Cepillos interdentales, de la teoría a la práctica. Revisión de literatura e indicaciones clínicas / Interdental toothbrushes, from theory to practice: a review of the literature and clinical indications

Los cepillos interproximales son una herramienta de higiene interdental que tiene variadas indicaciones y múltiples beneficios. Pacientes con enfermedad periodontal, con papilas que no llenan el espacio interdentario, portadores de aparatología ortodóncica, prótesis fija o de implantes entre otros casos, pueden beneficiarse con su utilización. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo dar una orientación de su uso clínico basado en la evidencia científica disponible. Los resultados apoyan su utilización en combinación con el hilo dental para la prevención y tratamiento de las enfermedades bucales más prevalentes, con un efecto marcado sobre el control del biofilm y la inflamación gingival (AU)

Interproximal brushes are an interdental hygiene tool with diverse indications that have, multiple benefits. Among other uses, they are indicated in patients with periodontal disease, with papillae that do not fill the interdental space, patients with orthodontic appliances, fixed prosthesis or implant-supported prosthesis. The aim of this article is provide guidance on their clinical use based on the available evidence. The results support their use in combination with dental floss for preventing and treating the most prevalent oral diseases, with a significant effect on biofilm control and gingival inflammation (AU)

Autocuidado de las encías y salud periodontal / Autocuidado das gengivas e saúde periodontal / Self-care of the gingiva and periodontal health

Introducción: en Cuba se prioriza la atención a la salud bucal, la que está determinada por diferentes factores, entre los que prevalece la incidencia de la enfermedad periodontal que hoy se reconoce como problema de salud, pues daña el bienestar biopsicosocial del individuo. Objetivo: brindar a los estomatólogos las bases teóricas que le permitan enriquecer su preparación respecto al tema enfermedad periodontal y de esta manera mejorar su contribución a su prevención desde el nivel de atención primaria a la salud bucal. Método: se sistematizaron los referentes relacionados con la enfermedad periodontal en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Guantánamo, en el período de enero a julio de 2017. Resultados: el primer estadío de la enfermedad periodontal se conoce como gingivitis. La enfermedad periodontal incide hasta en un 20 % de la población mundial. El cuidado de las encías para la prevención de la enfermedad periodontal requiere que el individuo se apropie de los saberes esenciales que le posibiliten esta finalidad, a fin de que sean capaces de percibir el riesgo de ella y contribuir con las acciones dirigidas a la protección o restauración de la salud periodontal. Conclusiones: se ofrecen bases teóricas para la comprensión de la necesidad de desarrollar en los pacientes una cultura del cuidado de las encías por una salud periodontal. Se reitera el valor de estomatólogo, la familia, la escuela, los medios y la comunidad como agentes sociales responsables de la educación de la población en función de la promoción de salud periodontal y la prevención de las enfermedades periodontales(AU)

Introduction: in Cuba attention to oral health is prioritized, which is determined by various factors, including incidence of periodontal disease that now a day is recognized as a health problem, it damages the individual as well as biopsicosocial well-being. Objective: stomatologists provide the theoretical bases that allow them to enrich their preparation on the subject periodontal disease thus improve their contribution to prevent primary care level to oral health. Method: the references related to periodontal disease in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Guantanamo are systematized, from January to July 2017. Results: first stage of periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. Periodontal disease affects 20% of the world population. The gingiva care to prevent periodontal disease requires the individual to appropriate the essential knowledges that will enable this purpose, so that they are able to perceive the risk of it and contribute to actions with the aim of protecting periodontal health. Conclusions: theoretical basis for understanding the need to develop in patients offer culture of gingival care by a periodontal health. The value of stomatology, family, school, community media and reiterated responsible for education as social agents of the population depending on periodontal health promotion and prevention of periodontal diseases(AU)

