Color stability of resin composites for orthodontic attachments: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the color stability of Filtek Z350 XT, Filtek Z250 XT, Z100 resin composites and Transbond XT orthodontic resin, all used in orthodontic attachments, when immersed in popular beverages. METHODS: Thirty disk-shaped specimens of each resin composite (2 x 5mm) were manufactured and randomly divided into six groups according to immersion solutions: coffee, red wine, white wine, regular beer, dark beer and deionized water (control). The specimens were fully immersed in each of the solutions for six days at 37°C, representing approximately six months of consumption. The color measurements were evaluated by a reflection spectrophotometer, at baseline (before immersion) and after staining. L*a*b* coordinates were measured and the color change (ΔE00) was calculated using the CIEDE2000 formula. The data were analyzed by ANOVA/Tukey tests at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The resin composites immersed in white wine and regular beer showed either imperceptible or clinically acceptable ΔE00, and no difference from the control group (p= 0.4449 and p= 0.467 respectively). Immersion in coffee and red wine were considered clinically unacceptable and were significantly different from the control group (p= 0.0028 and p= 0.0475 respectively). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, the consumption of coffee and red wine may cause color change of the resin composite attachments above the visual acceptability threshold, and impair aesthetics during treatment.

Does marital status influence TMD-related chronic pain? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a complex sensory experience and can be influenced by psychosocial factors, such as romantic relationships. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between marital status and temporomandibular disorder-related chronic pain. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) through Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I were assessed for chronic pain and marital and socioeconomic status, according to Axis II. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the association between chronic pain and the predictive variables. RESULTS: Three hundred and ten patients were included in the sample, the majority being female (74.5%), single (52.3%), and diagnosed with chronic pain (85.1%). The adjusted analysis showed about a 5-time greater chance of chronic pain occurrence with high disability in individuals who were married or in a common-law marriage (OR 5.99; 95% CI 1.45-24.73). Also, women were 7.62 times more likely to develop chronic pain with high disability (OR 7.62; 95% CI 2.03-28.52). CONCLUSION: Marital status showed an impact on chronic pain, with married individuals and those in a common-law marriage being the most affected by high disability chronic pain.

Rapid LLLT protocol for myofascial pain and mouth opening limitation treatment in the clinical practice: An RCT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a rapid treatment protocol of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with myofascial pain and mouth opening limitation. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly allocated into the laser group (LG) (n = 10) and the placebo group (PG) (n = 10). Two LLLT sessions or placebo were performed. They were applied to the pain points upon palpation, with a 48-hr interval. Patients were evaluated for spontaneous pain sensitivity during mandibular movements and for oral health-related quality of life, which was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile for Temporomandibular Disorders (OHIP/TMD) questionnaire. RESULTS: Two patients from the placebo group were lost during the study. A significant increase in the maximum mouth opening (p = 0.04) and improvement in OHIP/TMD scores (p = 0.003) were observed in the LG after 30 days. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous pain was reduced in both groups with low-level laser therapy.

Treatment of myofascial pain with a rapid laser therapy protocol compared to occlusal splint: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of a rapid low-level laser therapy (LLLT) protocol to Michigan occlusal splint in the treatment of myofascial pain, as well as to evaluate their impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). METHODS: Thirty participants were randomly allocated into three groups: G1: occlusal splint (n = 11), G2: LLLT (n = 10), and G3: LLLT placebo (n = 9). LLLT and placebo were applied in the points of pain upon palpation. RESULTS: G1 presented improvement in pain (p = 0.014) and in the diagnosis of myofascial pain (p = 0.008), while G2 and G3 did not. Regarding OHRQoL, G1 and G2 presented significant improvement (p = 0.005, in both), whereas, G3 did not. CONCLUSION: Michigan occlusal splint was effective in reducing pain and improving OHRQoL. Treatment with the rapid LLLT protocol only provided an improvement in OHRQoL.

High-intensity laser application in Orthodontics

ABSTRACT Introduction: In dental practice, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) are mainly used for dental surgery and biostimulation therapy. Within the Orthodontic specialty, while LLLT has been widely used to treat pain associated with orthodontic movement, accelerate bone regeneration after rapid maxillary expansion, and enhance orthodontic tooth movement, HILT, in turn, has been seen as an alternative for addressing soft tissue complications associated to orthodontic treatment. Objective: The aim of this study is to discuss HILT applications in orthodontic treatment. Methods: This study describes the use of HILT in surgical treatments such as gingivectomy, ulotomy, ulectomy, fiberotomy, labial and lingual frenectomies, as well as hard tissue and other dental restorative materials applications. Conclusion: Despite the many applications for lasers in Orthodontics, they are still underused by Brazilian practitioners. However, it is quite likely that this demand will increase over the next years - following the trend in the USA, where laser therapies are more widely used.

High-intensity laser application in Orthodontics.

INTRODUCTION: In dental practice, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) are mainly used for dental surgery and biostimulation therapy. Within the Orthodontic specialty, while LLLT has been widely used to treat pain associated with orthodontic movement, accelerate bone regeneration after rapid maxillary expansion, and enhance orthodontic tooth movement, HILT, in turn, has been seen as an alternative for addressing soft tissue complications associated to orthodontic treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to discuss HILT applications in orthodontic treatment. METHODS: This study describes the use of HILT in surgical treatments such as gingivectomy, ulotomy, ulectomy, fiberotomy, labial and lingual frenectomies, as well as hard tissue and other dental restorative materials applications. CONCLUSION: Despite the many applications for lasers in Orthodontics, they are still underused by Brazilian practitioners. However, it is quite likely that this demand will increase over the next years - following the trend in the USA, where laser therapies are more widely used.

