Magnification effect on fine motor skills of dental students.

OBJECTIVES: This study observed the effect of different magnification systems on dental students' real and perceived fine motor skills. METHODS: This was a laboratory-based experimental study. Students in the fifth year of an undergraduate dentistry program (N = 92) participated in this study. The dependent variables were real motor skills, perceived motor skills and time required to complete the fine motor skills test. The independent variable was the use of a magnification system under four conditions. For each condition, the Dental Manual Dexterity Assessment was performed, which consisted of inserting the #3195FF bur into targets positioned on a Styrofoam plate. The accuracy of each penetration of the targets was scored, using a point system with a maximum possible score of 246 points. Students' perceived fine motor skills were assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) that ranged from zero for no skills to ten for maximum skills. A descriptive statistical analysis and the repeated measures ANOVA were performed (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The Galilean and Keplerian loupes were found to positively affect students' real fine motor skills (p<0.01); however, perceived fine motor skills and time were significantly better (p<0.01) under the naked eye. CONCLUSIONS: Dental students' real fine motor skills were better when Galilean and Keplerian loupes were used, but the perceived fine motor skills were not.

Blue Covarine Toothpaste versus Office Whitening: Which is the Most Effective on Stained Teeth? / Creme Dental de Blue Covarine Versus Clareamento de Consultório: Qual é o Mais Efetivo em Dentes Pigmentados?

Alternative whitening strategies to hydrogen peroxide have been proposed, such as the inclusion of abrasive and/or pigmented particles in the toothpaste. This study compared the whitening effectiveness of a toothpaste containing Blue Covarine (BC) vs. an in-office whitening treatment using 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) in teeth stained. Bovine incisors blocks (6.0x6.0x2.0 mm) were stained with green tea (GT), orange soda (OS), or red wine (RW). The samples were randomly assigned into 8 groups (n=15), according to the type of staining and whitening treatment: G1 ­ no staining, BC (Control); G2 ­ no staining, HP (Control); G3 ­ GT, BC; G4 ­ GT, HP; G5 ­ OS, BC; G6 ­ OS, HP; G7 ­ RW, BC; G8 ­ RW, HP. Color change (ΔE), luminosity (L*), green-red axis (a*), and blue-yellow axis (b*) were recorded with spectroscopy at T0 ­ baseline, T1 ­ immediately after toothbrushing or in office tooth whitening, and T2 ­ after the conclusion of the treatments. The whiteness index for dentistry (WID) was calculated. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measured mixed ANOVA and Bonferroni test (α=0.05). HP showed a better whitening performance (ΔE) (p ≤ 0.042). Otherwise, no effects of the whitening agent were observed (p = 1.000). Data from ΔL, Δa, and Δb showed statistically significant differences for experimental groups (p < 0.001). In the WID analysis, BC and HP had similar effects within control and RW groups. In conclusion, blue covarine toothpaste may be a viable option for extrinsically stained teeth. However, for severe staining, HP-based whitening agents proved to be the most effective treatment strategy. (AU)

Estratégias de clareamento alternativas ao peróxido de hidrogênio têm sido propostas, como a inclusão de partículas abrasivas e/ou pigmentadas nos cremes dentais. Este estudo comparou a eficácia clareadora de um creme dental contendo Blue Covarine (BC) com um tratamento de clareamento em consultório com peróxido de hidrogênio a 35% (HP) em dentes pigmentados. Blocos de incisivos bovinos (6,0x6,0x2,0 mm) foram pigmentados com chá verde (GT), refrigerante de laranja (OS) ou vinho tinto (RW). As amostras foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em 8 grupos (n = 15), de acordo com o tipo de pigmento e tratamento clareador: G1 - sem coloração, CB (Controle); G2 - sem coloração, HP (Controle); G3 - GT, BC; G4 - GT, HP; G5 - OS, BC; G6 - SO, HP; G7 - RW, BC; G8 - RW, HP. Mudança de cor (ΔE), luminosidade (L *), eixo verde-vermelho (a*) e eixo azul-amarelo (b*) foram registrados com espectroscopia em T0 - baseline, T1 - imediatamente após a escovação ou clareamento dental em consultório, e T2 - após a conclusão dos tratamentos. O índice de brancura para odontologia (WID) foi calculado. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA mista de duas vidas para medidas repetidas e teste de Bonferroni (α = 0,05). HP apresentou melhor desempenho de clareamento (ΔE) (p ≤ 0,042). Os dados de ΔL, Δa e Δb mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os grupos experimentais (p <0,001). Na análise WID, BC e HP tiveram efeitos semelhantes nos grupos controle e RW. Em conclusão, o creme dental covarine azul pode ser uma opção viável para dentes com coloração extrínseca. No entanto, para manchas graves, os agentes de clareamento à base de HP provaram ser a estratégia de tratamento mais eficaz. (AU)