In vitro evaluation of composite resin fluorescence after natural aging.

BACKGROUND: Some composite resins contain luminophorous agents in order to reproduce tooth fluorescence. The objective of this study was to compare the fluorescence spectra emitted by composite resins with those of human enamel and dentin, and their emission behaviour after a 90-day natural aging period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine shades of the composite resins Z350XT/3M (XT), Opallis/FGM (OP) and Empress Direct/Ivoclar-Vivadent (ED) were analyzed. Five specimens (10.0 mm x 2.0mm) were fabricated for each shade. Enamel (5.0 mm x 0.30 mm) and dentin (5.0 mm x 1.0 mm) specimens were obtained from sound human third molars. Fluorescence spectra of human dentin and enamel as well as the composite specimens immediately after fabrication were measured at the excitation peaks of 375, 395 and 410 nm. To assess composite resin fluorescence intensity changes over time, measurements were conducted after 30, 60 and 90 days, at 395 nm. Differences in fluorescence intensity over time were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Fluorescence spectra baseline values of composites demonstrated no differences in intensity among the excitation peaks tested, with maximum emission found at the peak of 450 nm. Enamel and dentin spectra varied with different excitations, and the greater the excitation, the longer the wavelength in comparison to composite resins. After 90 days, XT presented an increase in fluorescence intensity, while OP and ED showed a reduction when compared with baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: Fluorescence intensity of composite resins changed during the period analyzed, with an emission behavior different from that of human enamel and dentin. The main changes occurred in the first 30 days. Key words:Composite resins, dental materials, fluorescence, fluorescence spectrometry.

Radiographic Follow-Up during Orthodontic Treatment for Early Diagnosis of Sequential Supernumerary Teeth.

Most supernumerary teeth are impacted and asymptomatic. Objective. The aim of this paper is to describe two cases of sequential development of supernumerary teeth in the mandibular premolar region, identified during orthodontic treatment. Reports. The first case describes the radiographic follow-up of a female patient that presented a supernumerary tooth at the age of 9 years and 10 months in the right mandibular premolar region, followed by a further supernumerary tooth in the left mandibular premolar region identified at the age of 11 years and 3 months. In the second case, the radiographic follow-up of a male patient demonstrated 3 supernumerary teeth in the premolar region at the age of 16 years. During orthognathic surgery planning at the age of 20 years and 5 months, a supplemental supernumerary tooth was found in the left mandibular region. Conclusion. Considering the late developing of supernumerary premolars, appropriate follow-up with panoramic radiographs of patients with previous experience of supernumerary teeth is essential for early diagnosis of supplemental premolars to prevent possible complications.

A qualitative study on the administration and management competencies in a Brazilian dental school / Estudo qualitativo sobre as competências de administração e gestão de carreira em uma escola de Odontologia Brasileira

This qualitative study evaluated the acquisition of administration and management (A&M) competencies during graduation in a Brazilian dental school. Interviews were held with 13 dentists, whose opinions were examined with thematic content analysis. The perception about the acquisition of the competencies necessary to perform their jobs occurred when they were in the daily practice after graduation. Respondents reported being insufficiently trained, resulting in a series of difficulties to manage their daily professional activities after leaving dental school, particularly regarding financial issues. Different strategies are required and more effort needs to be placed on the development of A&M competencies to better prepare recently graduated dentists to enter the work market (AU).

Este estudo qualitativo avaliou a aquisição de competências de administração e gerenciamento (A&G) durante a graduação em uma escola de Odontologia brasileira. Foram entrevistados 13 dentistas e as suas opiniões foram analisadas por meio de análise de conteúdo temática. A aquisição de competências necessárias para o exercício profissional ocorreu somente após a graduação. Os entrevistados relataram que não foram suficientemente treinados, em relação a administração e gerenciamento de suas carreiras, o que resultou em uma série de dificuldades em lidar com a prática profissional. Para desenvolver as competências de A&G e melhor preparar o profissional para o mercado de trabalho são necessários novos esforços e diferentes estratégias de ensino/aprendizagem (AU).

Efeitos nos níveis clínicos e de s. mutans de um protocolo de controle de biofilme dental em adolescentes portadores de aparelho ortodôntico fixo / Effect on the clinical levels of s. mutans of a dental biofilm control protocol in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances

A utilização de acessórios durante o tratamento ortodôntico fixo aumenta o risco à ocorrência de manchas brancas, cárie e gengivite devido aos sítios retentores de biofilme dental. O objetivo deste estudo foi observar o efeito de um protocolo de controle de biofilme dental nos níveis de gengivite e risco à cárie em adolescentes portadores de aparelho ortodôntico fixo. Foram selecionados 21 pacientes de ambos os gêneros, entre 12 e 18 anos, que usavam aparelho fixo. Os critérios de exclusão foram: doenças sistêmicas, uso de antibiótico, gravidez e fumo. Os pacientes receberam instrução de higiene oral individualmente, reforçada mensalmente, e tiveram a saliva coletada no início e no final do estudo para avaliar o número de streptococcus mutans (SM) em unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC) e o risco à cárie. Nos tempos 1, 30, 60 e 90 dias, foram analisados os níveis clínicos de placa bacteriana corada (IPC) e gengivite (IG). Os pacientes receberam profilaxia com jato de bicarbonato de sódio a cada exame. Para comparação da contagem de SM nos dois tempos analisados, foi utilizado o teste t de Student; para os tempos do IPC e IG, utilizou-se a análise de variância (Anova), com post-hoc Tukey, ambos com significância de 5%. Ocorreu redução entre as avaliações iniciais e finais do IPC (72,72% ± 11,93% para 54,18% ± 16,87%), do IG (1,10 ± 0,47 para 0,44 ± 0,27) e da contagem de SM (1,16 ± 1,345 UFC para 0,536 ± 0,56 UFC), todos com p < 0,05. A implementação do protocolo melhorou as condições de gengivite e risco à cárie na população durante o período de estudo.

