BackgroundThis study investigated the effect of three remineralizing agents on improving white spot lesions (WSLs).Material and MethodsThis clinical trial included children who had at least one WSL on anterior teeth of upper or lower jaws. The participants were randomly assigned to 4 groups by treatment: 1) a cream containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and fluoride (MI Paste Plus); 2) a cream containing hydroxyapatite and fluoride (Remin Pro); 3) a 2% sodium fluoride gel; and 4) usual home care (control). The treatment was performed for 3 times over 10 days using special trays for retaining remineralizing agents. The area and mineral content of WSLs were measured at baseline (T1) and 1 day after finishing treatment (T2). Blinding was applied for outcome assessment.ResultsEighty patients were assigned to MI Paste Plus, Remin Pro, NaF or control groups. The application of all remineralizing agents caused a significant decrease in area and a significant increase in mineral content of WSLs (p<0.05), whereas the control patients did not experience any significant alteration (p>0.05). At T2, the area of WSLs was significantly lower in three experimental groups compared to the control group (p=0.023), but between-group difference in mineral content of WSLs failed to achieve statistical significance (p=0.08).ConclusionsThe in-office application of either MI Paste Plus or Remin Pro was as effective as 2% NaF for reducing area and increasing mineral content of WSLs. MI Paste Plus and Remin Pro could be recommended as suitable alternatives to NaF for managing WSLs. Key words:White spot lesion, caries, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, sodium fluoride, CPP-ACP, MPlus, Remin Pro, NaF.

For primary molar pulpotomy, the laser technique showed comparable clinical and radiographic results to other conventional pulpotomy medicaments, including formocresol and mineral trioxide aggregate.

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of enamel or dentin bonding agent (DBA) and sealant viscosity on sealant microleakage.Materials and Methods:Sixty extracted human premolars were randomly divided into two equal groups (based on sealant viscosity) and each group was divided into three subgroups of 10 teeth. Group 1 (low viscosity sealant, Seal-Rite, Pulpdent, USA with 7.7% filler): Prophylaxis, enameloplasty, etching of occlusal surfaces with 38% of phosphoric acid gel, rinsing and drying, followed by (1) enamel bonding agent (EBA) (Margin Bond, Coltène/Whaledent AG) or (2) DBA (Excite, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Liechtenstein) or (3) no bonding (NB) prior to sealant application. In Group 2, similar procedures were performed except for applying a high viscosity sealant (Seal-Rite, Pulpdent, The USA with 34.4% filler). Specimens were thermocycled and then immersed in a 0.5% basic fuchsine solution for 24 h next, buccolingual slices of samples were scored under a stereomicroscope. The Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U-tests were used for data analysis.Results:There was no significant difference between DBA, EBA, and NB subgroups in the microleakage scores in both groups. Low viscosity sealant had a lower microleakage than the high viscosity sealant in both DBA (P = 0.002) and NB (P = 0.041) subgroups.Conclusion:The results indicated that the use of low viscosity sealant reduced the microleakage of pit and fissure sealants. However, the use of a bonding agent before sealant placement didn’t affect the microleakage.

In permanent molar teeth, bevelling the margins of fissures on the buccal surfaces appears to reduce the marginal microleakage of fissure sealants.

Background and aims. Dental trauma is an important oral health problem in children that requires immediate and appropriate management for long term success. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of elementary school teachers about emergency management of traumatic dental injuries in children.Materials and methods. A total of 163 teachers from 21 elementary schools from Mashhad, Iran participated in this study. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire comprised of questions regarding demographic data and participants' knowledge about dental trauma.Results. The level of the teachers' knowledge was moderate (53.3%). Of the 163 participants, 104 (63.8%) were females and 59 (36.2%) were males. Among several predictors that were surveyed in this study, only the age of respondents signifi-cantly impacted the teachers' knowledge (P = 0.004).Conclusion. The results of this study showed the moderate level of knowledge of teachers regarding emergency manage-ment of traumatized teeth. Adding dental trauma management courses in the teacher training curriculum and requiring teachers to be updated in regards to this issue can improve their knowledge and thus led to better management of traumatic dental injuries in children.