PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K L Weerheijm

Publications and source records attributed to K L Weerheijm.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Digital radiography in young children. Considerations based on experiences in practice].

In dentistry, digital radiology techniques, such as a charge-coupled device and a storage phosphor plate, are gaining popularity. It was the objective of this study to assess the importance of the advantages and disadvantages of digital radiology techniques for bitewing radiography in young children, when compared to conventional film. A group of dentists received a questionnaire regarding their experiences with digital radiology techniques or conventional films among young children. Using the Simple Multi-Attributive Rating Technique (SMART) a final weighted score was calculated for the charge-coupled device, the phosphor plate, and conventional film. The scores were 7.40, 7.38, and 6.98 respectively. The differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.47). It could be concluded that, on the basis of experiences in practice, there are no statistically significant preferences for the use of digital radioogy techniques for bitewing radiography in young children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Molar incisor hypomineralization: a questionnaire inventory of its occurrence in member countries of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD).

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to find out whether hypomineralized permanent first molars and incisors, known as Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH), occurs all over Europe, whether its prevalence in each country is known and whether or not it is considered to be a clinical problem. SAMPLE AND METHODS: Clinical photos of MIH and a five-item questionnaire were sent to members of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD). A total of 59 questionnaires were sent to members in 31 countries. After one month a reminder was sent to non-responders. RESULTS: Fifty-four dentists (92%) in 30 countries (97%) returned the questionnaire. MIH was stated to occur in all but one country (the Czech Republic). Nearly all the responders (97%) stated that they were familiar with the clinical appearance of MIH and a majority saw it as a clinical problem. Furthermore, a large majority of the responders (90%) considered it important to map the prevalence of MIH in European countries as such data are available to only a limited extent. CONCLUSION: Paediatric dentists in Europe are aware of MIH and the majority consider it to be a clinical problem. Only limited data are available on the prevalence of MIH. Comparable and representative prevalence studies are therefore urgently needed to gain more knowledge about the magnitude of MIH and related clinical problems.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Judgement criteria for molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) in epidemiologic studies: a summary of the European meeting on MIH held in Athens, 2003.

AIM: This paper reviews the proceedings and conclusions of a meeting of experts concerned with the problem of hypomineralised incisors and molars (MIH). The aims of this meeting were to establish criteria for the judgement of MIH, to select representative cases and to discuss how the name of the condition was best described as hypomineralised, or hypomaturated, first permanent molars. CONCLUSION: There was not complete agreement as to the correct diagnosis and aetiology of the condition. A suggested list of definitions of the judgement criteria to be used in diagnosing Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) for prevalence studies was agreed upon.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH).

REVIEW: Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) is defined as a hypomineralisation of systemic origin of one to four permanent first molars frequently associated with affected incisors. MIH molars are fragile and caries can develop very easily in those molars. Although MIH molars are well known by paediatric dentists and their occurrence is related in severe cases to major clinical problems, only limited data of the size of the problem are available. The prevalence of MIH ranges in the literature from about 3.6 to 25% and seems to differ in certain regions and birth cohorts. Unfortunately more complete comparable valid data are lacking at the moment. It seems that several aetiological factors can cause the enamel defects and that their occurrence is child related. CONCLUSION: For children with repeated illnesses in the first years after birth and children with opacities on erupted molars or incisors it seems useful to increase the frequency of dental check-ups during the period of erupting first permanent molars.

Child↗
PubMed2002

[Factors involved in the etiology of hypomineralized first permanent molars].

Severe hypomineralized first permanent molars (cheese molars) can be found in children. The aetiology of this phenomenon is unknown. The aim of this study is to collect more information about the causes of such molars. Parents of 24 children with severe cheese molars and of 21 controls without cheese molars, matched for age, living area and sex were interviewed. The mean age of the 45 children was 9.9 year (; ssd: 2.02). A questionnaire about the medical data from birth to four years of age and the medical situation of the mother during pregnancy was sent to the parents. No significant differences were found concerning weight and length at the time of birth between the two groups. Also no significant differences were found for the period of breast-/and bottle-feeding and for problems of the mother during pregnancy and child delivery. The mothers were healthy during pregnancy. Compared to the control group the children with cheese molars were ill more often Significant differences were found for pneumonia, high fever and inflammation of the middle ear.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Factors involved in the aetiology of molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH).

