Patient care in the restorative clinic of a public dental school after COVID-19 lockdown

Aim: This study, with the aim of checking some of the changes in patients' daily habits and their reasons for needing restorative treatment was conducted at a public university immediately on return to attendance after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods: This survey consisted of interviews held by applying 2 questionnaires to students and patients. A single researcher collected data in all the restorative dentistry clinics at the university after the return to face-to-face activities in the period between 02/02/2021 and 07/30/2021. Data obtained by means of the questionnaires were submitted to descriptive analysis. Results: Ninety (90) participants answered the patient questionnaire. When considering possible associations between being in social isolation or not, significant values were found for changed type of diet (p=0.0011), frequency of eating (p=0.011) and toothbrushing (p=0.034). Data about 417 restorations were collected and among the reasons for restorative intervention, 33.03% were restoration replacement, 31.87% treatment of primary caries and 24.40% of dental wear/non-carious lesions. Conclusion: Patients who isolated themselves during the pandemic tended to change their eating habits and frequency of oral hygiene. Toothache was the main reason for seeking dental treatment and the replacement of pre-existing restorations was the main reason for restorative treatments

Monitoring erosive tooth wear with intraoral 3D scanner: A feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate in vitro the potential of an intraoral scanner (IOS) to monitor erosive tooth wear (ETW) using different alignment software with distinct quantitative measurement metrics. METHODS: 15 unpolished bovine crowns were exposed to citric acid (pH ~2.5) at 24-hour intervals up to 168 hours. At baseline and after each acid exposure episode, the teeth were scanned with IOS (3Shape TRIOS 3). Scanned images from each data point were superimposed on baseline image using WearCompare software to obtain volume loss (mm³) and area loss (mm²) and using IOS built-in software (3Shape TRIOS Patient Monitoring) to obtain depth loss (mm). Pearson's test was used to determine the correlation between acid exposure time (h) and each outcome measure (α= 0.05). RESULTS: As the acid exposure time increased, the lesion parameters (depth, volume, and area) increased. Friedman's test showed that relative to baseline volume loss became significant (P< 0.05) after 72 hours from median 11.48 mm³ (IQI 25% = 8.72 mm³), eroded area became significant (P< 0.05) from median 48.67 mm² (IQI 25% = 44.46 mm², P< 0.05) after 96 hours, and erosion depth became significant (P< 0.05) from median 0.69 mm (IQI 25% = 0.66 mm²) after 144 hours. A strong correlation was observed between depth (mm²) and time (r= 0.9993 P< 0.0001), volume (mm³) and time (r= 0.9968, P< 0.0001), and area (mm²) and time (r= 0.9475, P= 0.0003). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Currently, there is no quantitative method for clinical monitoring of erosive tooth wear. The present study demonstrated that the intraoral scanner is a potential clinical tool for detecting and quantitatively monitoring early and advanced erosive tooth wear.

Efficacy of a calcium-phosphate/fluoride varnish and ionomeric sealant on cervical dentin hypersensitivity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a common problem in the population that can have a significant impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from the condition. OBJECTIVES: Compare the efficacy of two treatments for DH: Ca/PO4 - /F- varnish (Clinpro White Varnish) and ionomeric sealant (IS) (Clinpro XT Varnish) with a placebo. METHODS: Participants (121) with at least one tooth with visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 4 and above were randomly and blindly allocated to the groups. Treatments were performed by a trained researcher. DH was evaluated by another blind researcher after the treatment and after 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. After 4 weeks, placebo received the DH treatment with IS; thus, the participants were not assessed after 3 and 6 months. Primary outcome was DH reduction after 4 weeks. Differences in VAS scores in the other time intervals and entire values of VAS were considered secondary outcomes. Comparisons were made among the groups (α = 0.05). RESULTS: IS showed the highest VAS value difference between baseline and 4 weeks (mean ± SD: 3.7 ± 2.2), differing significantly from placebo (2.3 ± 1.7) and Ca/PO4/F- varnish (2.6 ± 2.0). Ca/PO4- /F- varnish did not differ from placebo. In all time intervals, VAS values of all groups were significantly lower than the baseline value, without differences among groups. For the long-term differences in VAS values (3 and 6 months), the IS exhibited significantly higher values than Ca/PO4- /F- varnish. CONCLUSIONS: The IS was the most efficacious product for reducing DH, whereas Ca/PO4- /F- varnish did not differ from placebo. Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04591444).

