Dental management of a 4-year-old child with congenital afibrinogenemia-A rare case report

Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare hematologic disorder with an estimated incidence of 1-2 per million people worldwide. It is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and is characterized by the inability to synthesize fibrinogen. Clinical features range from minimal bleeding to catastrophic hemorrhage. Because of its rarity, there are not enough clinical guidelines in the management of oral manifestations of patients with this disorder. The following case report presents the dental management of a 4-year-old child with congenital afibrinogenemia under general anesthesia. A multidisciplinary team approach was followed to achieve full mouth rehabilitation, thus improving the overall quality of life of the patient.

Assessment of attitudes and practices regarding oral healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic among the parents of children aged 4-7 years

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought about radical changes in our habits and lifestyles. The suspension of schools has led children to spend long hours at home, with reduced socialization, and changes in dietary patterns, oral hygiene practices and sleep routines. During a pandemic, appropriate oral health management and disease prevention are very important for the child's oral and general health.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes and practices of parents with regard to their children's oral healthcare, dietary habits and dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 381 Indian parents of children aged 4-7 years. A self-instructed questionnaire was designed in English using the Google Forms platform. The questionnaire consisted of 4 parts: sociodemographic data; dietary habits of the child; oral hygiene measures; and dental information. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (the χ2 test).

RESULTS

Among the children included in the study, 48% of those who experienced dental problems during the pandemic consumed more snacks and packaged foods between meals. Among the parents, 80% reported that their children used electronic devices at mealtimes, and 60% reported the food pouching habit in their children. A total of 71% of parents assisted their child at tooth brushing, while only 28% of the parents would take their child to the dental clinic for treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the shortfalls in attitudes and practices among parents in relation to dietary habits, oral hygiene measures and the use of dental services during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding their children. This could be attributed to a lack of awareness, the fear of exposure and the inconveniences faced by parents.

Evaluating the accuracy of two different age estimation methods in growing children in Navi Mumbai using Orthopantomograph: A radiographic study

BACKGROUND

Age estimation through dental maturity indicators is relatively more accurate, reliable, and valid for living as well as dead individuals. It acts as an important tool in diagnosis and treatment planning in clinical as well as in forensic dentistry. There are various methods to estimate the dental age. Out of which, Demirjian's method has been widely used in various populations. However, there is a dearth of literature on Indian population comparing Demirjian's method to Cameriere's method.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Demirjian's and Cameriere's age estimation methods to chronological age in growing children using orthopantomograph (OPG).

SETTING AND DESIGN

The sample consisted of digital OPGs of 280 children in Navi Mumbai aged 5-16 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Digital OPGs were used to assess the dental maturity of seven mandibular left teeth using Demirjian and Cameriere's method and were compared to the chronological age.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Data were analyzed using Student's t tests.

RESULT

Irrespective of gender, dental age estimated by Cameriere's method (mean 10.23 ± 2.79 years), underestimated the chronological age (mean 11.74 ± 2.86 years) for overall population which showed statistically significant difference. Demirjian's method overestimated (mean 12.24 ± 3.06 years) the chronological age for the overall population but was statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSION

Demirjian's method is more closely in correlation with the chronological age of growing children as compared to the Cameriere method when applied to children of age 5-16 years in Navi Mumbai.

Comparing the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography and electronic apex locator for root canal length determination in primary teeth

AIMS

The aims of this study were to assess the accuracy of electronic apex locator (CanalPro™) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in determination of working length in primary teeth compared to direct visual length.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Ninety-nine primary teeth (207 root canals) were subjected to CBCT scan for assessment of working length. All root canals were then measured using CanalPro™ Apex Locator. Actual length of root canal was measured using direct visual method which was kept as control.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

One-way ANOVA and Tukey's honestly significant difference tests were performed using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.

RESULTS

Overall estimated mean values obtained using three methods show that CBCT method was more accurate than the apex locator in determining the working length in primary teeth. However, these values were statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

CanalPro™ Apex Locator can be used in primary teeth to accurately determine the working length. Nevertheless, a preexisting CBCT can always be used for determination of the working length in the primary teeth.