Early childhood caries (ECC) represent a relevant public health issue in paediatric population globally. The current study aimed to investigate the main risk factors of this condition.

Malocclusions are usually diagnosed around 3-4 years of age according to specific criteria. The purpose of this protocol is to validate a method to understand how the type of delivery can influence the development of malocclusions.

This study aimed to evaluate the fracture resistance of space maintainers (SMs) produced using 3D-printable materials (metal, resin and polyetheretherketone [PEEK]) after thermal aging and compare them with conventional space maintainers.

The present study was designed to evaluate the enlargement of the nasal bone as side effect when a treatment with a Haas rapid maxillary expander is performed in early mixed dentition.

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is characterised by severe skeletal deformities and dental abnormalities. The aim of this work is to examine the prevalence of abscesses, the features of pulp chambers, and the biochemical and histological signs of the disease.

A comparison between mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apexification and regenerative endodontic therapy (RET) in immature permanent teeth is pivotal for optimising treatment outcomes and enhancing clinical decision-making. Understanding the efficacy, limitations and long-term implications of each approach is essential for achieving predictable, successful outcomes when managing immature teeth with necrotic pulps. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the changes in the periapical bone using fractal dimension (FD) on the periapical radiographs of patients who underwent apexification and RET.

Odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumours, often considered hamartomas rather than true neoplasms. These mixed tumours consist of fully differentiated dental tissues, including enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp. Odontomas can be classified into compound and complex types. While typically asymptomatic, they are often discovered during routine radiographic examinations for delayed tooth eruption. The management of odontomas generally involves surgical removal, which is effective in resolving associated dental impactions.

Exogenous black pigmentations, commonly referred to as black stains (BS), are an acquired oral pathology, prevalent among children. The condition is characterized by black punctiform spots that are distributed variably on the lingual and vestibular surfaces of both deciduous and permanent teeth. These spots are predominantly located on the cervical third of the crown but can also be found on the middle third, until the crown third, of the affected tooth's crown. These stains present a therapeutic challenge due to their high recurrence rate and the often-insufficient oral hygiene practices among children and their caregivers. Although general dentists may not be familiar with the classification of BS, the clinical diagnosis of this condition is typically straightforward. There is still no consensus among researchers regarding the prevalence of BS, and the etiopathogenesis of this condition remains not fully understood. Although BS are not a serious pathology, many children and their families experience significant embarrassment, anxiety, and negative psychological effects due to the condition. Recent literature on the treatment of BS indicates that a universally effective clinical protocol has not yet been established. This study introduces a new classification based on therapeutic approach and a flow chart designed to assist paediatric dentists in managing BS with a focus on preventing recurrence.

