Abstract Probiotics have provided benefits to general health, but they are still insufficient to dental health. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate milk supplemented with probiotic bacteria and standard milk, measured by levels of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus spp., in 3-4-year-old children after 9 months of intervention. Material and Methods: The study was a triple-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. The sample was composed of 363 preschoolers attending five child development centers in Cali, Colombia. They were randomized to two groups: children in the intervention group drank 200 mL of milk with Lactobacillus rhamnosus 5x106 and Bifidobacteruim longum 3x106, and children in the control group drank 200 mL of standard milk. Interventions occurred on weekdays and information was gathered through scheduled clinical examination. The primary result was the number of colony forming units (CFU) of S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. in the saliva. Secondary results were dental caries, rated by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS), dental plaque, pH, and salivary buffer capacity. Results: The proportion of S. mutans was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group after 9 months; however, the differences did not reach statistical significance (p=0.173); on the other hand, statistically significant differences between groups were found in the CFU/mL of Lactobacillus spp. (p=0.002). There was not statistically significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries for both groups (p=0.767). Differences between groups were found in the salivary buffering capacity (p=0.000); neither salivary pH nor dental plaque were significantly different. Conclusions: Regular consumption of milk containing probiotics bacteria reduced CFU/mL of Lactobacillus spp. and increased salivary buffering capacity at 9 months of consumption.

Objetivo: El propósito del presente estudio es determinar la forma de los arcos dentales, describir las diferencias en las dimensiones transversales y en profundidad de los arcos durante la dentición mixta, con el fin de conocer su incidencia en la disposición de la armonía oclusal en una población de escolares indígenas de Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia. Materiales y métodos Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal donde se incluyeron 64 escolares, 32 niños y 32 niñas distribuidos en dos grupos: con dentición mixta temprana, 31 escolares y el grupo de dentición mixta tardía con 33 estudiantes entre 6 y 12 años. Las variables estudiadas fueron las medidas de los modelos de estudio. Resultados: El arco superior tuvo forma ovalada en 86% de la población y en 14% la forma fue cuadrada; para el arco inferior las formas fueron 75% ovaladas y 25% cuadradas. Casi todas las medidas transversales presentaron diferencias en ambos grupos, la distancia intercanina inferior se mantuvo constante. Las medidas en profundidad, anchura y longitud evidencian armonía en el desarrollo de los arcos en los niños amazónicos. Discusión: En este grupo étnico predominó el arco de forma ovalada, seguida de la forma cuadrada. Se encontraron diferencias para todas las medidas en profundidad del arco, principalmente en el sector anterior que sería el más susceptible a cambios por factores ambientales durante el período de la dentición mixta de transición. Conclusiones: La armonía oclusal de la población estudiada es el resultado de una forma de arco y cambios transversales y en profundidad fisiológicamente normales.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine dental archs' shape, and to describe differences in transversal dimensions and archs' depths in mixed dentition, in order to know occlusal harmony arrangement in a native student population from Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study with 64 students (32 boys and 32 girls) distributed in two groups: 31 students with early mixed dentitions and 33 students with belated mixed dentitions between 6 and 12 years old was carried out. Studied variables were measured from plaster cast study models. Results: Oval upper arch was found in 86% of students while 14% had squared upper arch. Proportions for lower arch shape were 75% oval and 25% squared, respectively. Most of the transversal dimensions had differences in both groups. Inferior intercanine distances were constant. Depth, width and length measurements are evidence of harmonic dental arch development for Amazonian children. Discussion This ethnic group had higher oval arch shape prevalence, followed by squared arch shape There were differences for all arch depth measurements, mainly in anterior sector due to the susceptibility to environmental factors in mixed dentition period. Conclusions: Occlusal harmony in this population is a result of arch shape, as well as transversal and depth changes physiologically normal.

Abstract: Objectives: Determining the frequency and variability of twelve crown morphologic dental traits (Winging, shovel-shape, doublé shovel shape, Carabelli´s trait, groove pattern, cusp number, trigonid distal crest, deflecting wrinkle, protostylid, sixth cusp and seventh cusp) in deciduous (ui1/ui2/um2/lm2) and permanent (UI1/UI2/UM1/LM1) teeth, to understand the ethnic influence and the biological distance of three indigenous groups of the Colombian Amazons. Material and methods: In this descriptive and quantitative study, frequency and variability of twelve non-metric dental crown traits were observed, through the Hanihara, Dahlberg, Sciulli, Grine and ASUDAS Systems, in dental casts from 96 children from three indigenous groups of the Colombian Amazons, of both genders, in mixed-dentition and belonging to the Ticuna, Huitoto and Cocama ethnic groups. Results: High frequencies of winging, shovel-shape, double shovel shape, furrows and pits of the Carabelli´s trait, Y6 and Y7 groove pattern, deflecting wrinkle, protostylid and sixth cusp, are typical of the dental morphology of the Mongoloid dental complex - Sinodonty subdivision were observed. Significant frequencies of the +6 and +7 groove pattern and of the 7 cusp suggests miscegenation. Biological likeness exists among the three indigenous groups, and bilateral symmetry and absence of sexual dimorphism was demonstrated.

Resumen: Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia y variabilidad de doce rasgos morfológicos dentales coronales (Winging, incisivos centrales y laterales en pala, doble pala, cúspide de Carabelli, patrón cuspídeo, número de cúspides, cresta distal del trigónido, pliegue acodado, protostílido, cúspide 6 y cúspide 7), en dientes temporales (ui1/ui2/um2/lm2) y permanentes (UI1/UI2/UM1/LM1), para comprender la influencia étnica y la distancia biológica de tres grupos indígenas del Amazonas Colombiano. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo cuantitativo para observar la frecuencia y variabilidad de doce rasgos morfológicos dentales coronales mediante los sistemas Hanihara, Dahlberg, Sciulli, Grine y ASUDAS en 96 modelos de niños de ambos sexos, en dentición mixta y pertenecientes a los grupos Ticuna, Huitoto y Cocama. Resultados: Fueron observadas altas frecuencias de winging, incisivos centrales y laterales en pala, de las formas surco y fosa de la cúspide de Carabelli, patrón cuspídeo Y6 o Y7, pliegue acodado, protostílido y cúspide 6, típicas de la morfología dental del complejo dental Mongoloide - subdivisión Sinodonte. Se apreciaron frecuencias significativas del patrón cuspídeo +6 y +7, y de la cúspide, 7 lo cual sugiere mestizaje. Existe afinidad biológica entre las tres etnias, y fue demostrada la simetría bilateral y ausencia de dimorfismo sexual.