AIM: This study aimed to collect more information on factors associated with molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), which is a frequent developmental enamel defect with unknown aetiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the parents of 45 children (average age 9.9 years; SD+/-2.02), 24 with affected first molars and 21 controls. The two groups of children were similar in terms of age, gender and living conditions. Questions were asked about the health of mother and child during pregnancy, the birth and health of the child up to age four years. RESULTS: Birth weight and length in the two groups of children were similar, as was the duration of breast- and/or bottle-feeding and the incidence of complications during pregnancy and birth. The children with MIH were ill more frequently during the first four years of life. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the type of disease that might be involved in the development of such molars is still inadequate, but there appears to be an association with pneumonia, otitis media and high fevers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Clinical and radiographic judgement of occlusal caries in adolescents.

In this study, the clinical and radiographic material of two groups of 17- and 20-yr-old adolescents, born either in 1970 or in 1976, was compared to study changes in the prevalence of occlusal dentine caries and to determine the additional value of the bitewing radiographs. The first and second molars of 478 participants were included. Clinical data were derived from an epidemiological project. Two examiners judged the bitewing radiographs, of which about 10% was examined by both. The overall Cohen's kappa for interexaminer agreement was 0.87. The prevalence of occlusal caries had not changed for the two age groups; after clinical and radiographic examination, around 33% of the occlusal surfaces of the 17 yr olds and around 25% of the 20 yr olds exhibited dentine caries. The clinical prevalence of occlusal caries in first and second molars was highly underestimated when compared with the radiographs. In the 1976 group, more sealants were recorded during the clinical examination. On the bitewing radiographs, radiolucencies were found underneath one-half of the sealants of the 17 yr olds and underneath one quarter of the sealants present in the 20 yr olds.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The residual caries dilemma.

Restorative dentistry is based on the assumption that bacterial infection of demineralized dentine should prompt operative intervention. One of the concepts of practical dentistry is to create a favourable environment for caries arrest with minimal operative intervention. The progress of remaining primary caries is key to any discussion of this concept. This discussion is important for the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach, since the removal of all carious dentine is sometimes difficult using hand instruments only. In this paper the results of possible measures to guard against the effects of residual carious and its consequences are reviewed, in order to obtain an impression of the justification for (in)complete excavation of occlusal dentinal caries. Three types of measure are considered: isolating the caries process from the oral environment, excavating the carious dentine, and using a cariostatic filling material. Each of these measures contributes to the arrest of the caries process. However, none of these measures can arrest this process by itself. A combination of all three seems necessary. It is concluded that although residual caries does not seem to be the criterion for rerestoration, one has to strive for as complete caries removal as possible. If this cannot be fulfilled the sealing capacities of the filling material seem to be more important than its cariostatic properties.

Cariostatic Agents↗
PubMed1999

Bacterial counts in carious dentine under restorations: 2-year in vivo effects.

Little is known about the long-term effects of fluoride-releasing materials on carious dentine in vivo. The aim was to investigate the 2-year influence of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) and amalgam on the bacteriological counts of carious dentine that remained under class I restorations. To enable a split-mouth design, 33 molar pairs in 33 patients (mean age 15.1 years, SD 1.4) were selected, based on clinically and radiographically diagnosed occlusal dentine caries. The enamel of the carious molars was removed, and the carious dentine was sampled under aseptic conditions just beneath the dentinoenamel junction. The molars were alternately restored with RM-GIC or amalgam without further removal of carious dentine. The samples were processed for microbiological determination of total viable counts (TVC), mutans streptococci (MS), and lactobacilli (LB). The molar pairs of 25 patients were reevaluated after 2 years using the same clinical techniques and were permanently restored after complete caries removal. Both materials showed a substantial decrease in numbers of TVC and LB of the carious dentine after the 2-year period. Compared to amalgam, the decrease in the numbers of LB was significantly more pronounced for RM-GIC. No microorganisms were detected in only 11 molars (6 RM-GIC and 5 amalgam) after the 2-year period. Based on this study, we suggest that complete removal of carious dentine is still the best conservative treatment, irrespective of the restorative material used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[What does the non-dentistry-trained person know about avulsion?].

