Background/Aims
The increasing popularity of participating in sports activities among children and adolescents has increased the risk of sports‐related orofacial and dental injuries. Therefore, it is ...important to establish efficient preventive strategies regarding sports‐related dental trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of sports‐related dental injuries in young athletes and to compare the frequency of such injuries between high‐risk and medium‐risk sports, along with assessing athletes’ attitudes and habits regarding mouthguard use.
Methods
A total of 229 young athletes from four different sports (water polo (n = 59), karate (n = 58), taekwondo (n = 57) and handball (n = 55)) participated in this study. A standardized questionnaire about the frequency of orofacial and dental injuries was used. Questions were also asked about athletes’ habits related to mouthguard use.
Results
Mean age of the participants was 12.9 ± 3.2 years, and the average time of playing experience was 4.8 ± 3.1 years. Orofacial injury had been experienced by 58 athletes (25.3%), while 31 athletes (13.5%) suffered dental injury. Higher rate of dental injuries was observed in water polo (18.6%), karate (17.2%) and handball (21.8%) than in taekwondo (3.5%) (P = .035). Most participants were aware of mouthguards for dental trauma prevention and considered them efficient for preventing dental injuries during sports activities, but only 94 (41%) used them. There was a statistically significant difference in the use of mouthguards between taekwondo (73.7%) and karate (70.7%) players compared to handball (14.5%) and water polo players (5.1%) (P < .001).
Conclusions
Handball and water polo had similarly high occurrence of dental trauma as karate, a high‐risk martial art sport. Therefore, the classification of sports according to the risk of dental trauma should be reconsidered. It would be beneficial to make wearing a mouthguard mandatory in all high‐risk sports, as well as in those with medium‐risk for dental injuries.
Background/Aims
With the growing popularity of water polo across the world, there has been rising awareness of the risks for orofacial injures in water polo. The aim of this study was to evaluate ...knowledge and attitudes of water polo coaches regarding dental trauma, dental emergency procedures and awareness about prevention of such injuries.
Materials and Methods
A specific questionnaire comprising 25 questions regarding knowledge, experiences, and behaviors following dental trauma was distributed to 62 water polo coaches during the license renewal seminar held by the Croatian Water Polo Federation, in February 2018 in Split, Croatia. Chi‐square with Yates correction when necessary, and Fisher's exact tests were used in statistical analysis, and the results were considered statistically significant when P < .05.
Results
There were 51 water polo coaches who participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 19 to 60 years. Most of the coaches (90.2%) have seen a dental injury in their players during their coaching careers. Concerning the procedure with handling an avulsed tooth, there were 68.6% coaches who would maintain the avulsed tooth in a handkerchief or gauze along with four coaches (7.8%) who would rinse the avulsed tooth under water and wrap it in a handkerchief or gauze afterward. Only one participant (2%) would maintain the avulsed tooth in saline solution before its replantation. None of the coaches would use milk for maintaining the avulsed tooth. Only seven coaches (13.7%) have previously had education about sports‐related dental injuries, dental emergency procedures, and prevention of such injuries.
Conclusions
The results of this study demonstrated poor level of knowledge of water polo coaches about dental injuries and dental emergency procedures. Their knowledge and attitudes could be improved by educational programs on dental injuries and dental emergency procedures, as well as sports‐related dental injuries management.
Aim
The aim of this observational split‐mouth study was to compare the retention and caries protective effect of four different sealant materials in children aged 6–13 years during a 2‐year follow‐up ...period.
Design
Eighty children were included in this study, which was conducted in Blato (Korčula island), Croatia. Each participant received at least two different sealant materials on caries‐free permanent molars in two different quadrants. Sealant materials (M1 – glass‐ionomer cement; M2, M4 – resin‐based filled sealants; M3 – resin‐based unfilled sealant) were delivered in a random order.
Results
The results of this study showed that M2 (30 teeth, 46.2%) and M4 (27 teeth, 46.6%) showed statistically significantly higher number of teeth with total retention after 2‐year follow‐up period, in comparison with M1 (10 teeth, 19.2%) or M3 (12 teeth, 20.7%) (p < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in caries occurrence between different groups in which the sealant material was totally retained.
