Comparative evaluation of mutagenic effects of two cone-beam computed tomography in oral mucosa cells.

BACKGROUND: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the mutagenic effects in cells of the oral mucosa after exposure to two different cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: Eighteen adults were submitted to the different CBCT (Carestream CS8100 3D and I-CAT). The cells were collected immediately before the CBCT exposure and 10 days later, when the material was placed on a slide and stained using the Feulgen/Fast Green technique. Microscopic analysis counted micronuclei and other nuclear alterations, which are indicative of cytotoxicity such as pyknosis, karyolysis, karyorrhexis, and binucletion. 2000 cells were analyzed. The statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test to compare the frequency of cellular alterations, and the Mann-Whitney U test to compare different CBCTs, both with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the micronucleated cell count before and after the exposition to the ionizing radiation from I-CAT (p = .298) and CS8100 3D (p = .203) A significate increase of pyknosis (p < .001), karyolysis (p < .001), karyorrhexis (p < .001), and binucletion (p < .001) were noted on I-CAT CBCT. There was no statistically significant difference in cellular alterations in CS8100 3D CBCT. CONCLUSION: Despite the increase in micronuclei after exposure, this study indicates that there is no evidence of genotoxicity. On the other hand, the I-CAT CBCT produced cytotoxic effects.

Assessment of the correlation between mandibular radiomorphometric patterns and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements for screening bone mineral density.

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between scores for femoral and lumbar spine bone mineral density (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) and visual, qualitative mandibular bone pattern assess¬ments (mandibular cortical index, trabecular bone pattern, and visual mandibular cortical width) as well as age and body mass index. Three trained observers evaluated 200 panoramic radiographs and 200 femoral and lumbar spine DXA measurements from 100 male and 100 female participants. The κ test showed an acceptable agreement among observers (0.73; P = 0.003). The Shapiro-Wilk test revealed that the variables were not normally distributed, so the Spearman correlation test was used. The mean age of the sample was 60.7 (13.9) years, and 86.0% of the patients were White. There were inverse correlations between the mandibular cortical index and the spine T-score in men, women, and the total sample as well as between the spine Z-score in the total sample. An inverse correlation was observed between the trabecular bone pattern and the spine T- and Z-scores in women and the total sample. The results also showed inverse correlations between the visual mandibular cortical width and all parameters analyzed in men, women, and the total sample except for the femur T-score and spine T- and Z-scores in men. Body mass index was correlated with all DXA parameters. Age was inversely correlated with femur T-scores in men and women but not with spine DXA values in men. The results suggest that qualitative assessments of radiomorphometric patterns on panoramic radiographs correlate with DXA values and therefore are suitable for screening patients at risk of developing low bone mineral density.

Comparison of the perception of orthodontists and general clinicians on the use of digital dental models in the city of Aracaju/Sergipe / Comparação da percepção de ortodontistas e clínicos gerais sobre o uso de modelos digitais odontológicos na cidade de Aracaju / Sergipe

ABSTRACT Context: Digital study models have become a safe and advantageous alternative for diagnosis and planning in dentistry. Despite the superior characteristics in comparison with traditional plaster models, professionals seem to resist the use of new technologies. Aims: To assess the level of knowledge and the use of digital models through a questionnaire applied to dental professionals. Methods: A questionnaire with 12 multiple-choice questions about plaster models, digital, and use of the 3Shape - 3D viewer software was answered by 76 orthodontists (42 women and 34 men; mean age =37.82 years (SD ± 7.60)) and 30 general dental surgeons (18 women and 12 men; mean age of 33.93 years (SD ± 8.45)) in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Data were tabulated in Excel spreadsheets and then analyzed using the SPSS statistical software version 20. An absolute analysis of frequency and percentage of responses was performed. Results: Most professionals reported using plaster models and claimed their low cost as justification for their use (P = 0.001). Aware of the benefits of digital models, professionals of both classes highlighted the facilitated storage and search for information as the main advantages, the cost and infrastructure as the main disadvantages. Regarding the use of the 3Shape - 3D viewer software, orthodontists showed better utilization of this resource than general dental surgeons (P = 0.0198). Conclusion: It verified that most professionals make use of plaster models. However, despite knowing the advantages of digital models, their cost is sees as a limiting factor for adherence to this technology.

