Evaluation of the Accuracy of Conventional and Digital Impression Techniques for Implant Restorations.

PURPOSE: The increased use of CAD systems can generate doubt about the accuracy of digital impressions for angulated implants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different impression techniques, two conventional and one digital, for implants with and without angulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a polyurethane cast that simulates the human maxilla according to ASTM F1839, and 6 tapered implants were installed with external hexagonal connections to simulate tooth positions 17, 15, 12, 23, 25, and 27. Implants 17 and 23 were placed with 15° of mesial angulation and distal angulation, respectively. Mini cone abutments were installed on these implants with a metal strap 1 mm in height. Conventional and digital impression procedures were performed on the maxillary master cast, and the implants were separated into 6 groups based on the technique used and measurement type: G1 - control, G2 - digital impression, G3 - conventional impression with an open tray, G4 - conventional impression with a closed tray, G5 - conventional impression with an open tray and a digital impression, and G6 - conventional impression with a closed tray and a digital impression. A statistical analysis was performed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA to compare the groups, and a Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to analyze the accuracy of the techniques. RESULTS: No significant difference in the accuracy of the techniques was observed between the groups. Therefore, no differences were found among the conventional impression and the combination of conventional and digital impressions, and the angulation of the implants did not affect the accuracy of the techniques. CONCLUSIONS: All of the techniques exhibited trueness and had acceptable precision. The variation of the angle of the implants did not affect the accuracy of the techniques.

Effect of HIV infection in the micronuclei frequency on the oral mucosa.

BACKGROUND: The genotoxic impact of HIV infection on the oral cavity malignancies is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HIV infection in micronucleus (MN) frequency on the oral mucosa of HIV+ patients and establish a relationship with early cytogenetic changes in oral carcinogenesis. METHODS: Thirty HIV+ individuals who are under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 30 non-HIV patients were evaluated. Two smears were taken from the lateral border of the tongue and mouth floor and stained by Feulgen. The frequency of MN was examined in 3000 cells per subject under common microscopy. RESULTS: MN analysis showed no significant difference between groups by Mann-Whitney U-test for total MNs (P = 0.178). The presence of single MN was greater in control group with statistical significance (P = 0.009), while in HIV group, multiple MNs were exhibited in higher mean. CONCLUSIONS: HIV patients under HAART therapy and low viral load values showed higher frequency of multiple MNs, which, although not statistically significant, may be caused by the action of the Vpr gene, an accessory gene of HIV. These results corroborate the theory of HIV infection cytogenetic damage.

High doses of alcohol during pregnancy cause DNA damages in osteoblasts of newborns rats.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol exerts teratogenic effects and its consumption during pregnancy can cause deficit of bone development. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol on newborn rat osteoblasts. METHODS: Wistar rats were initially divided into two groups: Ethanol group which received Ethanol 20% V/V in liquid diet and solid diet ad libitum, and Control group, which received solid diet and water ad libitum. Each group received a specific diet for 8 weeks before breeding and throughout three weeks of gestation and the treatment was finished on the day the pups were killed. On the fifth day of life, the pups from each group were killed for removal of the calvaria and isolation of osteogenic cells by sequential enzymatic digestion. The cells were cultured for a maximum period of 14 days. The detection of genotoxic effects of alcohol was investigated by the comet and the micronucleus assay. RESULTS: Micronucleus and comet assay showed significant increases in DNA damage at 7 days in Ethanol group (p = 0.0302, p = 0.0446, respectively). However, at 14 days both assay showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.6194, p = 0.8326, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that prenatal exposure to ethanol induced DNA damage in osteoblasts, as shown by micronucleus formation and higher percentage of DNA in the comet tail. It can be concluded that prenatal exposure to ethanol damages osteoblast DNA in newborns exposed to high doses of ethanol during pregnancy, suggesting that prenatal ethanol consumption has a direct effect on fetal osteoblasts.

