Journal of Dental School
Year:2001 | Volume:18 | Issue:4|Papers Count:13

Tooth discolouration has been proved to be caused by absorption of fluoride ion in it's structure. This condition, known as fluorosis, is clearly seen in those leaving in areas where fluoride level is high in drinking water. This study investigates the prevalence of dental fluorosis among 12-18 year old children of one community in the south eastern part of Iran. The drinking water of this population is also evaluated for it's flouride level.Results indicated that the prevalence of fluorosis was at 1.89%of the population. This value was slightly higher (2.27%) in 16 year olds compare to 12 year olds (1.79%).The level of fluoride was 1.35 PPM using spectrophotometry.

Dental trauma is considered as one of the common complications in childhood. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of different types of traumatic injuries as well as it's management in two main Tehran University Hospitals. A total of 3491 case notes were assessed for their record of any dental trauma. during 1997-1999. Results indicated that the rate of trauma was at 8.96% of the whole population of this study. This rate was found to be higher in boys (60%) compare to girls (40%). The highest incidence was found at the age of 10 years (26%) with uncomplicated crown fracture being the most common injury of hard tissue (65%). Interestingly, 47% of the patients did not seek treatment for the first 3 days and only 46% had attended for any follow up at all.

Crossbite has a high prevalence amongst all types of malocclusions. Early diagnosis is believed to have an important role in its prevention. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anterior crossbite in 5-12 Year old children referred to pedodontic and orthodontic departments of Tehran University.An existing data analysis was performed using patients case notes. Details of occlusion in 4005 patients were evaluated using a specially designed form followed by data analysis, using statistical package.Results revealed the prevalence of anterior crossbites in pedodontic department as being at 8.24% while this rate was 22.94% in orthodontic department.Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between anterior crossbites in boys and girls.The highest rate of anterior crossbite was noticed in the mixed dentition stage.The most prevalent teeth in crossbite were found 10 be upper primary canine and upper permanent lateral incisors.Conclusion: The prevalence of anterior crossbites in pedodontic department was 8.24%.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and etiology of Nursing Caries (N.C.) in 2 - 4 year old children in Tehran, 1997. Seven hundred and thirty children (378 boys and 352 girls), aged 18 to 54 months, were selected from Health Centers throughout the Greater Tehran. Cases were selected in a randomized multi - stage manner.Results showed a total of 21.1% (154 case) with N.C. A relationship between N.C. and area, sex, patients's age, mother's age, regular dental attendance, feeding through the bottle at night and its content, was found. In conclusion, it is emphasised that the most important etiologic factor in N.C. is feeding with a bottle at night.

Posterior crossbite is relatively common in children. Early treatment produces desirable occlusion, as well as increasing the arch perimeter. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between palatal expansion and maxillary arch perimeter.A group of 12 children aged 8-10 years, with posterior dentoalveolar crossbite, were selected for this study.All cases were treated for their crossbite using a removable palatal expander. Changes in both intermolar width of maxillary second primary and first permanent molars were compared to changes in arch perimeter at the end of treatment.Results of this comparison using paired t-test revealed that by increasing the arch width, a significant increase could be seen in arch perimeter (p<0.001).Regression analysis revealed that by increasing intermolar width (second primary molar) , arch perimeter also increases. However, this correlation was not statistically significant and there was no linear relationship between these two parameters too. On the other hand, the same analysis showed that a significant correlation existed between changes in intermolar width ( first permanent molar) and changes in arch perimeter (p=0.027). There was also a linear relationship between these two parameters.conclusion: 1mm increase in intermolar width ( maxillary first permanent molar) will cause a mean increase of 0.96 ± 0.31 mm in arch perimeter and this change in arch perimeter must be considered in space analysis in patients with posterior crossbite.

