Capacidade terapêutica da fitoterapia na odontologia: uma análise abrangente das proteínas antimicrobianas, anti-inflamatórias e reparadoras / Therapeutic capacity of phytotherapy in dentistry: a comprehensive analysis of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and reparative properties

Introdução: A fitoterapia se baseia na utilização de plantas medicinais, através de diferentes formulações farmacêuticas com fins terapêuticos. Na Odontologia, os fitoterápicos têm sido alvo de estudos, devido suas propriedades benéficas, além de apresentarem biocompatibilidade, baixo custo e fácil acesso. Objetivo: Realizar um levantamento na literatura científica sobre a utilização da fitoterapia na Odontologia, com vistas aos efeitos antimicrobiano, anti-inflamatório e reparador. Material e Métodos: A busca ocorreu entre fevereiro a julho/2023, nas bases PubMed e LILACS, além de livre busca, cruzando-se os descritores "Phytotherapy", "Dentistry", "Anti-inflamatory Agents", "Anti-Infective Agents", "Wound Healing", "Fitoterapia", "Odontologia", "Anti-inflamatório", "Antimicrobiano" e "Cicatrização". Após leitura inicial, seguida da análise crítica com aplicação dos critérios estabelecidos, foram selecionadas 50 referências. Desenvolvimento: Diversas plantas são empregadas sob a forma de fitoterapia, como Aloe vera (babosa), Matricaria recutita (camomila), Copaifera (copaíba), Punica granatum (romã), Uncaria tomentosa (unha-de-gato), Malva sylvestris (malva), Althaea officinalis (malvaísco), Myracrodruon urundeuva (Aroeira), Lippia sidoides (Alecrim pimenta) e Glycyrrhiza glabra (Alcaçuz). Na Odontologia, pesquisas evidenciaram resultados satisfatórios para o tratamento de afecções da cavidade oral, especialmente com caráter inflamatório e infeccioso, além de aclerar a cicatrização. Esses achados apontam que a fitoterapia é um tratamento eficaz, acessível e com mínimos efeitos colaterais. Considerações finais: Com base na literatura revisada, a fitoterapia parece ser uma alternativa promissora no tratamento de afecções orais, devido aos seus notáveis efeitos cicatrizantes, antimicrobianos e anti-inflamatórios. Contudo, mais pesquisas com metodologias adequadas são necessárias para que se estabeleçam protocolos clínicos seguros e eficazes.

Introduction: Phytotherapy is based on the use of medicinal plants through different pharmaceutical formulations for therapeutic purposes. In Dentistry, phytotherapeutics have been the subject of studies due to their beneficial properties, as well as their biocompatibility, low cost, and easy accessibility. Objective: To conduct a literature review on the use of phytotherapy in Dentistry, focusing on antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and reparative effects. Materials and Methods: The search took place between February and July 2023, using PubMed and LILACS databases, in addition to a free search, crossing the descriptors "Phytotherapy," "Dentistry," "Anti-inflammatory Agents," "Anti-Infective Agents," "Wound Healing," "Fitoterapia," "Odontologia," "Anti-inflammatory," "Antimicrobial," and "Cicatrização." After an initial reading, followed by critical analysis with the application of established criteria, 50 references were selected. Development: Various plants are employed in phytotherapy, such as Aloe vera (aloe), Matricaria recutita (chamomile), Copaifera (copaiba), Punica granatum (pomegranate), Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw), Malva sylvestris (mallow), Althaea officinalis (marshmallow), Myracrodruon urundeuva (Brazilian copaiba), Lippia sidoides (rosemary pepper), and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice). In Dentistry, research has shown satisfactory results for the treatment of oral cavity conditions, especially those with inflammatory and infectious characteristics, as well as accelerating healing. These findings suggest that phytotherapy is an effective, accessible treatment with minimal side effects. Final considerations: Based on the reviewed literature, phytotherapy appears to be a promising alternative in the treatment of oral conditions due to its notable healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, more research with appropriate methodologies is necessary to establish safe and effective clinical protocols.

O emprego da moldagem digital na prática odontológica - relato de caso / The use of digital molding in dental practice ­ case report

O avanço da tecnologia de digitalização de imagens e desenvolvimento de dispositivos de fresagem possibilitaram a otimização de diversos processos na Odontologia. O emprego do escaneamento intraoral e do sistema CAD-CAM (CAD - Computer Aided Design; CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing) aprimorou a realização de reabilitações protéticas, permitindo a obtenção de peças de alta qualidade em tempo reduzido. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar um caso de reabilitação de um incisivo central inferior a partir de escaneamento intraoral, com scanner Omnicam (DentsplySirona Charlotte, NC, EUA) e aplicação do sistema CAD-CAM.