Association of Nd:YAG laser and calcium-phosphate desensitizing pastes on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser associated with calcium-phosphate desensitizing pastes on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion after erosive/abrasive challenges. METHODOLOGY: Dentin specimens were exposed to 17% ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution for 5 min and randomly allocated into five groups: G1, control (no treatment); G2, Nd:YAG laser (1 W, 10 Hz, 100 mJ, 85 J/cm2); G3, Laser + TeethmateTM Desensitizer; G4, Laser + Desensibilize Nano P; and G5, Laser+Nupro®. Specimens underwent a 5-day erosion-abrasion cycling. Hydraulic conductance was measured post-EDTA, post-treatment, and post-cycling. Post-treatment and post-cycling permeability (%Lp) was calculated based on post-EDTA measurements, considered 100%. Open dentin tubules (ODT) were calculated at the abovementioned experimental moments using scanning electron microscopy and ImageJ software (n=10). Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). RESULTS: G1 presented the highest %Lp post-treatment of all groups (p<0.05), without significantly differences among them. At post-cycling, %Lp significantly decreased in G1, showed no significant differences from post-treatment in G3 and G4, and increased in G2 and G5, without significant differences from G1 (p>0.05). We found no significant differences in ODT among groups (p>0.05) post-EDTA. At post-treatment, treated groups did not differ from each other, but presented lower ODT than G1 (p<0.001). As for post-cycling, we verified no differences among groups (p>0.05), although ODT was significantly lower for all groups when compared to post-EDTA values (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: All treatments effectively reduced dentin permeability and promoted tubule occlusion after application. COMBINING ND: YAG laser with calcium-phosphate pastes did not improve the laser effect. After erosive-abrasive challenges, treatments presented no differences when compared to the control.

Association of Nd: YAG laser and calcium-phosphate desensitizing pastes on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser associated with calcium-phosphate desensitizing pastes on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion after erosive/abrasive challenges. Methodology Dentin specimens were exposed to 17% ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) solution for 5 min and randomly allocated into five groups: G1, control (no treatment); G2, Nd:YAG laser (1 W, 10 Hz, 100 mJ, 85 J/cm2); G3, Laser + TeethmateTM Desensitizer; G4, Laser + Desensibilize Nano P; and G5, Laser+Nupro®. Specimens underwent a 5-day erosion-abrasion cycling. Hydraulic conductance was measured post-EDTA, post-treatment, and post-cycling. Post-treatment and post-cycling permeability (%Lp) was calculated based on post-EDTA measurements, considered 100%. Open dentin tubules (ODT) were calculated at the abovementioned experimental moments using scanning electron microscopy and ImageJ software (n=10). Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Results G1 presented the highest %Lp post-treatment of all groups (p<0.05), without significantly differences among them. At post-cycling, %Lp significantly decreased in G1, showed no significant differences from post-treatment in G3 and G4, and increased in G2 and G5, without significant differences from G1 (p>0.05). We found no significant differences in ODT among groups (p>0.05) post-EDTA. At post-treatment, treated groups did not differ from each other, but presented lower ODT than G1 (p<0.001). As for post-cycling, we verified no differences among groups (p>0.05), although ODT was significantly lower for all groups when compared to post-EDTA values (p<0.001). Conclusion All treatments effectively reduced dentin permeability and promoted tubule occlusion after application. Combining Nd YAG laser with calcium-phosphate pastes did not improve the laser effect. After erosive-abrasive challenges, treatments presented no differences when compared to the control.

Enamel surface loss after erosive and abrasive cycling with different periods of immersion in human saliva.

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate different periods of exposure to clarified human saliva for the ability to protect enamel against erosive tooth wear. METHODS: For this purpose, sixty specimens (4 × 4 × 1.5 mm) were prepared from third human molars. For all groups, the period before abrasion was performed by remineralisation with human saliva (except in G1). The specimens were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10) according to the different remineralisation times of exposure to clarified human saliva: no exposure to saliva (G1) and 30 min (G2), 60 min (G3), 90 min (G4), 120 min (G5), and 240 min (G6) of exposure to human saliva. A 5-day cycling was performed with 5 min of erosion (1% citric acid; pH 2.3), 4x/day. After the first and last erosive episodes, the abrasion challenge was performed with slurry of fluoride toothpaste (1450 ppm F-, as sodium monofluorophosphate) plus human saliva (1:3), with an electric toothbrush (15 s, with a total of 120 s of slurry immersion). Surface loss (SL) was determined using an optical profilometer (n = 10) and for qualitative analysis, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was performed (n = 3). The SL data were statistically analysed by one-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05). RESULTS: No significant differences were detected among the groups for SL (p > 0.05), and ESEM showed similar aspects of eroded enamel. CONCLUSIONS: The period of in vitro exposure to clarified human saliva was not able to protect against enamel erosion.

