Deep Learning Neural Modelling as a Precise Method in the Assessment of the Chronological Age of Children and Adolescents Using Tooth and Bone Parameters

Dental age is one of the most reliable methods for determining a patient’s age. The timing of teething, the period of tooth replacement, or the degree of tooth attrition is an important diagnostic factor in the assessment of an individual’s developmental age. It is used in orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, endocrinology, forensic medicine, and pathomorphology, but also in scenarios regarding international adoptions and illegal immigrants. The methods used to date are time-consuming and not very precise. For this reason, artificial intelligence methods are increasingly used to estimate the age of a patient. The present work is a continuation of the work of Zaborowicz et al. In the presented research, a set of 21 original indicators was used to create deep neural network models. The aim of this study was to verify the ability to generate a more accurate deep neural network model compared to models produced previously. The quality parameters of the produced models were as follows. The MAE error of the produced models, depending on the learning set used, was between 2.34 and 4.61 months, while the RMSE error was between 5.58 and 7.49 months. The correlation coefficient R2 ranged from 0.92 to 0.96.

Craniofacial measurements in children with sella turcica shape’s anomalies

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the cephalometric measurements of Tunisian children who presented sella turcica’s (ST) shape anomalies. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2019 in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of Monastir and Faculty of Dentistry of Tunisia. Radiographs were gathered from patients aged between 7 and 12 years old (n = 104) who had consulted for a malocclusion. The inclusion criteria were considered as follows: Good visibility of anatomic structures and absence of congenital craniofacial deformities. We excluded bad radiographs with errors and discrepancies: Double limits, deformities as well as children having hereditary craniofacial anomalies and underlying diseases. The cephalometric analysis was conducted according to Segner and Hassund’s method. ST’s shape was identified according to Axelsson’s classification modified by Becktor. The sample size was divided into groups: Group 1 with normal ST’s shape and Group 2 with sella’s anomaly. Statistics were performed using IBM SPSS STATISTICS 22. Data normality has been tested using Shapiro–Wilk test. The normality of variance was investigated too with Levene’s test, and comparison of means between groups was performed with t-test. Results: The prevalence of aberrations of ST’s form in Tunisian children is about 59.6%. The inclination of upper incisors to the maxilla differed in children with ST’s anomaly compared to normal kids. Children with sella aberration are characterized by retroclination of upper incisors to the maxilla. The variables which showed a statistically significant relationship between abnormalities of ST and cephalometric measurements were 1+NA with P = 0.03 and NL-NSL with P = 0.04. Conclusion: The prevalence of ST’s shape anomalies in Tunisian children is about two-thirds. It seems that the anomaly of ST influences the position of the maxilla to the cranial base and the position of upper incisors to the maxilla.

Clinical Indications to Germectomy in Pediatric Dentistry: A Systematic Review

Germectomy is a procedure often required in patients at developmental age. It is defined as the surgical removal of the third molar at a very specific stage of development. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the literature in terms of clinical indications for germectomy in patients at developmental age. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and Scopus from 1952 to 30 June 2021. The study protocol was registered after the screening stage (PROSPERO CRD42021262949). The search strategy identified 3829 articles: 167 from PubMed, 2860 from Google Scholar, 799 from Cochrane Library and 3 from Scopus. Finally, eight full-text papers were included into the qualitative analysis. Based on the included studies, clinical indications for germectomy were mainly related to orthodontic causes, infectious and cariogenic causes and prophylaxis. Based on these results, it is not possible to present evidence-based clinical indications for germectomy in patients at developmental age. Clinical trials on this subject focused specifically on patients at developmental age are awaited.

Psychometric Properties of Scared-C Scale in a Romanian Community Sample and Its Future Utility for Dental Practice

The psychological management of children and adolescents in need of pedodontics or orthodontic treatments continues to be an essential objective in dental activity because along with the accuracy of the techniques that are used, anxiety reduction, and knowledge of how to approach the patient are necessary for the treatment to be successful. Therefore, our study aimed to validate the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders questionnaire, the child version of 41 items (SCARED-C) in the Romanian population for later use in pediatric dentistry. The instrument showed moderate to good internal consistency (α Cronbach from 0.63 to 0.91 for the total scale) and good test–retest reliability (0.70) on a subset of a sample comprising 85 children. A confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) was conducted to test the factor structure of the Romanian version of the SCARED-C; the results showed that SCARED-C has good psychometric properties that can be used for screening anxiety in Romanian children and adolescents. The implications of using the SCARED-C in dental practice are discussed. Future studies need to be conducted to explore the convergent and discriminative validity of the instrument and its sensitivity to current DSM-V criteria. Application on a pediatric dental sample is also required.

