For an Organisation for Caries Research/European Federation of Conservative Dentistry consensus, this systematic review is aimed to assess the question of how to manage the caries process in the case of early childhood caries (ECC). Medline via PubMed was searched systematically regarding management of ECC. First priority was existing systematic reviews or randomized clinical trials otherwise cohort studies dealing with management of ECC, primarily with carious anterior teeth. After data extraction, the potential risk of bias was estimated depending on the study types, and the level of evidence was evaluated. Regarding management of ECC, results are presented for silver diamine fluoride (SDF, n = 5), nonoperative caries management (NOCM, n = 10), and restorative approaches (RA, n = 8) separately, as different kinds of studies with different levels of evidence were found for the different aspects in the management of ECC. The 5 systematic reviews on SDF showed a high potential for arrest of ECC on a high level of evidence. In NOCM, a low level of evidence for a moderate effect of fluoride varnish in arresting or remineralizing, especially non-cavitated lesions, was assessed. For RA in carious anterior upper primary teeth, a low level of evidence was found for higher failure rates of glass ionomer cement and composite fillings than composite strip crowns even if placed under general anaesthesia and especially compared to other crowns (stainless steel and zirconia). In conclusions, ECC may be managed successfully with nonoperative (SDF, regular fluoride application) and moderately well with operative approaches, but the decision is affected by many other variables such as pulpal involvement, the child’s cooperation, or a general anaesthesia setting.

Background:  The aim of this study was to assess the influence of externally applied ‘command set’ methods on the microleakage of several glass ionomer cements (GICs).Methods:  Four different restorative GICs were cured using three different methods: standard curing (SC), ultrasonic excitation (UC) and by an external heat source (HC). Different conditioning agents (10% polyacrylic and 10% citric acid) were used. The sample comprised 180 teeth with 360 Class V restorations placed on the lingual and vestibular tooth surface. After thermocycling, the teeth were immersed in a dye solution for 24 hours, embedded in acrylic resin, sectioned and evaluated. Oberholtzer criteria were used for margin evaluation. Data were analysed using three‐way ANOVA.Results:  The heat cured GIC showed statistically significant better marginal adaptation compared to the other tested groups (SC, UC) (p < 0.001). GICs in groups with HC and conditioned cavities had lower microleakage scores. The highly viscous material Fuji IX GP Fast in the HC and conditioned cavities group demonstrated the best marginal adaptation. The other three products reacted similarly to heating treatment. Leakage at the enamel margins was significantly lower than the cementum/dentine margins (p < 0.001).Conclusions:  Heating the GIC during setting decreased microleakage, improved marginal adaptation of the GIC restoration and is suitable for clinical practice.

Objectives: This cohort study examines the relationship between quality of life and oral health in adolescents and young adults in the Zagreb area. Methods: The research involved 250 participants aged 14 to 25 from Zagreb. Each participant was examined by an oral medicine doctor using a probe and mirror in a dental unit, and their DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) status was determined. Participants also completed questionnaires on their socio-economic status (SES) and the impact of their oral health on quality of life (OHIP-14, Oral Health Impact Profile). Results: Caries was the most common dental issue among adolescents (2.23 ± 2.58), with restoration being the most frequent treatment (54%). Endodontic treatment and tooth extraction were more prevalent among individuals with lower SES (24.1%), who also had worse DMFT scores (8.09 ± 5.56). Prophylaxis was equally distributed across SES and gender. Male patients had more carious teeth (2.75 ± 3.07) than female patients (1.85 ± 2.08), while female patients scored worse on the OHIP-14 scale (10.97 ± 8.77) compared to males (8.81 ± 8.11). Age positively correlated with both OHIP-14 and DMFT scores. Conclusions: Adolescents and young adults in Zagreb, Croatia, exhibited high DMFT and OHIP-14 scores, reflecting significant oral health issues and reduced quality of life, particularly among older individuals and those with lower SES. The association between invasive treatments (e.g., endodontic procedures and extractions) and diminished quality of life underscores the necessity for early preventive measures, including regular dental check-ups and targeted oral health education.

