Remineralization effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate crème on artificial early enamel lesions of primary teeth

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011 Background. Caries in children younger than 72 months is called early childhood caries (ECC). Sixty‐six per cent of Chinese children younger than 5 years old have dental decay, and about 97% of them are untreated. Aims. This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the remineralization effects of the casein phosphopeptide‐amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP‐ACP) crème on the artificial early enamel lesions of the primary teeth and to assess its caries‐prevention efficiency. Design. Enamel specimens with artificial early lesions were produced and were then randomly divided into Group A: distilled and deionized water, DDW, as negative control; Group B: CPP‐ACP crème, test group; Group C: 500 ppm NaF solution, as positive control. The enamel surface microhardness (SMH) was measured before, after demineralization, and 30 days after remineralization. The results were analysed with the SPSS 13.0 software package. The enamel specimens were analysed by the scanning electron microscope. Results. The CPP‐ACP crème increased SMH of the eroded enamel significantly more than 500 ppm NaF solution did. The morphology of the enamel was different in each group. Conclusions. The CPP‐ACP crème is effective in remineralizing early enamel lesions of the primary teeth, a little more effective than 500 ppm NaF and can be used for the prevention of ECC.     

Mapping an appropriate health promotion approach for crèches in an informal settlement

Background: People living in informal settlements in South Africa experience the double burden of poverty and ill health. Wallacedene, an informal settlement was highlighted in the media as being a socially and otherwise deprived community, with many accompanying health problems. Aim: It was against this background that this study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the health and oral health status of children attending crèches in Wallacedene. It was designed to inform the mapping of an appropriate approach to develop a health promotion programme for crèches. Method: Baseline data were collected through oral and general health examinations, site observations, a structured questionnaire and interviews with key people working with the children at two crèches. Results: The results indicate poor oral and general health. Gingival inflammation (82.8%), caries (81.5%), and moderate to abundant plaque deposits (95.7%), fungal infections (33.9%), runny nose (51.4%), lymphadenopathy (45.7%) and itchy skin (5.7%) were found. Caregivers were not well informed about oral health. However, they were enthusiastic to engage in new interventions. The community was impoverished; public health interventions were limited with minimal resources such as health centres and voluntary service providers. The limited resources were not coordinated and did not adequately address the health and educational needs of the children. Conclusion: A multi‐sectoral approach focusing on community development is an appropriate approach to address the needs of crèche children in this community.     

Drowned in information yet starved for knowledge; evidence-based dentistry, what's in it for me?

A graduate of the ADA Evidence-based Dentistry Champions Conference explains what he has learned about the techniques of EBD literature and literature searches. EBD is the area of overlap among the literature, clinical experience, and patient characteristics. This paper focuses on evidence from the literature. Sources of summarized evidence are mentioned that can be accessed via the Internet, especially those that summarize evidence of the greatest research rigor that have been summarized systematically.     

Why won’t the pathologist give me a diagnosis? Interpreting uncertainty in head and neck pathology reports

Pathology reports often contain elements of uncertainty, and communication between clinicians and pathologists is paramount for providing the best patient care. Surveys were given to pathology service-users and pathologists to ascertain confidence levels regarding certain phrases used in pathology reports. A focus group then met with pathologists to gain insight into why certain phrases are used and the challenges that are faced in presenting an uncertain diagnosis. Whilst most of the phrases were interpreted similarly between service-users and pathologists, some elicited more variation in confidence than others, suggesting that the message conveyed in pathology reports is not always interpreted the way it is intended to be.     

Effectiveness of Clinpro Tooth Crème in comparison with MI Varnish with RECALDENT™ for treatment of white spot lesions: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Unsightly opaque white impaired enamel may ruin a great aesthetic orthodontic outcome. This study aims to evaluate effectiveness of Clinpro Tooth Crème (0.21% w/w NaF anti-caries dentifrice with 950 ppm fluoride and f-TCP) and MI Varnish with RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP) for treatment of white spot lesions (WSLs).

Materials and methods

This was a randomized (1:1:1), single-blind, 3-armed, active-controlled, parallel-group trial. The study comprised three groups of 35 patients randomly assigned in blocks of 3 or 6 to one of the three following arms of the study-

Group I: Clinpro™ Tooth Crème 0.21% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Paste with functional–Tri Calcium Phosphate(f-TCP) group.

Group II: Fluoride varnish group (MI Varnish with RECALDENT™).

Group III: Home-care group (control).

For the subjective assessment, a blinded panel of 4 dental experts rated the improvement in WSLs over the eight weeks using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

In total, 240 WSLs were identified, with maxillary lateral incisors and canines showing the highest incidence. Group I achieved the highest success rate of 67.61 (%) followed by group II (60.59%). There were no significant differences between the success rates of treatment in groups I and II. A minimum decline in WSLs was found in the control group, with a success rate of only 32.43%, significantly less than the first two groups (P < .001).

Conclusion

Both the test agents in consideration were comparable in their remineralization potential. Clinpro Tooth Crème provides additional protection against decalcification of enamel compared to MI Varnish with RECALDENT™ (CPP-ACP).

Trial/project registration no. and date

4857/2017 on 21 June 2017.