ABSTRACT Objective: Use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to evaluate the dentin thickness of the pulp chamber floor in primary molars. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study, conducted with CBCT images of teeth of children. Primary molars with preserved pulp chamber floor were included. The dentin thickness of the pulp chamber floor in the primary molars was measured linearly in CBCT cross-sections. Data were descriptively analyzed and the Mann-Whitney test was applied (p<0.05). Results: 27 CBCT exams and 123 primary molars of children aged 4 to 13 years were analyzed; the majority was female (52.0%). In maxillary molars, the median dentin thickness was 1.50 (0.6-2.2) mm in the first and 1.65 (0.6-2.3) mm in the second (p=0.049) molars. In mandibular molars, the median was 1.20 (0.3-1.7) mm in the first and 1.60 (1.0-2.2) mm in the second (p<0.001) molars. Children aged 4 to 8 years showed less dentin thickness (p<0.001). Conclusion: The median dentin thickness of the pulp chamber floor in primary molars was 1.50 mm, ranging from 0.3 to 2.3 mm. Less dentin thickness was associated with younger children, teeth in the mandibular arch, and first molars.

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine in vitro the frequency, shape, type, diameter, and patency of accessory canals in the primary molars pulp chamber floor. Material and Methods: Sixteen healthy primary molars were evaluated by micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. Descriptive analyses of the frequency, shape (round, oval, or irregular), type (blind, true, or hidden), patency and diameter of the accessory canals were performed. Results: Half of the teeth presented accessory canals, 62.5% of which were located in the upper molars and 37.5% in the lower molars. The most frequent shape was irregular. In three-dimensional analysis, blind accessory canals (12.5%) and with patency (18.7%) of the teeth were observed. The average accessory canal diameter was 51.97 µm (± 26.03 µm). Conclusion: Upper molars showed a higher frequency of accessory canals with larger diameters. The irregular shape was the most frequent. 18.7% of accessory channels showed patency.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o impacto da cárie dentária na qualidade de vida de pré-escolares. A população foi constituída por pré-escolares com idade de 5 anos, matriculados em instituições públicas e privadas de Teresina, PI, Brasil. Instrumento de qualidade de vida validado para população brasileira (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory - PedsQL™) foi aplicado para as crianças e responsáveis, além de questionário socioeconômico-demográfico para os responsáveis. No exame dentário o índice ceod foi utilizado para avaliar a experiência de cárie. Das 566 crianças examinadas, 50,2% apresentaram experiência de cárie. Foi observada associação entre experiência de cárie e pior qualidade de vida no domínio de saúde bucal na percepção das crianças (RR= 0,981; IC95% = 0,97-0,99) e dos pais (RR= 0,955; IC95% = 0,94-0,97). De acordo com a percepção das crianças, cárie em dentes posteriores foi associada a pior qualidade de vida no domínio capacidade física (RR= 0,985; IC95% = 0,97-0,99). Concluiu-se que experiência de cárie impactou negativamente na QVRSB (qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal) no domínio saúde bucal da criança de acordo com a percepção das crianças e dos pais. Cárie localizada em molares impactou negativamente na QVRSB no domínio capacidade física segundo a percepção das crianças.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of dental caries on the quality of life of preschool children. The population was made up of preschoolers aged 5 years, enrolled in public and private institutions of Teresina, PI, Brazil. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) was applied to children and caregivers, as well as a socioeconomic-demographic questionnaire for those responsible. In the dental examination the ceod index was used to evaluate the caries experience. Of the 566 children examined, 50.2% presented with caries experience. It was observed an association between caries experience and poorer quality of life in the oral health domain in the children’s perception (RR = 0.981, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99) and parents (RR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0, 94-0.97). According to the children’s perception, caries in the posterior teeth was associated with poorer quality of life in the physical capacity domain (RR = 0.985, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99). It was concluded that caries experience had a negative impact on the OHRQoL (oral health-related quality of life) in children’s oral health according to the perception of children and parents. Caries located in molars had a negative impact on HRQoL in the physical ability domain according to the children’s perception.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o impacto da cárie dentária na qualidade de vida de pré-escolares. A população foi constituída por pré-escolares com idade de 5 anos, matriculados em instituições públicas e privadas de Teresina, PI, Brasil. Instrumento de qualidade de vida validado para população brasileira (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory - PedsQL™) foi aplicado para as crianças e responsáveis, além de questionário socioeconômico-demográfico para os responsáveis. No exame dentário o índice ceod foi utilizado para avaliar a experiência de cárie. Das 566 crianças examinadas, 50,2% apresentaram experiência de cárie. Foi observada associação entre experiência de cárie e pior qualidade de vida no domínio de saúde bucal na percepção das crianças (RR= 0,981; IC95% = 0,97-0,99) e dos pais (RR= 0,955; IC95% = 0,94-0,97). De acordo com a percepção das crianças, cárie em dentes posteriores foi associada a pior qualidade de vida no domínio capacidade física (RR= 0,985; IC95% = 0,97-0,99). Concluiu-se que experiência de cárie impactou negativamente na QVRSB (qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal) no domínio saúde bucal da criança de acordo com a percepção das crianças e dos pais. Cárie localizada em molares impactou negativamente na QVRSB no domínio capacidade física segundo a percepção das crianças.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of dental caries on the quality of life of preschool children. The population was made up of preschoolers aged 5 years, enrolled in public and private institutions of Teresina, PI, Brazil. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) was applied to children and caregivers, as well as a socioeconomic-demographic questionnaire for those responsible. In the dental examination the ceod index was used to evaluate the caries experience. Of the 566 children examined, 50.2% presented with caries experience. It was observed an association between caries experience and poorer quality of life in the oral health domain in the children’s perception (RR = 0.981, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99) and parents (RR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0, 94-0.97). According to the children’s perception, caries in the posterior teeth was associated with poorer quality of life in the physical capacity domain (RR = 0.985, 95% CI = 0.97-0.99). It was concluded that caries experience had a negative impact on the OHRQoL (oral health-related quality of life) in children’s oral health according to the perception of children and parents. Caries located in molars had a negative impact on HRQoL in the physical ability domain according to the children’s perception.