Condensation silicones: do new materials really presents better dimensional stability?

The aim of this study was evaluate the dimensional stability of some condensation silicones. The following materials were studied: Coltex/Coltoflax - Coltène, Speedex - Coltène, and Optosil Comfort/Xantopren VL Plus - Kulzer. They were evaluated by dimensional analysis and gas chromatography (GC) performed at the following times: T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 (immediately after setting, thirty minutes, two hours, twenty four hours, seventy two hours, and seven days after setting, respectively). The dimensional changes were measured directly in the molds using a Mitutoyo microscope. The Coltex fine/Coltoflax and Optosil Comfort/Xantopren VL Plus materials presented dimensional stability for up to thirty minutes after molding, while the Speedex material remained stable for up to two hours after molding. The gas chromatography experiment demonstrated that these materials release ethanol even after clinical setting.     

Clinical and patient-centered outcomes after minimally invasive non-surgical or surgical approaches for the treatment of intrabony defects: a randomized clinical trial

Background: The present study aims to compare the performance of minimally invasive non‐surgical and surgical approaches for the therapy of intrabony defects. Methods: Twenty‐nine patients who presented with intrabony defects were randomly assigned to: 1) a minimally invasive non‐surgical technique (MINST) group, or 2) minimally invasive surgical technique (MIST) group. The chair time of each therapeutic procedure was calculated. The probing depth (PD), position of the gingival margin (PGM) and relative clinical attachment level (RCAL) were evaluated at 3 and 6 months after treatments. The patient perception of discomfort/pain experienced during and after therapy and patient satisfaction regarding treatments were also evaluated. Results: Significant PD reductions, RCAL gains, and no changes in the PGM were obtained at 3 and 6 months in MINST and MIST groups (P <0.05). No differences were observed between groups at any time points (P >0.05). Patient‐oriented outcomes did not demonstrate differences between therapeutic approaches (P >0.05). Significant higher chair times were required in the MIST group than in the MINST group (P <0.05). Conclusions: Minimally invasive non‐surgical and surgical approaches were successfully used for the treatment of intrabony defects and achieved periodontal health in association with negligible morbidity and suitable patient satisfaction. However, non‐surgical therapeutic modality presented an advantage in terms of a reduction of treatment chair time.     

Diclofenac in hyaluronic acid gel: an alternative treatment for actinic cheilitis

Objective

Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a precancerous lesion of the lip vermillion caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3% diclofenac in 2.5% hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of AC.

Methods

Thirty-four patients with chronic AC were treated twice a day with topical diclofenac during a period of 30 to 180 days. The individuals were followed up every 15 days by means of clinical examination and digital photographic documentation.

Results

Of the 27 patients that completed the study, 12 (44%) showed complete remission of the whitish plaques and exfoliative areas, and 15 (56%) had partial remission of the clinical picture of cheilitis. The latter group was submitted to excision of the leukoplakic areas which diagnosis varied from mild to moderate epithelial dysplasia.

Conclusion

The results suggest a promising role for diclofenac in hyaluronic acid gel in the treatment of AC. This treatment has the advantages of not being invasive and showing few side effects.     

Proliferative activity in oral salivary gland tumors: the role of PCNA and AgNOR assessed by a double staining technique

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PCNA and AgNOR in the assessment of salivary gland tumor proliferation using a double staining technique. Ten cases of pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and seventeen cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) were examined. Numeric and morphometric parameters of AgNOR were evaluated and compared in PCNA-positive and PCNA-negative nuclei. There were statistically significant differences in AgNOR numbers, perimeters and contour indices between PCNA-positive and -negative nuclei in the PA samples. The ACC samples demonstrated significant differences only in the AgNOR areas. Our results show that in salivary gland tumors there is not always a relationship between proliferative activity evaluated by AgNOR numeric and morphometric parameters and PCNA immunostaining.     