Rampant caries is considered as an acute and rapidly progressive destruction of tooth structure in young children. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of Rampant caries in preschool children in deprived and nondeprived areas of Mashhad - Iran.A group of 754 children aged 3-6 years old were examined in kindergartens throughout Mashhad. Cases were selected in a random sampling manner. WHO criterias were used for the examination and diagnosis of dental caries.Results indicated that 12 percent of children had rampant caries (RC) while 22 percent were caries free (CF).There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the prevalance of RC and the rise in age (P<0.005).RC percentage increased from 4% in 3 years of age to 15.5% in 6 years of age. The prevalence of CF and RC in deprived area were 16% and 9% while these were at 26% and 11% in non - deprived areas, respeclivety. The difference was only significant (P<0.05) in caries free children.In conclusion: RC rate increased with an incease in age while there was no significant difference in prevalance of RC between the two different areas.

A longitudinal study was carried out on caries reduction rate of 12 year old children between 1980-1988. The DMF index was evaluated in different stages at the end of primary school education Programme. Results showed a DNF score decrease from 3.52 to 2.83 while caries free rate showed an increase from 4 percent to 25 percent.It is clearly seen that children with educated mothers has a lower caries incidence than those without, this could clearly indicate the socioeconomic family status and its relation to the rate of dental caries in children.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of finger sucking in 5 years old children in Yazd. The aetiology and prevalence of finger sucking has been adveocated as being depend on many factors. This study, has evaluated some of the factors including type of finger. occlusion statue, the use of pacifier and psychology of parent's relationship.A total of 434 five years old children, (227 boys and 207 girls) were examined amongst whom, 91 children (%21) were finger sucker including: 46 boys and 45 girls. Thirty three of the children (%36.2) were thumb sucker too, while 52 other children (%57.1) used to suck other fingers.Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between groups with different occlusion for children with or without habit.Half of these children were pacifier user and 28.7% of them who had the sucking habit, were living with one or none of the Parents.

In spite of scientific suport of the Iranian dental profession, some cultural and socio-economic factors have overshadowed our national achievements in this field. Recent publication of the world-wide dental surveys has motivated our health administration to focus on the incremental trend of dental caries. Main reasons for these are: high DMFT indices among I2-years old Iranian children in addition to the tremendous population of the Iranians (under 15-years old) which has accentuated effective health policies for this group of children. Incapabilities of the traditional Western dentistry to improve dental health of the society as well as presence of the needy deprived of receiving dental services are two fundamental drawbacks which warrant a comprehensive challenge for preventive dentistry in such developing countries. To make such programmes successful, they should be scientifically oriented and applied. This article Discusses different aspects of the issue in dentistry of Iran.

Urinalysis is considered as one of the most effective ways or assesing fluoride absorption rate following the intake of NaF tablets. This investigation looks at the rate of fluoride in urine of 8-10 year old children who took fluoride tablets (1mg) daily. Urine samples were taken in 3 stages with 8 hour intervals and tested using potentiometry technique. Results revealed that a level of 27.36± 6.7 µg/h detected from the urine after the intake of locally produced tablet compare to 28.76±9.2 mg/h for the standared (Zymafluore - Germany) one. There was no significant difference between the two groups using repeated measure test.In conclusion: The use of the locally produced tablet seems to be at the acceptable level similar to Zymafiuore.

The aim of this study was to compare the histologic changes of pulp tissue after pulpotomy with form cresol and electrosurgery.Sixteen caries-free canines with maximum 1/3 root resorption that had to be extracted for orthodontic reasons, were selected and divided into two groups of eight teeth.Pulpotomy procedure was performed with formocresol in one group while electrosurgery procedure was used for this purpose in the other group. Pulpotomised teeth were extracted in one- or two-month intervals.Criterias for microscopic evatuation were based on necrosis, inflammation , fibrosis, internal. and external root resorption. Histologic evaluation revealed that internal resorption in almost all of teeth ,was more severe in formocresol pulpotomy group than those subjected to electrosurgery. Inflammation was seen in more than half of the cases with formocresol pulpotomy while the rate of pulp tissue fibrosis was more severe after pulpotomy with electrosurgery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of caries free cases in 6 year old children of kerman in 1992A population of 130 pupils (66 femal and 64 male) aged 6 years old were assessed by their dmft scores. Sample selection was carried out in a two stage random sampling manner.Resuls showed 14.6% of pupils being caries free with a mean dmft value of 5.14± 4.14. In Conclusion: The rate of caries free cases is considerably low, far from the goal determined by WHO for the year 2000.