Evaluation of different periods of estrogen replacement onset in the tibia of ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Estrogen deficiency results in increased bone turnover and can lead to osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) seems to be the most effective means of reducing bone loss and fractures. However, the effects of the period of HRT onset on bone tissue require further elucidation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different periods of HRT onset on the trabecular bone of ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Seventy-five ovariectomized Wistar rats were divided into five groups according to the onset of treatment. Each group was subdivided into experimental (E; n = 10) and control (C; n = 5), according to treatment with 17-ß-estradiol or vehicle alone (soybean oil), respectively, administered subcutaneously. The first group received treatment immediately post-surgery, while treatment in the remaining groups was initiated 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks post-surgery. Euthanasia occurred at 9 weeks post-surgery. The left tibias were removed and prepared for histomorphometric analyses. The histomorphometric results were statistically analyzed by the Student's t test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The percentage of trabecular bone was significantly greater in the first (p = 0.002) and second (p = 0.039) experimental subgroups compared with the control for the same period. In the experimental subgroups, the percentage of trabecular bone decreased according to the delay in HRT onset and was statistically significant (t = 3.367; p = 0.0023). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate an increase in trabecular bone loss in tibia at 9 weeks post-ovariectomy. The period of HRT/E onset is important for preventing bone loss; however, despite its preventive effects, HRT/E does not restore lost bone.

Influence of fiber post cementation length on coronal microleakage values in vitro and finite element analysis.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate, the Influence of different fiber posts cementation lengths by finite element analysis (FEA) and coronal microleakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty anterior bovine teeth were sectioned to obtain roots with 16 mm length. The coronal length of the post was 6 mm for all groups, while the radicular length were varied 6, 8, 10 or 12 mm. The fiber posts surfaces were cleaned with alcohol and silanized. Then the posts were cemented using a two steps total etch-and-rinse adhesive system + conventional resin cement. Forty teeth were submitted to mechanical cycling (45°; 2.000.000 cycles; 90N; 4Hz; 37°C) and ten teeth with radicular length of 12 mm was not submitted, ser ving as c ontrol. So, the experimental design was composed by different ratios of post coronal length/post radicular length and mechanical cycling (MC): Gr1- 1/1 + MC; Gr2- 3/4 + MC; Gr3- 3/5 + MC; Gr4- 1/2 + MC. All groups were immersed in a 1% toluidine blue solution. After 24 hours, the teeth were longitudinally sectioned and the microleakage scores was given by a blind operator. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis test (p = 0.05). The experimental variables were simulated in two-dimensional finite element analysis (2D-FEA). The maximum principal stress distributions were compared. RESULTS: No difference was observed in microleakage values between the cycled groups, whilst the control groups showed the lowest values. FEA analysis showed similar maximum principal stress distribution between the groups. CONCLUSION: Mechanical cycling affected the values of coronal microleakage and different cementation length generated similar values of coronal microleakage and stress distribution. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results showed that from the microleakage point of view, more conservative cementation lengths have the same effect as longer cementation lengths.

Dental zirconia microwave-sintering followed by rapid cooling protocol.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of microwave sintering temperature and cooling rate (MS) on 3Y-TZP ceramics and its influence on the ceramic microstructure and mechanical properties. Specifically, to optimize the sintering process, reducing the total sintering time compared to conventional sintering. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-four pre-sintered Y-TZP discs (Vipi block Zirconn, VIPI) (ISO 6872) were divided into seven groups (n = 12) according to the sintering conditions: conventional sintering (CS) at 1530 °C for 120 min and microwave sintering at 1400 °C (MS1400) and 1450 °C (MS1450) for 15 min followed by different cooling conditions: rapid cooling (RC), cooling at 400 °C (C400) and 25 °C (C25). The specimens were submitted to apparent density measurements, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and biaxial flexural strength test. Data was statistically analyzed through two-way ANOVA, Tukey, Sidak, Dunnett and Weibull (α = 0.05). RESULTS: All MS1400 groups presented lower density values than the CS and MS1450 groups. Two-way ANOVA revealed that the MS temperature and cooling rate affected the biaxial flexural strength of the Y-TZP (p < 0.01). Group MS1400RC presented lower biaxial flexural strength values (681.9 MPa) than MS1450RC (824.7 MPa). The cooling rate did not statistically decrease the biaxial strength among the groups submitted to microwave sintering at 1450 °C. XRD analysis showed that the sintering and cooling temperature did not induce tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave sintering at 1450 °C for 15 min followed by rapid cooling can be a viable fast alternative protocol for Y-TZP sintering, compared with the conventional sintering, reducing the total sintering time by 75% and reducing the energy used for the sintering process without affecting the Y-TZP biaxial flexural strength and relative density compared to the conventional sintering. Moreover, the microwave technique promoted smaller grains and did not induce monoclinic phase formation.

