Dental Age Estimation Using Multiphoton Microscopy: A Potential Tool for Forensic Science.

Normal aging affects the different structures of teeth, in particular, the dentine. These changes are useful in forensic disciplines as a tool for age estimation. Although multiphoton (MP) microscopy has been used to explore dental pieces, a relationship between age and MP response of the human dentine has not been proposed yet. The relationship between MP signals and natural dentine aging is investigated herein. An index of age (INAG) combining two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) images has been used to quantify these changes. The results show that the INAG significantly decreases with age. Moreover, peritubular dentine size and collagen internal properties are also modified with age. This information confirms the usefulness of this technique in forensic age estimation after disasters (natural or manmade) with a lack of comprehensive fingerprint database. Courts and other government authorities might also benefit from this tool when the official age of individuals under special circumstances is required for legal or medical reasons.

Galvanic current dosage and bacterial concentration are determinants of the bactericidal effect of percutaneous needle electrolysis: an in vitro study.

Percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) is a physiotherapy technique that has been shown to be effective in different pathologies such as tendinopathies or mammary fistula. For many years, theoretical bactericidal and germicidal effects have been attributed to this type of galvanic currents, partly explained by the changes in pH that it generates. However, these effects have not yet been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect and the changes in pH caused by PNE. S. aureus were prepared in two different solutions (TSB and saline solution) and in different concentrations (from 9 to 6 Log10 CFU/mL). Bacteria were treated with three experimental PNE doses to assess bacterial death levels and the changes caused to the pH of the medium. The viable cell count showed that all experimental PNE doses had a bactericidal effect against a high concentration (9 Log10 CFU/mL) of S. aureus in saline solution (p < 0.001). Furthermore, we found that when the concentration of bacteria decreased, a lower dose of galvanic current generated the same effect as a higher dose. Changes in pH were registered only in experiments performed with saline solution. PNE had a bactericidal effect against S. aureus and the level of this effect was mainly modulated by the solution, the bacterial concentration and the dose. Changes affecting pH were modulated by the type of solution and there was no relationship between this and bacterial death.

Aging and trace elements in human coronal tooth dentine.

Teeth are a fundamental tool in forensic odontology for identification in a legal context of those individuals who cannot be identified visually or by other means. Dentine presents physiological exchanges of in trace elements after a period of mineralization and several factors can affect its concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of 25 trace elements in the coronal dentine according to sex and type of tooth to determine their relationship with age. A total of 25 trace elements were analyzed in 150 human coronal dentine. Teeth were classified into three age groups, sex and tooth type. The trace elements were grouped as potentially toxic or essential. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and Atomic Emission Spectroscopy were used. The toxic and essential elements were detected in the following order of concentration: Al > Pb > Sn > Li > As > Cd and Ca > P > Mg > Na > S > K > Sr > Zn > Ba > Fe > B > Ti > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Co > Se > V. Our findings show an increase in the concentration of toxic (Pb, Li and Sn) and essential (B, Ba, K, Sr, S and Mg) elements in coronal dentin related to the age of the teeth, regardless of sex. The concentrations of Pb and K in dentin of molars and premolars are the elements that best relate their variations with age. In view of our results, the analysis of these trace elements in dentin in combination with other types of techniques could be established as an element to consider in age dating studies in different forensic situations.

Validity and Reliability of a New Optoelectronic System for Measuring Active Range of Motion of Upper Limb Joints in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Subjects.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Veloflex infrared dynamic angle-meter (Veloflex-IDA) and the intra- and inter-rater reliability when measuring the ranges of motion (ROMs) of the upper limb joints. Thirty-five healthy and 20 symptomatic participants were evaluated. Twelve upper limb movements were measured in two sessions with the Veloflex-IDA, which is a device composed of a camera that tracks the trajectory of retro-reflective markers. In addition, a goniometer was used in the first session to evaluate concurrent validity. Validity and agreement were evaluated by Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and Bland-Altmann plots. Intra- and inter-rater reliability were evaluated using intra-class correlation (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). Both instruments showed excellent correlation for all movements (r range from 0.992 to 0.999). The intra- and inter-rater reliability were excellent (ICC range from 0.95 to 0.99 and 0.90 to 0.98, respectively). Intra-rater reliability showed SEMs <1.38% and <5.19% and inter-rater reliability SEMs <2.26% and <5.22% for asymptomatic and symptomatic, respectively. Veloflex-IDA is a valid and reliable alternative to measure the upper limb joints' ROM and it can be used in clinical practice and research after basic training.