The use of appliances during fixed orthodontic treatment increases the risk of occurrence of white spot, caries and gingivitis due to presence of dental biofilm at the retentive sites. The objective of this study was to observe the effect of a dental biofilm control protocol on the levels of gingivitis and caries risk in adolescents with fixed orthodontic appliances. Twenty-one patients of both genders, between 12 and 18 years, participated in the study. The exclusion criteria were: systemic diseases, use of antibiotics, pregnancy and smokers. Patients received individual monthly oral hygiene instructions, and had their saliva collected at the beginning and the end of the study to assess the number of streptococcus mutans (SM) in colony forming units (CFU) and caries risk. At 1, 30, 60 and 90 days, clinical levels of bacterial plaque (CPI) and gingivitis (GI) were analyzed. Patients received prophylaxis with sodium bicarbonate jets at each exam. Student t test was used to compare SM counts at the two analyzed moments, while analysis of variance (Anova) was used for CPI and GI times, followed by Tukeyposthoc test, at a significance of 5%. Reductions in CPI levels (72.72% ± 11.93% to 54.18% ± 16.87%), GI levels (1.10 ± 0.47 to 0.44 ± 0.27) and SM counts (1.16 ± 1.345 UFC para 0.536 ± 0.56 UFC) were observed between the initial and the final assessments, all with p < 0.05. The implementation of the biofilm control protocol improved gingivitis conditions and caries risk in the population studied during the experimental period.

Perfil de cirurgiões-dentistas formados por um currículo integrado em uma instituição de ensino pública brasileira / Profile of dentists trained with an integrated curriculum at a Brazilian public teaching institution

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o perfil dos egressos do Curso de Odontologia da Universidade Estadual de Maringá e a contribuição do projeto pedagógico para atuação profissional. Um questionário on-line composto por 20 questões foi enviado via e-mail para os egressos formados entre 2003 e 2010. Para armazenamento e extração das informações utilizou-se o software MYSQL e SQLYOG respectivamente, e foram exportadas para o formato XLS (Microsoft Excel) para a análise descritiva. Do total de 273 egressos deste período, foram contatados 208 (76%) e destes, 148 responderam ao questionário (71%). A maioria dos egressos foi do sexo feminino (63%), faixa etária de 26 a 30 anos, oriundos do Paraná (84%) e atuava neste estado (80%). Aproximadamente 50% apresentaram uma renda anual de 12-36 mil R$/ano, a maioria faz ou fez algum curso de pós-graduação (95%), atuava em consultório particular (61%) e apenas 9% sentiam-se realizados financeiramente. Quanto a proposta pedagógica, mais de 90% a consideraram boa ou ótima, 59% relataram que o currículo ocorre parcialmente de forma integrada e que as disciplinas atendiam parcial (48%) ou totalmente aos objetivos propostos (49%). Concluiu-se que o curso tem formado profissionais predominantemente do sexo feminino, jovem e com atuação concentrada no Paraná. O projeto pedagógico do curso tem contribuído para uma formação generalista, as disciplinas atendem aos objetivos do curso, porém na visão dos egressos, o desenvolvimento curricular ocorre de forma parcialmente integrada indicando a necessidade de novas reformulações visando a melhoria do curso (AU).

The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of the State University of Maringa Dentistry Course alumni and relate the contribution of the institution's pedagogic project to their professional life. An on-line questionnaire composed of 20 questions was sent via email to alumni who graduated between 2003 and 2010. MYSQL and SQLYOG software were used for storage and retrieval of the information, respectively, and data were exported to XLS (Microsoft Excel) format for a descriptive analysis. Of a total of 273 alumni from this period, 208 (76%) were contacted, 148 of which responded to the questionnaire (71%). The majority of the alumni were women (63%), with an age range from 26 to 30 years, who came from Paraná (84%) and worked in that state (80%). Approximately 50% reported an annual income of 12 thousand to 36 thousand real (R$/annum). The majority were currently taking or had taken some graduate courses (95%) and were working in private practice (61%). Only 9% felt that they had achieved financial satisfaction. As regards the pedagogic proposal, over 90% considered it good or excellent, 59% reported that the curriculum is partially integrated and that the subjects of the curriculum met their proposed objectives either partially (48%) or completely (49%). It was concluded that the course has predominantly trained young, women professionals with activities concentrated in the state of Paraná; the pedagogic project of the course has contributed to fostering a generalist education and that the disciplines have met the objectives of the course; however, from the point of view of the alumni, curricular development is only partially integrated, indicating the need for new formulations with a view to improving the course (AU).