Use of the amber teething necklace by the child population: risks versus benefits.

OBJECTIVE: Based on scientific evidence, the objective of the present study is to report the possible risks and benefits of the amber teething necklace for children who use it. DATA SOURCE: This is an integrative literature review, carried out based on the following guiding question: "Does the amber teething necklace have therapeutic properties that justify its usage during tooth eruption?". The consulted databases were LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature) and PubMed (National Center for Biotechnology Information), with the following descriptors: "Amber," "Deciduous teeth," "Strangulation," and "Local symptoms." DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of five scientific articles were selected, which indicates an insufficient basis regarding the benefits associated with the use of the amber teething necklace. Conversely, there is a convergence regarding the possibility of health risks such as strangulation, asphyxiation, and swallowing of beads. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals should discourage the use of the amber teething necklace by children insofar more studies on the topic are carried out.

Use of the amber teething necklace by the child population: risks versus benefits / Uso do colar de âmbar pela população infantil: riscos x benefícios

Abstract Objective: Based on scientific evidence, the objective of the present study is to report the possible risks and benefits of the amber teething necklace for children who use it. Data source: This is an integrative literature review, carried out based on the following guiding question: "Does the amber teething necklace have therapeutic properties that justify its usage during tooth eruption?". The consulted databases were LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature) and PubMed (National Center for Biotechnology Information), with the following descriptors: "Amber," "Deciduous teeth," "Strangulation," and "Local symptoms." Data synthesis: A total of five scientific articles were selected, which indicates an insufficient basis regarding the benefits associated with the use of the amber teething necklace. Conversely, there is a convergence regarding the possibility of health risks such as strangulation, asphyxiation, and swallowing of beads. Conclusions: Health professionals should discourage the use of the amber teething necklace by children insofar more studies on the topic are carried out.

Resumo Objetivo: Com base em evidências científicas, a proposta do presente trabalho é relatar os prováveis riscos e benefícios do uso do colar de âmbar pela população infantil. Fontes de dados: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada a partir da elaboração da questão norteadora: "O colar de âmbar apresenta propriedades que justifiquem seu uso durante a erupção dentária?''. As bases de dados utilizadas foram LILACS (Literatura Latino-americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), PubMed (National Center for Biotechnology Information), por meio dos descritores: Âmbar; Dentes decíduos; Estrangulamento; Sintomas locais. Síntese dos dados: Após a busca dos dados, foram selecionados cinco artigos, os quais apontam insuficiente embasamento científico que comprove os benefícios relacionados ao uso do colar de âmbar. Em contrapartida, existe uma convergência quanto à possibilidade de riscos à saúde, como estrangulamento, asfixia e deglutição das pedras. Conclusões: Conclui-se que os profissionais da saúde devem desencorajar o seu uso por crianças até que pesquisas clínicas bem delineadas sejam disponibilizadas.

Diagnosis and treatment of mucocele in a pediatric patient: case report / Diagnóstico e tratamento de mucocele em paciente pediátrico: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Mucocele is a benign lesion, originating from disorders of minor salivary glands containing mucus. These lesions are found in children and young adults and usually occur due to local trauma. Clinically, it presents as a circumscribed, asymptomatic, soft and bluish or normocromic blister. The treatment of choice is surgical removal, when the lesion does not rupture naturally. This study aims to report a clinical case of mucocele in a pediatric patient removed through total surgical excision. A 7-year-old patient accompanied by mother sought care at the Dentistry Clinic of the "Tiradentes" University Center (UNIT / AL), with a main complaint of asymptomatic blister in the lower lip for about 15 days. In the anamnesis, the habit of biting in the region was reported. At clinical examination, a blister with clear limits of approximately 10 mm in diameter was observed in the lower lip mucosa, with slightly firm/fibrous consistency, which gave rise to doubts about the possible diagnosis, since it presented characteristics similar to that of a mucocele, although consistency at palpation indicates possible fibroma. Surgical excision of the lesion was performed; the material collected was fixed in 10% formalin and sent to histopathological examination that confirmed the diagnosis of mucocele. The patient was kept on follow-up, and there was no recurrence of the lesion. Surgical excision demonstrated an effective and prognostic therapeutic course, allowing accurate diagnosis through the histopathological evaluation of the lesion.