Effect of different ergonomic supports on muscle activity of dentists during posterior composite restoration.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different ergonomic supports on the muscle activity of two trunk muscles while a group of dentists performed a common dental procedure on a phantom head, divided into three tasks. METHODS: A one-way repeated measures study (ANOVA) was conducted on a group of 36 dentists. The middle trapezius and lumbar erector spinae muscles were measured with and without the use of different ergonomic supports (ergonomic stool, magnification lenses and both) using a portable surface electromyography (sEMG) device. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the absolute standard error of measurement (SEM) were used to establish the reliability of the baseline measures without ergonomic supports. RESULTS: The sEMG showed excellent ICCs (ranging from 0.92 to 0.99) and SEM. Bonferroni post hoc tests showed differences between the three ergonomic supports (p < 0.001) in both muscles studied. The lowest muscle activity measurement occurred with the isolated used of magnification lenses. The use of the ergonomic stool increased the muscle activity of the middle trapezius and lumbar erector spinae muscles to a greater extent than the magnification lenses. The combination of the ergonomic stool and the magnification lenses produced a different effect on each muscle.

The Combination of Different Ergonomic Supports during Dental Procedures Reduces the Muscle Activity of the Neck and Shoulder.

Ergonomic supports have become popular for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of different ergonomic supports and their combination to reduce muscle activity of the neck and shoulder muscles. A one-way repeated measures design was used to evaluate 36 practicing dentists while they performed three posterior composite restoration procedures on a phantom head. Portable surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings were used to measure the muscle activity of three muscles (Upper Trapezius, Lateral Deltoid and Anterior Deltoid) in the dominant upper extremity, with and without the use of different ergonomic supports (ergonomic stool, magnification lenses and both) during the performance of these tasks. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used. The muscle activity of all muscles differed significantly across the four ergonomic conditions during the three tasks. The use of ergonomic supports such as magnification lenses, the ergonomic stool, or the combination of both, is effective for decreasing the muscle activity of the three muscles during the three tasks, when compared to standard practice. In addition, the decrease of muscle activity was higher using magnification lenses when compared to the ergonomic stool. Furthermore, the greatest decrease was found with the combination of both supports.

The role of a professional dental organization in the resolution of malpractice claims the professional dentist college in the region of Murcia (Spain).

The aim of this paper is to study the role of a professional dental organization in the resolution of malpractice claims in Murcia (southeast of Spain). We analysed all the claims presented to the College of Dentists during the last sixteen years (n = 84). Professional behaviour was demonstrated as adequate in 29 cases and as malpractice in 55 (32 cases were considered technically correct but with information failures and in 23 cases technical errors were observed). The written informed consent was absent in 40 cases, although information was supplied verbally in 30 cases of the 40. The distribution of the dental interventions performed in the claim cases was: surgery, 20 cases (23.80%), prosthetic, 36 cases (42.85%) and endodontic, 28 cases (33.33%). Only in 22 cases (26.19%) was a final agreement reached between the parties. The Dental College could improve these results, acting as a real arbitral court and minimizing the problems for professionals and the claimers.

Informed consent in dental malpractice claims. A retrospective study.

With the introduction of informed consent in dental practice in Spain during the last ten years activity has been focused on avoiding complaints rather than on giving adequate information to the patient. However, in the eyes of many professionals the document by which patients accept the cost or estimated charge of treatment is the equivalent of informed consent. Although Spanish law permits verbal consent in some cases (low risk therapeutic activities), some dentists interpret this law in a very broad way. The aim of this paper was to study the fulfilment of informed consent in relation to professional malpractice claims presented to the College of Dentists of the province of Murcia, south east Spain (regional professional association) during the last twelve years (n=52). Evaluation of the complaints pointed to adequate professional behaviour in 14 cases and malpractice in 38 cases (in 29 of which the treatment applied was technically correct but with inadequate information provided during the process, while nine cases represented technical errors). The written document of informed consent was absent in 40 cases, although the verbal information supplied was considered adequate in 14 cases. When the document of informed consent was present (12 cases) it was considered unsuitable, although adequately complemented by oral information.