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

Three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has an important role in the detection of vertical root fractures (VRFs). The effect of artifact generation by high-density objects like dental implants on image quality was well documented. This study aimed to assess the effect of tooth-implant distance and the application of metal artifact reduction (MAR) algorithm on the detection of VRFs on CBCT scans. This study was conducted on 20 endodontically treated single-rooted teeth. VRFs were induced in 10 teeth, while the other 10 remained intact. The implant was inserted in the right second premolar socket area, and two teeth were inserted in right canine and right first premolar sockets area randomly and underwent CBCT with and without the application of MAR algorithm. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the results (alpha=0.05). According to the findings of this study, all four variables of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive predictive values in diagnosis were higher in cases without MAR software at both close(roots in first premolar sockets) and far distances (roots in canine sockets) from the implant. However, the highest rate of diagnosis accuracy of the first and second radiologists was in the far distance group from the implant without MAR, and the lowest rate of diagnosis accuracy in the first and second radiologists was in the close distance to the implant. Applying MAR algorithm had no positive effect on detection of VRFs on CBCT scans in both close and distant scenarios.

We determine periodontal pathogens in periodontal pockets from pregnant women with periodontitis and associate it to the C reactive protein (CRP), nitrates, immunoglobulin A and G (Ig A and G), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in saliva to identify some biomarkers as tools to predict the periodontal status from pregnant. The samples were obtained from periodontal pockets and saliva from 100 pregnant women (PW) and 50 non-pregnant women (NPW). Every patient was evaluated by: 1) probing depth (PD) and loss of clinical attachment level (CAL); 2) in saliva; CRP, MPO, Ig A and G) and nitrite concentrations, 3) in periodontal pockets: P.gingivalis, T.forsythia, T.denticola, P.intermedia, A.actinomycetemcomitans. InfoStat/P 2008 software was used with a p-value <0.05. Clinical parameters showed stages I and II of PD in both groups. P.intermedia and A.actinomycetemcomitans were observed only in periodontal pockets from PW. The CAL was higher in pregnant of the 3rd trimester than in the other stages and was associated with low levels of IgA and the presence of P.intermedia and T. forsythia in the same trimester. The levels of IgA in saliva would reflect the immunological situation in pregnant women. This could be used to monitor the immune status of the gingival tissues during pregnancy.

The aim of this experimental study was to determine the effect of photobiomodulation therapy on bone repair in a rat tibia osteotomy model at 15 and 30 days. The sample consisted of 36 male Holtzman rats that were randomized into 6 equal groups. Groups A1 and A2: osteotomy + 1 J laser energy. Groups B1 and B2: osteotomy + 3 J laser energy. Groups C1 and C2 (controls): osteotomy only. The bone repair was analyzed by histological evaluation of osteoblasts and osteocytes both at 15 days (groups A1, B1, and C1) and at 30 days (groups A2, B2, and C2). Within the results, in all groups a greater number of osteoblasts was found at 15 days vs 30 days (p<0.05), and a greater number of osteocytes in B1 and C2 vs B2 and C1, respectively (p<0.05). When evaluating the 3 groups worked up to 15 days, more osteoblasts were found in A1 and C1 vs B1 (p<0.001); and osteocytes predominated in A1 and B1 vs C1 (p<0.001). At 30 days there was a greater quantity of osteoblasts in C2 vs A2 and B2 (p<0.05) and of osteocytes in C2 vs B2 (p<0.05). It is concluded that 1 J photobiomodulation therapy improved bone repair at 15 days; however, this improvement was not observed at 30 days because there were no differences between the irradiated groups and the control.

The purpose of this study was to compare the average distances from the root apices of the first molars, second molars, and second premolars to the mandibular canal according to sex in the Peruvian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Eighty CBCT scans of Peruvian patients aged from 15-80 years were examined. After locating the mandibular canal, measurements of the vertical distances from the mandibular canal to the apices of the second premolars, as well as the first molars and second molars, were made. For the statistical analysis, Student’s t test was used for both paired and unpaired samples, with a significance level of p<0.05. On the right side, the second molar presented a mean distance of 3.99mm for males and 2.87mm for females, showing a significant difference (p<0.05). When compared bilaterally, no significant differences were found (p>0.05) between the distances from the apices of the second premolars and the first and second molars to the mandibular canal. However, for the second premolars and second molars on the left side, the values were higher, with averages of 5.52mm and 3.75mm, respectively.The mesial roots of the second molars were closer to the mandibular canal. In addition, women showed shorter distances than men.