Introdução: Cuba atenção à saúde bucal é priorizada, que é determinada por vários fatores, incluindo a incidência de doença periodontal que prevalece é agora reconhecida como um problema de saúde, ele danifica o bem-estar biopsicossocial do indivíduo. Objetivo: fornecer aos estomatologistas as bases teóricas que lhes permitirão enriquecer seu preparo em relação à questão da doença periodontal e, assim, melhorar sua contribuição para sua prevenção, desde o nível de atenção primária até a saúde bucal. Método: os referentes à doença periodontal foram sistematizados na Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Guantánamo, no período de janeiro a julho de 2017. Resultados: o primeiro estágio da doença periodontal é conhecido como gengivite. A doença periodontal afeta até 20% da população mundial. O cuidado das gengivas para a prevenção da doença periodontal exige que o indivíduo se aproprie dos conhecimentos essenciais que possibilitam esse propósito, para que eles sejam capazes de perceber o risco dele e contribuir com as ações voltadas à proteção ou Restauração da saúde periodontal. Conclusões: bases teóricas são oferecidas para a compreensão da necessidade de desenvolver em pacientes uma cultura de cuidado gengival para a saúde periodontal. O valor do estomatologista, da família, da escola, da mídia e da comunidade são reiterados como agentes sociais responsáveis pela educação da população em termos de promoção da saúde periodontal e prevenção de doenças periodontais(AU)

Cell Attachment Following Instrumentation with Titanium and Plastic Instruments, Diode Laser, and Titanium Brush on Titanium, Titanium-Zirconium, and Zirconia Surfaces.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface characteristics and gingival fibroblast adhesion of disks composed of implant and abutment materials following brief and repeated instrumentation with instruments commonly used in procedures for implant maintenance, stage-two implant surgery, and periimplantitis treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty disks (40 titanium, 40 titaniumzirconium, 40 zirconia) were grouped into treatment categories of instrumentation by plastic curette, titanium curette, diode microlaser, rotary titanium brush, and no treatment. Twenty strokes were applied to half of the disks in the plastic and titanium curette treatment categories, while half of the disks received 100 strokes each to simulate implant maintenance occurring on a repetitive basis. Following analysis of the disks by optical laser profilometry, disks were cultured with human gingival fibroblasts. Cell counts were conducted from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. RESULTS: Differences in surface roughness across all instruments tested for zirconia disks were negligible, while both titanium disks and titaniumzirconium disks showed large differences in surface roughness across the spectrum of instruments tested. The rotary titanium brush and the titanium curette yielded the greatest overall mean surface roughness, while the plastic curette yielded the lowest mean surface roughness. The greatest mean cell counts for each disk type were as follows: titanium disks with plastic curettes, titanium-zirconium disks with titanium curettes, and zirconia disks with the diode microlaser. CONCLUSION: Repeated instrumentation did not result in cumulative changes in surface roughness of implant materials made of titanium, titanium-zirconium, or zirconia. Instrumentation with plastic implant curettes on titanium and zirconia surfaces appeared to be more favorable than titanium implant curettes in terms of gingival fibroblast attachment on these surfaces.

Toothbrushing procedure in schoolchildren with no previous formal instruction: variables associated to dental biofilm removal / Procedimiento de cepillado en escolares sin previo entrenamiento formal: variables asociadas al barrido del biofilm dental

The aim of this study was to establish the association betweenfeatures regarding brushing procedure performed by school-children without previous formal training and the effectivenessof biofilm removal. Out of a population of 8900 6- and 7-year-old schoolchildrenin Buenos Aires City, 600 children were selected from schoolslocated in homogeneous risk areas. Informed consent wasrequested from parents or guardians and formal assent wasobtained from children themselves. The final sample consistedof 316 subjects. The following tooth brushing variables wereanalyzed: toothbrush-gripping, orientation of active part ofbristles with respect to the tooth, type of movement applied,brushing both jaws together or separately, including all 6sextants and duration of brushing. The level of dental biofilmafter brushing was determined by O’Leary’s index, acceptablecut-off point = 20%. Four calibrated dentists performedobservations and clinical examinations. Frequency distribution,central tendency and dispersion measures were calculated.Cluster analyses were performed; proportions of variables foreach cluster were compared with Bonferroni’s correction andOR was obtained. The most frequent categories were: palm gripping (71.51%);perpendicular orientation (85.8%); horizontal movement(95.6%); separate addressing of jaws (68%) and inclusion ofall 6 sextants (50.6%). Mean duration of brushing was 48.78 ±27.36 seconds. 42.7% of the children achieved an acceptablebiofilm level. The cluster with the highest proportion of subjectswith acceptable post-brushing biofilm levels (p<0.05) differedsignificantly from the rest for the variable “inclusion of all 6 sextants in brushing procedure”. OR was 2.538 (CI 95%1.603 – 4.017). Inclusion of all six sextants could be a determinant variable forthe removal of biofilm by brushing in schoolchildren, and shouldbe systematized as a component in oral hygiene education.

