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

Gingival melanosis could affect aesthetics and generate psychological alterations, since it is important in the harmony of the smile. There are several depigmentation techniques to manage this condition, but there is a paucity of literature to guide dentists in choosing the most appropriate technique. Objective: to identify the most effective surgical treatment modality in the depigmentation of gingival melanosis in the light of the best available evidence. Method: A systematic literature review was carried out the electronic search was in the databases: Pubmed / Medline, EBSCO-Host, Cochrane Library, from 2010 to June 2021. Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials, comparative studies, longitudinal clinical studies were included. Results: of 748 studies, only 8 met the selection criteria, most of the studies reported better results in relation to pain and bleeding, in the diode laser technique compared to the electrosurgery, scalpel surgery and cryosurgery methods, 3 studies reported less recurrence with the diode laser technique, in 4 no differences were found and in 1 the recurrence was greater with the method laser. No strong evidence on healing was found when comparing laser treatment and the other techniques. Conclusion: The diode laser is a technique that showed better results in terms of pain and bleeding, the information is not conclusive on healing and recurrence, when comparing the diode laser method and the other surgical techniques.

Introduction: Professional practice in healthcare fields requires the possession of a title accrediting expertise. However, students are occasionally permitted to perform certain interventions on patients under the supervision of an accredited professional within the learning environment. Objective: To identify the necessary requirements of a regulation of clinical practices for the exercise by exception of the human resources in training of the four programs that make up the Faculty of Health of the University of Magdalena. Materials and Methods: Members of the teaching-service committee from the psychology, medicine, nursing, and dentistry programs of the University voluntarily participated. An assessment was conducted for each academic program regarding the delivery of teaching-learning processes, laboratories, and clinical and community formative practice; considering the technical-scientific, ethical, and procedural aspects undertaken by the students. Results: It was found that in the teaching experience within health programs, there is a clear difficulty in defining the type of professional practice imparted in the learning practice scenarios. Conclusion: It can be affirmed that the academic requirements for exceptional exercise in the teaching-service process within health programs have been defined and identified.

The smile is a fundamental factor in society and at a psychological level, as it can generate both trust and insecurity; thus, it is necessary to maintain quality oral health. This study aims to examine the association between social competence related to smiling and body mass index (BMI) among 12-year-old students from different educational institutions through surveys. This cross-sectional study included a population of 458 participants concerning both the social competence of the smile and BMI; however, 32 samples were not included in the latter due to loss in the system. In terms of body mass index, it was found that there is a prevalence of 47.18% of overweight individuals in the institutions, which was not significant concerning social competence related to smiling; however, a slight difference was found regarding sex. The percentage for females was 1.3, while for males it was 0.2. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the previously mentioned topics. It is essential to consider that through smiling, one can perceive how famous a person is, how much social life they have, what degree of empathy they evoke, how friendly one believes they are, and at the end, can appreciate the beauty that this person projects.

Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AH) is a globally prevalent disease that increases the risk of developing serious pathologies, such as heart disease and stroke. Despite available treatments, around 50% of hypertensive patients maintain high blood pressure, partly due to lack of adherence to medical recommendations. Hypertension is often asymptomatic in its early stages and may manifest with signs such as occipital pain, visual disturbances and fatigue. In addition, it can impact oral health, although obvious clinical manifestations are rare. Objective: The purpose of this article is to examine how arterial hypertension affects oral health, identifying associated dental manifestations and highlighting the importance of assessing dental health in hypertensive patients to improve disease management and prevent further complications. Methodology: An exhaustive search was carried out in scientific databases such as PubMed, Elsevier and SciELO, using terms related to arterial hypertension and oral health. Articles published between 2018 and 2024 were included, selecting 15 key articles for analysis. Conclusion: The results indicate that high blood pressure has a significant impact on oral health, manifesting in conditions such as gingival hyperplasia and periodontal problems, associated with poor blood pressure control.

Background: Numerous studies suggest that examining the correlation between condylar position and skeletal pattern is crucial in orthodontics, as this relationship may influence the functionality and stability of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). However, limited research is currently available on this topic. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between condylar position and skeletal pattern in patients from the orthodontic clinic of the Francisco Luis Espinoza Pineda University between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2024. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 109 randomly selected patients (≥16 years) from the clinic’s total patient population. Condylar position was determined by classifying condylar displacement (anterior, centric, or posterior) using CBCT images. Skeletal class was assessed based on the A-B linear distance in the natural head position and categorized into Class I, II, or III. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Pearson and Spearman correlations were performed using SPSS 26. Results: A centric condylar position was observed in 65.1% of patients, anterior in 21.1%, and posterior in 13.8%. Skeletal distribution showed that 57.8% of patients belonged to Class I, 32.1% to Class II, and 10.1% to Class III. No significant correlation was found between condylar position and skeletal class (r = 0.03, p = 0.72), nor were there differences by sex. Conclusion: Condylar position was not significantly associated with skeletal class, suggesting that its variability may depend on individual anatomical factors.