Using fluoride mouthrinses before or after toothbrushing: effect on erosive tooth wear.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To evaluate the use of fluoridated mouthrinses before or after toothbrushing on erosive tooth wear. 2. To compare the anti-erosive effect of the combination toothpaste and mouthrinse containing fluoride, with or without stannous chloride. DESIGN: Enamel and dentin specimens were randomly distributed into groups (n = 10 of each substrate/group): B-brushing, B + R-brushing + rinsing, and R + B-rinsing + brushing. The treatments were performed using a fluoride toothpaste (BF: 1400 ppm fluoride, as amino fluoride-AmF) combined or not with a fluoride mouthrinse (RF: 250 ppm fluoride, as AmF and sodium fluoride-NaF) or fluoride and stannous toothpaste (BF+Sn: 1400 ppm fluoride, as AmF and NaF, 3500 ppm stannous, as stannous chloride-SnCl2 and 0.5% chitosan) combined or not with fluoride and stannous mouthrinse (RF+Sn: 500 ppm fluoride, as AmF and NaF, 800 ppm stannous, as SnCl2). As control, brushing was performed with artificial saliva (BC). Specimens were submitted to a 5-day erosive-abrasive cycling model. Treatments were performed twice daily. Surface loss (SL) was determined by optical profilometry. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Games-Howell tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: For enamel, RF+BF and RF+Sn+BF+Sn presented significantly lower SL than the control, with RF+BF being significantly lower than RF+Sn+BF+Sn. For dentin, BC had the lowest SL, not differing from BF+Sn+RF+Sn, RF+Sn+BF+Sn and BF. Groups RF+BF and BF+RF showed highest SL, not differing from BF+Sn and BF+Sn. CONCLUSIONS: For enamel, the use of a mouthrinse before brushing was able to reduce erosive wear for both fluoride and stannous products. For dentin, the use of stannous-containing products, irrespective of the order of application, presented superior effects.

Associative Protocol for Dentin Hypersensitivity Using Nd:YAG Laser and Desensitizing Agent in Teeth with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization.

Objective: The aim of this article was to describe and discuss a clinical case in which the Nd:YAG laser and a desensitizing agent were associated in a protocol for dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in teeth with molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH). Background data: DH is a common condition among the population, being one of the main reasons for patients to seek for a dental treatment. MIH can be considered a condition that induces DH. Methods: The patient was referred for evaluation, complaining of hypersensitivity during eating or drinking cold foods. Clinical evaluation revealed the presence of MIH on the first lower molars. Aiming to treat DH, two strategies for dentin desensitization were associated: the use of a high-power laser (Nd:YAG laser, 1.064 nm; Lares Research), with a 300 µm quartz optical fiber, 1 W of power, 100 mJ of energy, 10 Hz of repetition rate, and 85 J/cm2 of energy density, followed by the application of two layers of a desensitizing agent (Gluma Desensitizer). Results: DH was evaluated immediately, after 1 week and after 1 month of the treatment. Clinical outcomes were satisfactory, confirming the efficacy and considerable durability of the protocol used for the reduction of DH originated from MIH. Conclusions: The association of Nd:YAG laser and a desensitizing agent for controlling DH was effective, showing to be an interesting protocol.

Effect of in-office desensitizers containing calcium and phosphate on dentin permeability and tubule occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of calcium/phosphate desensitizing agents when used for dentin permeability and tubule occlusion. METHODS: 1 mm-thick dentin specimens were immersed in 17% EDTA solution and allocated into 7 groups: 1. Clinpro White Varnish, 2. Clinpro XT Varnish, 3. Teethmate Desensitizer, 4. Desensibilize Nano P, 5. Nupro prophylaxis paste, 6. Duraphat (reference product), and 7. Control (no treatment). After treatment, specimens were submitted to erosion-abrasion cycling for 5 days. Dentin permeability was assessed by hydraulic conductance (n = 10) and environmental scanning electron microscopy ESEM (n = 8) post-EDTA, post- treatment and post-cycling. The percentage of permeability (%Lp) was calculated post-treatment and post-cycling. ImageJ software was used to obtain the number of open dentin tubules (ODT) in the micrographs. Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Post-treatment, the %Lp values of all treatments were significantly lower than the control, with Nupro presenting higher %Lp values than Duraphat. All the groups presented significantly lower %Lp values in the post-treatment in comparison with the post-cycling period, except the control. Post-treatment, all groups showed lower numbers of ODTs than the control, except Nupro. Clinpro WV, Clinpro XT, Duraphat and Nano P presented the best results. Post-cycling, there was no significant difference among groups. Clinpro WV and Duraphat presented lower numbers of ODTs post-treatment than they had post-cycling, and the control had a higher number of ODTs post-treatment than they had post-cycling. CONCLUSIONS: Most treatments were efficient in reducing both dentin permeability and number of ODTs after treatment; however, none of the products were able to resist the erosive-abrasive challenges.