El objetivo del trabajo fue establecer la asociación entre las características del procedimiento de cepillado en escolares sin previo entrenamiento formal con la efectividad para el barrido del biofilm dental. Sobre una población de 8900 escolares de Ciudad Autónoma deBuenos Aires de 6 y 7 años de edad, se seleccionaron 600 niños concurrentes a escuelas situadas en áreas de riesgo homogéneo. Sobre esta muestra se solicito consentimiento informado a losresponsables legales y el asentimiento formal, conformando una muestra final de 316 individuos. Se analizaron las siguientes variables del procedimiento de cepillado: tipo de toma del cepillo dental, orientación de la parte activa respecto del diente, tipo de movimiento aplicado, abordaje simultaneo o no de ambos maxilares, inclusión de los 6 sextantes y duración de cepillado.El nivel de biofilm dental posterior al cepillado se determinó con el índice de O’Leary-punto de corte aceptable=20 por ciento. Cuatro odontólogos calibrados realizaron las observaciones y exámenes clínicos. Se calculó: distribución de frecuencias, medidas detendencia central y su dispersión. Se realizó un análisis de clúster y comparación de proporciones de las variables de cada conglomerado con corrección de Bonferroni y OR. Las categorías más frecuentes fueron: toma palmar (71,51 por ciento); orientación perpendicular (85,8 por ciento); movimiento horizontal (95,6 por ciento); cepillado de ambos maxilares por separado (68 por ciento) einclusión de los 6 sextantes (50,6 por ciento). La media de duración delcepillado fue de 48.78 ± 27.36 segundos. El42,7 por ciento de losescolares alcanzaron un nivel de biofilm aceptable. El clúster que mostró la mayor proporción de individuos con niveles de biofilm postcepillado aceptables (p<0,05) mostró diferenciasestadísticamente significativas con los demás respecto de la variable “inclusión de 6 sextantes en el cepillado”. El OR fueigual a 2,538 (IC 95 por ciento 1,603 – 4,017)

Influence of clinical experience on oral health attitude and behaviour of dental students attending a Nigerian university.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the self-reported oral health attitudes and behaviour among the clinical dental students and to compare the influence of clinical experience on oral health attitudes and behaviour among dental students at the different clinical years in the University of Benin using the modified Hiroshima University Dental Behavior Inventory (HU-DBI). METHODS: The study involved 156 clinical dental students from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Demographic data were obtained for age and gender from 4th, 5th and 6th year clinical students. A modified English version of HU-DBI survey consisted of 22 items with dichotomous responses (yes-no) was used in this study. Descriptive statistics was performed for age and clinical level of education. Chi-square text was applied to the percentages of responses. Tamhane's T2 post-hoc multiple comparison for pairwise comparison of the three clinical levels of students was done to determine the differences. Test significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The response rate was 87.2%. The mean age of the respondents was 26.2 + 2.4 years. A total of 62 (39.7%) respondents were females and 94 (60.3%) males. Statistically significant differences were found among the various clinical levels of dental students for previous visit to the dentist office, visiting the dentist unless there is toothache, brushing the teeth twice daily and the prevention of gum disease with tooth brushing alone. CONCLUSION: There was improvement in the dental students' oral health behaviour and attitudes with increasing level of dental education.