Microstrain around dental implants supporting fixed partial prostheses under axial and non-axial loading conditions, in vitro strain gauge analysis.

The current study used strain gauge analysis to perform an in vitro evaluation of the effect of axial and non-axial loading on implant-supported fixed partial prostheses, varying the implant placement configurations and the loading points. Three internal hexagon implants were embedded in the center of each polyurethane block with in-line and offset placements. Microunit abutments were connected to the implants using a torque of 20 N · cm, and plastic prosthetic cylinders were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n = 10). Four strain gauges (SGs) were bonded onto the surfaces of the blocks, tangentially to the implants: SG 01 mesially to implant 1, SG 02 and SG 03 mesially and distally to implant 2, respectively, and SG 04 distally to implant 3. Each metallic structure was screwed onto the abutments using a 10-N·cm torque, and axial and non-axial loads of 30 kg were applied at 5 predetermined points. The data obtained from the strain gauge analyses were analyzed statistically through the repeated measures analysis of variance and the Tukey test, with a conventional level of significance of P < 0.05. The results showed a statistically significant difference for the loading point (P = 0.0001), with point E (nonaxial) generating the highest microstrain (327.67 µ[Latin Small Letter Open E]) and point A (axial) generating the smallest microstrain (208.93 µ[Latin Small Letter Open E]). No statistically significant difference was found for implant placement configuration (P = 0.856). It was concluded that the offset implant placement did not reduce the magnitude of microstrain around the implants under axial and non-axial loading conditions, although loading location did influence this magnitude.

Straight and offset implant placement under axial and nonaxial loads in implant-supported prostheses: strain gauge analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to quantify strain development during axial and nonaxial loading using strain gauge analysis for three-element implant-supported FPDs, varying the arrangement of implants: straight line (L) and offset (O). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three Morse taper implants arranged in a straight line and three implants arranged in an offset configuration were inserted into two polyurethane blocks. Microunit abutments were screwed onto the implants, applying a 20 Ncm torque. Plastic copings were screwed onto the abutments, which received standard wax patterns cast in Co-Cr alloy (n = 10). Four strain gauges were bonded onto the surface of each block tangential to the implants. The occlusal screws of the superstructure were tightened onto microunit abutments using 10 Ncm and then axial and nonaxial loading of 30 Kg was applied for 10 seconds on the center of each implant and at 1 and 2 mm from the implants, totaling nine load application points. The microdeformations determined at the nine points were recorded by four strain gauges, and the same procedure was performed for all of the frameworks. Three loadings were made per load application point. The magnitude of microstrain on each strain gauge was recorded in units of microstrain (µÎµ). The data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The configuration factor was statistically significant (p= 0.0004), but the load factor (p= 0.2420) and the interaction between the two factors were not significant (p= 0.5494). Tukey's test revealed differences between axial offset (µÎµ) (183.2 ± 93.64) and axial straight line (285.3 ± 61.04) and differences between nonaxial 1 mm offset (201.0 ± 50.24) and nonaxial 1 mm straight line (315.8 ± 59.28). CONCLUSION: There was evidence that offset placement is capable of reducing the strain around an implant. In addition, the type of loading, axial force or nonaxial, did not have an influence until 2 mm.

Experimental systemic virulence of oral Candida dubliniensis isolates in comparison with Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei.

There are no previous studies on the comparative virulence of Candida dubliniensis with other non-albicans species. The aim of this study was to compare the virulence and infection kinetics of C. dubliniensis and other species. Candida albicans, C. dubliniensis, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei (reference strains) were inoculated intravenously in mice. For infection kinetics evaluation, a group of five animals were sacrificed after 6 h, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. Microbiological evaluations (liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs and brain) and histopathological examination of the kidney were performed. The results of virulence evaluation were analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (5%). Candida dubliniensis-inoculated mice survived for longer periods compared with those with C. albicans (P = 0.005). No differences were detected in relation to C. tropicalis (P = 0.326) and C. krusei (P = 0.317). Most of the organs were persistently colonised by C. albicans and C. dubliniensis even by day 21. Tendency of C. krusei clearance was observed in all organs. Fungal masses and renal lesions were observed after inoculation of C. albicans, C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis. Within the limits of the study, data on survival rate and dissemination capacity suggest that C. dubliniensis is less virulent than C. albicans.