The advancement of image digitization technology and the development of milling devices have made it possible to optimize various processes in Dentistry. The use of intraoral scanning and the CAD-CAM system (CAD - Computer Aided Design; CAM - Computer Aided Manufacturing) has improved the performance of prosthetic rehabilitations, allowing the obtaining of high quality parts in a reduced time. The objective of this work is to report a case of rehabilitation of a lower central incisor using intraoral scanning, with an Omnicam scanner (Dentsply Sirona) and application of the CAD-CAM system.

Insights and networks: methodological assessment and scientometric analysis of economic evaluations in dentistry.

INTRODUCTION: Assessing the methodological quality of economic evaluations (EEs) is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. The study aimed to evaluate EEs in restorative dentistry and endodontics, while also analyzing the scientific landscape of researchers and publications through co-authorship and citation network analysis providing an insight into the distribution of scientific expertise. METHODOLOGY: A systematic search for relevant articles from 2012 to 2022 was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO. The ten-point Drummond checklist was used to appraise the methodological quality of included studies. Bibliometric data for network analysis were extracted from the Dimensions database and visualized using VOSviewer software. RESULTS: Of the 37 articles, 81.08% scored good, 16.21% average, and 2.7% poor on the methodological rating scale. Most of the included studies were in Q1 journals, with limited representation in Q2 and Q3 journals. Compliance was highest in Q2 journals (95%), followed by Q1 (88.36%), while it dropped to 40% for Q3 journals. Co-authorship analysis revealed a dense network of researchers, with Prof. Falk Schwendicke V. having a significant influence. Moreover, the Journal of Dentistry had the highest impact, followed by Journal of Endodontics and BMC Oral Health. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a diverse scientific landscape, participation from developing countries was limited emphasizing the need for inclusivity and diversity in the scientific network. While the quantity of good-quality studies was encouraging, the overall quality of evidence remains paramount for decision-making in healthcare policy and practice. Therefore, continuous efforts to improve methodological rigor and reporting practices are essential to contribute robust evidence.

Do authors of systematic reviews of epidemiological observational studies assess the methodologies of the included primary studies? An empirical examination of methodological tool use in the literature.

BACKGROUND: The procedures used to assess the methodological quality and risk of bias (RoB) of systematic reviews of observational dental studies have not been investigated. The purpose of this research was to examine the way that authors of systematic reviews of epidemiological observational studies published in dentistry conducted the methodological assessment of those primary studies. In the present article, we aimed to assess the characteristics and the level of reporting of tools used to assess the methodologies of these reviews. METHODS: We searched Scopus and the Web of Science from their inceptions to June 2023 for systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies published in dentistry. Document selection and data extraction were performed in duplicate and independently by two authors. In a random sample of 10% of the systematic reviews, there was an agreement of more than 80% between the reviewers; data selection and extraction were conducted in the remaining 90% of the sample by one author. Data on the article and systematic review characteristics were extracted and recorded for descriptive reporting. RESULTS: The search in the two databases resulted in the inclusion of 3,214 potential documents. After the elimination of duplicates and the application of the eligibility criteria, a total of 399 systematic reviews were identified and included. A total of 368 systematic reviews reported a methodological tool, of which 102 used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Additionally, 76 systematic reviews stated the use of a modified methodological tool. Information about the approach of assessing the methodological quality or RoB of primary studies but reporting no tool or tool name occurred in 25 reviews. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of authors of systematic reviews of epidemiological observational studies published in dentistry reported the tools used to assess the methodological quality or RoB of the included primary studies. Modifying existing tools to meet the individual characteristics of various studies should be considered.

Extracellular vesicles as therapeutic tools in regenerative dentistry.

Dental and maxillofacial diseases are always accompanied by complicated hard and soft tissue defects, involving bone, teeth, blood vessels and nerves, which are difficult to repair and severely affect the life quality of patients. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by all types of cells and extracted from body fluids have gained more attention as potential solutions for tissue regeneration due to their special physiological characteristics and intrinsic signaling molecules. Compared to stem cells, EVs present lower immunogenicity and tumorigenicity, cause fewer ethical problems, and have higher stability. Thus, EV therapy may have a broad clinical application in regenerative dentistry. Herein, we reviewed the currently available literature regarding the functional roles of EVs in oral and maxillofacial tissue regeneration, including in maxilla and mandible bone, periodontal tissues, temporomandibular joint cartilage, dental hard tissues, peripheral nerves and soft tissues. We also summarized the underlying mechanisms of actions of EVs and their delivery strategies for dental tissue regeneration. This review would provide helpful guidelines and valuable insights into the emerging potential of EVs in future research and clinical applications in regenerative dentistry.

