Analysis of Biofilm Adhesion on CAD/CAM Lithium Disilicates Under Different Types of Intraoral Polishing.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on lithium disilicate ceramics, submitted to different intraoral polishing protocols, and the degree of surface smoothness obtained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty lithium disilicate specimens were divided into 5 groups (n=10): G1-Glaze Group (positive control); G2-Glaze Group + Wear + Glaze; G3-Wear Group (negative control); G4-Ceramisté Wear Group; G5-Optrafine Wear Group. Surface roughness (Ra - µm) was evaluated and the surface characteristics were assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM); to assess S. mutans biofilm, the number of cultured cells was evaluated by counting colony-forming units (CFU/mL). The data underwent one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (P⟨.05). RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the surface roughness of all groups compared with G3. There was no significant difference between the G4 and G5 groups that received polishing. G1 group had the lowest mean roughness values. There was a difference in Log values (CFU/mL) between the G3 group and the groups that received glaze (G1 and G2). The G3 group had the highest adhesion of S. mutans (4.53 Log). CONCLUSION: The most effective polishing protocol after wear is glazing, presenting the lowest roughness and CFU/mL values.

Oral rehabilitation of patients after maxillectomy. A systematic review.

Patients who have maxillectomy can be rehabilitated with reconstructive surgery or obturator prostheses with or without osseointegratable implants. To identify studies on possible treatments in this group, we systematically searched the Scopus, Embase, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane databases to collect data on patients' characteristics, radiotherapy, and results related to speech, swallowing, mastication or diet, chewing, aesthetics, and quality of life. Of the 1376 papers found, six were included, and one other was included after an additional search of references. A total of 252 patients were included, and of them, 86 had reconstructive surgery, 91 were treated with obturator prostheses, 39 had reconstructive surgery or obturator prostheses associated with implants, and 36 had reconstruction plus an obturator prosthesis. Data on radiotherapy were incomplete. There is a lack of consensus about the indication for rehabilitation, as the treatment must be based on the individual characteristics of each patient.

Conservative Approach for Treatment of Maxillary Lateral Incisor Agenesis With the Deciduous Tooth Retained: 18-Month Follow-Up.

This case describes a female patient with agenesis of the maxillary right lateral incisor, with her permanent canine in its position and the deciduous canine retained. Additionally, she presented with a maxillary left peg lateral incisor. To solve her functional and esthetic complaints, a multidisciplinary approach involving perio-restorative procedures was proposed. Periodontal surgeries were performed to align the gingival contour, and the restorative approach utilized ceramic veneers. At the 18-month clinical and radiographic follow-up, the treatment outcome was stable, with maintenance of the clinical results achieved and without any sign of deciduous tooth resorption.

Electrical activity of the orbicularis muscles before and after installation of ocular prostheses.

This study examined the electrical activity of the superior (SO) and inferior (IO) orbicularis oculi muscles before and after installing ocular prostheses in patients who had undergone unilateral enucleation. Twelve volunteers requiring prostheses were selected. Their electrical activity was monitored at rest and during normal opening and closing of the eyelids, rapid opening and closing of the eyelids, and squeezing. Data were recorded before and 7, 30, and 60 days after the ocular prosthesis was installed. Two-way analysis of variance was performed to verify whether there were any significant differences between the muscles and periods, and means were compared by Tukey-Kramer honestly significant difference (HSD) tests (P < 0.05). Results from the initial period differed significantly from those after prosthesis installation in all clinical situations. The SO had significantly higher electrical activity levels than the IO in all clinical situations but squeezing. The authors observed the same values during the initial period for the condition of rest (SO 8.42/IO 5.93) and the highest values for the condition of squeezing after 60 days (SO 131.50/IO 117.12). Rehabilitative treatment promoted an increase in the electrical activity of the orbicularis oculi muscles, restoring part of the muscle tone and motor function to muscles of the affected area.

Psychosocial impact on anophthalmic patients wearing ocular prosthesis.

The aim of this study was to assess the improvement in psychosocial awareness of anophthalmic patients wearing ocular prostheses and its relationship with demographic characteristics, factors of loss/treatment, social activity, and relationship between professional and patient. Surveys including a form for evaluation of psychosocial pattern were conducted with 40 anophthalmic patients rehabilitated with ocular prosthesis at the Center of Oral Oncology in the authors' dental school from January 1998 to November 2010. The improvement in psychosocial awareness was assessed by comparing the perception of some feelings reported in the period of eye loss and currently. Wilcoxon tests were applied for comparison of patients' perception between the periods. χ(2) tests were used to assess the relationship between the improvement in psychosocial awareness and the variables of the study. In addition, the logistic regression model measured this relationship with the measure of odds ratio. The feelings of shame, shyness, preoccupation with hiding it, sadness, insecurity and fear were significant for improvement in psychosocial awareness. It was concluded that the anophthalmic patients wearing an ocular prosthesis has significant improvement in psychosocial awareness after rehabilitation.

Influence of natural weathering on colour stability of materials used for facial prosthesis.

Colour stability of resin and silicone is an important factor for longevity of facial prostheses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the colour stability of resins and silicone for facial prostheses. Three brands of acrylic resin and one of facial silicone were evaluated considering pigment incorporation for the colourless materials. Ten samples of each material were fabricated and submitted to measurements of chromatic alteration initially and after 90 and 180 days of weathering natural through visual analysis and spectrophotometry. Data were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey test (p < 0.05). Statistically significant colour alteration was observed among some materials regardless of the period. The materials did not present a statistical difference between 90 and 180 days except for the pigmented heat-polymerized resin. The colour difference between pigmented Silastic MDX4-4210 and colourless Silastic was statistically significant (p < 0.01) in both periods as well as between pigmented and colourless heat-polymerized resin, and between the resins Rapidaflex and Lentaflex. The visual method demonstrated colour alteration in all materials evaluated during the first 90 days of ageing. All materials exhibited colour alteration due to exposure to environment.

Effect of disinfection and accelerated ageing on dimensional stability and detail reproduction of a facial silicone with nanoparticles.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of disinfection and accelerated ageing on the dimensional stability and detail reproduction of a facial silicone with different types of nanoparticle. A total of 60 specimens were fabricated with Silastic MDX 4-4210 silicone and they were divided into three groups: colourless and pigmented with nanoparticles (make-up powder and ceramic powder). Half of the specimens of each group were disinfected with Efferdent tablets and half with neutral soap for 60 days. Afterwards, all specimens were subjected to accelerated ageing. Both dimensional stability and detail reproduction tests were performed after specimen fabrication (initial period), after chemical disinfection, and after accelerated ageing periods (252, 504 and 1008 hours). The dimensional stability test was conducted using AutoCAD software, while detail reproduction was analysed using a stereoscope magnifying glass. Dimensional stability values were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test (p < 0.01). Detail reproduction results were compared using a score. Chemical disinfection and also accelerated ageing affected the dimensional stability of the facial silicone with statistically significant results. The silicone's detail reproduction was not affected by these two factors regardless of nanoparticle type, disinfection and accelerated ageing.