Evaluating craniofacial asymmetry with digital cephalometric images and cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate craniofacial asymmetry by using 2-dimensional (2D) posteroanterior cephalometric images, 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and physical measurements (gold standard). METHODS: Ten dry human skulls were assessed, and radiopaque markers were placed on 17 skeletal landmarks. Twenty linear measurements were taken on each side to compare the right and left sides and to compare these measurements with the physical measurements made with a digital caliper. To acquire the 2D posteroanterior radiographs, an Extraoral Phosphor Storage Plate (Air Techniques, Chicago, Ill) was used as the image receptor with a Eureka x-ray-Duocon Machlett unit (Machlett Laboratores, Chicago, Ill). Three-dimensional imaging data were acquired from a CB MercuRay (Hitachi Medical, Tokyo, Japan). RESULTS: On average, the right side was larger than the left for most of the 20 distances evaluated in the digital 2D and the CBCT images, and there was poor agreement between the digital 2D images and the physical measurements (kappa = 0.0609) and almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.92) between the CBCT and physical measurements when individual measurements were considered. CONCLUSIONS: Human skulls, with no apparent asymmetry, had some differences between the right and left sides, with dominance for the right side but with no clinical significance. CBCT can better evaluate craniofacial morphology when compared with digital 2D images.

Effect of airborne-particle abrasion and mechanico-thermal cycling on the flexural strength of glass ceramic fused to gold or cobalt-chromium alloy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of airborne-particle abrasion and mechanico-thermal cycling on the flexural strength of a ceramic fused to cobalt-chromium alloy or gold alloy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Metallic bars (n = 120) were made (25 mm × 3 mm × 0.5 mm): 60 with gold alloy and 60 with Co-Cr. At the central area of the bars (8 mm × 3 mm), a layer of opaque ceramic and then two layers of glass ceramic (Vita VM13, Vita Zahnfabrick) were fired onto it (thickness: 1 mm). Ten specimens from each alloy group were randomly allocated to a surface treatment [(tungsten bur or air-particle abrasion (APA) with Al(2) O(3) at 10 mm or 20 mm away)] and mechanico-thermal cycling (no cycling or mechanically loaded 20,000 cycles; 10 N distilled water at 37°C and then thermocycled 3000 cycles; 5°C to 55°C, dwell time 30 seconds) combination. Those specimens that did not undergo mechanico-thermal cycling were stored in water (37°C) for 24 hours. Bond strength was measured using a three-point bend test, according to ISO 9693. After the flexural strength test, failure types were noted. The data were analyzed using three factor-ANOVA and Tukey's test (α= 0.05). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the flexural bond strength of gold and Co-Cr groups (42.64 ± 8.25 and 43.39 ± 10.89 MPa, respectively). APA 10 and 20 mm away surface treatment (45.86 ± 9.31 and 46.38 ± 8.89 MPa, respectively) had similar mean flexural strength values, and both had significantly higher bond strength than tungsten bur treatment (36.81 ± 7.60 MPa). Mechanico-thermal cycling decreased the mean flexural strength values significantly for all six alloy-surface treatment combinations tested when compared to the control groups. The failure type was adhesive in the metal/ceramic interface for specimens surface treated only with the tungsten bur, and mixed for specimens surface treated with APA 10 and 20 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the levels adopted in this study, the alloy did not affect the bond strength; APA with Al(2) O(3) at 10 and 20 mm improved the flexural bond strength between ceramics and alloys used, and the mechanico-thermal cycling of metal-ceramic specimens resulted in a decrease of bond strength.

Mucus extravasation and retention phenomena: a 24-year study.

BACKGROUND: Mucoceles are benign lesions related to the minor salivary glands and their respective ducts frequently affecting oral structures which are generally asymptomatic. Mucoceles are generally characterized by swollen nodular lesions preferentially located on the lower lip and differ from the so-called ranulas, which are lesions located on the floor of the mouth and related to the sublingual or submandibular glands. METHODS: The objective of the present study was to analyze data such as age, gender, race and site of the lesion of 173 mucocele cases diagnosed at the Discipline of Stomatology, São José dos Campos Dental School, UNESP, over a period of 24 years (April 1980 to February 2003). RESULTS: Of the 173 cases analyzed, 104 (60.12%) were females and 69 (39.88%) were males. Age ranged from 4 to 70 years (mean +/- SD: 17 +/- 9.53) and most patients were in the second decade of life (n = 86, 49.42%); white (n = 124, 71.68%). The lower lip was the site most frequently affected by the lesions (n = 135, 78.03%), whereas the lowest prevalence was observed for the soft palate, buccal mucosa, and lingual frenum. CONCLUSION: In this study, mucoceles predominated in white female subjects in the second decade of life, with the lower lip being the most frequently affected site.

