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

People’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to health are built throughout life, particularly during childhood and adolescence, and they reflect the practices of their family and social circle. The aim of this study was to identify the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to oral health of first-year university students at the Paraíso Campus of the University of Costa Rica. This was done through a questionnaire of closed questions that would allow oral health educational strategies to be established in the future for this population group. For this purpose, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, where 70 first-year students of the Paraíso Campus participated in the first semester of the year 2019.  For data collection, a survey of 22 closed questions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices about oral health was applied, and a score on oral health knowledge was subsequently performed, based on the answers to the questions. According to the results, the level of knowledge shown about oral health is low, since the average knowledge score (7.02 points) was less than half of the maximum score (17 points). The greatest deficiency in knowledge was evidenced in topics, such as, dental biofilm, gingivitis, use of fluorides, and the role of saliva. In addition, several practices that affect the condition of the oral cavity were identified, such as harmful habits, inadequate nutrition, and poor oral hygiene habits. In this study, a general lack of knowledge was identified regarding basic concepts of oral health in young university students, who are not clear about the role of some protective or risk factors related to the main oral diseases.

The aim of this study was to observed the anesthetic efficacy of the alveolar nerve block on nine patients that CBCT diagnosed unilateral retromolar canal on a double-blind, split-mouth approach. The assessments of patient response to thermal (pulp vitality test) and pressure (compression of soft tissue) stimuli were carried out before and 5 minutes after the inferior alveolar nerve block procedure, using both visual analog scale (VAS) and Mc Gill pain questionnaires (McG). The mean percentage of patient response decreased after alveolar nerve block, according to both VAS and McG, and was statistically similar among hemi mandibles with and without retromolar canal (Wilcoxon>0.05); however, those without retromolar canal presented greater reduction in patient response in 6 out of 9 cases. Therefore, the retromolar canal is not a determinant factor of inferior alveolar nerve block failure.

To determine the accuracy of the Kvaal method in the estimation of dental age through the analysis of digital panoramic radiographs of patients between 20 and 47 years of age who attended the stomatological clinic of the Universidad Científica del Sur, (2018 to 2019), Lima-Perú. 289 digital panoramic radiographs belonging to individuals of both sexes, aged 20 to 47 years were analyzed. Length and width measurements were obtained in the dental and pulp chamber in the upper central incisors. These data were subsequently evaluated by calculating the proportions between the pulp and root length of the upper central incisor by applying the formula of the method of Kvaal et al. to obtain the accuracy of the method in estimating dental age. Applying the formula of Kvaal et al. indicates that the relationship between the width of the pulp and the length of the root has a higher level of significance in relation to others proportions: M mean value of all ratios except T (-0.659) and W-L difference between W and L (-0.643). The coefficient of determination (r²) and standard error of estimation (SEE) using the original Kvaal formula is r²: 0.70, SEE: 4.90 years, then a modified Kvaal formula was proposed for the Peruvian population. The Method of Kvaal et al. has an accuracy of 1.24 in estimating the dental age of individuals, using the upper central incisor in digital panoramic radiographs.

This paper aimed to present a clinical case presenting an unusual periapical radiolucent lesion, its approach and treatment, and as an element of differential diagnosis in periapical pathology. Foreign body granuloma (FBG) is a tissue reaction that is triggered by the deposit of a foreign material affecting the skin and internal organs that the immune system tries to delimit and, if possible, eliminate. FBG may constitute a complication of a surgical procedure or a new pathology for the patient, which precedes an iatrogenic event causing diagnostic difficulties. This study presented an unusual periapical radiolucent lesion in a male patient with a periapical radiolucent area found in panoramic radiography; the lesion was enucleated, histopathologically confirming an FBG, which was the result of a biomaterial used in surgery for nasal polyps and deviated septum performed years before. This case shows us a very unusual presentation of an FBG within the maxillary bone after surgery for nasal polyps and deviated septum. The appropriate use of the available imaging tools and histopathological study and interpretation is emphasized, to be able to carry out a successful long-term treatment with the lowest chances of recurrence. In addition, an interdisciplinary approach is very important, which leads us to the comprehensive treatment of the patient. The proper use of diagnostic and imaging methods that we currently have, as well as knowledge of differential diagnoses, is essential to successfully diagnose and treat injuries in the maxillofacial area.