Evaluation of oral and nasal odor in patients with and without cleft lip and palate: preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oral and nasal halitosis parameters in patients with and without clefts. DESIGN: Randomized and prospective study. Patients with and without clefts were evaluated as to oral and nasal halitosis. SETTING: University of S?o Paulo, Bauru Dental School and Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, Bauru, Brazil. PATIENTS: Twelve patients with clefts and 12 without clefts were evaluated, and no exclusion criteria were followed. INTERVENTIONS: Nasal and oral halitosis were measured with the use of a portable sulfide monitor during a single visit. RESULTS: One hundred percent of the patients with clefts had altered values for volatile sulfur compounds. Only 33.3% of the patients without clefts had at least one strong value for nasal halimeter measurements, and 58.3% of these patients showed alteration in the nasal values. Statistical evaluation, made using the Mann-Whitney U test, classifying the nasal halimeter values as normal, weak, and strong, showing a statistical significant group difference (p = .003). There was no significant difference in the oral halimeter values between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cleft lip and palate had a tendency to present higher values for the nasal halimeter measurements, when compared with patients without clefts.     

Microleakage at sealant/enamel interface of primary teeth: effect of Er:YAG laser ablation of pits and fissures

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess microleakage at sealant/enamel interface after treatment of primary teeth occlusal surfaces with 3 etching techniques. METHODS: Thirty sound primary molars were randomly assigned to 3 groups (N = 10): (1) group I = acid etching for 30 seconds; (2) group II = Er:YAG laser (120 mJ; 4 Hz) plus acid-etching; and (3) group III = Er:YAG laser (120 mJ; 4 Hz). Pits and fissures were sealed with a resin-based sealant (Fluroshield, Dentsply/Caulk). Teeth were isolated, thermocycled, immersed in a 0.2% rhodamine B solution for 24 hours, and serially sectioned. Cuts were analyzed for leakage using an optical microscope connected to a video camera. The images were digitized, and a specific software (Axion Vision) assessed microleakage quantitatively (millimeters). The sealant extension on buccal/lingual cusp heights was measured separately, and the percentage of dye penetration along enamel/sealant interface, in relation to the sealant extension, was calculated. Means of dye penetration were: (1) group I = 2%(+/- 3.75); (2) group II = 2%(+/- 3.38); and (3) group III = 4%(+/- 6.26). Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (P < .05) was observed between the nonetched lased specimens (group III) and those in the other groups. No significant difference (P >.05) was found between the acid-etched and lased/acid-etched groups (I and II). Fissures prepared with Er:YAG laser alone showed the highest degree of microleakage. All specimens exhibted some degree of leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Laser irradiation did not eliminate the need for acid etching enamel prior to the placement of a pit-and-fissure sealant. The ablation of pits and fissures with an Er:YAG laser device did not yield significantly better marginal sealing at primary enamel/sealant interface, compared to conventional acid etching.     

Impact of oral health on quality of life among the elderly population of Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of oral health conditions on the quality of life of elderly people in Joa?aba - SC, in Southern Brazil. A survey based on systematic sampling of clusters was carried out with 183 elderly people that belong to old age groups. The survey was conducted in order to assess the oral conditions of the participants (use of and need for prosthesis) based on the criteria from the World Health Organization publication "Oral Health Surveys, Basic Methods", 4th edition. The oral health impact profile (OHIP) was used to evaluate the impact of oral condition in the quality of life. ABIPEME (Brazilian Association of Market Research Institutes) criterion was used, together with the level of education and the number of people in the household to determine social inequalities. The participants were mostly women (82%) and the OHIP mean was 10.35. No correlation was observed between the OHIP level and formal education or between OHIP and number of residents per household. There was a correlation of 0.240 (p = 0.001) between ABIPEME and OHIP. The OHIP mean for those not using maxillary prosthesis was 12.48 and the mean for those using it was 9.81 (p = 0.399). The mean OHIP for those in need of maxillary prosthesis for those who did not need it was 13.00 and 8.88, respectively (p = 0.014). The same trend was found for the use and need for mandibular prosthesis. The conclusion was that the need for maxillary and mandibular prosthesis impacted the quality of life among the elderly population of Joa?aba.     

Human enamel veneer restoration in a deciduous tooth: clinical case

Trauma to deciduous anterior teeth, frequently occur in children, and the treatment is a big challenge for the pediatric dentistry. In these cases, besides the pain and discomfort provoked by the injury, both child and parents/persons responsible were eager to reconstruct the damage, as soon as possible. In modern operative restorative dentistry, no restorative material is able to substitute for the human dental enamel in quality, color and resistance. The aim of this paper is to relate the treatment of esthetic veneer (facet) of human dental enamel in a three-year-old child after trauma that caused concussion and accentuated color alteration. Clinical results showed an efficient esthetical resolution, revealing it to be a good alternative for treatment of traumatized anterior deciduous teeth.