Quality of life of patients following orthognathic surgery.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how patients with dentofacial deficiency who have undergone orthognathic surgery perceive their quality of life (QoL) with respect to functional, esthetic, and psychosocial issues. In an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study, 10 patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery answered questionnaires used internationally for assessing QoL: the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14), and Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ). In addition, the patients completed the Self-Perception Questionnaire of Esteem, Appearance, and Interpersonal Relationships (ASR-26), which explored the differences between their current self-esteem, appearance satisfaction, and interpersonal relationships and their memories of their presurgical feelings about those topics. The data were submitted to descriptive and multivariable statistical analyses. There was a statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative periods regarding self-esteem, appearance satisfaction, and professional relationships (P < 0.05). The data collected with the SF-36, OHIP-14, and OQLQ questionnaires showed high internal consistency (Cronbach α coefficient). The index (mean) scores for the SF-36 (81.5), OHIP-14 (0.6), and OQLQ (5.0) were close to the conditions of high QoL. Principal component analysis revealed 3 distinct groups of patients, and 70% of patients composed a group with high QoL scores, showing no complaints of physical pain, functional limitation, psychological discomfort, social disability, or excessive concern about their oral condition. In this small sample of patients, orthognathic surgery resulted in improved health-related QoL with variations among patients regarding physical pain, psychological discomfort, oral function, facial esthetics, physical function, social function, and self-awareness of facial deformity. The results of this study indicate the importance of applying a questionnaire in individuals who have undergone orthognathic surgery to investigate their personal motivations for treatment and which physical, social, and psychological problems are limiting their QoL.

Influence of nicotine on machined- and anodized-surface implants. Histometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The nicotine may generate a influence on bone repair and longevity of dental implants. This fact makes studies to improve the surface of the implants are constantly conducted. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of subcutaneous nicotine injection in the osseointegration process on different implant surfaces, through histomorphometric analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Therefore, twenty-two male rabbits were randomly distributed into two groups according to the subcutaneous injections: (1) nicotine, 3 mg/day/kg and (2) 0.9% NaCI, 3 mL/day/kg, three times a day. Subgroups were then designated - machined and anodized dental implants were installed in the right and left tibia bones, respectively. The animals were subjected to euthanasia after periods of eight weeks for histomorphometric analysis. The bone samples with implants were removed and the routine histological processing was performed. Next, the images obtained from the blades were evaluated by the Image Tool™ software, assessing the osseointegrated areas of implants (BIC), in pixels. Data obtained were subjected to intergroup statistical analysis through the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test (α=5%). RESULTS: The test result showed no statistically significant difference among the groups studied (p=0.446). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the methodology studied, it is concluded that the daily application of low doses of nicotine did not interfere with the osseointegration of machined and anodized implants. Key words:Bone-implant interface, implants, osseointegration.

Surface Modifications on Aesthetically Restored Teeth following Home Bleaching with 16% Peroxide Carbamide.

OBJECTIVES: This clinical study evaluated the effects of a highly concentrated home-bleaching agent on the surface morphology of aesthetically restored teeth. METHODS: Specimens of human enamel and micro-hybrid composite resin were randomly adhered to the buccal side of right premolar and molar teeth of ten volunteers, who underwent a routine home-bleaching procedure with 16% carbamide peroxide on the upper jaw for 8 days. The mandibular unbleached specimens served as paired controls (n=10). Ultra-structural assessment of the sample was carried out by scanning electron microscopy, and the resulting images were blindly evaluated for topographical alterations. The differences between groups were calculated with the Mann-Whitney test adjusted at the 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The bleached enamel presented significantly more morphological changes than the control group. The aspect of resin composite exposed to the whitening substance was statistically similar to that observed in the corresponding control group (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of surface topography changes during home bleaching of aesthetically restored teeth with 16% carbamide peroxide was restricted to enamel.