Polyurethane and PTFE membranes for guided bone regeneration: histopathological and ultrastructural evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to research a membrane material for use in guided bone regeneration. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, 25 male Wistar rats were used to analyze the biocompatibility and degradation process of biomembranes. The morphological changes in subcutaneous implantations were assessed after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 70 days. The materials were made of polyurethane polymer (AUG) obtained from vegetal oil (Ricinus communis) and polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (PTFE). The surface characteristics of the physical barriers in scanning electronic microscopic (SEM) were also evaluated. RESULTS: In both groups, the initial histological analysis showed moderate inflammatory infiltrate, which was predominantly polymorphonuclear. There was also a presence of edema, which was gradually replaced by granulation tissue, culminating in a fibrous capsule. In the AUG group, some multinucleated giant cells were present in the contact interface, with the space previously occupied by the material. However, membrane degradation was not observed during the period studied. According to the present SEM findings, porosity was not detected in the AUG or PTFE membranes. CONCLUSION: The researched material is biocompatible and the degradation process is extremely slow or may not even occur at all.

Oral distribution of Candida species and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Candida spp. and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy (MDT). METHODS: Thirty-eight individuals (18 males and 20 females, median age 53 years) clinically and microbiologically diagnosed as leprosy (lepromatous variant), and under MDT for at least 45 days were studied. The control group constituted by 38 healthy individuals (median age 53.5), matched to the test group in relation to age, gender and oral conditions. Oral rinses were collected and the Candida identification was performed by phenotypic tests. The existence of Candida dubliniensis among the isolates was analyzed using a validated multiplex PCR assay. Twenty-nine leprosy patients were examined intra-orally for the presence of lesions. Data were analyzed by z- and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha = 5%). RESULTS: Yeast carriage rate between leprosy patients (65.8%) and controls (47.4%) was similar (P = 0.099), and no significant difference between yeast counts was observed (P = 0.1004). Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. In the leprosy group, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis were also identified. In the control group, we additionally identified Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Candida kefyr. Candida dubliniensis was not detected. No leprosy-related oral lesion was registered. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the study, we concluded that Brazilian leprosy patients under MDT showed similar levels of carriage and Candida species distribution in relation to the controls.

Homeopathic treatment for bone regeneration: experimental study.

AIM AND METHOD: The objective of this research was to study the effect of homeopathic treatment with Plumbum metallicum (Plumbum met.) on mandibular bone repair in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the mandibles of 60 male rats, approximately 3-month-old, randomly divided into three groups of 20 animals each: control, treated with calcitonin, and treated with a homeopathic medicine. A circumscribed bone defect measuring 4mm in diameter was made in the mandible and covered with a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) barrier. The group treated with calcitonin received 2IU/kg intramuscularly three times a week; the group treated with Plumbum met. 30c received three drops in water every day. The animals were sacrificed after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. The mandibles were removed and submitted to histologic and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: Data were analyzed statistically by two-way ANOVA and by the Tukey test. The interaction effect (ANOVA, F df(6; 48)=4.64; p=0.001<0.05) indicated that the relationship between treatments was not the same at each time of sacrifice. Although statistical analysis of the histomorphometric data showed a similar results for the treated and control groups. But histological analysis showed complete filling of the surgical defect throughout its extent was only for the group treated with Plumbum met. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that for repair of surgical defects in rat mandibles Plumbum met. 30c and control did not differ significantly in histomorphometric terms.

Polymerization efficiency of high-intensity LEDs with different exposure times.

