Knowledge of Brazilian Dentists about Dentoalveolar Trauma Care and their Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess dentists' knowledge from Minas Gerais, Brazil, about dentoalveolar trauma (DT) and their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: An online questionnaire with 34 questions was applied to collect personal data, professional training, self-assessment of experience/knowledge about DT, experience in care provided during the social distancing, and knowledge/conduct. The specific responses were evaluated based on the guidelines of the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT). Descriptive analysis and Pearson's chi-square test were performed. The level of significance was set at p≤0.05. Results: Most professionals (97.7%) had received information on DT, and only 4.6% of the participants considered their knowledge poor or very poor. However, 92.7% felt the need for more information on the subject. Regarding experiences during the pandemic, 55.7% provided trauma care during that period. Forty percent of the consultations were performed in person, and 33.3% of the professionals noted an increase in cases during the pandemic; 56.6% reported that the frequency did not change. The overall mean number of correct answers about DT was 5.29±2.11, indicating an acceptable level of knowledge. The mean percentage of hits for the specific questions was 44.1%. Conclusion: Although the level of knowledge of the dentists evaluated was acceptable, some aspects were deficient, with the need for more information about the IADT guidelines.

Avaliação da radiopacidade dos cimentos MTA Angelus Branco®, MTA Repair HP e Biodentine por meio de radiografia digital / Radiopacity evaluation of White MTA Angelus®, MTA Repair HP and Biodentine cements by means of digital radiography

Introdução: A radiopacidade é um requisito importante para um material odontológico, pois permite que as estruturas dentárias sejam distinguidas do material substituto, facilitando o diagnóstico radiográfico. Portanto, com o surgimento de novas formulações de materiais endodônticos, é fundamental que esta propriedade esteja em conformidade com as normas vigentes. Objetivo: Avaliar as radiopacidades dos cimentos MTA Angelus Branco, MTA Repair HP e Biodentine entre si e compará-las com as das estruturas dentais humanas, por meio de radiografia digital. Material e Métodos: Foram confeccionados cinco corpos de prova para cada cimento estudado. Cada amostra foi radiografada, pelo método digital, juntamente com uma fatia de um dente molar inferior humano hígido e uma escala de densidade de alumínio (Al). Para cada conjunto, três imagens foram obtidas e avaliadas quanto às densidades por meio da ferramenta histograma do software Image J. Em cada estrutura avaliada, foi usada uma região de interesse pré-definida e as densidades foram apresentadas utilizando-se médias, desvios-padrões e medianas. Para avaliar a normalidade dos dados e comparar a radiopacidade dos três cimentos testados, foram aplicados os testes de Shapiro-Wilk e o de Kruskal-Wallis, respectivamente. Foi utilizado o programa SPSS com nível de significância de 5% (p≤0,05). Resultados: Foi observado para o esmalte e a dentina radiopacidades equivalentes a 2 mm de Al e 1 mm respectivamente. Ambos os cimentos MTA Branco e MTA Repair HP, apresentaram radiopacidade equivalente a 3 mm de Al. O cimento Biodentine apresentou radiopacidade inferior aos demais materiais (2 mm de Al). Conclusão: As radiopacidades dos cimentos MTA Branco e MTA Repair HP foram semelhantes entre si e maiores que às da dentina e do esmalte dental. Em contrapartida, a radiopacidade do cimento Biodentine foi inferior às do MTA Branco e MTA Repair HP, e semelhante à do esmalte.

Introduction: Radiopacity is an important requirement for a dental material, as it allows tooth structures to be distinguished from the substitute material, facilitating radiographic diagnosis. Therefore, with the emergence of new formulations of endodontic materials, it is essential that this property complies with current regulations. Objective: To evaluate the radiopacities of MTA Angelus White, MTA Repair HP and Biodentine cements among themselves and compare them with those of human dental structures, using digital radiography. Material and Methods: Five specimens were made for each studied cement. Each sample was radiographed, using the digital method, along with a slice of a sound human lower molar tooth and an aluminum (Al) density scale. For each set, three images were obtained and evaluated for densities using the histogram tool of the Image J software. In each evaluated structure, a predefined region of interest was used and the densities were presented using means, standard deviations and medians. To assess data normality and compare the radiopacity of the three cements tested, the Shapiro-Wilk and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied, respectively. The SPSS program was used with a significance level of 5% (p≤0.05). Results: Radiopacities equivalent to 2 mm of Al and 1 mm of Al, respectively, were observed for enamel and dentin. Both MTA Branco and MTA Repair HP cements presented radiopacity equivalent to 3 mm of Al. Biodentine cement presented lower radiopacity than the other materials (2 mm of Al). Conclusion: The radiopacities of MTA Branco and MTA Repair HP cements were similar to each other and greater than those of dentin and dental enamel. In contrast, the radiopacity of Biodentine cement was lower than that of White MTA and MTA Repair HP, and similar to that of enamel.