Assessment of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal: A study using cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: Sufficient area in the interforaminal region is required for dental implant placement, and the anterior loop of the mandibular canal is located within the limits of this area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and extent of the anterior loop in a Brazilian sample population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images from 250 patients (500 hemimandibles) obtained for various clinical indications were randomly selected and evaluated to determine the presence and length of the anterior loop. The length of the anterior loop was then compared based on gender, age, and the side of the mandible. The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: An anterior loop was identified in 41.6% of the cases, and its length ranged from 0.25 mm to 4.00 mm (mean, 1.1±0.8 mm). The loop had a greater mean length and was significantly more prevalent in males (p=0.014). No significant differences were found between the right and left sides regarding length (p=0.696) or prevalence (p=0.650). CONCLUSION: In this study, a high prevalence of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was found, and although its length varied greatly, in most cases it was less than 1 mm long. Although this is a prevalent anatomical variation, safety limits for the placement of implants in this region cannot be established before an accurate evaluation using imaging techniques in order to identify and preserve the neurovascular bundles.

Evaluation of third molar development in the estimation of chronological age.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between chronological age and the degree of third molar mineralization by Demirjian's developmental stages (Demirjian et al., 1973) using panoramic radiography. From a total of 11.396 digital panoramic radiographs of patients from three oral radiology private clinics from the northeast region of Brazil, obtained from January to June 2009, 2097 radiographic images from patients aged between 6 and 22 years were selected. The images were analyzed individually by two obsevers using a 21-inch computer screen and Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. Reliability was achieved by intra- and interobserver evaluation, using the Kappa test. Chronological age, calcification stage, gender and third molar were interrelated using a multiple linear regression model, considering age as a response variable. There was reliability with Demirjian et al.'s developmental stage assesment, displaying a significant relationship between mineralization stages and patients' age (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the average age and the calcification stage taking gender and localization of the third molar into consideration. It is possible to estimate chronological age based on Demirjian's stage of a third molar, regardless of gender and location.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of the Nursing Team Regarding Oral Health Care in Intensive Care Units in a Reference Hospital of Recife, Brazil

Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice of nurses regarding oral health care in intensive care units. Material and Methods: Developed in a Reference Hospital of Recife, Brazil carried out from July to September 2013. Overall, 282 professionals participated through a questionnaire to evaluate KAP on oral health care. Data were analyzed using Stata 12.0. For comparison, the Student t test and ANOVA with 0.05 significance level were used. Results: 45 (16 %) were professional nurses and 237 (84 %) belonged to the nursing team. 71.1 % of nurses and 72 % of nursing technicians failed to adequately respond as to know the daily frequency of oral hygiene performance, 75.6% of the surveyed nurses were aware of the use of chlorhexidine; however, only 37.7% of technicians considered this substance appropriate. Regarding attitude among nursing technicians, from the 11 questions, only two reached more than 90% of requirements. Regarding practice, when it came to items of medical record entries about the care provided, the percentage of inadequacy was 35.6 % among nurses and 26.2 % among nursing technicians, and the oral cavity conditions of patients, the frequency was 35.6 % and 26.2 % respectively. The average practice among nursing technicians was higher among those who had technical expertise in oral care (p = 0.031). Conclusion: For nursing technicians in practice section, oral health activity can be compromised by those without technical expertise.

Citologia esfoliativa convencional versus citologia em meio líquido para prevenção e diagnóstico precoce do carcinoma escamo celular (CEC) oral / Conventional cytology versus liquid-based cytology for prevention and early diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)

Objetivando avaliar a concordância, sensibilidade e especificidade diagnóstica dos métodos citológicos:convencional e em meio líquido, foi realizado um estudo de caso-controle, no Ambulatório deCabeça e Pescoço do Hospital de Câncer de Pernambuco, sendo selecionados 182 indivíduos doentese 179 sãos, no período de setembro de 2002 a janeiro de 2004, os quais, permitiram através de assinatura de termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido a realização de exames (clínico/ citológicoesfoliativo - cytobrush) na área carcinomatosa e em área sã, constituindo, respectivamente, o grupo de casos e controles. Os dados obtidos foram analisados através dos softwares estatísticos SPSS(Statistical Package for Social Science) e Epi-Info versão 6.4. Os resultados evidenciaram que os métodosdiagnósticos citológicos apresentaram entre os casos: sensibilidade= 96,9% (IC= 95%: 92,5% a98,8%); especificidade= 75,0% (IC= 95%: 21,9% a 98,7%) e acurácia= 96,3% (IC=95%: 92,5% a 98,5%);e entre os controles: sensibilidade= 91,0% (IC=95%: 84,1% a 95,2%); especificidade = 57,5% (IC=95%:41,0% a 72,6%) e acurácia= 82,7% (IC=95%: 76,3% a 88,0%). A citologia convencional e em base--líquida apresentaram concordância com o diagnóstico histopatológico em mais de 90%. Conclui-se, portanto, que, se bem indicado e executado, o exame citológico pode ser utilizado rotineiramente como exame complementar, pois ambos apresentaram alta sensibilidade e razoável especificidade,cabendo à citologia convencional maior especificidade para o diagnóstico das lesões orais.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance between conventionalcytology and liquid-based cytology. A case-control study was developed at the Head andNeck ambulatory service of Hospital do Cancer de Pernambuco. A hundred and eighty-two patientswith primary Oral Squamous Cellular Carcinoma (OSCC) (case group) and 179 individuals with normalbuccal mucosa (control group) were selected, from September 2002 to January 2004. They agreed tobe submitted to clinical examination and exfoliative cytology of the oral cavity, by signing a documentof consent. The data were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Epi-Info 6.4 program.Among the cases, the cytologic methods demontrated a sensitivity= 96.9% (IC= 95%: 92.5% to98.8%), specificity= 75.0% (IC=95%: 21.9% to 98.7%), and accuracy= 96.3% (IC=95%: 92.5% to 98.5%).Among the controls the results were: sensitivity= 91.0% (IC=95%: 84.1% to 95.2%);, specificity= 57.5%(IC=95%: 41.0% to 72.6%), and accuracy= 82.7% (IC=95%: 76.3% to 88.0%). Conventional cytologyand liquid-based cytology demonstrated a diagnostic concordance with histopathology of more than90%. In conclusion if properly indicated and executed, they can be routinely used as complementarydiagnostic methods. When compared to each other, conventional cytology and liquid-based cytologyshowed a high sensitivity and reasonable specificity, conventional cytology having higher specificity.