A scoping review of patient safety checklists in dentistry.

OBJECTIVES: Not much is known about safety checklists use in dentistry. We aim to examine, assess, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the current knowledge concerning the use of checklists to improve patient safety in dentistry. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search using Medline and Embase for studies that use or describe the development of dental patient safety checklists. All study designs were included for citations published through December 2023. RESULTS: Following abstract and full-text screening, 27 studies remained for data extraction and analysis. Oral surgery emerged as the main dental specialty where the utilization and evaluation of checklists were primarily concentrated (n = 15). The majority of the included studies described either checklist development, their implementation, or both (n = 18). Only 6 studies assessed the effectiveness of checklists in improving patient safety outcomes. Of the effectiveness studies, five found a decrease in incidents and dental adverse events, along with an improvement in patient care and safety, associated with the use of checklists. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review highlights the limited current knowledge regarding checklist use and effectiveness in reducing adverse events across dental practices; it demonstrates the need on how to best guide the profession towards implementing this important evidence-based patient safety tool. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Checklists are effective tools to improve patient safety and have become integral to medical practice. Dentistry can also benefit from these tools to improve patient safety.

Postural Risks in Dental Practice: An Assessment of Musculoskeletal Health.

In recent years, Romania's stomatology private practice sector has seen substantial growth, with many dentists fully committing to building and expanding their own practices, often funded by their personal income. This study aimed to explore how various postures affect the muscle groups of dentists (380), particularly focusing on identifying positions that may jeopardize their musculoskeletal health. A group of dentists effectively participated in this study (10), adhering to their regular work routines while wearing wearable sensors on their backs to monitor posture and activity. The data gathered from these sensors were analyzed using the RULA (rapid upper-limb assessment) and REBA (rapid entire-body assessment) tools. The findings indicated that the head and shoulder movements during dental procedures involved considerable and repetitive angular shifts, which could strain the neck and back muscles and heighten the risk of musculoskeletal problems. Additionally, the standing postures adopted by the dentists were associated with an increased risk of postural issues and greater overall fatigue. Extended periods of trunk and head tilting were also identified as contributing factors to posture-related challenges.

Editors-in-chief publishing in dental journals: Concerns in self-publishing.

Editors-in-chief (EICs) have a significant amount of control over the publications that are accepted in their journals, which may result in ethical predicaments. This study investigates the potential conflict of interest of EICs from various dental journals by quantifying the number of their self-published articles during their years as EIC. Based on representation across many dental disciplines and high impact factors, 67 EICs from 19 dental journals during 1990-2023 were studied. To keep anonymity, each journal was randomly assigned a letter A-S and each editor-in-chief (EIC) was given the same letter as their journal with a random number 1-67. After gathering the years each EIC served, online library resources were searched to enumerate each EIC's lifetime publications and total self-publications during their term, excluding editorials for both counts. Descriptive statistics were performed to evaluate the results. The results indicate that 16 EICs self-published more than the average of 23.27 articles during their term. When considering EIC tenure, a ratio of self-publications per year was calculated, averaging 2.12 publications. Twenty-two EICs authored more articles annually than the average ratio. After calculating the impact factors of each EIC from the years they serviced their journal, a total of 22 impact factors exceeded the established mean of 2.45. Lastly, when comparing the percentage of self-publications from total lifetime publications, 24 of 67 EICs were above the average. Overall, a significantly increased number of self-publications was detected, presenting potential conflicts of interest for EICs. Therefore, it remains essential to develop clear guidelines and international standards regarding the practice of EICs self-publishing in their journals during their service term.

The Effect of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Other Emerging Infections on Dentistry.

The appearance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other emerging infections has significantly impacted the field of dentistry, leading to widespread changes in practices and protocols. This has included the implementation of strict infection control measures, such as meticulous use of personal protective equipment, minimizing aerosol-generating procedures, and the adoption of teledentistry to reduce in-person contact. To date, the complete impact of delays in dental care caused by lockdowns has yet to be determined. The challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic have propelled innovation, shaping a new era of dentistry focused on safety against novel and re-emerging infections.