Background: The microleakage of a self-adhesive composite, a glass ionomer fissure sealant and a conventional resin-based fissure sealant were compared. Materials and methods: Fifty intact human molars with well-delineated pits and fissures were used and divided into 5 groups (n = 10). Group 1 specimens were etched (37% phosphoric acid) and sealed with conventional resin-based sealant (Helioseal F, Ivoclar Vivadent). Both Group 2 and 3 specimens were sealed with self-adhesive composite (Constic, DMG), but in Group 3, specimens were also etched (37% phosphoric acid). In Groups 4 and 5, specimens were sealed with a GIC sealant (Equia Fill, GC Company), but Group 5 was also exposed to thermo-light curing (TLC) with a LED polymerization unit (60 s). Subsequently, specimens were thermocycled (1800 cycles, dwelling time of 10 s), immersed in 50% silver nitrate solution (45 min), placed in a photo-developing solution (Kodak) under a lamp (120 W, 6 h), and cut into 3–4 slices. Marginal leakage (dye penetration depth) was evaluated under a light microscope and the worst score of each specimen was recorded (0–3). Results: Constic showed the lowest microleakage (Constic: 80% scored 0 or 1), followed by Helioseal (30% scored 0 or 1) (p = 0.037). Microleakage in groups sealed with Constic (with and without etching) were not different (p = 0.473). The quality of seal deteriorated after etching when Constic was used. However, TLC improved the seal when GIC sealant was used (p = 0.016) and also in comparison to Helioseal (p = 0.004). The TLC GIC sealant (Equia Fill, 90% scored 0 or 1) performed well, similar to self-adhesive composite (Constic, 80% scored 0 or 1) (p = 0.206). Conclusion: The present findings suggest that the self-adhesive sealant and the GIC sealant that were exposed to TLC had comparable sealing ability and superior sealing characteristics compared to the conventional resin-based sealant. A long-term clinical trial is needed to assess the intra-oral performance.

The mesiodens is the most frequent type of supernumerary tooth which can appear in the maxillary midline area. The etiology of mesiodentes is not fully understood. This report shows a case of incomplete fusion of an unerupted mesiodens with a permanent maxillary central incisor, aligned in the dental arch. Intraoral and radiographic examinations indicated fusion of the crown and cervical part of the root of the supernumerary tooth with the permanent incisor. The clinical situation was further complicated by the presence of another supernumerary tooth located palatally. The treatment approach has included two phase surgical therapy to extract the supernumerary teeth. Early diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment of mesiodentes are important to decrease the risk of clinical complications. Preoperative 3D imaging is strongly advisable since it allows accurate data to be obtained, and reduces the extent of surgery and the possibility of procedural complications. In most cases, a multidisciplinary collaboration is necessary for precise diagnosis and predictable treatment outcome.

Aim: Dental injuries are one of the most frequent oral health problems in children and adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate Croatian pediatricians’ knowledge and practice regarding dental injuries management and the use of mouthguards as means of protection against traumatic injuries. Materials and methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey conducted among 186 pediatricians examined their demographic characteristics, knowledge and experience with dental injuries. Student t-test or one-way ANOVA, with Tukey’s post-hoc were used to analyze obtained data (p ≤ 0.05). Results: The overall mean score of knowledge on the management of dental injuries was 3.6 ± 1.53 points. Male pediatricians (p = 0.016), those who witnessed dental injuries (p = 0.003), and those who had more than ten years of pediatric practice (p = 0.027) showed better knowledge. The results of multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated impact between pediatricians’ knowledge in the emergency treatment of traumatic dental injuries concerning the level of health care (practice settings) (β = −0.254, p = 0.002) and the number of patients treated by a pediatrician per day (β = −0.187, p = 0.030). Conclusion: Pediatricians have a low level of knowledge regarding the primary care of traumatic dental injuries. An additional course on dental injurie management should be recommended as part of the physician and pediatricians’ educational training.