To evaluate stress distribution when applying vertical and tangential forces to 1mm thick occlusal veneers with different finish lines preparations, using the finite element method. One extracted third molar was prepared for occlusal veneers, firstly without any bevel. It was scanned in order to design two groups of lithium disilicate (G1A, G2A) and composite resin (G1B, G2B) occlusal veneers. Then, the third molar preparation was modified, beveling the finish line and it was subsequently scanned again to design the occlusal veneer groups with bevel (LD: G3A, G4A and CR: G3B, G4B). The four groups were subjected to different forces (400 N vertical and 900 N tangential). At 400 N, the non-beveled veneers showed slightly higher Von Mises stress values (G1A: 783 MPa and G1B 736.5 MPa) than the beveled veneers (G3A: 685.7 MPa and G3B: 675.8 MPa). However, when 900 N tangential forces were applied, the beveled occlusal veneers showed higher Von Mises stress values (G4A: 4297 MPa and G4B: 4133 MPa) than the non-beveled occlusal veneers (G2A: 2581.1 MPa and G2B: 3519.1 MPa). Furthermore, it was observed that the tissue under the occlusal veneers with bevel showed higher Von Mises stress values than the models without any bevel. Beveled and non-beveled occlusal veneers of lithium disilicate and composite resin presented similar stress distribution values when vertical forces of 400 N were applied; whereas with tangential forces of 900 N applied near to the finish line, the beveled groups presented notably higher stress values than the non-beveled groups. However, both finish line preparations presented adequate values for possible clinical performance.

A successful endodontic treatment requires a combination of satisfactory mechanical instrumentation, adequate irrigation protocols, and three-dimensional obturation of the canal system. Irrigation is considered the most critical procedure to ensure cleaning and disinfection. To date, a large variety of irrigants has been proposed. However, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) remains the gold standard. In order to achieve complete cleaning and disinfection, final irrigation with EDTA and ultrasonic devices has been used as an ideal protocol. Most endodontic research focuses on the cleaning and antibacterial properties of the irrigant solutions. Recent evidence demonstrated that the irrigation protocols cause erosion, affecting the radicular dentin ultrastructure. This article aims to describe the clinical features of the present knowledge concerning the effect of irrigation protocols on radicular dentin.

Fixed Partial Dentures (PPF/FPD) bonded with resin cement are viable alternatives based on the fundamentals of Minimally Invasive Dentistry (MIO). The conservative concept of preserving healthy dental tissue allows planning a minimally invasive restorative approach. Nowadays, remain uncertain how to replace teeth in patients with edentulous spaces that are not suitable for implant placement or with limited economic factors. The current ceramic systems provide greater bond strength to the substrate while offering an optimal aesthetic result. Clinical and laboratory investigations demonstrate the adequate long-term clinical performance of fixed partial dentures bonded with resin cement. The present clinical case will be approached in an even more conservative way, without the unnecessary removal of healthy dental tissue, replacing a tooth with a unitary fixed partial prosthesis in a patient not suitable for the placement of endosseous implants.

.

This study evaluated selected structural and physical properties, such as degree of conversion (DC), Vickers hardness (VHN), and compression strength (CS), of three new dual-cure bulk-fill resin-based composites (RBCs; ACTIVA, HyperFIL, and Fill-Up) and compared them to those of a conventional RBC (Filtek Z250) at three clinically relevant depths. Samples (n=180) were prepared in three depths (2,4, and 6mm). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and VHN and CS tests were performed. The DC value was calculated by considering the relative change in the aliphatic C=C peaks. The fractured surfaces of representative samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were statistically evaluated using two-way analysis of variance and post hoc Bonferroni tests (p<0.05). According to the VHN results, Filtek Z250 showed the highest bottom/top hardness ratio (97.94±1.01) at 2mm thickness and ACTIVA showed the lowest bottom/top hardness ratio (43.48±5.64) at 6mm thickness (p<0.001). According to the FTIR results, the DC decreased with increasing thickness in all materials (p<0.05). Filtek Z250 showed the highest (301±12.4 MPa) and ACTIVA exhibited the lowest (232±17.2 MPa) CS values at 2mm thickness (p<0.05). The lowest CS values were obtained for ACTIVA, and the highest values were obtained for Filtek Z250 for samples with thicknesses of 4 and 6mm, respectively (p<0.05). The structural features of restorative composites, such as the resin chemistry and filler type and content, and the operational parameters (i.e., material thickness and curing conditions) strongly affect crosslinking reactions and thus the DC, VHN, and CS values.

Dentists have a high risk of contracting COVID-19, they needed to be aware of the major challenge that represents the dental practice and COVID-19. Accordingly, this study aimed: 1) to investigate the knowledge of dentists regarding COVID-19, 2) to investigate the attitudes of dentists concerning the use of personal protective equipment and, 3) to investigate the attitudes of dentists on stopping their dental practices in the framework of a contingency plan for the COVID-19 outbreak.  An online cross-sectional survey was applied to dentists (n=822). Dentists in Mexico answered the survey, which was administered before the contingency plan for the COVID-19 outbreak. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics and with a Chi-square test (P≤0.05). Of the respondents, 99% of dentists indicated knowing what COVID-19 is, knowing most, but not all, of its signs and symptoms and knowing its mode of transmission. The 89% of dentists indicated that they always used personal protective equipment. But they did not use always wear face masks, protective eyewear, face shields, disposable gowns, and caps. Dentists were aware of the risk of performing dental procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak. The 90% of dentists indicated that they would treat only patients requiring emergency treatment, and 10% indicated that they would not treat any patients. The dentists had limited knowledge about the COVID-19 disease. They did not use personal protective equipment consistently, and they indicated that they might continue working during the COVID-19 outbreak.