The prognosis of an avulsed permanent incisor depends on a swift and correct emergency treatment. The chance of a favourable prognosis increases if the tooth is replanted as quickly as possible, preferably by the persons first present at the scene of the accident. Usually this person is a layman, therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge in this respect. To 48 schools and 15 swimming pools in Amsterdam, Arnhem and Nijmegen (the Netherlands), questionnaires were sent. Thirty-six schools and 15 swimming pools responded. Twenty-eight percent of the respondents had previous experience with an avulsion. Ten percent of the respondents would replant the incisor and 90% would store the incisor. Sixty-three percent would treat the tooth correctly. Respondents with previous experience had no more knowledge of the most effective treatment than persons without previous experience. Swimming instructors and physical health instructors knew significantly more about avulsion than teachers in primary schools. Since only 10% of the respondents would replant the incisor and 37% would handle this accident incorrectly, more information seems to be necessary.

Caregivers↗
PubMed1998

Prolonged demand breast-feeding and nursing caries.

The aim of this study was to study the characteristics and to explore risk factors within a group of Dutch children breast-fed on demand over a prolonged period, whose mothers attended the meetings of La Leche League. Ninety-six children, 55 boys and 41 girls (mean age 28.8 months, SD 8.8), were examined. Most of the parents belong to a higher socio-economic working class. The examination included a questionnaire and dietary sheet, combined with the caries status of the child. On average the children were breast-feed for 21.5 months (SD 9.8). The mean age at which the parents started brushing the children's teeth was 11.7 months (SD 5.1). Fluoridated toothpaste (250 ppm fluoride) was used by 70% of the children. The children were divided into three groups according to their caries pattern: 1 caries-free; 2 caries, and 3 nursing caries. Dentine caries was found in 14 (14.5%) of the children, of which 9 (9.3%) met the criteria of nursing caries. The mean dmfs of all children examined was 1.2 (SD 4.8). Up to 18 months of age the breast was given significantly more frequently during the night and up to 24 months during the day time, to the children of the nursing caries group compared to the children in the other two groups. The children still being breast-fed at the time of investigation more frequently slept in their parents' bed. The children of the nursing-caries group used fluoridated dentifrices less often. The majority of children of the caries and nursing-caries groups did not receive fluoride from other sources. The results of the present study demonstrate that prolonged demand breast-feeding does not lead to a higher caries prevalence although comparison between the groups demonstrates that frequent breast-feeding and low additional fluoride use should be considered as contributing factors in the process of nursing caries.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

[Anxious children. Evaluation after treatment at a special dental care center].

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of dental behaviour of anxious children after treatment at a Special Dental Care Centre. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study. SETTING: Dutch Special Dental Care Centre (SBT). METHODS: A representative sample of parents was interviewed 1-2 years after their child's treatment at the centre about their present behaviour with respect to the home dentist. RESULTS: Results were analyzed using Analysis of Variance. Results indicate that within 1-2 years more than 90% of the children visited a home dentist, 80% of them had to be treated curatively and 60% of the treatment was performed using local anaesthesia. Retrospectively, the parents report a decrease of their child's dental anxiety, when leaving the SBT. The level of anxiety is unchanged after 1-2 years visiting a home dentist. For the children there was a significant relation between dental anxiety as reported by the parents and not visiting a home dentist. The high prevalence of curative treatment might indicate that children in this group belong to a caries risk group and might need extra preventive attention. CONCLUSIONS: After the initial treatment at the special dental care centre most children return to their home dentist. The children in this group referred for dental anxiety, belong to a caries risk group and might need extra preventive attention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The effect of fluoridation on the occurrence of hidden caries in clinically sound occlusal surfaces.