What drives our irresistible attraction to foods like chocolate, fries, or a warm apple pie? Sugar intake triggers the brain's dopamine system, creating a sense of reward that unconsciously conditions a preference for foods that satisfy cravings. Over time, this weakens attraction to healthier, low-fat and low-sugar foods. This response shares characteristics with addiction, sparking the concept of "food addiction." For early humans, this reward-driven behaviour was advantageous, motivating them to seek high-calorie foods essential for survival when food was scarce. Today, however, it fuels a global surge in obesity and diabetes the real "killer" of our times. Additionally, a study on fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) found that a sugar-heavy diet reduces sensitivity to sweetness, leading to increased consumption. This phenomenon, like "desensitisation" in humans, suggests that high sugar intake may promote obesity by altering taste perception and reward circuits [May et al., 2019]. The link between sugar-rich diets, obesity, and public health is a critical concern for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the sustainability of the western healthcare system. A 2024 study published in BMJ [Lara-Castor et al., 2024] revealed that from 1990 to 2018, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in children and adolescents (aged 3-19) from 185 countries rose by 23%, paralleling a global rise in obesity rates in this age group (Fig. 1). The findings highlighted a range of consumption levels influenced by factors like age, parental education, and urban living; however, the overall increase calls for national and targeted approaches to reduce SSB intake. Exactly like the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) among children and adolescents aged 5-19 has risen dramatically from just 8% in 1990 to 20% in 2022. While just 2% of children and adolescents aged 5-19 was obese in 1990 (31 million young people), by 2022, 8% of children and adolescents were living with obesity (160 million young people) [GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators 2020; Okunogbe et al., 2022] (Fig. 2) [Ritchie and Roser, 2017]. Establishing good habits early is vital, as children are highly receptive to new behaviours. Notably, paediatric prevention begins even in the womb [Paglia 2017; Paglia, 2019]: a 2021 Canadian study [Laforest-Lapointeet al, 2021] linked maternal consumption of artificial sweeteners during pregnancy to an increased risk of infant obesity. By examining the gut microbiomes of 100 infants, researchers found that artificial sweetener intake could influence infant gut health and body mass index in the first year of life. The effects of sugar thus begin before birth and extend into early childhood. In Italy, added sugars are often introduced into infants' diets before 12 months, and delayed oral hygiene practices worsen the risks. Parental obesity further correlates with a higher incidence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC), emphasizing the need to address sugar consumption and health habits from prenatal to early childhood stages [D'oria, Bettocchi et al., 2024] Addressing the roots of obesity and diet-related diseases in young populations is therefore crucial and early intervention is key. In Italy, the government is attempting to curb sugar consumption through the so-called "sugar tax," introduced in the 2020 Budget Law. The tax was initially set to take effect on January 1st, 2021; but was postponed to January 1st, 2022. Then to January 1st, 2023; again to January 1st, 2024, and recently postponed once more to January 1st, 2025…Hoping next year will finally be the one!

This study aimed to investigate the caries activity (CA) and its caries status in children aged 3-5 years in Zhao County, Hebei province, China and to explore the related factors.

To examine the impact of medication on asthma treatment and the occurrence of caries cavities in children aged 3 to 15 years old (Luz Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal). The frequency of caries cavities in 3 different groups was examined. In addition, the possible association of caries cavities with different asthmatic medication was also assessed.

Infraocclusion refers to a tooth located below the occlusal surface compared to adjacent teeth long after it should have reached occlusion. Ankylosis is frequently associated with the infraocclusion of primary molars, but it is challenging to distinguish between the two conditions. Surgical luxation and orthodontic traction have been applied for the treatment of ankylosed, infraoccluded permanent teeth, but reports on primary molars are scarce.

The aim of this research is examining the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) in the reduction of dental anxiety in children with novel methods.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate, by means of statistical comparison between selected studies, the effectiveness of laser irradiation on dental erosion applied alone or in combination with anti-erosive agents (fluoride, Acidulated phosphate fluoride APF and CPP-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate CPP-ACFP), through optical profilometry and microhardness measurement.

To show the potential of Invisalign in multi-segmental Le Fort I preparation with the aid of an occlusogram-like method.

