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

.

The present study aimed to compare the adhesion and proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDL) in transverse sections of the teeth sealed with two different obturation techniques, BioRoot RCS/hydraulic obturation (HO) and AH-Plus/continuous-wave condensation (CWC). The techniques were tested using an in vitro model to simulate the interaction between periodontal tissues and the materials. The root canals were instrumented and sterilized. A total of 15 samples were obturated with BioRoot RCS/HO and 15 samples with AH-Plus/CWC. Then, roots were sectioned to obtain obturated teeth slices, and hPDL cells were seeded onto the root slices. The results were obtained at intervals of 4 and 24 h for cell adhesion; and at 3,7,14, and 21 days for cell proliferation. Empty cell culture plates were use as controls. The cell adhesion was increased at 4 and 24 h for both groups, with an increased response observed in the BioRoot RCS/HO group (p<0.05). The difference in cell proliferation was also found between experimental groups. After 14 days of culture, BioRoot RCS/HO group showed an increase response than control and AH-Plus/CWC groups (p<0.05), and after 21 days both groups behaved better than control group, with an increased response observed in the BioRoot RCS/HO group. This study demonstrated that both root canal sealers allow the attach and growth of periodontal ligament fibroblasts, with an increased biological response in the BioRoot RCS/HO group.

Dental fluorosis can cause changes in the enamel surface, conditioning its functionality and esthetics. The application of dental adhesives is a treatment option; however, their use on fluorotic teeth can result in limitations. The aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strength of two different adhesives, one with 10-MDP and one without 10-MDP, in different degrees of dental fluorosis.This is an in vitro study on dental enamel samples, a total of 180 samples with the inclusion criteria were treated, randomly divided into two groups of 90, according to the type of dental adhesive, where each group was again divided into three groups of 30 samples, representing different degrees of dental fluorosis according to the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index (Group I: TF1 and TF2; Group II: TF3; Group III: TF4). Normality tests, two-factor ANOVA, and post-hoc tests were used to determine differences between the groups, with a significance level of 95%. As results, a statistically significant difference was shown between the use of dental adhesive with 10-MDP and the three groups of dental fluorosis (p=0.011), in addition, a Tukey post-hoc test on the groups treated with 10-MDP adhesive revealed a statistically significant difference between group I versus group II, and group I versus group III, (p=<0.05). It is concluded that the use of adhesive systems with 10-MDP presents a better shear bond strength on enamel with dental fluorosis grades I and II in the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index.

Hemicrania continua is an uncommon headache disorder that requires complete response to indomethacin for its diagnosis, that becomes on most of the cases chronic pain resilient to treatment. On the other hand, temporomandibular pain is very common on the general population and happens to be undiagnosed most of the time when headache or migraines are happening at the same time. In this case we aim to highlight the importance of treating all concomitant diagnosis for a better long-term prognosis. In this paper, a case of a 51-year-old male with chronic resilient facial pain is presented. The patient described right sided facial pain with six years of evolution that started with no triggers. The pain was described as constant bilateral pressure being worse on the right side, located on the temples, masseteric and preauricular areas; with an intensity of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. It is accompanied by episodes of paroxysmal pulsating hemifacial pain with autonomic symptoms (rhinorrhea, conjunctival injections and lacrimation). The pain during exacerbations was located on the right periorbital and hemifacial area and with an intensity of 10 on a scale of 0 to 10, lasting a few minutes to more than 2 hours. After the clinical examination and pain history, the patient was given the diagnosis of hemicrania continua and masticatory myofascial pain.  He was started on Indomethacin 25mg twice a day and started on temporomandibular therapy (self-care, jaw exercises, motivation and advice for stress management). Three months after the first evaluation the patient reported total resolution of his symptoms. The main goal of this article is to highlight that the presence of temporomandibular disorders is common in patients with headaches, for which it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive approach for both entities, which include the therapies for treating axis I diagnosis and behavioral management for axis II, this including most of the time a multidisciplinary human centered approach.

The purpose of this research was the tomographic evaluation of the Mandibular Buccal Shelf (MBS) in orthodontic patients with different vertical growth pattern. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study was conducted. Tomographic images of patients aged 14 to 40 years were observed and a database was formed with those that met the inclusion criteria. The sample size was 10 for each group according to vertical growth pattern (hypodivergent, normodivergent and hyperdivergent). Then four zones of frequent insertion of extralveolar mini-screws were selected in the MBS, taking as a reference the mesial and distal roots of the first and second mandibular molar. When comparing the characteristics of MBS between vertical growth patterns, between sexes and hemiarchs, no statistically significant differences were found. However, when the characteristics of MBS were compared according to the reference root, it was found that there were statistically significant differences. The vestibular area to the distal root of the second mandibular molar presented the highest values in terms of angulation, height and thickness. There are no significant differences in the bone characteristics of MBS according to vertical growth patterns, sexes or hemiarchs. Angulation, height and thickness progressively increase from the vestibular bone of the mesial root of the first mandibular molar to the distal root of the second molar.

