Brita Willershausen

The aim of the study was to compare two frequently used dental age estimation methods for accuracy. A total of 479 panoramic radiographs in age groups 6–14 years from a German population were evaluated. The dental age of 268 boys and 211 girls was assessed by means of the method of Demirjian (1973) and Cameriere (2006) and compared with their actual chronological age. Demirjan’s method showed an overestimation of dental age compared to chronological age in all age groups for boys (mean difference −0.16, p = 0.010, range −0.35 to 0.09), age group 9 showed an underestimation. Using the same method for girls (mean difference −0.18, p = 0.008, range −0.45 to 0.13), an overestimation could also be shown in all age groups except for age groups 8 and 13. Results for Cameriere’s method showed for boys (mean difference 0.07, p = 0.314, range −1.38 to 3.83) in age groups 6 to 11 an overestimation, but in age groups 12 to14 an underestimation. The results for girls (mean difference 0.08, p = 0.480, range −1.55 to 4.51) showed an overestimation for age groups from 6 to 10, and an underestimation in age groups 11 to 14. The comparison shows an advantage of Demirjian’s method for both genders. While Cameriere’s method showed a higher inaccuracy in all age groups, Demirjian’s method showed more appropriate results for dental age estimation of the investigated German population. To avoid errors in forensic age estimation and to prevent misidentifications for defendants in criminal processes, further studies of more precise methods for age estimation for the German population are required.

Traumatic dental injuries present complex injuries of the dentoalveolar system. Aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and patterns of traumatic dental injuries in a University dental emergency service over four years. A retrospective investigation on all dental trauma patients presenting at the dental emergency service of the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany between 01/2010 and 12/2013 was conducted. Demographic data, the cause and type of trauma and the initial therapy were analyzed. Out of 16,301 patients, 1,305 patients (8 %; average age 14.7 years ±15.7; 60.1 % male, 39.9 % female) came due to trauma. 63.9 % of the traumas occurred on weekends. The most frequent reason for injuries was falls (54.6 %). No correlation could be found between the cause and the kind of trauma. In 48.6 % of the cases only one tooth was involved, in 33.5 % two. The permanent dentition was traumatized in 56.6 % of cases, the deciduous teeth in 41.1 %. The most frequently affected tooth was the central upper incisor (61.0 %). Hard-tissue injuries were significantly more frequent in the permanent dentition, while periodontal injuries were seen significantly more often in the deciduous dentition. Eight percent of all patients seeking help at the dental emergency service presented with trauma, meaning that dental traumatology is one of the major topics in emergencies. To improve the quality of care, further public education, expert knowledge among dental professionals and a well-structured emergency service are necessary.

The annual examination of first graders’ oral health as stipulated by law aimed to reach every child in Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) in their first year of school. We intended to evaluate the first graders’ oral health based on the examination data for 2013/2014. Instructed examiners measured the d3mft(deciduous)/D3MFT(permanent) index according to World Health Organization criteria in 25,020 predominantly 6–7 year-old first-grade school children. Only caries affecting dentin was diagnosed; no radiography or fiber-transillumination was used. Out of the d3mft value, the “Significant Caries Index” (SiC) was calculated. This index identifies the dmft score of the third of the population with the highest caries experience. Descriptive analysis was performed. Out of the the examined children, 60.9 % were caries free. Mean d3mft score was 1.28 ± 2.27 while the mean SiC was 3.73 ± 2.51. A distinctly higher d3mft was found in the decidous molars compared to the front teeth. Boys were significantly more caries-experienced than girls (p < 0.001). The results of this study confirm the lasting trend towards decreasing caries prevalence in children starting school found in previous cross-sectional studies. This trend was observed in the high-risk group (obtained by SiC) as well as in the entire study population. Particular attention in caries prophylaxis should be paid to the primary molars.

Im Rahmen einer Gesamtdatenerhebung der zahn-ärztlichen Untersuchung von Erstklässlern in Rheinland-Pfalz (Schuljahr 2013/2014) sollten die Erfolge der zahn-ärztlichen Prophylaxeprogramme überprüft und aus-gewertet werden.

Fixed orthodontic appliances (FOA) temporarily interfere with periodontal health of patients, as the appliance complicates oral hygiene. The use of aligners in orthodontic therapy increased strongly during the last decade. In the literature, the reports about effects of aligner treatment on oral hygiene and gingival conditions are scarce. This cross-sectional study evaluated oral hygiene and patient’s satisfaction during orthodontic treatment of patients with FOA or Invisalign®. 100 patients (FOA = 50, Invisalign® = 50) were included who underwent orthodontic treatment for more than 6 months. Clinical examinations were performed to evaluate patients’ periodontal condition and were compared with clinical data at the beginning of the orthodontic treatment. Oral hygiene, patients’ satisfaction and dietary habits were documented by a detailed questionnaire. For statistical analysis, the Mann–Whitney U-Test and Fisher’s Exact Test were used; as multiple testing was applied, a Bonferroni correction was performed. At the time of clinical examinations, patients with FOA were in orthodontic therapy for 12.9 ± 7.2 months, whereas patients with Invisalign® were in orthodontic therapy for 12.6 ± 7.4 months. Significantly better gingival health conditions were recorded in Invisalign® patients (GI: 0.54 ± 0.50 for FOA versus 0.35 ± 0.34 for Invisalign®; SBI: 15.2 ± 7.6 for FOA versus 7.6 ± 4.1 for Invisalign®), whereas the amount of dental plaque was also less but not significantly different (API: 37.7 % ± 21.9 for FOA versus 27.8 % ± 24.6 for Invisalign®). The evaluation of the questionnaire showed greater patients’ satisfaction in patients treated with Invisalign® than with FOA. Patients treated with Invisalign® have a better periodontal health and greater satisfaction during orthodontic treatment than patients treated with FOA.