Background: Modern orthodontics emphasizes the importance of classifying facial biotypes to optimize treatment planning, using popular methods such as Ricketts' VERT index and the facial opening angle. Some studies have pointed out potential disagreements between these two methods in biotype classification. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the agreement between the facial biotype classification according to Ricketts' VERT index and the facial opening angle in patients from the orthodontics clinic at Universidad Francisco Luis Espinoza Pineda, between January 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024. Method: In terms of methodology, an observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted with 100 patients. Facial biotypes were determined through cephalometric evaluation using the WebCeph program, calculating the VERT index, and a photographic analysis for the facial opening angle. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS, with Chi-square tests, Pearson and Spearman correlations, linear regression, and the Kappa index. Results: The main results revealed that according to the VERT index, facial biotypes were classified as follows: 8% dolichofacial, 34% mild dolichofacial, 35% mesofacial, 7% brachyfacial, and 16% severe brachyfacial. The facial opening angle identified 34% as dolichofacial and 66% as mesofacial, with no patients classified as brachyfacial. The correlation between both methods was low and not statistically significant (p>0.05), although a significant agreement was observed in men (Kappa=0.365, p<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest discrepancies between the VERT index and the facial opening angle in biotype classification, particularly for brachyfacial patients.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro behavior of microchips implanted in human molars when subjected to high temperatures in order to determine their functional and clinical viability and thus be able to determine if they are a feasible identification method in forensic dentistry. Materials and methods: An experimental in vitro study was carried out, NOT probabilistic for convenience, in which passive RFID (radio frequency identification) microchips were implanted in a sample of 15 dental organs (human molars) by means of a restorative treatment with composite resin (Llis) in class I cavities according to Black's classification and subsequently subjected to high temperatures (100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °) in order to evaluate their functional viability by scanning with a Microchip Reader (VISLONE) and determine if they are a feasible identification method in forensic dentistry. Results: The samples with microchips in class I cavities resisted well at temperatures up to 200 °C, all remaining functional. At temperatures above 300 °C, all samples failed, being unable to function properly after heat treatment. Conclusions: The study found that microchips in human molars performed well at temperatures up to 200 °C, allowing them to be read and encoded. At temperatures of 300 °C or higher, they could not be read, showing their inability to function under high temperatures. This suggests that microchips implanted in human molars are useful for identification in forensic dentistry in cases of burned or charred bodies.

Dental anchorage is a key component in orthodontic treatment, helping to control unwanted tooth movement, including reciprocal, reinforced, stationary, cortical and skeletal anchorage; mini-implants are used as a solution to improve control of tooth movement. Mini-implants, introduced in 1997, offer a stable and mechanical option to reduce dependence on patient cooperation. This work compares stainless steel and titanium mini-implants placed in the buccal shelf of pig jaws to evaluate their deflection under controlled loads. A sample of 20 pig jaws and 40 mini-implants (20 stainless steel and 20 titanium) were used, analyzing the deflection of the implants by precise measurement and the application of a 200 gram load. The results of this study provide information on the viability and effectiveness of mini-implants, specifically regarding their resistance to deflection, which contributes to improving orthodontic practice in terms of accuracy and long-term stability.

Introduction: In the area of ​​endodontics, the choice of instruments for performing root canal treatment arises from the need to know the characteristics of new instruments such as their resistance to fracture, bending and torsion, even more so when the canals are curved, which has led commercial companies to develop a number of files with new techniques and different treatments to improve their performance and efficiency. Objective: The objective of this study was to test the fracture resistance between rotary and reciprocating instruments with heat treatment at different curvatures: 45°, 60° and 90°. Methodology: In vitro, descriptive, comparative experimental research carried out between two types of instruments: rotary, files of Chinese origin, Fanta 25.06 (3 files at 45°, 3 files at 60° and 3 files at 90°) and VDW 25.06 reciprocating files of German origin with heat treatment: Reciproc blue 25.08 and Fanta blue AF R3 25.06 files (3 files at 45°, 3 files at 60° and 3 files at 90°) in a metal gutter of simulated roots at 45°, 60°, and 90° degrees, was made from 36 Nickel-Titanium files mentioned above. To compare the fracture resistance with the use of an X-Smart Plus motor, obtaining data on the time at which the instrument fractured, revolutions per minute and the area in which the file fractured. The Kruskall Wallis test was used for comparisons, with a 95% confidence level and processed using the BioEstat statistical program version 5.3.

Introduction: Behavior management in children is essential for effective dental treatment, especially in uncooperative children. Pediatric dentistry uses principles of behaviorism to modify behaviors by adapting the environment. In addition, fear of dental procedures is a significant barrier, so it is crucial to implement behavioral management techniques to promote child cooperation and prevent serious long-term problems. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore preventive alternatives and educational strategies in pediatric dentistry, focused on children's oral health. Methodology: A review of scientific articles obtained from databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, and SciELO, published between 2020 and 2024, was carried out. Results: Adequate management of children's oral health requires preventive strategies, such as the use of fluoride, dental sealants, and oral hygiene techniques from an early age. Parental education is crucial, since their involvement in the dental health routine influences the adoption of good habits. In addition, the management of childhood anxiety in dental consultations is essential, using non-pharmacological techniques such as music therapy and relaxation, together with conventional methods that encourage the child's cooperation. Regular visits to the pediatric dentist are essential to prevent problems and ensure optimal oral health. Conclusion: Our results highlight that preventive strategies, such as the use of sealants, fluoride varnish, and oral hygiene education, are essential to avoid oral problems in childhood.