People with cognitive disabilities face multiple challenges concerning oral health and frequently show oral tissue decay because of the barriers society imposes upon them, and due to financial issues, professional and family lack of knowledge, limitations regarding access to services, lack of empowering-driven actions, among others. Positive knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding oral health, developed during the course of a lifetime, help in preserving good health. The aim of the current study is to describe oral health knowledge, attitudes and practices in people with cognitive disabilities participating in the Institutional Program for the Inclusion of People with Cognitive Disabilities in Higher Education at the University of Costa Rica (PROIN, in Spanish), during 2021. A descriptive study with mixed focus was performed; a representative sample comprised of 86 students enrolled in PROIN was used for the quantitative approach, while the qualitative approach used a criteria sample along with an opinion sample, limiting size due to information overload. The survey, along with its corresponding questionnaire and the semi-structured interview, were used as data gathering techniques. It was evidenced that certain issues need to be readdressed, such as bleeding gums, the importance of preserving dental pieces, as well, the practice of flossing, which many students expressed difficulties doing. Good attitudes were found, such as dentist visits; however, access barriers for this population must be overthrown. This article showed the importance of training professionals in disabilities as well as developing oral health promotion programs aimed at people with cognitive disabilities.

Dental age estimation is very important for individual identification in criminal and civil forensic investigations. One of the methods for age estimation is studying age related changes in pulp volume of teeth. The objective of the current study was to estimate dental age from the pulp volume of five different categories of teeth of a Peruvian sample using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Retrospective CBCT records of 231 patients [females (134), males (97), age: 12-60 years]  were included in the study, categorized into five different age groups (12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 years and older). Dental pulp volume of five categories of teeth(upper canines, left upper central incisors, left upper first molars, lower left first premolars, first molars) were analyzed using Romexis® 5.3.3.5 software for each patient. There was a reduction in the pulp volume of upper right and left canine with age. The pulp volume was lowest in people aged 60 years and over. Linear regression analysis of the pulp volume and chronological age showed a coefficient of determination of 30%, suggesting a weak correlation. A weak correlation between dental pulp and age is derived. But, a robust large homogenous sample of teeth in future for different age groups may establish a reliable regression equation.

To compare the physicochemical composition of 4 MTAs commercially available in Latin America. ProRoot MTA (Dentsply, USA), MTA Angelus (Angelus, Brazil), MTA Flow (Ultradent, USA), and MTA Viarden (Viarden, Mexico) were physically and chemically compared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were obtained from the MTA powder and the prepared presentations. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were performed by triplicate, to calculate the mass proportion of calcium (Ca), silicon (Si), the Ca/Si proportion among the 4 brands. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) were conducted (50ºC-1000ºC), and mass loss and inflection points were calculated for each material. Statistical differences for Ca and Si content were determined by ANOVA (p<0.05). SEM images showed evident differences in the appearance of both the powder and the prepared MTAs among brands. Angelus MTA showed cubic prisms not observed in the other 3 brands. ProRoot MTA and MTA Flow showed similar homogeneous structures. MTA Viarden was the less homogeneous, with random structures (>15um). When comparing the mass proportions of Ca and Si between the 4 powder samples, MTA Viarden showed a significantly lower proportions of both elements when compared with the other brands (p<0.005). TGA analysis showed a similar behavior for ProRoot MTA, MTA Angelus and MTA Flow, with less than 2% mass loss when the 1000C temperature was reached. MTA Viarden showed a mass loss of 9,94% before the 700C, indicating the presence of different content sensible to temperature degradation. The analyzed MTAs demonstrated to vary significantly in their chemical composition and physical characteristics. Clinicians must be aware of the differences between different brands of a same material, and future research should focus on the clinical implications of these differences.

