Browsing by Author "Ferreira, Paula C."
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- Fissure sealants: A review of their importance in preventive dentistryPublication . Veiga, Nélio J.; Ferreira, Paula C.; Correia, Ilidio J.; Pereira, Carlos M.Background: For the prevention of dental caries, fissure sealants application is recommended if pits and fissures are very deep and narrow, creating a physical barrier for the plaque's accumulation, in these specific anatomical areas of the tooth. Aim: This review article about fissure sealant aims to address the main properties, indications, advantages and limitations of fissure sealants that are used in order to acquire a higher level of knowledge about what is known today about this biomaterial and how and when it should be applied by clinicians. Review Results: Studies have shown that fissure sealants applied both in clinics and in schools, are highly effective in preventing dental caries, reducing caries in pits and fissures up to 60% for 2 to 5 years after its implementation. The application of fissure sealants has specific indications, such as: newly erupted teeth, with deep fissures and clinically free of dental caries; patients who present physical and mental disabilities; adult patients that are under medical treatment that involves a significant decrease of the salivary flow. Several studies analyzed do not clarify which type of fissure sealant, if a resin-based or glass ionomeric fissure sealant, has higher retention rate and effectiveness. Conclusion: The application of sealants is a recommended procedure to prevent or control dental caries. However, the relative effectiveness of different types of sealants has yet to be established. Clinical Significance: Fissure sealants are recommended to be applied soon after tooth eruption, mainly at the level of the first permanent molars. However, health professionals should always take into account that fissure sealants, currently used, have limitations such as microleakage. Regular reassessment, in order to avoid the development of dental caries, on teeth with partial or total loss of fissure sealants is recommended.
- Prevalence of dental caries and fissure sealants in a portuguese sample of adolescentsPublication . Veiga, Nélio J.; Pereira, Carlos M.; Ferreira, Paula C.; Correia, Ilídio J.Introduction: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of dental caries and the DMFT index, as well as the distribution pattern of pit and fissure sealants on permanent teeth in a Portuguese sample of adolescents, and to assess whether the existing usage of sealants and socio-demographic factors are correlated to caries prevalence on the examined sample. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 447 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old, attending a public school in Sátão, Portugal. A self-administered questionnaire with questions about oral health behaviours and socio-economic status was answered by adolescents in the classroom. Clinical examination of oral health status and assessment of fissure sealants were accomplished by only one trained member of the research team. Results: We obtained a DMFT index of 3.32 (2.92), which indicates a moderate level of prevalence of dental caries. When considering a DMFT=0, we found significant statistical differences between the parents´ level of education (≤ 4th grade=26.3 vs 5th-12th grade=18.8 vs >12th grade=43.3, p=0.001), gender (male=27.3 vs female=19.6, p=0.04), age (≤15 years=27.1 vs >15 years=18.5, p=0.02), presence of fissure sealants (yes=30.6 vs no=13.5, p=0.001) and experience of dental pain (no=25.4 vs yes=16.8, p=0.02). When analyzing the prevalence of fissure sealants, we verified that 58.8% of adolescents had at least one fissure sealant applied. Significant statistical differences were found when analyzing the presence of fissure sealants related with parents´educational level (>9th grade, OR=1.56 CI95%=1.05-2.54), gender (female, OR=1.86 CI95%=1.19-2.98), experience of dental pain (yes, OR=0.62 CI95%=0.39-0.97) and presence of dental caries (yes, OR=0.35 CI95%=0.19-0.65). Conclusions: The moderate level of caries prevalence reveals the need of improvement of primary prevention interventions among Portuguese adolescents. The establishment of a more targeted preventive program with better and more effective oral health education is essential, having into account socio-demographic aspects.