Ultraviolet C as a method of disinfecting medical silicone used in facial prostheses: An in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Hygiene and disinfection are important factors for preserving facial prostheses and supporting tissue health. However, a method that does not accelerate degradation or color change is necessary. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effectiveness of irradiation with ultraviolet C light-emitting diode (UV-C LED) light in the disinfection and initial color stability of the silicone (A-588-1; Factor II) used in facial prostheses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty specimens were made, contaminated by multispecies biofilm, and divided into 5 groups (n=24) with different treatments: control, distilled water, 0.12% chlorhexidine, UV-C LED light, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the negative control. Cell viability was measured by the methyl tetrazolium salt method. Statistical analysis was performed by generalized linear models. Additional descriptive analysis was performed for color analysis by using 16 silicone specimens made with light and dark intrinsic coloring in 4 groups (controls and treatments n=4) submitted to UV-C LED light. The ΔE of the specimens was obtained by CIEDE200. RESULTS: The results of cell viability demonstrated a statistically significant difference among the groups (P<.001), with a microbial reduction after UVC-LED exposure compared with the control group. Regarding the color, the groups presented an average ΔE (light 0.205 and dark 0.308) compatible with visually imperceptible changes (light <0.7 and dark <1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Irradiation with UV-C LED light decreased the in vitro microbial cell viability of the medical silicone used in facial prostheses, demonstrating initial color stability.

Triclosan-containing fluoride toothpaste on clinical parameters and osteo-inflammatory mediators when applied in a stent during experimental peri-implant mucositis in smokers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of triclosan-containing fluoride toothpaste on the clinical parameters and the osteo-immunoinflammatory mediators in the peri-implant fluid when applied in a stent during experimental peri-implant mucositis in smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six smokers with an implant-supported crown were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, crossover study. During the two 3-week periods without mechanical toothbrushing (washout period: 30 days), patients were randomly assigned to triclosan/fluoride (n:13) or fluoride toothpaste (n:13), three times/day. Clinical and immunoenzymatic assays were performed at baseline, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. RESULTS: Both groups showed increase in the Plaque Index throughout the study (p = 0.001), without inter-group differences at 21 days (p > 0.05). No intra- or inter-group differences were observed for IFN-γ, IL10, IL-1ß, IL8, IL-17, IL-6, TNF-α, MMP-2, MMP-9, TGF-ß, OC, OPN, ICTP, OPG and RANKL (p > 0.05). However, the RANKL/OPG ratio was significantly higher in fluoride toothpaste-treated sites when compared to triclosan/fluoride-treated sites at the end of period without mechanical toothbrushing, on the 21st day (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Triclosan-containing toothpaste favorably modulated osteo-immunoinflammatory mediators during the experimental peri-implant mucositis in smokers, decreasing the ratio of RANKL/OPG.

A 10-Year Follow-Up of Different Intra-Radicular Retainers in Teeth Restored with Zirconia Crowns.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the survival rate in restored teeth with three different types of retainers prior to the fixing of crowns with zirconia through this retrospective clinical study. It is unclear how the type of post and core rehabilitation, and type of resin cement affect the longevity of teeth restored with crowns. METHODS: In a private clinic, a total of 101 retainers installed by the same professional between June 2008 and January 2018, with an average time of 58.2 months (4.8 years), were analyzed regarding the following factors: survival, cement and failure type. Three types of retainers were used according to the indications found in the literature: filling with Z250 light-cured composite resin, 22 elements; fiberglass post with Z250 light-cured composite resin, 45 elements; and cast metallic core in silver-tin alloy, 34 elements. The retainers were cemented with chemically cured cement, U100, U200, or Panavia F. RESULTS: Data were subjected to Kaplan-Meier analysis (p=0.495). Although the study presented several limitations, no significant differences were observed in the success rates between the types of intra-radicular retainers and the type of cement. The success rates were as follows: metal core, 97.1%; fiberglass post, 95.6%; and filling, 100%. On average, failures occurred at 48.4 months. CONCLUSION: In view of the results, it is possible to conclude that the different retainers evaluated have similar survival rates.

Oral Cancer Knowledge Assessment: Newly Graduated versus Senior Dental Clinicians.

The present study assessed the level of dentists' knowledge regarding oral cancer in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. A questionnaire was used to compare the level of knowledge among newly graduated and senior clinicians. A total of 20,154 e-mails were correctly delivered to the dentists registered in the database of the Regional Dentistry Council of São Paulo, and 477 (2.36%) responses were received. This sample consisted of 84 newly graduated clinicians and 105 senior clinicians. For the statistical analysis, the chi-square test and the logistic regression analysis were performed with α = 0.05, and the results were described herein. According to their knowledge level, the results were statistically different between the groups, since 19% of the newly graduated clinicians were evaluated with knowledge grade A (excellent) in comparison to 6.7% of the senior clinicians. In spite of the results indicated that newly graduated clinicians' knowledge regarding oral cancer was 2.1 times higher, 34.5% of the professionals in this group had regular or poor knowledge on the subject, and several questions relating to clinical characteristics and risk factors indicated that there still exist some knowledge gaps, demonstrating that there is a need for further studies and information activities addressing oral cancer.