Evaluation of two protocols for low-level laser application in patients submitted to orthodontic treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Different low-level laser (LLL) irradiation protocols have been tested to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Nevertheless, divergent results have been obtained. It was suggested that the stimulatory action of low level laser irradiation occurs during the proliferation and differentiation stages of bone cellular precursors, but not during later stages. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two protocols of LLL irradiation on experimental tooth movement: One with daily irradiations and another with irradiations during the early stages. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were divided into control groups (CG1, CG2, CG3) and irradiated groups (IrG1, IrG2, IrG3) according to the presence of: experimental tooth movement, laser irradiation, type of laser irradiation protocol and date of euthanasia (3th or 8th day of experiment). At the end of experimental periods, a quantitative evaluation of the amount of OTM was made and the reactions of the periodontium were analyzed by describing cellular and tissue reactions and by counting blood vessels. RESULTS: The amount of OTM revealed no significant differences between groups in the same experimental period (p < 0.05). Qualitative analysis revealed the strongest resorption activity in irradiated groups after seven days, especially when using the daily irradiation protocol. There was a higher number of blood vessels in irradiated animals than in animals without orthodontic devices and without laser irradiation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moreover, angiogenesis was verified in some of the irradiated groups. The irradiation protocols tested were not able to accelerate OTM and root resorption was observed while they were applied.

Evaluation of two protocols for low-level laser application in patients submitted to orthodontic treatment

INTRODUCTION: Different low-level laser (LLL) irradiation protocols have been tested to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Nevertheless, divergent results have been obtained. It was suggested that the stimulatory action of low level laser irradiation occurs during the proliferation and differentiation stages of bone cellular precursors, but not during later stages. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two protocols of LLL irradiation on experimental tooth movement: One with daily irradiations and another with irradiations during the early stages. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were divided into control groups (CG1, CG2, CG3) and irradiated groups (IrG1, IrG2, IrG3) according to the presence of: experimental tooth movement, laser irradiation, type of laser irradiation protocol and date of euthanasia (3th or 8th day of experiment). At the end of experimental periods, a quantitative evaluation of the amount of OTM was made and the reactions of the periodontium were analyzed by describing cellular and tissue reactions and by counting blood vessels. RESULTS: The amount of OTM revealed no significant differences between groups in the same experimental period (p < 0.05). Qualitative analysis revealed the strongest resorption activity in irradiated groups after seven days, especially when using the daily irradiation protocol. There was a higher number of blood vessels in irradiated animals than in animals without orthodontic devices and without laser irradiation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Moreover, angiogenesis was verified in some of the irradiated groups. The irradiation protocols tested were not able to accelerate OTM and root resorption was observed while they were applied.

INTRODUÇÃO: diferentes protocolos de irradiação por laser de baixa potência (LBP) têm sido testados para potencializar o movimento ortodôntico; entretanto, há resultados divergentes. Foi sugerido que seu efeito bioestimulador ocorre nas fases de proliferação e diferenciação celular, não agindo em estágios tardios. OBJETIVO: avaliar o efeito de dois protocolos de irradiação do LBP na movimentação ortodôntica: um com irradiações diárias e outro em que irradiações foram realizadas apenas nos períodos iniciais. MÉTODOS: trinta e seis ratos Wistar foram divididos em grupos controles (GC1, GC2 e GC3) e irradiados (GIr1, GIr2 e GIr3), de acordo com a presença de dispositivo ortodôntico, a presença de irradiação, o tipo de protocolo de irradiação e a data de eutanásia (3º ou 8º dia de experimento). Ao final dos períodos experimentais, foram realizadas mensurações da movimentação dentária, análise qualitativa das reações celulares e teciduais do periodonto e contagem de vasos sanguíneos no ligamento periodontal. RESULTADOS: a quantidade de movimentação não diferiu entre os grupos num mesmo tempo experimental (p < 0,05). A análise qualitativa revelou maior atividade absortiva nos grupos irradiados ao final de 7 dias, especialmente quando as irradiações foram diárias. Nos grupos irradiados diariamente, a contagem de vasos foi aumentada em relação aos animais isentos de dispositivo ortodôntico e de aplicações de LBP (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: apesar de verificada angiogênese em certos grupos irradiados, os protocolos de irradiação testados não foram capazes de acelerar a movimentação dentária, e foi possível verificarem-se absorções radiculares.

Effects of two low-intensity laser therapy protocols on experimental tooth movement.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vivo study was to determine the effect of two low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) protocols on macroscopic and microscopic parameters of experimental tooth movement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To induce experimental tooth movement in rats, 40 cN of orthodontic force was applied to the left first molars. Next, a gallium-aluminum-arsenide (Ga-Al-As) diode laser with a wavelength of 830 nm and power output of 100 mW was applied with fluence of 6000 J/cm(2) on the area around the moved tooth. Two different application protocols were used in the experimental groups: one with daily irradiation and another with irradiation during early stages. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses were performed at days 2 and 7 of tooth movement. The amount of tooth movement was measured with a caliper, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and picrosirius staining were used to enable identification of osteoclasts and immature collagen, respectively. RESULTS: The amount of tooth movement did not differ between the irradiated and nonirradiated groups on days 2 and 7 of the experiment. On day 2, no difference was observed in the number of osteoclasts or the percentage of immature collagen. On day 7, there was an increase in the number of osteoclasts after daily applications of LILT, while two applications produced no significant difference from control. The amount of immature collagen on the tension side significantly increased in the nonirradiated group and when LILT was applied for only 2 d, whereas it was shown to be inhibited by daily LILT applications (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The tested LILT protocols were unable to accelerate tooth movement. Even though the number of osteoclasts increased when LILT was applied daily, the repair at the tension zone was inhibited.