Conclusions
According to the results of this study, filled resin‐based sealant materials showed better retention during the 2‐year follow‐up period while both resin‐based and glass‐ionomer sealants demonstrated protection against dental caries if totally retained on the occlusal surface.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and alterations in glucose metabolism with increased risk for type 2 diabetes. The aim ...of the current study was to compare morning plasma cortisol levels and glucose metabolism parameters between moderate (apnea–hypopnea index (AHI): 15–30 events/h) and severe OSA patients (AHI >30 events/h), with respective controls. A total of 56 male OSA patients, 24 moderate (AHI = 21.1 ± 5.3) and 32 severe (AHI = 49.7 ± 18.1), underwent a full-night polysomnography, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and measurement of morning plasma cortisol levels. These groups were compared to 20 matched subjects in a control group. Morning plasma cortisol levels were statistically lower in severe OSA group than in moderate OSA and control groups (303.7 ± 93.5 vs. 423.9 ± 145.1 vs. 417.5 ± 99.8 pmol/L,
P
< 0.001). Significant negative correlations were found between morning plasma cortisol levels and AHI (
r
= −0.444,
P
= 0.002), as well as oxygen desaturation index (
r
= −0.381,
P
= 0.011). Fasting plasma glucose (5.0 ± 0.5 vs. 5.4 ± 0.7 vs. 4.9 ± 0.6 mmol/L,
P
= 0.009) was higher in the severe OSA group compared to moderate OSA and controls. Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was higher in the severe OSA group compared to moderate OSA and controls (4.6 ± 3.7 vs. 2.7 ± 2.0 and 2.2 ± 1.8, respectively,
P
= 0.006). In conclusion, our study showed that morning plasma cortisol levels measured at 8 a.m. were significantly lower in severe OSA patients than those in moderate OSA group and controls. Morning plasma cortisol levels showed a negative correlation with AHI and oxygen desaturation index. Additionally, this study confirmed the evidence of glucose metabolism impairment in moderate and severe OSA patients, with more pronounced effect in the severe OSA patients group.
Introduction: Water polo is a physically high-demanding team sport, therefore players’ physical abilities and anthropometric characteristics are important factors to achieve a good level of quality ...in technical-tactical actions. The aim of this study was to determine the association of the chronological age with the anthropometric characteristics and specific functional swimming capacities in youth U12 male water polo players. Methods: There were 170 youth U12 water polo players who attended the Croatian Water Polo Federation training camps included in this cross-sectional study. Measurements included anthropometric characteristics and specific functional swimming capacities. Results: Players were divided according to their chronological age: Q1 (January- March) – 59 players (34.7%), Q2 (April-June) – 35 players (20.6%), Q3 (July-September) – 46 players (27.1%) and Q4 (October-December) – 30 players (17.6%). Older players born in Q1 presented higher values of body height and weight than their younger peers born in Q4 (Q1 165.96±7.88 cm vs. Q4 159.46±5.44 cm, P=0.001; Q1 60.14±13.99 kg vs. Q4 51.35±7.09 kg, P=0.023), while there were no statistically significant differences in specific functional swimming tests between different age groups. Discussion: Contrary to what was hypothesized, older water polo players presented only better anthropometric characteristics than their younger peers, probably due to the biological maturity influence on functional skills, as well as small range of chronological age differences. Conclusion: Such data might provide an understanding of the general and specific water polo player’s development process, which should be considered by coaches of youth players to improve their skills as a result of developing better training programs.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 (IGF-2) is a peptide hormone essential for prenatal growth and development. IGF-2 exerts its mitogenic effects via Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R), and is ...eliminated by binding to Insulin-Like Growth Receptor 2 (IGF-2R). IGF-2 is also negatively regulated by Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN), a phosphatase mutated in various tumors. Not much is known about the interplay between these factors during human odontogenesis. In this study, expression patterns of IGF-2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R and PTEN were analyzed by double immunofluorescence in incisor human tooth germs during the foetal period of development between the 7
th
and 20
th
gestational week. Throughout the investigated period, IGF-2 was mostly expressed in enamel organ, whereas mild to moderate expression of PTEN could be seen in dental papilla and parts of enamel organ. Expression of IGF-1R was ubiquitous and displayed strong intensity throughout the entire enamel organ. In contrast, expression of IGF-2R had rather erratic pattern in enamel organ and dental papilla alike. Expression patterns of IGF-2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R and PTEN in highly proliferative cervical loops, as well as in differentiating pre-ameloblasts and pre-odontoblasts of cusp tip region during the early and late bell stages when enamel organ acquires definitive shape, indicate importance of these factors in crown morphogenesis of human incisor. Taken together, our data suggest the involvement of IGF-2, IGF-1R, IGF-2R and PTEN in temporo-spatial patterning of basic cellular processes (proliferation, differentiation) during normal tooth development. They are also relevant for improving knowledge of molecular basis of human odontogenesis.
Dental trauma is one of the critical oral health problems in childhood and adolescence that can affect an individual's quality of life. Teachers may witness a dental injury on many occasions, and ...they are likely to be involved at the site of an accident. Hence, they should be capable of managing prompt and correct emergency treatment at the accident site. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the level of knowledge and experience of Croatian elementary and high school teachers concerning dental trauma.
A questionnaire-based cross-sectional online survey was conducted to determine knowledge and experience about traumatic dental injuries among 803 full-time working elementary and high school teachers. The inclusion criteria were full-time employment at the time of data collection with at least 1 year of teaching experience. Retirement (teachers aged ≥65 years) and unwillingness to participate in the survey were the exclusion criteria. The Student t test or one-way ANOVA, with Tukey's post hoc was used to evaluate the obtained data. The level of significance was set at p ≤ .05.
