Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Objective: The integration of video technology in case-based presentations are useful approaches in teaching real-world problems that ultimately improves an individual’s ability to reflect, analyze, and decide regarding any circumstance leading to change in behavior. Anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study aims to determine the effectiveness of an online case-based video patient education tool on the adoption of oral health behaviors by patients in the dental setting. Materials and Methods: The study was carried on 74 dental patients who were selected using simple sampling (37 patients each in Groups I and II). The two groups differed in presence (Group I-Control) or absence (Group II–Experimental) of prior exposure to professional oral care before Patient Educational Intervention through video-based case presentation was performed in the control and experimental groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18 software at 0.05 significance level. Results: A total of 37 participants per group in Groups I and II (N=74) responded to the pre-test phase and post-test phase. The pre-test mean scores of Groups I and II were 11.43 and 15.05, respectively. The post-test mean score of Groups I and II were 10.81 and 12.76, respectively. There is no statistical significance seen in the pre-test mean score and the post-test mean score of the patients who experienced professional oral health care (Group I) (p=0.113). However, there is a statistical significance in the mean pre-test score and the mean post-test score among patients who never experienced professional oral health care (Group II) (p=0.032). Conclusion: The study revealed that the video-based case presentations is an effective patient education strategy for dental patients who have never experienced professional oral health care manifested as a decline in the degree of dental neglect.

Purpose: Space maintainers are important for the health and placement of children’s primary and permanent teeth. However, plaque and caries levels can be negatively affected when a dental appliance is in the mouth. This study aims to evaluate the oral health of pediatric patients that have space maintainers applied as a result of early tooth loss. Methods: This study included 100 systemically healthy patients between the ages of 4-15 years that were treated with space maintainers due to early loss of teeth. Decayed, missing, filled tooth index values and dental plaque status of the participants were recorded. Controls were performed in the 6th and 12th month. The index results were compared and evaluated statistically using ANOVA and paired-t-tests. Results: A total of 116 space maintainers, including 36 band and loops, 16 lingual arches, 21 palatal arches, 43 removable appliances, were evaluated in the study. Statistically significant differences were found between the pre-treatment and post-treatment index values (p<0.001). In the group of band and loops and removable space maintainers; the increases in DMFT/dft values of 6th month and 12th month according to initial DMFT/dft values were statistically significant (p<0.05). For plaque index, the increase in 12th month of all types of appliances were found statistically significant (p<0.001). The greatest increase in plaque index level was seen in the teeth of patients that had been treated with a lingual arch. Conclusions: Incompatible space maintainers can lead to caries, increased plaque accumulation, demineralized areas, and periodontal problems. The accumulation of plaque and difficulty of cleaning the teeth, especially in the fixed space maintainers, negatively affects the health of teeth. For this reason, good oral hygiene should be provided to patients and controls should be regularly performed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discoloration of a dual-cure bulk-fill (DCBF) and light-cure bulk-fill (LCBF) composites relative to conventional composites (CC) after water and coffee immersion.  Methods: One-hundred disc-shaped specimens (8mm in diameter × 4mm thickness) were prepared using five commercially available composites (n=10); two LCBF (XB-X-trafil Voco, FB-FiltekTM Bulk Fill), one DCBF (FU-Fill-upTM Coltene), and two CC (CE-Clearfil Majesty ES2, EQ-Estelite ΣQuick). Initial and final color readouts were measured with a spectrophotometer (Easyshade,Vita) according to the CIELAB color system.  Statistical analyses were performed using 2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni adjustment to evaluate ∆E, ∆L, ∆a, and ∆b parameters (p<0.05). Results: Significant interactions were noted among the material types and immersion solutions for all evaluated parameters (p=0.00). ∆E values were observed in the order of FU>FB≥XB>EQ≥CE in water immersion groups and XB>FB>EQ≥FU≥CE in coffee immersion groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, DCBF composite is more susceptible to intrinsic discoloration compared to LCBF and CC. However, DCBF exhibited lower extrinsic discoloration than LCBF and comparable with CC after coffee immersion. Depending on their chemical and structural compositions, composites will exhibit color change, which compromises the esthetic performance of composite restorations.