Knowledge about prevention of oral cancer and gum disease among school teachers in Dharwad, India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of primary school teachers in Dharwad, India, regarding the prevention of oral cancer and gum disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross sectional study a self administered questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 184 school teachers were selected for the study. A response rate of 96.7% (n = 178) was obtained. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 36.5% (n = 65) had poor knowledge, while 27.5% had good knowledge regarding the prevention of oral cancer and gum disease. School teachers with postgraduate qualification were better informed with regard to the prevention of oral diseases as compared to those with only a bachelor degree. Factors such as education, sex, and type of institutional funding (public/private) were significantly correlated with the level of knowledge (R2 = 0.1128; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: School teachers need to be motivated to improve their awareness and knowledge about the prevention of oral cancer and gum diseases, particularly the younger teachers and those with only bachelor degrees. Establishment of school-based oral-health promotion programs in India is urgently required.

Effects of two essential oil mouthrinses on 4-day supragingival plaque regrowth: a randomized cross-over study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the plaque inhibiting effects of two commercially available mouthrinses containing essential oils (EO). Both products contained the same concentration of EO, but one of them did not contain ethanol. METHODS: The study was an observer-masked, randomized, 4 x 4 Latin square cross-over design, balanced for carryover effects, involving 12 participants in a 4-day plaque regrowth model. A 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) rinse and a saline solution served as positive and negative controls, respectively. On Day 1, subjects received professional prophylaxis, suspended oral hygiene measures, and commenced rinsing with their allocated rinses. On Day 5, subjects were scored for disclosed plaque. RESULTS: Differences among treatments were highly significant (P < 0.0001), with greater plaque inhibition by CHX compared to EO rinse containing ethanol (P = 0.012), which, in turn, was significantly more effective than the rinse without ethanol and the saline (P < 0.001). The reduction in plaque regrowth seen with the EO rinse without ethanol was quite similar to that elicited by saline (P > 0.05).

Oral healthcare considerations for the pregnant woman.

UNLABELLED: Pregnancy is a period of both joy and anxiety in a woman's life and is characterized by various physiological changes in her body brought about by the circulating female sex hormones. The oral cavity is also the seat of changes and these physiologic changes of pregnancy need to be addressed while managing the pregnant woman in the dental clinic. The main goal is to minimize the occurrence of any complications that might harm the mother-to-be and/or the unborn child. Preventive, emergency, and routine dental procedures are all deemed suitable during various phases of pregnancy, with some treatment modifications and initial planning. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The dentist should be in a position to manage pregnant women in clinical practice effectively.

Efficacy and acceptability of 0.074% diclofenac-containing mouthwash after periodontal surgery: a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: The systemic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with various side-effects like hepatotoxicity, blood dyscrasias, nephrotoxicity and gastric irritability. Among these, gastric irritability is the most common and the most important one, which should be taken care of. Therefore, it may be preferable to use a local formulation such as a mouthwash to treat the inflammatory conditions of the oral cavity. AIM: To determine the efficacy and acceptability of 0.074% diclofenac mouthwash in relieving pain and inflammation of post-periodontal surgery patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Twenty chronic periodontitis patients who were scheduled for full-mouth periodontal flap surgery were randomized to receive either diclofenac mouthwash or placebo to rinse with 15 ml of solution daily for a period of 7 days. Modified gingival index (Lobene 1986) was used to verify gingival inflammation and visual analog scale was used to assess pain. After the baseline measurements for all the parameters were recorded, spontaneous pain and burning were evaluated daily while redness and edema were recorded on the 3 rd and 7 th day from the day of treatment. RESULTS: Data obtained were analyzed statistically using paired " t" test for intragroup comparison and unpaired " t"-test for intergroup comparison. Spontaneous pain was significantly reduced by diclofenac mouthwash. Other parameters, i.e. gingival inflammation and swelling, had not shown significant reduction in scores in either group, although the reduction was higher in the test group. CONCLUSION: The new 0.074% diclofenac mouthwash is an effective and tolerable medicinal product for post-surgical symptomatic relief.

Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining and recovering soft tissue health around dental implants.

