Risk factors for dental fluorosis: a review of the recent literature

The decline in dental caries prevalence and incidence in developed countries over the last two decades is considered to be largely due to the widespread use of fluoride. Simultaneously, with the decline in caries, an increase in the prevalence of dental fluorosis has been noticed. The increase is in the mild and very mild forms of fluorosis, and is proportionally greater in non-fluoridated areas than in fluoridated areas. This is because of the increase in the mean fluoride intake from all sources since the 1940s. The increase in fluorosis prevalence prompted numerous studies on risk factors for fluorosis. As a result the literature over the last two decades has also reported numerous studies with differing and confusing results. This paper describes for the clinician the condition and summarizes the recent literature on the risk factors for fluorosis. Only well conducted studies evaluating risk factors or indicators and quantifying the risk for dental fluorosis from the 1980s through the 1990s time period were included in this review. Four major risk factors were consistently identified: use of fluoridated drinking water, fluoride supplements, fluoride toothpaste, and infant formulas before the age of six years.     

Faculty evaluation: review of the literature most pertinent to dental education.

Each dental school will fashion its own faculty evaluation system. The results will be a network of activities related to such questions as these: What are valid sources of information? Which aspects of instructors' responsibilities are most significant? Which questions need answers? How should the system be operated? This review has focused on what is currently being discussed and attempted in each of these critical areas. Faculty evaluation takes place in an essentially political context, and dental educators are now awakening to the political forces at work in the profession. Faculty evaluation is also a scientific process, or at least one capable of being greatly improved by rigorous, empirical study, which has yet to be performed. Finally, the exact form of faculty evaluation developed at each school will likely be unique, since it will depend on the institution's resources, size, funding base, academic affiliation, and the personal preferences of concerned individuals. The degree of success or failure of an evaluation system will depend on how the chosen combination of purposes, sources, objects of evaluation, and implementation strategy serves the needs of the school and its personnel.     

Service-learning and dental hygiene: a literature review

Dental hygienists should be aware of the concept of service-learning and how it can enhance dental hygiene education. A look at national documents and other relevant historical literature will be reviewed, in addition to more recent books and articles to define service-learning. Although perceived as a new teaching strategy, service-learning has its roots in experiential education. Several definitions of service-learning have emerged, which take into consideration the reciprocal needs of the student and community, bridging academic theory with community service, and instilling civic responsibility through a reflective component. Considering the advantages and disadvantages, service-learning seems to be a good methodology for dental hygiene education. Recommendations include the expansion of the ADA Accreditation Standards to include service-learning, and incorporation of an operational definition of community-based oral health programs, as well as the term service-learning in its Definition of Terms.     

Malnutrition and dental caries: a review of the literature

Protein-energy malnutrition occurs when there are deficiencies in protein, energy foods or both, relative to a body's needs. This paper reviews the association of early childhood malnutrition with: (1) dental caries, (2) enamel hypoplasia, (3) salivary gland hypofunction, and (4) delayed eruption. Studies suggest that caries of the primary dentition is associated with early childhood malnutrition, though the effect on caries of the permanent dentition has essentially not been studied. Enamel hypoplasia, salivary glandular hypofunction and saliva compositional changes may be mechanisms through which malnutrition is associated with caries, while altered eruption timing may create a challenge in the analysis of age-specific caries rates.     

Effective delivery systems for prolonged fluoride release: review of literature

Controlled-release delivery systems have been investigated for use in fluoride therapy as a result of their ability to control the rate and site of fluoride release. Both sustained-release fluoride delivery systems and controlled-release fluoride preparations have been developed, including sustained-release fluoride tablets, fluoride-releasing polymers, microencapsulated fluoride in aerosols, and membrane-controlled fluoride reservoirs. Laboratory and clinical studies have confirmed the ability of these preparations to produce high levels of fluoride in saliva and plaque without toxic or adverse side effects. From these studies, it appears that controlled-release fluoride delivery systems have great potential as effective anticaries agents in cariesprone populations.     

Satisfaction with dental implants: a literature review

Recent years have witnessed a consistent trend toward the introduction of patient assessment of different treatment outcomes in dental practice. Patient satisfaction with dental implants was considered among these treatment modalities. Few literature reviews have been published on this topic. This article critically analyzes the concerned topics related to patient satisfaction with dental implant. A MEDLINE search was completed from 1983 to 2004, along with a manual search, to locate related articles on the topic. Dental implants provided promising and predictable results regarding patient satisfaction and various aspects of life assessment.     

Epidemiology of dental trauma: a review of the literature

This article reviews recent reports describing the aetiology of dental trauma from national and international studies as well as the different classifications currently used to report dental injuries. It also discusses possible preventive measures to reduce the increasing frequency of dental trauma. Reported studies demonstrate that males tend to experience more dental trauma in the permanent dentition than females, however, there does not appear to be a difference between the sexes in the primary dentition. Accidents within and around the home were the major sources of injury to the primary dentition, while accidents at home and school accounted for most of the injuries to the permanent dentition. The most frequent type of injury was a simple crown fracture of the maxillary central incisors in the permanent dentition while injuries to the periodontal tissues were more common in the primary dentition. When preventive measures are being planned, knowledge of aetiology is important. More prospective studies from representative populations are required to understand the complexities of dental trauma epidemiology and to allow implementation of preventive strategies to reduce the increasing frequency of dental trauma.     