RESUMO Mucocele é uma lesão benigna, proveniente de desordens de glândulas salivares menores, que contém muco em seu interior. Essas lesões são encontradas em crianças e adultos jovens e ocorrem, geralmente, devido a um traumatismo local. Clinicamente apresenta-se como uma bolha circunscrita, assintomática, de consistência mole e cor azulada ou normocrômica. O tratamento de escolha é a remoção cirúrgica, quando a lesão não rompe naturalmente. Objetivo: Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso clínico de mucocele em paciente pediátrico removido por meio de excisão cirúrgica total. Relato de caso: Paciente acompanhado da mãe, 7 anos, procurou atendimento na Clínica de Odontologia do Centro Universitário Tiradentes (UNIT/AL), com queixa principal de aparecimento de bolha no lábio inferior, assintomática, cerca de 15 dias, na anamnese foi relatado o hábito de mordedura na região. Ao exame clínico foi observada uma bolha, com limites nítidos, de aproximadamente 10 mm de diâmetro, na mucosa do lábio inferior, de consistência levemente firme/fibrosa o que gerou dúvidas sobre o possível diagnóstico, pois apresentava características semelhantes à de uma mucocele apesar da consistência a palpação indicar um possível fibroma. Foi realizado a excisão cirúrgica da lesão, o material colhido foi fixado em formol a 10% e encaminhado para exame histopatológico que confirmou o diagnóstico de mucocele. O paciente foi mantido em acompanhamento, não havendo recorrência da lesão. Conclusão: A excisão cirúrgica demonstrou-se uma conduta terapêutica eficaz e com bom prognóstico, possibilitando um diagnóstico preciso através da avaliação histopatológica da lesão.

Selective Removal of Necrotic Dentin in Primary Teeth Using Laser Irradiation: One-Year Clinical Evaluation of Composite Restorations.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the child's salivary cortisol levels, clinical performance and marginal adaptation of restorations after selective removal of necrotic dentin in primary teeth using Er: YAG laser irradiation. Methods: A double-blind clinical study was performed in children at 7-10 years. Children who had at least 2 teeth with carious lesions involving the occlusal and proximal surfaces of primary molars counterparts were selected. Removal of necrotic dentin was performed by 2 methods: Er: YAG laser irradiation and bur-preparation. Cortisol levels (n =24) was evaluated by ELISA. Clinical analysis (n =20) was performed after the restorations polish, 6 and 12 months after restorative procedure using United States Public Health Service (USPHS) method and photographs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyz the marginal gap formation (n =20). The analysis of the data was performed by 95% confidence interval, Shapiro-Wilk test, Friedman and Wilcoxon post hoc tests (α =5%). Results: Cortisol levels were higher during selective removal of necrotic dentin, regardless of the method used (P>0.05). After 12 months, there was no evidence of the difference in the restorations performed on cavities prepared by both methods. SEM analysis revealed that the laser-irradiated teeth showed 10% of gaps in the full extent of restoration. For bur-prepared teeth, 20% of gaps were found at the cavosurface margin. Conclusion: The salivary cortisol levels on children that received Er: YAG laser irradiation for removal the necrotic dentin was similar to the control group. Class II restorations evaluated after 1 year period did not suffer interference by the use of Er: YAG laser irradiation.

Effect of methylene blue-induced photodynamic therapy on a Streptococcus mutans biofilm model.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) to control biofilm but its efficacy depends on several factors, such as biofilm model used. This study aims to examine whether exposure to diode laser combined with methylene blue affects the bacterial viability and polysaccharide content in a Streptococcus mutans cariogenic biofilm model, which simulated 'feast-famine' episodes of exposure to sucrose that occur in the oral cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. mutans biofilms were formed on acrylic resin discs and exposed to a 10% sucrose solution for 1min, eight times/day. After growing for 48h, the biofilms were submitted to the following treatments, twice daily (n=4): (i) 0.9% NaCl (NaCl) as the negative control; (ii) 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) as the positive antibacterial control; (iii) diode laser combined with methylene blue, using an energy density of 320J/cm2 (aPDT). After 120h of growth, the biofilm formed on each disc was collected to determine the viable bacterial counts and concentration of insoluble exopolysaccharides (IEPS) and intracellular polysaccharides (IPS). RESULTS: Bacterial counts in the biofilms formed differed among the treatments. Compared with NaCl, aPDT significantly destabilized biofilm (p<0.0001). aPDT and CHX equally lowered the concentration of IEPS and IPS in biofilms. CONCLUSION: Under the experimental conditions assessed, our findings indicate that a twice-daily treatment with diode laser combined with methylene blue effectively decreased bacterial viability and the intra- and extracellular polysaccharide concentration in biofilms of S. mutans, a cariogenic bacterium.