Rare diseases are an often an overlooked public health problem. Although they are infrequent, occurring on average in 100-500 people per million, these diseases represent a significant challenge in paediatric dentistry due to their complex manifestations and the need for specialised care. Conditions such as X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), hypophosphatasia (HPP), and osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) exemplify the intersection of systemic health issues and oral health, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for their effective management. Dentists frequently play a crucial role in identifying genetic alterations through their dental manifestations and then referring patients to the geneticist for a definitive diagnosis. X-linked hypophosphatemia is the most common genetic form of rickets, with a prevalence of 1/20,000 - 1/60,000. XLH is characterised by stunted growth with disproportionate short stature, bowing of the lower limbs associated with reduced motor skills, osteoarticular pain, hypotonia, and dental and periodontal anomalies. XLH is due to inactivating mutations in the PHEX gene which cause excessive production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Increased concentration of FGF23 represents the main pathogenetic mechanism of XLH, stimulating urinary phosphate loss and renal 24-hydroxylase activity, and reducing renal 1α-hydroxylase activity with insufficient production of 1,25 -dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). PHEX protein is also expressed in osteoblasts, osteocytes, and odontoblasts. Regardless of FGF23's systemic effects on phosphate homeostasis, odontoblast differentiation, and dentin formation, its overexpression directly reduces osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralisation. In patients with XLH, the deficit of 1,25(OH)2D induced by FGF23 causes poor enamel mineralisation with presence of cracks on teeth surface. XLH patients have recurrent dental abscesses with fistulas. Radiographic investigations highlight a generalised enlargement of the pulp chambers, molars with short roots, and a taurodontic appearance. Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is another condition in which dental manifestations precede systemic symptoms; it is a rare genetic disease (1/300,000 for severe forms, 1/100,000 for moderate forms. The incidence is perhaps underestimated due to missed diagnosis of moderate forms of the disease). It mainly affects bone and dental mineralisation. It is caused by pathogenic variant mutations in the ALPL gene which is located on the short arm of chromosome 1 and encodes the non-tissue-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) enzyme. TNSALP deficiency results in vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency and pathological accumulation of alkaline phosphatase substrates which may be responsible for extra-osseous manifestations, such as neurologic ones (pyridoxine sensitive seizures) as well as involvement of muscles and joints (arthropathies, muscle fatigue/hypotonia). Early non-traumatic loss of primary teeth between the ages of 2 and 4 years (and sometimes earlier) with an intact, non-resorbed root is a sign of disease. Tooth mobility precedes exfoliation of the tooth/teeth, most often without associated gum inflammation or pain. The primary incisors are the most affected teeth, and the number and type of primary teeth lost are proportional to the severity of the disease. From a radiologic perspective, characteristic signs include localised or generalised horizontal alveolar bone loss, large pulp chambers, intrapulpal calcifications, and reduced enamel thickness. Osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, is a rare condition characterised by bone fragility and osteopenia. It combines skeletal signs of varying severity (mainly fractures, hyperlaxity, and ligament deformities) and extra skeletal signs (bluish sclera, deafness, vascular fragility). It may also involve dentinogenesis imperfecta. The severity of clinical manifestations is highly variable, ranging from moderate forms that can go unnoticed to major forms that are lethal in the perinatal period. The birth prevalence of osteogenesis imperfecta is approximately 1 in 10,000 people. In approximately 90% of cases, it is an autosomal dominant disease due to monoallelic mutations in the COL1A1, COL1A2 or IFITM5 genes. Ten percent of cases are recessive forms characterised by dentinogenesis imperfecta, where the dental manifestations include teeth discoloration and weakness. The timely recognition of dental manifestations of these rare genetic diseases can allow providers to make an early diagnosis even prior to the development of systemic complications, and for this reason paediatric dentists have a key role in the recognition and management of these patients. Once the diagnosis is suspected, the dentist should refer patients for a genetic evaluation so as to ensure multidisciplinary management and initiation of medical therapies with the collaboration of paediatricians, endocrinologists and other health specialists. The role of dental professionals is not limited to the diagnosis of these rare diseases, but it also encompasses delivering specific, patient-tailored treatments, encouraging preventive care with regular dental visits and educating patients with the ultimate goal to promote not only oral health but the patient's overall wellbeing.

To evaluate palatal surface effects induced by LE and RPE, alongside spontaneous changes in an untreated group, and to compare differences in canine and molar inclination among the three groups.

This present study has two primary objectives: firstly, to compare the effectiveness of an electric toothbrush versus a manual toothbrush in biofilm removal; secondarily, to assess the effectiveness of individualised instructions provided by the operator.

To assess the clinical and radiographic success rates of regenerative pulpotomy compared to devitalising or preservative pulpotomy in treating vital pulp exposure in primary teeth.

To determine the factors associated with behaviours, attitudes and knowledge of parents about children's toothbrushing (CTB).