The overall mean level of teachers' knowledge regarding emergency management of dental trauma was 6.6 ± 2.5 points, out of a maximum possible score of 14. There were no significant differences in knowledge among teachers from lower elementary, upper elementary, and high school education (6.9 ± 2.5, 6.5 ± 2.4 vs 6.4 ± 2.6 points, respectively; p = .140). Teachers who had personally experienced dental trauma showed better knowledge (7.2 ± 2.6 vs 6.4 ± 2.5 points; p ≤ .001).
The knowledge of emergency management of dental trauma among elementary and high school teachers in Croatia is low. Since most of the participants expressed willingness for future education regarding this subject, educational programs are recommended.
Consistency in outcomes across clinical trials allows for comparing and combining results from different studies. A core outcome set (COS), representing a minimally agreed standardized group of ...outcomes that should be monitored and measured through research in a specific field of medicine, is not yet available for trials in implant prosthodontic (dental implant) therapy. This meta-research study aimed to analyze outcomes used in clinical trials on implant prosthodontic therapy.
We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group (COHG) register to identify systematic reviews of interventions in implant prosthodontic therapy published by October 2023. From the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included in the relevant reviews, we extracted data on the characteristics of the included trials and the outcomes used. We categorized outcomes into domains.
From 182 systematic reviews in the COHG register, we included 11 systematic reviews on dental implant therapy. The reviews included 117 unique RCTs with 4725 participants, published from 1995 to 2020, which analyzed 74 different outcomes. Using different definitions, implant failure was analyzed in 73 RCTs. Seventeen RCTs did not define implant failure. Failure was most often (30 RCTs) followed up for one year. Only one RCT assessed implant failure after five years. Trials used 17 definitions of implant failure, while 17 trials did not report on the criteria of implant failure. Complications were analyzed in 48 RCTs, although they were not clearly defined in 12 RCTs. Failure of prosthodontic supra-structure was analyzed in 74 RCTs, with definitions of failure and criteria not clearly defined in 44 RCTs. Trials considered adverse events, peri-implant tissue health, patient attitudes, and other outcomes, including cost, aesthetics, or procedure duration. These outcomes were often different between trials. Twenty-six outcomes were used only once per study.
Clinical trials in implant prosthodontics used different outcomes, different definitions of outcomes and used different times to monitor them. Standardization of outcomes is necessary to allow comparability and evidence synthesis about the effectiveness of implant prosthodontic therapy.
Water-polo is an official competitive olympic sport with high energy and technical-tactical demands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cognitive performance and specific swimming ...capacities on the selection of youth water polo players to the national water polo team.
There were 83 youth water polo players (mean age 13.61±0.67 years) who attended the Croatian Water Polo Foundation training camps included in this cross-sectional study. Testing included anthropometric measurements, specific swimming capacities and cognitive performance (Stroop test).
Among 83 youth water polo players included in this study there were 13 goalkeepers, 13 center-defenders, 13 centers, 31 perimeter players and 13 wings. Selected players (N.=40) performed faster in OffTime (selected 62.99±10.21 s vs. non-selected 69.98±8.93 s, P=0.002) and OnTime (selected 75.61±15.85 s vs. non-selected 86.01±15.40 s, P=0.004) of the Stroop test than non-selected players (N.=43). Logistic regression analysis showed significant association between selection of youth water polo players to the national team and swimming results in 400 m crawl and 100 m crawl, as well as OffTime, OnTime and OnTime minus OffTime on the Stroop test.
The results of this study showed that psychomotor ability, inhibition, motor speed and cognitive flexibility were found to be the most important predictors for the selection of youth water polo players to the national water polo team. Furthermore, selected water polo players demonstrated better psychomotor abilities, inhibition, and motor speed, as well as better results in all specific swimming tests in comparison to non-selected players.
This research aimed to identify relations of cognitive and power capacities with reactive agility in pubescent boys (n = 55) and girls (n = 46). Cognitive abilities were evaluated by the Stroop test, ...while the BlazePod system was used to evaluate agility performance conducting 20 yard shuttle and triangle tests of non-reactive (TCODS) and reactive agility (TRAG), respectively. Performance in jumping power was assessed through the squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DHJ) utilising the Opto Jump system (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), while sprinting ability over distances of 10 and 20 m was measured using a photocells system. A principal component was extracted from the four Stroop test variables using factor analysis. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted separately for boys and girls to evaluate the multivariate relationships among the predictors and the criterion. Among boys, 80% of the TRAG variance was explained (MultipleR = 0.9), with TCODS and SJ as significant predictors (β = 0.53 and −1.01, respectively). For girls, the TCODS was the significant predictor (β = 0.65), explaining 43% of the variance (MultipleR = 0.65). These results show that (i) cognitive abilities measured with the Stroop test were not a reliable tool for predicting TRAG, (ii) jumping power was a significant predictor of TRAG in boys, and (iii) TCODS was a significant predictor of TRAG in girls. The findings indicated that cognitive abilities do not significantly influence reactive agility in pubescent children. It seems that power features have a greater influence on reactive agility, particularly in boys who have more developed motor skills at this age compared to girls.
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