The objective of this research was to use the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire to determine the level of patient’s satisfaction who come to the School of Dentistry of the University of Costa Rica.  The research was conducted with the entire population of patients who received dental care in the Undergraduate Student Clinics of the School of Dentistry between April and September 2021. A digital survey was generated with the questions of the DSQ and sociodemographic variables, which was sent by email.  Descriptive statistics were performed to establish the absolute and relative frequency, as well as measures of central tendency and variability, according to the nature of the variables. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used in the conformity assessment of the data for the normal distribution. The relationships between the scores obtained from the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire and the sociodemographic variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U Test and the Kruskal-Wallis Test. A response rate of 36% was obtained. 98.5% of the subjects were satisfied with the services received. There was a statistically significant difference between the frequency of visits and the dental satisfaction scale (p=0.001). The scoring by type of clinic with regards to access, pain management, cost and availability were statistically significant (p=0.001, p=0.014, p=0.001, p=0.001, respectively). The differences in the relationship between the age groups and access was significant (p=0.014); in addition to that between education level and cost (p=0.001). A large majority of patients who come to the services of the School of Dentistry UCR are satisfied with the service received.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the biomechanical and chemical behavior of various bioactive materials in class II MOD restorations. Forty-eight standardized class II MOD cavities were prepared in sound extracted human molar teeth.  The specimens were divided into four groups according to the restorative material: Group 1 (Filtek™ Z350 XT), Group 2 (Biodentine™ as a liner, and then restored with Filtek™ Z350 XT), Group 3 (Cention N™), and Group 4 (Activa™ Bioactive-Restorative). The samples were tested for fracture resistance by subjecting them to a compressive load in a Universal testing Machine. The failure modes of each specimen were evaluated. The alkalinizing potential and calcium ion release of the materials were measured. SEM-EDAX analyses were also performed for all materials. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test (p<0.05). Group 1 showed the higher fracture resistance (p<0.05). Group 3 had greater fracture resistance values but no statistical difference from Group 4. Biodentine™ showed greater biomineralization potential. Class II MOD restorations of Group 1 displayed the higher fracture resistance; however, it was highly associated with catastrophic failure. Conversely, Biodentine™ presented a more significant bioactivity potential, and its use, as in Group 2, promoted the most favorable failure mode.

Obesity is a chronic disease that may be related to caries, periodontitis, xerostomia, and dental erosion, as well as increasing morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plaque index (Silness & Löe, 1964), the gingival index (Löe & Silness, 1963), and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in obese patients. The study included 45 extremely obese, 45 obese, and 45 normal-weight individuals between the ages of 18 and 58. The plaque index and gingival index of the individuals were determined by clinical examination by probing. In addition, the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire was used for the OHRQoL. The IBM SPSS Statistic 22.0 software program was used for the statistical evaluation of the study data. The plaque index and gingival index values were statistically higher in obese compared to normal weight individuals (p<0.05). Both plaque index and gingival index values were not statistically significant between the extremely obese and control groups (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the OHIP-14 total scores of the groups (p>0.05). Increased apparent plaque index and gingival index values in obese patients may adversely affect periodontal health.

Child abuse is a universal problem with critical lifelong effects. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, experiences of dentists regarding child abuse and to increase relevant awareness of them. A self-administered questionnaire with 48 questions about dentists’ personal and educational information and their level of knowledge, attitudes, experiences on child abuse was implemented. Out of targeted 305 participants, 183 (60.0%) returned completely filled out questionnaires. Majority of participants knew signs and symptoms of child abuse. Of the participants, more than half were well-informed on what to do, however, one quarter had no knowledge about where to report in case of child abuse. In identifying child abuse, 39.3% of the participants found themselves inadequate. The most commonly stated reason for low rate of reporting was hesitancy to identify the case as abuse, and all participants needed more training. Only 12 (6.6%) participants suspected a case of child abuse. Dentists who had children and were long-time experienced and generalist did not have sufficient knowledge about legal obligations, signs and symptoms of child abuse (p<0.05). Arrangements and training programs to increase knowledge, awareness, and responsibility levels of dentists about child abuse appear to be a critically important topic.

The aim of this study was to assess the use of digital dental radiology in Brazil, by focusing on the use of image receptors, imaging exams and digital image enhancement tools, also assessing the methods of professional image transfer. Questionnaires were distributed in person on dental meetings and digitally via messaging (WhatsApp®) and mailings list. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 478 questionnaires. Most participants were woman (n=315, 65.9%), with average age of 33.8±9.2 years. Descriptive and frequency analysis was performed. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used (α=0.05). Most dentists worked at shared dental clinics (34.7%) and use digital image receptors (51.1%), but a representative percentage (48.9%) still exclusively use radiographic films. Photostimulable phosphor plate is the most used digital image receptor. Among extraoral exams, panoramic radiography (PAN) is the most used. Regarding dental specialties, oral radiologists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons mostly use cone-beam computed tomography (p<0.001). Most dentists who use digital systems make use of digital image enhancement tools (87.8%), mainly contrast, zoom, brightness and measurements. The most common method of professional image transfer (professional-professional and professional-patiens) is by email, with few dentists using online app and social media (26%). Therefore, while most Brazilian dentists use digital imaging systems, a significant percentage still exclusively use radiographic films. The most extraoral imaging exams used is PAN. Regarding image enhancement tools, brightness and contrast adjustments, zoom and measurements are the most applied. Finally, dentists generally use email for professional image transfer.