Dental Flossing and Proximal Caries in the Primary Dentition: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in a systematic review whether the use of dental floss in primary teeth is associated with a reduction in incidence of proximal caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Searches were performed using the following databases: PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, Bireme, Scopus and The Cochrane Library. Only 5 studies were eligible for inclusion. The quality assessment and bias control of the studies were carried out based on the Fowkes and Fulton Guideline. The study concept was first registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO). RESULTS: Flossing was professionally performed in one study and self-reported (by parents or by the children) through questionnaires in all other 4 studies. In the first study, the authors concluded that daily interdental flossing resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of proximal caries in deciduous teeth during a 20-month period. Two cross-sectional studies found that the use of interdental floss did not show any relevant association with the prevalence of caries; one study found that a higher the frequency of flossing was associated with higher caries experience, and the other found an association between severe caries and the use of dental floss, independently of the flossing frequency. CONCLUSION: There is only one study in the current literature showing evidence of an association between the use of dental floss and proximal caries reduction on primary dentition. However, the use of dental floss should never be discouraged. Healthy habits acquired in childhood continue throughout adult life, with numerous oral- and general-health benefits.

Does apical negative pressure prevent the apical extrusion of debris and irrigant compared with conventional irrigation? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if apical negative pressure (ANP) irrigation prevents the apical extrusion of debris and irrigant compared with conventional needle irrigation through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A computer search of dental literature was performed using four different databases. A combination of the terms 'apical negative pressure', 'endovac', 'apical extrusion', 'extrusion' and 'endodontics' was used. Studies that used extracted human teeth with a mature apex and that evaluated the apical extrusion of debris and/or irrigating solution were included. After an evaluation of the full studies according to the eligibility criteria, eight studies were critically analysed and subjected to quality assessment and risk of bias. Only four studies that evaluated extrusion of irrigant were considered as having high methodological quality and were subjected to a meta-analysis. Studies evaluating extrusion of debris did not have sufficient methodological quality to be subjected to the meta-analysis. The forest plot indicated that ANP irrigation prevents the risk of irrigant extrusion compared with conventional irrigation (OR 0.07 [95%CI 0.02-0.20]; P < 0.00001). This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that ANP prevents the apical extrusion of irrigant. There is no evidence if this type of irrigation prevents the extrusion of debris.

Caries removal in deciduous teeth using an Er:YAG laser: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present clinical randomized split-mouth study was to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of an Er:YAG laser for caries removal in primary molars, microbiological dentin analysis, and clinical restorations after 1 year in 29 children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The children's teeth were randomized into two groups: (I) an Er:YAG laser group and (II) a bur preparation group. The efficiency of the treatments (the time necessary for the removal of carious tissue) was evaluated based on the time spent on caries removal in the deciduous molars. The effectiveness (caries removal capacity) of the caries removal was determined by means of a blind test in which the examiner performed a tactile and visual examination of the dentin. Microbiological analysis was performed by counting the Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus sp in the remaining dentin. Clinical analysis of restorations was performed using the USPHS method in combination with photographs of restored teeth, 7 days after the restorative procedure and again after 1 year. All cavities were restored with the Adper Single Bond 2/Filtek Z350 system. The obtained data were analyzed with a significance level of 5 %. RESULTS: The Er:YAG laser was less effective and had the same efficacy as bur preparation during caries removal at the pulpal wall of deciduous molars. In the surrounding walls, bur preparation was the more effective method. Regardless of the method employed, the affected dentin in the pulpal wall had similar amounts of S. mutans and Lactobacillus sp. The restorations were clinically accepted by the USPHS method over a 1-year period. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that caries removal with an Er:YAG laser has no influence on the clinical behavior of restorations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Irradiation with an Er:YAG laser is appropriate for caries removal in primary teeth.