The objective of this research was to determine the degree of satisfaction of dental service users in some clinical externships at the Faculty of Dentistry from the University of Costa Rica during the year 2022, through the application of a modification of the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire. The sample population consisted of 396 patients and/or legal guardians who attended during May and June of this year at the “Rotación Clínica Comunitaria Palmares,” “Rotación Sede del Atlántico (Turrialba-Guápiles),” “Rotación en Externado Clínico Recinto Paraíso”, “Rotación Clínica del Externado de San Ramón” and “Rotación Comunitaria del curso externado clínico en la Clínica Dental del Recinto de Grecia.”  An instrument was applied, physically or digitally, which included DSQ questions and sociodemographic data. Descriptive analysis of all variables was performed. To establish whether there was an association between sociodemographic variables and DSQ, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and the post-hoc Bonferroni test were implemented. The response rate was 49.32%; participants indicated satisfaction with the dental service. There was a statistically significant difference not only between the variable of sex and availability, but also between the domains (satisfaction, access, pain management, availability and quality) and the different externships. The study population is satisfied with the dental service received; however, there are significant differences in the DSQ domains and each externship.

To evaluate the accuracy of complete arch scanning with multiple implant titanium scan bodies using laboratory scanners. A master model of an edentulous maxillary arch with 6 implants was fabricated. Titanium scan bodies were inserted into the model. Three laboratory scanners were used: D2000 (3Shape), Vinyl High Resolution (Smart Optics), and inEos X5 (Dentsply Sirona). The master model was consecutively scanned ten times using dental laboratory scanners (LS) without detaching and repositioning the scan bodies. Linear and angular accuracy between adjacent implants was measured using inspection software (Control X, Geomagic). The accuracy of the complete arch scans was calculated. Implant regions were defined as; parallel (R1: #24-26 and #16-14), angled (R2: #22-24 and #14-12), angled to occlusal plane (R3: #12-22), and cross-arch (R4: #16-26). The effect of LS and implant region on accuracy was compared using two-Way ANOVA (α=0.05). Significant greater linear distortion was noted in R4 (61.2±17.9µm) compared to R1 (23.4±15.5µm) and R2 (26±17.7µm) (p<0.01). Greater linear distortions were noted in R4 with D2000 (0.07±0.016 degrees) and Vinyl High Resolution (0.067±0.02 degrees) than inEos X5 (0.032±0.021 degrees) (p>0.05). Greater mean linear precisions were noted in R1 (9±8µm) and R3 (9.3±8.3µm) than R4 (12.6±10.3µm) (p<0.05). The highest linear precision was noted in D2000 (7.2±7.6µm) (p<0.05). The angular precision of D2000 (0.02±0.015 degrees) was the highest (p<0.01). The angular precision of R4 (0.036±0.018 degrees) was the lowest (p<0.01). This study revealed that the trueness was affected by the implant region and the precision was affected by both LS and implant region.

The use of ionizing radiation is legally regulated by health authorities due to the risk of harmful effects on patients and occupationally exposed personnel. In dentistry, the possible risk is carcinogenesis, being essential to know and apply radiological protection, in order to reduce this risk. There are few investigations on the level of knowledge of dental students in radiation protection, and none carried out in Central America. Questionnaires are a tool to determine this information; however, during their development, validation is essential, allowing the instrument to be used at different times or populations. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the knowledge in radiation protection of undergraduate and postgraduate students in dentistry. A questionnaire on radiological protection was built based on literature and national legislation. For its validation, the pre-test was carried out in two stages: content review through the judgment of 6 experts, and application to a small sample of students. Once modified according to the pre-test, the questionnaire was applied to 62 students - who did not participate in the pre-test -. Content validity was assessed using Aiken's V coefficient in the first stage of the pre-test. Reproducibility was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and reliability using Cronbach's alpha. An Aiken V coefficient of 0.95 was obtained, an ICC between 0.697 and 0.729 and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.727. The questionnaire developed is a valid instrument to evaluate the knowledge in radiological protection of undergraduate and postgraduate students in dentistry. This instrument will strengthen and improve the training of dental undergraduate and postgraduate students in radiological protection.