The aim of this study was to determine the average age and sequence of eruption of permanent dentition in the school population of the province of Cartago, Costa Rica. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study included children between the ages of 5 and 12 from public and private schools. Clinical examination was performed, and the presence or absence of permanent teeth recorded. Statistical analysis: An estimation of means of eruption was used through binary variables, building the probabilities of the presence of a dental piece through a logistic regression. Results: 833 children were examined: 433 (51.90%) girls and 400 (48.10%) boys. The permanent teeth erupt first in the female sex; however, this difference is not statistically significant. The maxilla eruption sequence for girls was 6-1-2-4-3-5-7 on both sides; for boys, the sequence of eruption was 6-1-2-4-5-3-7 for the right side and 6-1-2-4-3-5-7 for the left side. In the jaw, the sequence in boys was 6-1-2-3-4-5-7, and in girls, 1-6-2-3-4-5-7. Conclusions: For the first time, at the Central American Level, the pattern of permanent dentition eruption could be established. The age of permanent dental eruption does not vary according to sex in this population.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of carbonated beverage on the surface microhardness of two acrylic materials used to fabricate temporary restorations. The study was experimental in vitro. Forty blocks of acrylic resins used in provisional restorations were made, 20 from Alike® (GC AMERICA INC., Lot 1712161) and 20 from Acryptemp® (Zhermack S.P.A., Lot 302334). After that, the blocks were immersed in distilled water for 24 hours. After this time, the initial surface microhardness was measured. Then the 20 samples of the experimental group were immersed in a carbonated drink (coca cola - soda) for 12 minutes per day, for 5 days. Finally, the final surface microhardness was measured using the Vickers microdurometer. Measures of central tendency and dispersion were used, and the Student's t test and ANOVA were performed. A mean surface microhardness of 8.8 and 7.2HV was found for the PMMA resin group (Initial and final respectively), and 9.5 and 8HV for the bisacrylate group. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the beginning and end of each group and when comparing the two materials. The acrylic resin of polymethylmethacrylate (Alike® GC AMERICA INC.) Presented higher surface microhardness compared to the bis acrylic resin (Acrytemp® Zhermack S.P.A), after being exposed to a carbonated drink.

Ceramic veneers are considered viable alternatives compared to classic invasive procedures applied in restorative treatments. Adhesive bonding techniques combined with restorative materials that mimic the natural color of the tooth are part of one of the greatest achievements in modern aesthetic dentistry. Ceramic veneers structurally made with lithium disilicate materials are frequently selected to restore and stabilize the biomechanics of the tooth in cases with dental malformations, such as conoid teeth. This article explains the basic principles applied to the design of ceramic veneers, with copings in lithium disilicate and covered with feldspathic ceramic. Moreover, the long-term prognosis of ceramic veneers based on scientific evidence.

Gingival hyperpigmentation is produced by excessive melanin deposit, generating a dark gum coloring. Although it does not constitute a health issue, in some cases it usually represents an aesthetic problem that can affect psychologically, for which there are currently several treatment alternatives such as: surgery with scalpel, laser therapy, abrasion, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, among others. The aim of this literature review was to analyze the available information about gingival melanosis and the therapeutics that can be applied to improve the appearance of patients with this condition. Articles in English and Spanish, published during the period 2000-2020 in the PubMed, Medline, Scielo, Cochrane and Lilacs databases, were reviewed. It was concluded that the selection of the technique will depend on each particular case, however, the laser is the most relevant.

Eagle syndrome is a rare disease responsible for multiple head and neck symptoms, resulting from an elongation of the styloid process or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament compressing adjacent neurovascular structures. There are two variants, the classic one characterized mainly by pain and dysphagia and the carotid variant distinguished with pain and sometimes cerebral ischemia. We describe a clinical case report of a 45-year-old female patient, who experienced left cervical pain, performing the complete myofascial pain protocol of the Regional Hospital "General Ignacio Zaragoza" ISSSTE in Mexico City, resulting in a 50 mm elongation of the styloid process in the CT scan, confirming the diagnosis, and focusing the article on the anatomical-surgical description.

Dentists are vulnerable to occupational injuries associated with dental procedures, and to their work environment. Lack of appropriate and safe working conditions can put dental professionals at risk of injuries, the majority of which are musculoskeletal, especially in the wrist. This report presents a case of a radial crack in the wrist of a dental student which occurred as a complication of a tooth extraction procedure. Also, emphasises the need for education about workplace risks and hazards, starting at the undergraduate level, to promote prevention of occupational injuries.

This study aimed to evaluate the fracture resistance of teeth restored with conventional, bulk-fill, and fiber-reinforced composite materials regarding intact teeth. Standard cavities were prepared on 70 sound third molar teeth. The teeth were randomly divided into six groups: intact teeth, conventional Bis-GMA based composite, fiber-reinforced composite, Bis-GMA based bulk-fill composite, ormocer based bulk-fill composite, glass containing resin-based bulk-fill composite. The data was obtained by a Universal Testing Machine and analyzed statistically. Fracture resistance of the teeth restored with conventional composite was significantly lower than the other groups (p<0.05). The teeth restored with fiber-reinforced composite showed the highest fracture resistance; however, there were no statistically significant differences between intact teeth and teeth restored with fiber-reinforced composite, Bis-GMA based bulk-fill composite, and glass containing resin-based bulk-fill composite (p>0.05). The obtained data showed that restoring teeth with bulk-fill and fiber-reinforced composites could be recommended in Class II cavities.