This study compared two high-intensity light-emitting diode (LED) appliances to a quartz-halogen-tungsten (QTH) appliance and measured their ability to polymerize resin composite efficiently. Eighty-four test specimens (2 mm x 5 mm) were made of resin composite and exposed to one of the two LED appliances for 10, 20, or 40 seconds; the QTH appliance was used as a control group for 40 seconds. It was concluded that using the high-intensity LEDs for 20 seconds produced microhardness similar to that produced by using the QTH appliance for 40 seconds, but the high intensity LEDs did not improve depth of cure.

Temperature variation caused by high-intensity LED curing lights in bovine dentin.

This study sought to evaluate the temperature variations in bovine dentin when cured with high-intensity LED appliances and quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) appliances. Forty-five slices of bovine dentin (0.7 mm thick) were divided into three groups. Temperature variations were measured during polymerization of the adhesive (10 seconds), during polymerization of the resin composite (40 seconds), and 24 hours after the resin composite polymerization. The data were submitted to the ANOVA repeated measures test, which showed a statistically significant difference in the interaction factor (p = 0.0001). Tukey's test (p = 5%) revealed that the SmartLite PS LED appliance caused a significantly higher temperature increase than the other appliances following polymerization of the adhesive, that both LED appliances produced significantly greater temperature increases than the QTH curing light during polymerization of the resin composite, and that the SmartLite PS produced the greatest temperature increase after 24 hours.

Effectiveness of six different disinfectants on removing five microbial species and effects on the topographic characteristics of acrylic resin.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectant solutions (1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine digluconate, 2% glutaraldehyde, 100% vinegar, tabs of sodium perborate-based denture cleanser, and 3.8% sodium perborate) in the disinfection of acrylic resin specimens (n = 10/group) contaminated in vitro by Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, S. aureus, Escherichia coli, or Bacillus subtilis as measured by residual colony-forming unit (CFU). In a separate experiment, acrylic resin was treated with disinfectants to monitor potential effects on surface roughness, Ra (microm), which might facilitate microbial adherence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred fifty acrylic resin specimens contaminated in vitro with 1 x 10(6) cells/ml suspensions of standard strains of the cited microorganisms were immersed in the disinfectants for 10 minutes; the control group was not submitted to any disinfection process. Final counts of microorganisms per ml were performed by plating method for the evaluation of microbial level reduction. Results were compared statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (p< or = 0.05). In a parallel study aiming to evaluate the effect of the tested disinfectant on resin surface, 60 specimens were analyzed in a digital rugosimeter before and after ten cycles of 10-minute immersion in the disinfectants. Measurements of superficial roughness, Ra (mum), were compared statistically by paired t-test (p< or = 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, and 2% chlorhexidine digluconate were most effective against the analyzed microorganisms, followed by 100% vinegar, 3.8% sodium perborate, and tabs of sodium perborate-based denture cleanser. Superficial roughness of the specimens was higher after disinfection cycles with 3.8% sodium perborate (p= 0.03) and lower after the cycles with 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this experiment, it could be concluded that 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, 2% chlorhexidine, 100% vinegar, and 3.8% sodium perborate are valid alternatives for the disinfection of acrylic resin.

Photosensitization of different Candida species by low power laser light.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the laser radiation (685 nm) associated with photosensitizers on viability of different species of Candida genus. Suspensions of Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis, containing 10(6) viable cells per milliliter were obtained with the aid of a Neubauer's chamber. From each species, 10 samples of the cell suspension were irradiated with diode laser (685 nm) with 28 J/cm2 in the presence of methylene blue (0.1 mg/ml), 10 samples were only treated with methylene blue, 10 samples were irradiated with laser in the absence of the dye, 10 samples were treated with the dye and irradiated with laser light and 10 samples were exposed to neither the laser light nor to the methylene blue dye. From each sample, serial dilutions of 10(-2) and 10(-3) were obtained and aliquots of 0.1 ml of each dilution were plated in duplicate on Sabouraud dextrose agar. After incubation at 37 degrees C for 48 h, the number of colony-forming units (CFU/ml) was obtained and data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Laser radiation in the presence of methylene blue reduced the number of CFU/ml in 88.6% for C. albicans, 84.8% for C. dubliniensis, 91.6% for C. krusei and 82.3% for C. tropicalis. Despite this, only laser radiation or methylene blue did not reduce significantly the number of CFU/ml of Candida samples, except for C. tropicalis. It could be concluded that the photo activation of methylene blue by the red laser radiation at 685 nm presented fungicide effect on all Candida species studied.