Effect of Fluoride Varnish Combined with Er:YAG Laser on the Permeability of Eroded Dentin: An In Situ Study

This study evaluated the combined effect of fluoride varnish and Er:YAG laser on the permeability of eroded bovine root dentin. After initial erosive challenge followed by a remineralization period, the specimens were divided in two groups according to the treatment - fluoride varnish and non-fluoride varnish - and were subdivided according to the irradiation protocol: Er:YAG laser (100 mJ, 3 Hz, 12.8 J/cm2per pulse, non-contact and defocus mode) and non-irradiated. After a lead-in period, 7 volunteers wore a palatal device containing 4 specimens that were subjected to erosive challenges. At the first experimental phase, 4 volunteers used specimens treated with fluoride varnish and fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser and 3 volunteers used specimens treated with non-fluoride varnish and non-fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser. After a washout period, volunteers were crossed to treatments, characterizing a 2x2 crossover experiment. At the end of the experimental phase, the quantitative response variable was obtained by permeability analysis and the qualitative response by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer's test revealed that specimens treated with fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser showed the lowest permeability and a significant difference was found between this group and the others. When varnish (fluoride/non-fluoride) was applied in the absence of Er:YAG laser, higher permeability was found when compared to the laser-treated groups. SEM evaluations showed partially or completely obliterated dentinal tubules when specimens were treated with fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser. It may be concluded that Er:YAG laser was able to control the permeability of eroded root dentin and the combination with fluoride varnish increased laser action.

Resumo Esse estudo avaliou o feito combinado do verniz fluoretado ao laser de Er:YAG na permeabilidade da dentina radicular erodida. Fragmentos de dentina radicular bovina, foram submetidos a um desafio erosivo inicial com ácido cítrico, que foi seguido por um período de remineralização. Posteriormente, os espécimes foram divididos em relação aos tratamentos: verniz (fluoretado e não fluoretado) e subdivididos de acordo com a irradiação: laser de Er:YAG (100 mJ, 3 Hz, 12.8 J/cm2 por pulso, sem contato e modo não focado) e não irradiado. Após um período de lead in, 7 voluntários utilizaram um dispositivo palatino contendo 4 espécimes que foram submetidos a desafios erosivos. Na primeira fase do experimento, 4 voluntários utilizaram dispositivos com fragmentos tratados com verniz fluoretado e verniz fluoretado+laser de Er:YAG e 3 voluntários utilizaram espécimes tratados com verniz não fluoretado e verniz não fluoretado+laser de Er:YAG. Depois de um período de wash-out, os voluntários foram cruzados em relação aos tratamentos, caracterizando um experimento cross-over 2x2. Ao final de cada fase experimental, a variável resposta quantitativa foi obtida através da análise de permeabilidade e a qualitativa por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A ANOVA dois critérios e teste de Tukey-Kramer revelou que as amostras tratadas com verniz fluoretado+laser de Er:YAG mostraram menor permeabilidade e uma diferença significativa foi encontrada entre este grupo, quando comparado aos demais grupos. Quando o verniz (fluoretado/não fluoretado) foram aplicados na ausência do laser de Er:YAG maiores valores de permeabilidade foram encontrados quando comparados com os grupos irradiados com o laser. A MEV demostrou túbulos dentinários parcialmente ou completamente ocluídos quando as amostras foram tratadas com verniz fluoretado+laser de Er: YAG. Pode-se concluir que o laser de Er:YAG foi capaz de controlar a permeabilidade da dentina radicular erodida e essa ação é aumentada quando o laser está associado ao verniz fluoretado.

Effect of Fluoride Varnish Combined with Er:YAG Laser on the Permeability of Eroded Dentin: An In Situ Study.

This study evaluated the combined effect of fluoride varnish and Er:YAG laser on the permeability of eroded bovine root dentin. After initial erosive challenge followed by a remineralization period, the specimens were divided in two groups according to the treatment - fluoride varnish and non-fluoride varnish - and were subdivided according to the irradiation protocol: Er:YAG laser (100 mJ, 3 Hz, 12.8 J/cm2per pulse, non-contact and defocus mode) and non-irradiated. After a lead-in period, 7 volunteers wore a palatal device containing 4 specimens that were subjected to erosive challenges. At the first experimental phase, 4 volunteers used specimens treated with fluoride varnish and fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser and 3 volunteers used specimens treated with non-fluoride varnish and non-fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser. After a washout period, volunteers were crossed to treatments, characterizing a 2x2 crossover experiment. At the end of the experimental phase, the quantitative response variable was obtained by permeability analysis and the qualitative response by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Two-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer's test revealed that specimens treated with fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser showed the lowest permeability and a significant difference was found between this group and the others. When varnish (fluoride/non-fluoride) was applied in the absence of Er:YAG laser, higher permeability was found when compared to the laser-treated groups. SEM evaluations showed partially or completely obliterated dentinal tubules when specimens were treated with fluoride varnish+Er:YAG laser. It may be concluded that Er:YAG laser was able to control the permeability of eroded root dentin and the combination with fluoride varnish increased laser action.