A Importância da Educação em Saúde Bucal de Pais e Educadores como Fator de Impacto na Saúde Bucal da Criança: Uma Revisão da Literatura / The Importance of Oral Health Education for Parents and Educators as an Impact Factor on Children's Oral Health: A Literature Review

Resumo: A participação tanto de pais como educadores envolve um impacto surpreendente sobre as mudanças de hábitos da criança. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar, por meio da literatura, o quanto a participação de pais e educadores como modelos pode impactar nas condições de saúde bucal dessa população. Tratou-se de uma revisão da literatura com pesquisa na base de dados Lilacs, Scielo e Medline; foram selecionadas publicações de 2010 a 2021, perfazendo um total de 27 textos analisados. Assim, a educação em saúde bucal de pais, educadores e responsáveis influencia na saúde bucal da criança e, quanto mais alto for o nível de educação em saúde dos envolvidos, menor será a incidência de doenças que acometem a cavidade bucal, como a cárie e doenças periodontais em crianças.---Abstract: The participation of both parents and educators has a surprising impact on children's changing habits. The aim of this study was to verify, through the literature, how much the participation of parents and educators as role models can impact the oral health conditions of this population. This was a literature review with a search in Lilacs, Scielo and Medline databases; publications from 2010 to 2021 were selected, totaling 27 texts analyzed. Finally, the oral health education of parents, educators and guardians influences the child's oral health and, the higher the level of health education of those involved, the lower the incidence of diseases that affect the oral cavity, such as caries and periodontal diseases in children.Keywords: Oral health education. Literacy in oral health. Pediatric Dentistry.

Bruxismo Infantil: Uma Revisão de Literatura / Children's Bruxism: A Literature Review

Resumo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi discutir aspectos do bruxismo infantil através de uma revisão de literatura, abordando os fatores etiológicos bem como sinais, sintomas e características clínicas desta condição. É de grande importância o domínio dos sinais e sintomas para um diagnóstico mais preciso pelos profissionais da odontopediatria. O tratamento é multidisciplinar para esta condição parafuncional. Os resultados demonstraram ser o bruxismo um hábito não funcional da função mastigatória, que se caracteriza , pelo ato de apertar ou ranger os dentes, ocorrendo tanto durante o dia como no momento do sono. A etiologia é multifatorial e a literatura apresenta diversos, tais como fatores associados: dentário, fisiológico, psicológico e neurológico. O sinal mais comum é um certo desgaste nas faces incisais, principalmente dos dentes anteriores e, oclusais nos dentes posteriores. Também tende a ocasionar hipersensibilidade dentária, fratura de cúspides e restaurações e hipertonicidade dos músculos mastigatórios. Concluiu-se que conhecer os fatores etiológicos e as características clínicas do bruxismo na infância é importante para um diagnóstico o mais rápido possível, permitindo um tratamento precoce que favoreça o bem-estar da criança. Palavras-chave: bruxismo; crianças; odontopediatria. Abstract: The aim of this study was to discuss aspects of childhood bruxism through a literature review, addressing the etiological factors as well as signs, symptoms and clinical characteristics of this condition. It is very important to master the signs and symptoms for a more accurate diagnosis by pediatric dentistry professionals. Treatment is multidisciplinary for this parafunctional condition. The results showed that bruxism is a non-functional habit of the masticatory function, which is characterized by the act of squeezing or grinding the teeth, occurring both during the day and during sleep. The etiology is multifactorial and the literature presents several, such as associated factors: dental, physiological, psychological and neurological. The most common sign is some wear on the incisal surfaces, especially on the anterior teeth, and occlusal on the posterior teeth. It also tends to cause tooth hypersensitivity, fracture of the cusps and restorations, and hypertonicity of masticatory muscles. It was concluded that knowing the etiological factors and clinical characteristics of bruxism in childhood is important for a diagnosis as quickly as possible, allowing an early treatment that favors the child's well-being.Keywords: bruxism; kids; pediatric dentistry.

CBCT in Pediatric Dentistry: Awareness and Knowledge of Its Correct Use in Saudi Arabia

CBCT (Cone-beam computed tomography) is used for diagnosis, planning of treatment, and research. However, there are doubts and opinions regarding the use of CBCT for children and in pediatric dentistry. The knowledge about using this technique for pediatric patients is not clear to the dentists and some dental situations are still debated, therefore this study was done to understand the awareness and knowledge among dental practitioners and students across Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional and descriptive survey was done on 464 dental practitioners and students, and 21 questions were put forward to assess the knowledge and awareness. All questions were then critically analyzed individually and descriptively concluded with appropriate references. Our study revealed that still very few dental practitioners are aware about the latest advances and use of this technique in pediatric dentistry, and more awareness needs to be created.