Dpto. Odontología

Understanding that dental carious lesions occur as a result of the action of micro-organisms in the dental plaque biofilm, where demineralisation on the tooth surface is the first sign of the disease, such incipient lesions can be treated using preventive, non-operative and minimally invasive operative dentistry. If the caries process is left unmanaged, the lesions progress towards cavitation, leading to more invasive treatments. This article discusses the principles of preventive, non-invasive and micro-invasive treatments of early carious lesions, outlining the clinical situations where these therapies can be applied.

Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the cytotoxicity, chemical and structural properties of experimental fluoride-doped calcium-phosphates as potential remineralising materials for dental applications. Methods: Experimental calcium phosphates were formulated using β-tricalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate monohydrate, calcium hydroxide, and different concentrations of calcium/sodium fluoride salts [(5 wt%: VSG5F), (10 wt%: VSG10F), (20 wt%: VSG20F)]. A fluoride-free calcium phosphate (VSG) was used as control. Each tested material was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF), (24 h, 15 and 30 days) to assess their ability to crystallise into apatite-like. Cumulative fluoride release was assayed up to 45 days. Moreover, each powder was placed into a medium containing human dental pulp stem cells (200 mg/mL) and their cytotoxicity was analysed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)− 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay (24 h, 48 h and 72 h incubation). These latter results were statistically analysed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Results: All the experimental VSG-F materials produced fluoride-containing apatite-like crystals after SBF immersion. VSG20F presented prolonged release of fluoride ions into the storage media (45d). VSG, VSG10F and VSG20F showed a significant cytotoxicity at dilution of 1:1, while at 1:5, only VSG and VSG20F demonstrated a reduction in cell viability. At lower dilutions (1:10, 1:50 and 1:100) all specimens showed no significant toxicity to hDPSCs, but an increase in cell proliferation. Significance: The experimental fluoride-doped calcium-phosphates are biocompatible and possess a clear ability to evoke fluoride-containing apatite-like crystallisation. Hence, they may be promising remineralising materials for dental applications.

Objective: Remineralising composites with antibacterial properties may seal the cavity and prevent secondary caries. This study aimed at developing experimental flowable composites containing different concentrations of fluoride-doped calcium phosphate fillers and evaluating their remineralising and antibacterial properties. Methods: Experimental resin-based composites containing different concentrations (0–20 %) of fluoride-doped calcium phosphate fillers (VS10/VS20) were formulated. The release of calcium (Ca), phosphate (PO) and fluoride (F) ions was assessed for 30 days. Remineralisation properties were evaluated through ATR-FTIR and SEM/EDX after storage in simulated body fluid (SBF). The metabolic activity and viability of Streptococcus gordonii was also evaluated through ATP, CFU and live/dead confocal microscopy. The evaluation of specific monomer elution from the experimental composites was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The composites containing VS10 showed the highest release of Ca, those containing VS20 released more F over time (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in terms of PO ions release between the groups (p > 0.05). A quick 7-day mineral precipitation was observed in the tested composites containing VS10 or VS20 at 10 %; these materials also showed the greatest antibacterial activity (p < 0.05). Moreover, the tested composites containing VS10 presented the lowest elution of monomers (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Innovative composites were developed with low monomers elution, evident antibacterial activity against S. gordonii and important remineralisation properties due to specific ions release. Clinical significance: Novel composites containing fluoride-doped calcium phosphates may be promising to modulate bacteria growth, promote remineralisation and reduce the risk of cytotoxicity related to monomers’ elution.

Objectives: Dental erosion in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a current and frequent condition that may compromise the mechanical properties and clinical durability of resin-based composites (RBCs). This study assessed the mechanical properties of conventional and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) RBCs subsequent to simulated gastric acid aging. Materials and method: Three conventional and three CAD/CAM composites were assessed. They were divided into an experimental group (exposed to simulated gastric acid aging) and a control group (no aging). Both groups were analyzed for Vickers microhardness (VHN), wear and flexural strength over a period of six months. The failure rate probability for each RBC was calculated through the Weibull cumulative distribution function (m). Statistical analysis was conducted using repeated measures ANOVA, 3-way ANOVA, a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and U Mann-Whitney tests (α = 0.05). Results: The mechanical properties of all the RBCs dropped significantly after aging (p < 0.05). Lower VHN and flexural strength values, along with greater wear values were evident in the experimental groups, though the effects of the treatment varied between RBCs. The Weibull m of all the RBCs decreased over time. Conclusion: Conventional RBCs might show greater reduction in mechanical properties compared to CAD/CAM RBCs when exposed to gastric acid attack. Thus, CAD/CAM composites may represent a suitable choice for the treatment of patients presenting erosive issues.