The shortened dental arch: a review of the literature

The functional demands of patients are highly variable and individual, requiring dental treatment to be tailored to the individual's needs and adaptive capability. The World Health Organization indicates that a functional, esthetic, natural dentition has at least 20 teeth, while the literature indicates that dental arches comprising the anterior and premolar regions meet the requirements of a functional dentition. The English-language peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the short dental arch (SDA) was identified through the Medline search engine covering the period between 1966 and the present and critically reviewed. This treatment option for the partially dentate patient may provide oral functionality, improved oral hygiene, comfort, and, possibly, reduced costs.     

The effect of dental pulp-capping materials on hard-tissue barrier formation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The authors of this systematic review aimed to compare the effects of pulp-capping materials on hard-tissue barrier formation using histologic assessments.

Tumoral calcinosis: a dental literature review and case report

Tumoral calcinosis (TC) is a rare familial disease characterized by abnormal peri-articular calcification in affected joints, without any associated renal, metabolic or collagen vascular disease. It is characterized by usual hyperphosphataemia with normal serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase values. There are only a few reported cases ofTC patients with dental findings. This article reviews the dental literature and describes progressive gingival, alveolar and mandibular tori enlargement in a 41-year-old female from Zimbabwe with tumoral calcinosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tumoral calcinosis is a rare disorder of mineral metabolism with oral manifestations.     

Ailing and failing endosseous dental implants: a literature review

Although the overall success rate of implant dentistry is very high, dental implants occasionally fail. It is essential for the clinician to recognize unhealthy implants and to determine whether they are ailing, failing, or failed prior to beginning any salvage efforts. Ailing and failing implants are amenable to therapy. Implants diagnosed as failed should be removed. This review provides the reader with information on non-surgical and surgical therapies available for managing ailing and failing implants. Undoubtedly, the best steps to avoid encountering ailing or failing implants involve proper case selection, excellent surgical technique, placing an adequate restoration on the implant, educating the implant patient to maintain meticulous oral hygiene, and evaluating the implant both clinically and radiographically at frequent recall visits.     

Soft drinks and dental health: a review of the current literature

In recent years there has been increased interest in the role of commercial soft drinks in dental diseases namely as dental caries and erosion. The objective of this paper has been to review the past and current literature to determine the present knowledge on this subject. The literature related to dental caries, erosion, drinks, soft drinks and fruit juices was reviewed. The literature shows efforts have been taken to modify soft drinks by either adding or deleting certain components so as to reduce their harmful effects on teeth. A rational protocol to encourage the sensible use of drinks and the modification of drinks to render them less harmful would be advisable.     

Nerve injuries after dental injection: a review of the literature

Prolonged and possibly permanent change in sensation due to nerve damage can occur after dental injections. Although the condition is rare, many practitioners will see this form of nerve injury during their careers. The exact mechanism of the injury has yet to be determined, and little can be done to prevent its occurrence. This type of injury carries with it many functional and psychological implications, and referral to both dental and medical specialists may be necessary for continued follow-up and possible treatment.     

Aetiology and risk factors related to traumatic dental injuries – a review of the literature

Abstract – Background/Aim: During the past 30 years, the number of aetiologies of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) has increased dramatically in the literature and now includes a broad spectrum of variables, including oral and environmental factors and human behaviour. The aim of this study is to present an international review of well‐known as well as less well‐known unintentional and intentional causes of TDIs. Moreover, some models that are useful in investigating contact sport injuries are presented. Materials and methods: The databases of Medline, Cochrane, Social Citation Index, Science Citation Index and CINAHL from 1995 to the present were used. Result: Oral factors (increased overjet with protrusion), environmental determinants (material deprivation) and human behaviour (risk‐taking children, children being bullied, emotionally stressful conditions, obesity and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder) were found to increase the risk for TDIs. Other factors increasing the risk for TDIs are presence of illness, learning difficulties, physical limitations and inappropriate use of teeth. A new cause of TDIs that is of particular interest is oral piercing. In traffic facial injury was similar in unrestrained occupants (no seat belts) and occupants restrained only with an air bag. Amateur athletes have been found to suffer from TDIs more often than professional athletes. Falls and collisions mask intentional TDIs, such as physical abuse, assaults and torture. Violence has increased in severity during the past few decades and its role has been underestimated when looking at intentional vs unintentional TDIs. There are useful models to prevent TDIs from occurring in sports. WHO Healthy Cities and WHO Health Promoting Schools Programmes offer a broad solution for dental trauma as a public health problem. Conclusion: The number of known causes of TDIs has grown to alarming levels, probably because of increased interest of the causes and the underlying complexity of a TDI. Accepted oral, environmental and human aetiological factors must therefore be included in the registration of TDIs.