found 35% of cardiac diseases and 24% of diabetes. There wasn't any difference in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) between the groups. Fifty-six percent had an important cardiac repercussion, with 72% of alterations of ventricular repolarization and 35% of coronary heart diseases. Both were more prevalent in IC than in the others. Twenty percent of H were in physical activity, 20% had a progressive start and in 10% there were meningeal signals. The site of cerebral lesions were characteristical, specially the H and L and 60% of H were thalamic. There wasn't any lacune neither in the cerebral stem nor in the cerebellum. It was reviewed some theoric aspects of neurologic feature.

CONCLUSIONS

IC is the more frequent AVC in hypertensive patients. The cardiac involvement, is the most frequent disease in past history. The cardiac repercussion of HTA is more important in IC. The findings were insufficient to well characterize the neurologic feature. Sometime TAC and seldom magnetic resonance are necessary. The localisations, specially of H and L are the same that have been described in medical literature.