Aim: To establish the relationship between dental erosion prevalence in children aged 6-14 and all the aetiological factors that lead to the development of the lesions. Materials and methods: Study design: A correlational cross-sectional study of a sample of 400 Valencian children was conducted. First, a questionnaire was completed to analyse the patients' health status, their dietary and oral hygiene habits, the kind of school they attended and their parents' academic level. Then, a clinical exploration of the permanent dentition was done, calculating the BEWE index and the risk of erosion for each patient. Results: The prevalence of dental erosion of the studied sample was 22.3%. A positive correlation was observed between the presence of dental erosion and the frequent intake of fruit juices, carbonated and isotonic drinks (p<0.05), presenting a higher correlation if the liquid was kept in the mouth before swallowing. Aetiological factors such as the use of inhalers in patients with asthma (p=0.006), frequency of vomiting and regurgitation (p<0.001), frequent swimmers (p<0.001) or a low socioeconomic status (p<0.05) were also positively associated to the development of erosive lesions. Statistics: A descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed, using the Mann-Whitney U and the Kruskal-Wallis tests in the latter. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the frequent intake of fruit juices, carbonated and isotonic drinks, the use of inhalers and belonging to a low socioeconomic level family are factors positively associated to the development of erosive lesions.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of the hands-eyes-mouth distraction technique (HEM-DT) in reducing anxiety and pain levels and improving the behaviour of pre-school children during inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) administration to that of the covering patient's vision technique (CPV-T). Methods: This study included 52 children aged 3-5 years old with primary dentition, no history of receiving local anaesthesia, and whose treatments required an IANB. These children were randomly assigned into two groups: HEM-DT (G1; n = 26) and CPV-T (G2; n = 26). Anxiety and pain levels were assessed using the Facial Image Scale and the Wong-Baker Scale, respectively, while the patient's behaviour was evaluated using the Frankl Behaviour Scale. This study was divided into two sessions including the treatment session (administration of IANB) and the control session (7 days after anaesthesia). Chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analyses. Results: The patients' anxiety levels did not increase 7 days after IANB in G1 (p value = 0.798); however, higher anxiety levels were observed in the G2 group (p value = 0.039). No significant differences in pain levels and behaviour were observed between the groups during administration of anaesthesia (p value > 0.005). Conclusion: HEM-DT and CPV-T showed efficacy in terms of pain and behaviour during IANB administration. Pre-school children in the HEM-DT group exhibited lower anxiety levels in the control session.

Purpose: Our purposes were to determine the influence of psychological profile on hemodynamic changes in patients who undergo surgical removal of the third molars under intravenous sedation and to evaluate the effect on patients' anxiety and postoperative recovery. Patients and Methods: We performed a prospective study of 100 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists classes I and II; aged ≥18 years) seen in the CIMIVClinic (Department of Oral Surgery, Casa de Salud University Hospital, Valencia, Spain) who underwent extractions of all third molars under intravenous sedation. All patients were administered the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R). The following parameters were monitored at different times during the surgical interventions: systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate. Position and depth of impaction of the tooth (Pell and Gregory classification and Winter classification), surgery duration, and surgical technique also were recorded. Finally, the degree of pain experienced the week after the surgical intervention was measured using a visual analog scale. Results: Patients' anxiety levels preoperatively were significantly higher in patients with psychological distress (P = .023). Postoperative pain significantly decreased from the first day to the seventh day in healthy patients but not in patients with altered psychological conditions (P < .05). Nevertheless, the hemodynamic changes were not correlated with the psychological impairment. Conclusions: Intravenous sedation enables the control of hemodynamic changes in all patients independently of their psychological profile. Patients with psychological distress present with higher levels of dental anxiety and postoperative pain. Future studies are needed to further clarify this interaction.