It has been suggested that the diagnosis of occlusal dentine carious lesions has become more difficult due to the influence of fluoride on the character of pit and fissure surfaces. The issue pertains to the occurrence of hidden caries exemplified by occlusal surfaces judged as clinically sound but showing a radiolucency on the bite-wing radiograph. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of water fluoridation on the occurrence of hidden caries in clinically sound occlusal surfaces in young people. The data of 515 persons (15 years of age) collected in 1968/1969 as part of the Dutch longitudinal epidemiological Tiel/Culemborg study were used. The participants in Tiel (F) were exposed to artificially fluoridated drinking water (F-concentration 1.1 ppm F) from birth until the end of the data collection. The participants in Culemborg (NF) were not exposed to extra fluoride (F-concentration 0.1 ppm F). In 1994 the status of occlusal surfaces of the first and second molars, as read from bite-wings made in 1968/1969, were judged by 2 investigators. (Cohen's Kappa intra- and inter-examiner agreement 0.90, 0.83 and 0.85, respectively). The original clinical data of 270 inhabitants of Tiel (F) and 245 of Culemborg (NF) were compared with the radiographic judgements. The children examined in Tiel (F) had a mean of 2.54 clinically sound occlusal surfaces in first and second molars (including surfaces with an enamel demineralization only) of which bite-wing radiographs detected 0.43 surfaces (16.9%) with a radiolucency into dentine. In Culemborg (NF) the children had a mean 0.65 clinically sound judged surfaces of which 0.16 (24.6%) showed a radiolucency on the bite-wing films. The results of the investigation show a proportional reduction of surfaces with hidden caries among clinically sound surfaces in the fluoridated area compared to the control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

In vivo cariostatic effect of resin modified glass ionomer cement and amalgam on dentine.

Fluoride-releasing materials have been reported to be bactericidal in vitro. This may be of benefit to modern dentistry, which is directed to the preservation of tooth tissue during restorative treatment. Little is known about in vivo effects. The aim is to investigate the influence of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) on carious dentine that remains under restorations, compared to amalgam. Using a split month design, 40 molar pairs in 40 patients (mean age 14.9 years) were selected, based on clinically and radiographically diagnosed occlusal dentine caries. Under aseptic conditions, the enamel was removed and the carious dentine was sampled just beneath the dentino-enamel junction using a round bur. Without further removal of carious dentine, the molars of a pair were alternately restored with RM-GIC or amalgam. The colour and the consistency of the carious dentine were assessed. The samples were processed for microbiological determination of total viable counts (TVC), mutans streptococci (MS), and lactobacilli (LB). After 6 months the molars were reopened, similarly sampled and evaluated, and then permanently restored after complete caries removal. For both materials a substantial decrease in the numbers of TVC, MS and LB was found after the 6-month period. Also a positive effect was observed on the colour and the consistency of the remaining carious dentine, which was comparable for the two materials. RM-GIC showed a significantly larger decrease in counts of MS and LB than amalgam, but not for TVC. Since in only few cavities the number of bacteria decreased under the level of detection, it is still considered essential to remove all carious dentine during restorative treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Trends in dental caries prevalence amongst schoolchildren in the Hague. A comparison with the results from a survey in 1996 and previous years].

Starting in 1969, periodic cross-sectional examinations of schoolchildren have been carried out in the city of The Hague (the Netherlands). The results of 1996 show that no further change in caries prevalence has taken place in 5- and 7-year-old Dutch children of low, medium and high SES. In 11-year-old children of medium and high SES a further decrease in caries prevalence could be observed in 1996. Between 1989 and 1996 a significant caries decrease in the deciduous dentition was found amongst 5-year-old children from Turkey and Morocco. No improvement of dental health in 7-year-olds was found. Since 1989 an increase in percentages of caries-free 11-year-olds from Turkey took place whereas this percentage in children from Morocco tended to stabilize (26 and 29% respectively in 1989 and 1996).

Child↗
PubMed1997

['Hidden caries' and radiographic studies in children's teeth].

Proximal cavities in deciduous molars are often clinically detected at the time the pulp is involved in the caries process. Besides the early detection of lesions in deciduous teeth in children with a high caries-risk the bite-wing also plays a role in the detection of occlusal 'hidden caries' in non-risk children. In case of 'hidden caries' curative intervention is indicated. Guidelines for the use of bite-wing radiograph's in children are discussed.

Child↗