BACKGROUND: It is important to institute an effective supportive therapy to maintain or recover soft tissue health around dental implants. Different maintenance regimens have been suggested, however it is unclear which are the most effective. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of different interventions for 1) maintaining and 2) recovering soft tissue health around osseointegrated dental implants. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE. Handsearching included several dental journals. We checked the bibliographies of the identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and relevant review articles for studies outside the handsearched journals. We wrote to authors of all identified RCTs, to more than 55 oral implant manufacturers and to an Internet discussion group to find unpublished or ongoing RCTs. No language restrictions were applied. The last electronic search was conducted on 2 June 2010. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials comparing agents or interventions for maintaining or recovering healthy tissues around dental implants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Screening of eligible studies, assessment of the methodological quality of the trials and data extraction were conducted in duplicate and independently by two review authors. Results were expressed as random-effects models using standardised mean differences for continuous data and risk ratios for dichotomous data with 95% confidence intervals. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials compared interventions for maintaining soft tissue health around implants and a further six trials compared interventions to recover soft tissue health where there was evidence of peri-implant mucositis. No statistically significant differences were found between the effectiveness of powered versus manual toothbrushes for either maintaining or recovering soft tissue health. There was no statistically significant difference found between different types of self administered antimicrobials for maintaining soft tissue health (hyaluronic acid gel compared to chlorhexidine gel, amine fluoride/stannous fluoride mouthwash compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash) and triclosan dentifrice compared to sodium fluoride dentifrice showed no statistically significant difference in recovering soft tissue health. However chlorhexidine irrigation was more effective in reducing plaque and marginal bleeding scores compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash and Listerine mouthwash was found to be statistically significantly better than placebo with regard to reducing mean plaque scores and marginal bleeding scores. When interventions administered by dental professional were compared there was no statistically significant difference found between chlorhexidine and physiologic solutions as irrigants at second stage surgery to maintain health of soft tissues. In patients with peri-implant mucositis two trials evaluated interventions performed by dental professionals. There was no statistically significant difference between mechanical debridement followed by either minocycline or chlorhexidine gel, or between debridement with a titanium curette compared to an ultrasonic debridement tool. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There was only low quality evidence for which are the most effective interventions for maintaining or recovering health of peri-implant soft tissues. The included RCTs had short follow-up periods and few subjects and although overall the risk of bias of the studies was either low or unclear, only single trials were available for each outcome. There was no reliable evidence as to which regimens are most effective for long term maintenance. This should not be interpreted as meaning that current maintenance regimens are ineffective. There was weak evidence that antibacterial mouthrinses are effective in reducing plaque and marginal bleeding around implants. More RCTs should be conducted in this area. In particular, there is a definite need for trials powered to find possible differences, using primary outcome measures and with much longer follow up. Such trials should be reported according to the CONSORT guidelines (www.consort-statement.org/).

A systematic review of dental disease in patients undergoing cancer therapy.

INTRODUCTION: This purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature and update our current understanding of the impact of present cancer therapies on the dental apparatus (teeth and periodontium) since the 1989 NIH Development Consensus Conference on the Oral Complications of Cancer Therapies. REVIEW METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted with assistance from a research librarian in the databases MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE for articles published between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2008. Each study was independently assessed by two reviewers. Taking into account predetermined quality measures, a weighted prevalence was calculated for the prevalence of dental caries, severe gingival disease, and dental infection. Data on DMFT/dmft, DMFS/dmfs, plaque, and gingival indexes were also gathered. The level of evidence, recommendation, and guideline (if possible) were given for published preventive and management strategies. RESULTS: Sixty-four published papers between 1990 and 2008 were reviewed. The weighted overall prevalence of dental caries was 28.1%. The overall DMFT for patients who were post-antineoplastic therapy was 9.19 (SD, 7.98; n = 457). The overall plaque index for patients who were post-antineoplastic therapy was 1.38 (SD, 0.25; n = 189). The GI for patients who were post-chemotherapy was 1.02 (SD, 0.15; n = 162). The weighted prevalence of dental infections/abscess during chemotherapy was reported in three studies and was 5.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were post-radiotherapy had the highest DMFT. The use of fluoride products and chlorhexidine rinses are beneficial in patients who are post-radiotherapy. There continues to be lack of clinical studies on the extent and severity of dental disease that are associated with infectious complications during cancer therapy.