Objetivos: Estudiar el comportamiento y la ansiedad de pacientes de 4-8 años durante la primera visita dental, relacionando dicho comportamiento con las prácticas parentales. Material y métodos: Se diseñó un estudio clínico transversal observacional. La selección de los pacientes se realizó mediante un muestreo no probabilístico consecutivo de conveniencia. Los padres cumplimentaron un cuestionario antes de la visita, y se realizó la evaluación del niño mediante la observación para determinar su nivel de ansiedad y el tipo de comportamiento. Resultados: 18 niños de edades comprendidas entre 4 y 8 años participaron en el estudio. El 72,2 % de los participantes tuvo un nivel de ansiedad “inquieto” y el 27,8 % “relajado”. El 72,2 % tuvo un comportamiento “levemente positivo”. El estilo de crianza mayoritario fue el “autoritativo” con un 83,3 %. No se ha visto una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el nivel de ansiedad y el comportamiento de los niños en la primera visita dental y el estilo de crianza (p>0,5). Conclusiones: El nivel de ansiedad de los niños no está influenciado con el estilo de crianza. Sin embargo, se ha visto un mejor comportamiento en la primera visita dental en los niños con padres autoritativos.

Introducción: Los cambios en los estilos de crianza de los últimos 25 años han llevado a desestimar en Odontopediatria algunas técnicas de orientación conductual (TODC) clásicas porque los padres las consideran poco apropiadas para sus hijos. Esto ha generado cambios en los programas de formación en Odontopediatría. Objetivo: Revisar las TODC más empleadas actualmente por odontopediatras, las más enseñadas en los programas de Odontología y la influencia de la aceptación parental en ello. Material y método: se realizó una revisión descriptiva de la literatura. Para establecer la base documental, constituida por 42 artículos, se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos: Cochrane, SciElo, Medline y Google Academy. Resultados: La familia ha experimentado un proceso de transformación con nuevos modelos de relaciones familiares y de crianza. Aunque los odontopediatras reconocen que la crianza autoritativa es la que favorece un comportamiento más positivo en el consultorio, perciben una tendencia parental hacia la permisividad. Eso ha favorecido que el empleo de algunas TODC clásicas, como control de voz o la estabilización física activa haya disminuido y la formación y entrenamiento al respecto también. Conclusiones: La formación de los odontopediatras está influenciada por el entorno socio-cultural y por aspectos ético-legales cambiantes. Ante la tendencia actual a un patrón de crianza más permisivo las TODC más enseñadas en los programas de Odontopediatría y, las más empleadas por los odontopediatras son las de comunicación. Conocer el patrón de crianza parental puede orientar al profesional para sugerir las TODC más adecuadas a cada entorno familiar.

Introducción: La pulpotomía es el tratamiento pulpar más frecuentemente realizado en dentición primaria pero aún no se ha elaborado un análisis bibliométrico de la literatura científica publicada al respecto. Objetivo: Conocer el desarrollo de los artículos publicados sobre pulpotomía en dientes primarios desde 1960 hasta el 2017. Material y métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica electrónica incluyendo artículos en inglés, disponibles a texto completo en versión electrónica. Los indicadores bibliométricos analizados fueron: distribución cronológica de los documentos, productividad por revistas, por autores, por países, por instituciones, por tipo de artículo, por contenido temático, número de autores/artículo, número de citas recibidas/artículo y número de referencias bibliográficas empleadas/artículo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 204 artículos publicados en 39 revistas, sólo un tercio especializadas en odontopediatría. El 80,23% de los primeros firmantes estaba vinculado a una universidad. El número medio de autores/artículo fue de 2,85 de 30 países diferentes. El 50% de los trabajos fueron estudios clínicos no aleatorizados y el 82,84% buscó el mejor material para tratar la pulpa radicular remanente. Los países con mayor número de publicaciones fueron Estados Unidos (n=40) e India (n=38). Conclusiones: La producción de artículos sobre pulpotomía en dentición primaria y el número de revistas donde fueron publicados aumentó progresivamente en las décadas estudiadas, así como el número de autores firmantes. Predominaron los estudios clínicos buscando la mejor alternativa para tratar la pulpa remanente. El principal lugar de investigación fueron las universidades. Los paises emergentes han ganado protagonismo en la producción científica mundial sobre el tema analizado.