Desensitizing Agent Previously Applied During In-Office Bleaching: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Objective: To compare the clinical effect of two desensitizing agents used before the application of a bleaching gel based on 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP). Material and Methods: 30 patients were selected, and two desensitizing agents with different mechanisms of action were applied: Fluorine Neutral 2% (FN), which acts by blocking dentinal canaliculi while Potassium Nitrate 5% with 2% Sodium Fluoride (PN/SF) that acts in nerve transmission and blockade. Desensitizers were used before the application of 35% HP. For whitening, three clinical sessions were performed, with an interval of seven days, with three applications of the bleaching gel for 15 minutes, totaling 45 minutes/session. Tooth sensitivity (TS) was assessed with the numerical analog scale, and a spectrophotometer was used to obtain the color variation (ΔE). ΔE were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test (p<0.05), and TS data were submitted to a two-way ANOVA analysis. Results: For sensitivity experience, the Tukey test indicated differences between PN/SF and the placebo I, but there was no statistically significant difference between FN and the placebo II. The TS was lower when the desensitizing gel was used during the bleaching procedure compared to after treatment, regardless of the desensitizing agents. Conclusion: PN/SF before in-office tooth bleaching can reduce TS intensity, and the use of desensitizing gel before bleaching did not affect the bleaching efficacy.

Health changes during Covid-19: a nationwide study with dental students

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To assess the changes in stress levels, social behavior, dietary and parafunctional habits, oral hygiene, among other conditions perceived by dental students in Brazil during the Covid-19 pandemic and evaluated the correlations between stress level and other variables. METHODS An online questionnaire was developed and validated. Undergraduates enrolled in private and public dental schools were recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected on the perceived changes regarding stress levels, financial and social characteristics, dietary habits, oral hygiene, health conditions, and parafunctional habits. Quantitative variables were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. Wilcoxon test evaluated comparisons between perceived changes, and correlations between changes in stress levels and other variables were analyzed by Spearman correlation (α = 0.05). RESULTS A total of 638 dental students, mean age of 22.95 ± 4.10 years, participated in the study. During the pandemic, the reported stress levels increased while household income decreased (p < 0.05). Late dinners and mindless eating increased in frequency, whereas oral hygiene decreased (p < 0.05). Most of the health conditions and parafunctional habits assessed changed (p < 0.05). Perceived stress levels showed poor negative correlations with household income (rS = −0.14), poor positive correlations with the pressure to contribute financially in the household (rS = 0.19), and poor positive correlations with food choice frequency (rS = 0.15) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Dental students reported perceived changes in stress levels, dietary habits, oral hygiene, health conditions, parafunctional habits, and social behavior. Moreover, the results showed poor correlations, as students with higher stress levels tended to have the lowest household income, feel pressured to contribute financially in the household, and present a high meal intake frequency.

Effects of primer excess on marginal adaptation, nanoleakage and bond strength of adhesive systems after aging

There is no consensus about the amount of primer inserted into the cavity. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the amount of primer used on dentin microtensile bond strength (µTBs), nanoleakage and marginal sealing, following thermomechanical aging. Methods: 48 human third molars were selected and a box-shaped class I cavity was constructed to maintain enamel margins. Teeth were randomly assigned to 6 experimental groups (n=8). For the bonding protocols of the restorative procedure, two adhesive systems were used: three-step etch-and-rinse and two-step self-etch. Epoxy resin replicas of the occlusal surface were made, and the specimens were submitted to thermomechanical aging. Newer replicas were obtained after thermomechanical aging, and marginal adaptation was observed using SEM. To obtain sections (0.7 x 0.7 mm) for testing at a tension of 0.5 mm/min, teeth were serially sectioned in the buccallingual direction, parallel to the occlusal surface. Failure mode was then obtained. For nanoleakage evaluation, one section of each tooth was immersed in AgNO3 and evaluated using SEM. The µTBs data were submitted to a two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α= 0.05) Results: One drop of primer promoted higher µTBs than two or three drops. Besides, the three-step etch-and-rinse promoted greater µTBs (19.78) than the two-step self-etch adhesive (12.23). The increase in the amount of primer was directly proportional to the increase of infiltration. All groups exhibited more gaps after thermomechanical aging. Conclusion: Using an excess of primer is not recommended because it reduces the µTBs and forms an unsatisfactory hybrid layer

Influence of whitening dentifrices and mechanical brushing on color change and surface roughness of bulk fill resins

The use of whitening dentifrices during oral hygiene may cause surface modifications such as color change (ΔE) and increase surface roughness (Ra) of composite resin. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of whitening dentifrices and mechanical brushing on color change and surface roughness of Bulk Fill (Filtek Bulk Fill - F) and (Aura Bulk Fill - A) composite resins. Materials and methods: Sixty cylindrical specimens were fabricated of each composite resin. After initial color evaluations (Konica Minolta CM-700d), with D65 standard illuminant, and the surface roughness (Surfcorder SE 1700, Kosalab), the specimens were assigned (n=10) according to the whitening dentifrice used: True White (T), Colgate Total 12 Professional Whitening (D), Luminous White Advanced (L). Specimens were submitted to mechanical brushing (10,000 cycles); new color and surface roughness evaluations were taken. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, Duncan test and Dunnet test were used to identify differences between groups (α=5%). Results: The results showed that the tooth brushing time promoted a significant increase in ΔE of the FT group. The FD group exhibited intermediate values of ΔE and was similar to all groups tested. There was a significant increase in the surface roughness of the AD and AT groups after the mechanical tooth brushing. Conclusion: The results showed no significant changes were observed in surface roughness for F groups after toothbrushing. It be concluded that the color change and surface roughness of the composite resins after toothbrushing are dependent on the interaction between the composition of the composite resin and the characteristics of the dentifrice

Reabilitação da estética na recuperação da harmonia do sorriso: relato de caso / Rehabilitation of esthetics in recovering smile harmony: case report

Objetivo: este trabalho tem o objetivo de relatar um caso clínico no qual a abordagem restauradora direta com resina composta foi empregada para remodelação estética após tratamento ortodôntico em uma pacientecom os incisivos laterais superiores com morfologia conoide. Relato de caso: o paciente, 24 anos, gênero feminino, procurou tratamento odontológico queixando-se da aparência dos incisivos laterais superiores, que se apresentavam fora dos padrões de tamanho e forma devido à existência de uma alteração de estrutura. No exame clínico, constatou-se a presença dos incisivos laterais conoides, dentes 12 e 22. Após o exame radiográfico, que demonstrou ausência de alteração da forma radicular desses elementos, foi planejada a reabilitação funcional e a recuperação estética por meio de restaurações diretas com resina composta. Para reabilitar os elementos estética e funcionalmente, optou-se pela reanatomização, utilizando-se resina composta pela técnica da mão livre, por ser um procedimento mais rápido e de menor custo, por dispensar a etapa de enceramento e moldagem. Todavia, essa técnica apresenta comodesvantagem a necessidade de mais habilidade e treinamento do operador. Considerações finais: as resinas compostas permitem uma resolução de maneira rápida e com elevado desempenho estético, apresentando resultado satisfatório, desde que sejam respeitadas suas indicações, compreendidas suas limitações e que a etapa de ajuste oclusal não seja negligenciada.