Short-term effect of chewing gums containing probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri on the levels of inflammatory mediators in gingival crevicular fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a chewing gum containing probiotic bacteria on gingival inflammation and the levels of selected inflammatory mediators in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two healthy adults with moderate levels of gingival inflammation entered a double-blind placebo-controlled study design. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three parallel arms: Group A/P was given one active and one placebo gum daily, Group A/A received two active chewing gums, and Group P/P two placebo gums. The chewing gums contained two strains of Lactobacillus reuteri: ATCC 55730 and ATCC PTA 5289 (1 x 10(8) CFU/gum, respectively). The subjects were instructed to chew the gums for 10 min over the course of 2 weeks. Bleeding on probing (BOP) and GCF sampling were conducted at baseline and after 1, 2 and 4 weeks. The levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were determined using luminex technology and multiplex immunoassay kits. RESULTS: BOP improved and GCF volume decreased in all groups during the chewing period, but the results were statistically significant (p<0.05) only in Groups A/P and A/A. The levels of TNF-alpha and IL-8 decreased significantly (p<0.05) in Group A/A compared with baseline after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. A non-significant decreasing tendency was also observed concerning IL-1beta during the chewing period. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were unaffected in all groups after 1 and 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in GCF may be proof of principle for the probiotic approach combating inflammation in the oral cavity.

Novel molecules for intra-oral delivery of antimicrobials to prevent and treat oral infectious diseases.

New molecules were designed for efficient intra-oral delivery of antimicrobials to prevent and treat oral infection. The salivary statherin fragment, which has high affinity for the tooth enamel, was used as a carrier peptide. This was linked through the side chain of the N-terminal residue to the C-terminus of a defensin-like 12-residue peptide to generate two bifunctional hybrid molecules, one with an ester linkage and the other with an anhydride bond between the carrier and the antimicrobial components. They were examined for their affinity to a HAP (hydroxyapatite) surface. The extent of the antimicrobial release in human whole saliva was determined using 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The candidacidal activity of the molecules was determined as a function of the antimicrobial release from the carrier peptide in human saliva. The hybrid-adsorbed HAP surface was examined against Candida albicans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans using the fluorescence technique. The bifunctional molecules were tested on human erythrocytes, GECs (gingival epithelial cells) and GFCs (gingival fibroblast cells) for cytotoxicity. They were found to possess high affinity for the HAP mineral. In human whole saliva, a sustained antimicrobial release over a period of more than 40-60 h, and candidacidal activity consistent with the extent of hybrid dissociation were observed. Moreover, the bifunctional peptide-bound HAP surface was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity when suspended in clarified human saliva. The hybrid peptides did not show any toxic influence on human erythrocytes, GECs and GFCs. These novel hybrids could be safely used to deliver therapeutic agents intra-orally for the treatment and prevention of oral infectious diseases.

O perfil dos cirurgiões-dentistas da cidade de São Paulo na prática da prevenção de cáries e doenças gengivais / The dentist surgeons profile of São Paulo city in the prevention of dental caries and gingival diseases

Introdução: Este trabalho de levantamento de dados baseou-se em questionários entregues a cirurgiõesdentistas na cidade de São Paulo, com retorno de 339 questionários válidos, visando avaliar a prevenção de cáries e doenças gengivais por eles realizada. Métodos: O questionário continha 9 questões referentes a informações demográficas e clínicas. Para fins de análise de resultados foram considerados como básicos os seguintes procedimentos preventivos: orientação de escovação, orientação de dieta, aplicação de selantes de fóssulas e fissuras, evidenciação de placa bacteriana, uso de flúor e motivação do paciente. Resultados: A grande maioria dos respondentes (97,6%) afirmou realizar prevenção, porém apenas 0,3% empregam os 6 métodos avaliados neste estudo. Verificou-se, ainda, a influência do sexo e do tempo de formado nessa prática preventiva, sendo que as mulheres realizam mais prevenção do que os homens e os dentistas recém-formados (até 5 anos) empregam menos métodos de prevenção que os formados há mais tempo. O flúor e a orientação de escovação foram os métodos mais utilizados, enquanto que a orientação de dieta foi o menos empregado. Conclusões: A prática de prevenção pelos cirurgiões-dentistas da cidade de São Paulo sofre influência do sexo e do tempo de formado, sendo os homens e recém-formados os que empregam menos métodos de prevenção de cáries e doenças gengivais, comparativamente aos demais grupos.