The detection of possible root canal perforations caused during a metal post placement is frequently difficult to diagnose. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of apex locators to diagnose such perforations. Thirty mesiolingual root canals of extracted mandibular molars were instrumented (30/.04) and a post space was prepared. A root canal perforation was intentionally made at the bi-furcation (n = 15). Metal posts were cemented in 15 perforated and 15 non-perforated root canals. The teeth roots were embedded in an agar-agar solution. The resulting measurements (“short” or “beyond” the apex) disclosed if a perforation could be identified with five different apex locators (ProPex II, Elements Apex Locator, Apex NRG, Raypex 5 and Raypex 6). The sensitivity and specificity (95% interval confidence) were calculated. All devices excluded the absence of perforations (100% with 95% confidence interval [78%; 100%] specificity). The Apex NRG and Raypex 6 detected all perforations (100% with 95% confidence interval [78%; 100%] sensitivity). The ProPex II, Elements Apex Locator, and Raypex 5 detected 14 out of 15 perforations (93% with 95% confidence interval [68%; 100%] sensitivity). All devices determined root canal perforations, due to metallic posts, within clinical acceptable ranges.

Over the last years, electronic cigarettes (ECs) have become more popular, particularly in individuals who want to give up smoking tobacco. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the different e-smoking liquids on the viability and proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. For this study six test solutions with components from ECs were selected: lime-, hazelnut- and menthol-flavored liquids, nicotine, propylene glycol, and PBS as control group. The fibroblasts were incubated up to 96 h with the different liquids, and cell viability was measured by using the PrestoBlue^® reagent, the ATP detection and the migration assay. Fluorescence staining was carried out to visualize cell growth and morphology. Data were statistically analyzed by two-tailed one-way ANOVA. The cell viability assay showed that the proliferation rates of the cells incubated with nicotine or the various flavored liquids of the e-cigarettes were reduced in comparison to the controls, though not all reductions were statistically significant. After an incubation of 96 h with the menthol-flavored liquid the fibroblasts were statistically significant reduced (p < 0.001). Similar results were found for the detection of ATP in fibroblasts; the incubation with menthol-flavored liquids (p < 0.001) led to a statistically significant reduction. The cell visualization tests confirmed these findings. Within its limits, the present in vitro study demonstrated that menthol additives of e-smoking have a harmful effect on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. This might indicate that menthol additives should be avoided for e-cigarettes.

Extended exposure to high-speed handpieces and other noise-intensive devices might put dentists at risk for possible hearing impairment. The aim of this study was to determine the hearing ability of dentists and other scientists for comparison.

In der vorliegenden Studie sollte der Mundgesundheitszustand sowie Mundhygienemaßnahmen bei berufstätigen und nichtberufstätigen Frauen untersucht und miteinander verglichen werden. Neben einer zahnärztlichen Untersuchung wurden mittels Fragebogen sowohl Mundhygienemaßnahmen als auch soziodemografische Daten erhoben. Für die Studie konnten insgesamt 415 Frauen (210 berufstätige und 205 nicht berufstätige Frauen) der Altersgruppe 25–65 Jahre erfasst werden. Bei allen Frauen erfolgte eine zahnärztliche Untersuchung einschließlich einer radiologischen Befundung (Panoramaschichtaufnahme). Die zahnärztliche Untersuchung beinhaltete Anzahl der Zähne, Karieshäufigkeit (DMFT-Wert), Art und Häufigkeit von Restaurationen, Mundhygienemaßnahmen (API), Entzündungsgrad der Gingiva (SBI), Sondierungstiefen und das Vorliegen von Rezessionen. Des weiteren wurde ein Fragebogen ausgefüllt, der Informationen zu anamnestischen Daten, Familiensituation, Bildungsstand und Berufstätigkeit beinhaltete. Für die Studie lag das positive Votum der Ethikkommission (Rheinland-Pfalz) vor. Die nicht erwerbstätigen Frauen/Hausfrauen (Alter: 38,1±9,7 Jahre) waren zu 90% verheiratet, nur zu 3% starke Raucherinnen und nur 2% hatten einen Hochschulabschluss. Berufstätige Frauen (Alter: 43,2±11 Jahre) waren zu 73% verheiratet, 17% waren starke Raucherinnen (>20 Zigaretten/Tag) und 10% hatten einen Hochschulabschluss. Die Mundhygienemaßnahmen der Berufstätigen waren im Vergleich zu den nicht erwerbstätigen Frauen tendenziell besser, jedoch hatten die berufstätigen Frauen vermehrt aggressive Parodontalerkrankungen (15% vs. 3,3%; p 20 cigarettes/day), and 10% had a university degree. Oral hygiene of the working women was slightly better than that in women without occupation; however, severe periodontal disease was seen more frequently in working women (15% vs. 3.3%; p* gleichberechtigte Erstautorenschaft.