Nd:YAG laser and calcium sodium phosphosilicate prophylaxis paste in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity: a double-blind randomized clinical study.

AIM: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser and a calcium sodium phosphosilicate-containing paste (NovaMin®) in the treatment of cervical dentin hypersensitivity (CDH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients were randomly allocated into the following experimental groups: control-placebo, calcium sodium phosphosilicate paste (NovaMin®), and Nd:YAG laser (1 W, 10 Hz, 85 J/cm2). Pain was evaluated by means of a visual analog pain scale (VAS) after evaporative stimulation with a jet of air and tactile stimulation with an exploratory probe, before treatment (baseline) and after 5 min, 1week, and 4 weeks. When patients presented more than one tooth with CDH, the mean of the values obtained was calculated. Irradiation with Nd:YAG laser was performed twice in the mesial-distal and twice in the occlusal-gingival direction. The NovaMin®-containing paste was applied with a rubber cup at low speed for 60 s. Patients of the placebo group received simulations of the two treatments. As the data presented normal distribution, the two-way ANOVA repeated measures test was used. RESULTS: In all the experimental times, reduction in pain was demonstrated in comparison with baseline for all treatments (p < 0.05); however, there was no difference among the experimental groups in any of the time intervals evaluated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: All treatments were equally effective in reducing the pain of CDH. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nd:YAG laser irradiation and the calcium sodium phosphosilicate paste could reduce the symptoms of CDH; thus, they stand out as viable alternatives for the treatment of this condition.

Effectiveness and acid/tooth brushing resistance of in-office desensitizing treatments-A hydraulic conductance study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dentin permeability and tubule occlusion of in-office desensitizing treatments, and to analyze their resistance to erosive/abrasive challenges. DESIGN: Ninety-one 1mm-thick dentin discs were immersed in EDTA solution for 5 min. After analyzing the maximum dentin permeability, the specimens were randomly allocated into 7 experimental groups (n = 10): Control (no treatment); Er,Cr:YSGG laser; Nd:YAG laser; Gluma Desensitizer; Duraphat; Pro-Argin toothpaste; Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate (CSP) paste. The post-treatment permeability was assessed and then the specimens were subjected to a 5-day erosion-abrasion cycling protocol: 4x/day of immersion in citric acid solution (5 min;0.3%), followed by exposure to clarified human saliva (60 min). After the first and last acid challenges, specimens were brushed for 15 s, with exposure to the toothpaste slurry for total time of 2 min. Dentin permeability was re-measured (post-cycling). Percentage of dentin permeability for each experimental time was calculated in relation to the maximum permeability (%Lp). Data were analyzed with 2-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). Surface modifications were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: In both experimental time CSP paste and Gluma Desensitizer did not differ from each other (p = 0.0874), and were the only groups that presented significantly lower %Lp than the Control (p = 0.026 and p = 0.022, respectively). After treatment, they were able to reduce dentin permeability in 82% and 72%, respectively. The %Lp post-cycling was higher than post-treatment value for all groups (p = 0.008). Dentin permeability increased 21% for CSP paste and 12% for Gluma, but they remained significant different from Control. Deposits on the surface were observed for CSP paste; and for Gluma, tubule diameters were shown to be smaller. CONCLUSIONS: CSP paste and Gluma Desensitizer were the only treatments able to decrease dentin permeability post-treatment and to sustain low permeability post-cycling.

Is photobiomodulation (PBM) effective for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity? A systematic review.

The present study aims to evaluate the current scientific data regarding the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) in the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) as an alternative method for pain control. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effectiveness of PBM as treatment for DH. A complete literature search was performed up to October 2016. Searches were conducted using Boolean operators and MeSH terms. References of all selected full-text articles and related reviews were scanned. A total of 280 articles were identified (241 articles were excluded by the title and abstract). Of the 39 articles selected for analysis, 36 were excluded because they presented one or more exclusion criteria. Therefore, three articles were qualified for inclusion in this systematic review. PBM may not lead to adverse effects provided that adequately controlled parameters are followed when treating DH. More consistent studies should be conducted in order to adequately observe the advantageous therapeutic effect of PBM.