Introduction: This data survey study was based on questionnaires delivered to dentist surgeons of the city of São Paulo, with a total return of 339 valid questionnaires. The aim of this study was to evaluate dental surgeon practice of caries prevention and gum disease control. Methods: The questionnaire contained 9 questions referring to demographic and clinical information. For result analysis purposes, the following preventive procedures were considered as basic information: 1. tooth-brushing instructions, 2. diet instructions, 3. pit and fissure sealants , 4. dental plaque verification 5. use of fluoride, and 6. patient motivation. Results: Most of the answers (97.6%) asserted that they carry out preventive procedures, but only 0.3% utilizes all 6 methods of prevention analyzed in this study. Gender and years of graduation were also observed, women performing more preventive procedures than men, and recently-graduated dentists (5 years or less) performing fewer preventive procedures than dentists who had graduated earlier (over 5 years). Fluoride use and tooth-brushing instructions were the most common methods used, while diet instruction was the least performed preventive method. Conclusion: Preventive procedures carried out by dental surgeons of São Paulo were influenced by sex and years of graduation, recently-graduated males being the ones who least carried out caries prevention methods and gum disease control, when compared to the other groups in this study.

Randomized controlled trial of pilocarpine hydrochloride for the moderation of oral mucositis during autologous blood stem cell transplantation.

Pilocarpine hydrochloride has been reported to increase salivation and decrease oral mucositis in patients receiving head and neck radiotherapy, but there is only one report of its use in a cancer chemotherapy patient population. This prospective, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken to determine the efficacy of pilocarpine for the moderation of oral mucositis during autologous blood stem cell transplantation. Subjects were randomized to receive a 5 mg tablet of pilocarpine, or a placebo, during and following chemotherapy. Subjects were seen every other day and evaluated for gingival, oral, and oropharyngeal mucositis; nutrition; oral hygiene; eating; speaking; sleeping; pain at rest and/or with swallowing; and mouth dryness. We recorded the mean and highest scores and duration of problems, along with white blood cell counts and differentials, and the use of systemic narcotics for oral mucosal pain. We enrolled and randomized 36 subjects, and there were no statistically or clinically significant differences for the primary outcome of severity of mucositis and no clinically significant differences in any of the other outcome measures. Pilocarpine has no benefit for the moderation of the incidence, severity, or duration of mucositis in patients receiving autologous blood stem cell transplantation.

Laser irradiation inhibition of open gingival embrasure space after orthodontic treatment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of low-energy laser irradiation on an incidence of open gingival embrasure space after orthodontic treatment. The patient was a 20-year, 7-month-old Japanese female with an Angle Class I malocclusion and crowding in the mandible. Treatment consisted of extraction of maxillary and mandibular first premolars and use of the Edgewise technique. A Ga-Al-As diode laser was used to irradiate an area of 0.5 cm2 at the labial and lingual gingival papilla between the canines. The time of exposure was 6 minutes for 3 days, carried out between the relevelling and en masse stages of movement. The total energy corresponding to 6 minutes of exposure varied from 1.90 J/cm2. There was no further evidence of open gingival embrasure space, except at the mandibular central incisor. Further: an improvement in the gingival inflammation caused by a periodontal disease was observed, and periodontal pocket depth was maintained. These results suggest that low-energy laser irradiation may inhibit the incidence of open gingival embrasure space after orthodontic treatment.

[Epulis during pregnancy].

