Regional odontodysplasia. A literature review and three case reports

AIM

The purpose of this article is to report some unusual characteristics related to gender, location and manifestations of severe Regional Odontodysplasia detected in three subjects. Regional Odontodysplasia is a rare disturbance of dental development whose aetiology is still unknown. Anomalies involve enamel, dentin, pulp and dental follicle causing atypical structure, colour, shape, size and eruptive disturbances of the affected teeth. Its early onset may lead to craniofacial development disturbances.

CASES REPORTS

This article reports three cases with unusual characteristics observed in male children who were assisted by a paediatric dentist. Generally the disease affects one hemiarch and it is very rare that it crosses the midline as in one of the presented cases. Regional Odontodysplasia has been predominantly described in the maxilla and in women, however these three cases are in boys and two of them occured in the mandible.

CONCLUSION

Regional Odontodysplasia is a rare disease, causing severe dental, growing and craniofacial development anomalies. Treatment needs to be personalised, aiming at preservation of the affected teeth taking into account their risk to develop severe infections. Parents should be made aware of the need for an extensive follow-up.

Microbiological analysis of gingivitis in pediatric patients under orthodontic treatment

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between gingival inflammation and changes in bacteria of the gingival sulcus in children in orthodontic treatment with brackets.

STUDY DESIGN

this prospective study assessed gingival and plaque index of two groups: children with brackets (Group 1) and without brackets (Group 2). The sample was selected from patients treated at the Faculty of Dentistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. Microbiological assessment was performed in every child and all data were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

Group 1 showed significantly higher microbiological values and the difference was greater in lower teeth. Comparing the total plaque percentage, it was significantly higher in Group 1.

STATISTICS

there was no significant correlation between gingival and plaque indexes in any group. No significant correlation was found between plaque index and bacteria.

CONCLUSION

Children using brackets showed significantly higher gingival and plaque indices than children without brackets. No direct relationship was found between the increase in gingival and plaque indices and the presence and quantity of bacteria; therefore it was not possible to identify specific bacteria as responsible for the high gingival index in patients with brackets.