Epulis is a hyperplastic lesion, which originates from the buccal mucosa and mainly from gingival tissues. It is characterised by several histologic types, of which the prevalent type during pregnancy is the granulomatous type, which is composed mainly of capillary vessels and endothelial proliferation. This lesion is referred to as "pregnancy tumor". The true prevalence of this lesion during pregnancy is unknown, though its peak incidence is during the third decade of life--compatible with pregnancy age. Furthermore, epulis is more prevalent among women than men (1:4-7). Normally, epulis appear on the frontal part of the maxilla during the third trimester. The lesion usually causes no symptoms apart from its very presence. Etiologic factors are improper maintenance of oral hygiene which lead to chronic gingivitis and high gingival levels of active progesterone which acts in a yet unindefined mechanism. Treatment includes firstly removal of irritating factors and secondly surgical conservative excision of the lesion.

Efecto del control metabólico en pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 y su asociación con enfermedad periodontal / Effect of metabolic control in type I diabetes patients and its association with periodontal disease

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of periodontal disease in type 1 diabetes mellitus patients with and without metabolic control, having a control group of healthy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prolective cross sectional study with simple random sampling was carried out; patients were divided in three groups: A). Forty healthy subjects, B). Twenty diabetic patients with metabolic control, and C). Twenty diabetic patients without metabolic control. The diabetic subjects were evaluated with glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) to determine the glucose control; clinical periodontal evaluations were performed for all teeth in each subject and following indexes were included: Plaque, gingival, mobility, probing depth, attachment level, bleeding on probing, and marginal bone loss. RESULTS: The imbalance of glucose of subjects with diabetes mellitus type 1 was associated with more frequency of periodontal disease (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The population of type 1 diabetes mellitus with imbalance of glucose showed association with periodontal disease.

Itraconazole prophylaxis for invasive gingival aspergillosis in neutropenic patients with acute leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Due to an increasing number of leukemic patients with invasive gingival aspergillosis during neutropenia (neutrophils <500 cells/microl for >10 days), we evaluated the efficacy of oral itraconazole prophylaxis for preventing this invasive infection at our hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective, non-randomized study to analyze the onset of identified invasive gingival aspergillosis among 536 patients with acute leukemia at risk due to the presence of neutropenia from 1991 to 1998. Patients received itraconazole capsules 100 mg/day prophylactically between April 1994 and December 1996, and 200 mg/day between January 1997 and December 1998. Itraconazole serum levels at day 10 were measured in some patients. RESULTS: In the 39 months prior to April 1994 without itraconazole prophylaxis, 15 cases of invasive gingival aspergillosis were detected in 192 high risk patients with 469 episodes of neutropenia (7.8% of the high risk patients). Between April 1994 and December 1996, using itraconazole prophylaxis at 100 mg/day, there was a dramatic decrease in the infections resulting in 3 of 198 high risk patients with 511 episodes of neutropenia (1.5% of the high risk patients). Furthermore, between January 1997 and December 1998, using itraconazole prophylaxis at 200 mg/day, no cases of the infection were observed in the 146 high risk patients with 380 episodes of neutropenia. The incidence of invasive gingival aspergillosis was significantly lower among patients administered itraconazole than among those without itraconazole (100 mg/day; P = 0.006 and 200 mg/day; P = 0.001). The mean itraconazole serum level in 20 patients receiving 100 mg/day was 71.78 ng/mL and in 16 patients receiving 200 mg/day was 202.67 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that oral itraconazole could be effective for preventing invasive gingival aspergillosis in neutropenic patients with acute leukemia and warrants further randomized investigation.

Técnicas no estandaridazas de higiene oral: estudio comparativo / Non-standarized techniques of oral hygiene: comparative study

Se realizó un estudio comparativo, de diseño no experimental, con el objetivo de observar y describir las técnicas naturales o habituales de higiene oral (cepillado y uso de seda dental) y comparar su efectividad en términos de remoción de placa bacteriana con las técnicas estandarizadas (Bass modificada y de uso sistemático de seda dental). Se escogieron 75 pacientes a quienes les fueron enseñadas las técnicas estandarizadas con anterioridad a la prueba. Los resultados indican que las técnicas habituales de cepillado y sistemática de uso de la seda dental fueron más efectivas, en términos de remoción de placa bacteriana, que las técnicas de Bass modificada y habitual de seda dental (p=0,05)