RESUMO Contexto: Os modelos digitais de estudo têm se tornado uma alternativa segura e vantajosa para o diagnóstico e planejamento em odontologia. Apesar das características superiores em comparação aos modelos tradicionais de gesso, os profissionais parecem resistir ao uso de novas tecnologias. Objetivos: Avaliar o nível de conhecimento e a utilização de modelos digitais por meio de questionário aplicado a profissionais da área odontológica. Material e Métodos: Questionário com 12 questões de múltipla escolha sobre modelos de gesso, digitais e uso do software 3Shape - 3D viewer foi respondido por 76 ortodontistas (42 mulheres e 34 homens; idade média = 37,82 anos (DP = ± 7,60) ) e 30 cirurgiões-dentistas gerais (18 mulheres e 12 homens; média de idade de 33,93 anos (DP = ± 8,45)) em Aracaju, Sergipe, Brasil. Os dados foram tabulados em planilhas do Excel e posteriormente analisados no software estatístico SPSS versão 20. Foi realizada uma análise absoluta de frequência e percentual de respostas. Resultados: A maioria dos profissionais relatou utilizar modelos de gesso e alegou seu baixo custo como justificativa para seu uso (P = 0,001). Cientes dos benefícios dos modelos digitais, os profissionais de ambas as classes destacaram o armazenamento facilitado e a busca de informações como as principais vantagens, o custo e a infraestrutura como as principais desvantagens. Em relação à utilização do software 3Shape - 3D viewer, os ortodontistas apresentaram melhor aproveitamento desse recurso do que os cirurgiões-dentistas gerais (P = 0,0198). Conclusões: Verificou-se que a maioria dos profissionais faz uso de modelos de gesso. Porém, apesar de conhecer as vantagens dos modelos digitais, seu custo é visto como um fator limitante para a adesão a essa tecnologia.

Mutagenicity in oral cells of individuals exposed to radiofrequency generated by different smartphones

Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether non-ionizing radiation emitted by smartphones is likely to cause genotoxic effects on oral epithelial cells. Methods: Thirty adults were distributed into two groups according to the mobile phone brand used, namely Samsung (Samsung, Seoul, South Korea) and Apple (Apple, California, USA). The material was collected with gentle swabbing of the right and left buccal mucosa using a cervical brush, then the micronucleus test was performed. Results: The Mann-Whitney test with a 5% significance level did not reveal statistically significant differences in micronuclei frequency between the exposed and non-exposed sides (p=0.251). The different brands do not seem to cause risks of inducing genetic damage because there were no statistically significant differences between them (p=0.47). Conclusion: Therefore, our results suggest no correlations of micronuclei frequency in the exposed buccal cells of mobile phone users at the exposure standard levels observed

Can exposure to panoramic radiographs induce genotoxic effects on the oral epithelium? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, through a systematic review (SR) with meta-analysis, the occurrence of genotoxic effects in the oral epithelium after the exposure of patients to panoramic radiographs. METHODS: An SR was performed with the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study design) strategy, aiming to answer the following question: "Can panoramic radiographs induce genotoxic effects on the oral epithelium?" The study was registered in the PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) platform. A systematic search was performed in the following electronic databases: PubMed (including MedLine), Scopus, Embase, LILACS, Medline EbscoHost, and Google Scholar. Treatment effects were defined as standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were established. The Joanna Briggs Institute questionnaire for observational studies was applied to assess the risk of bias. The GRADE tool was used to assess the quality of evidence of the SR. RESULTS: A total of 251 potentially relevant studies were selected through the search strategy. After screening titles and abstracts, 11 full-text manuscripts were assessed for eligibility and nine observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. The present study showed an increase in micronuclei after the exposure (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.28, p = 0.02), with a Tau2index = 0.00, Chi2 = 2.35, and p-value = 0.97. Therefore, the articles selected were considered homogeneous and the I² of 0% indicated low heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: According to the studies analysed, although the quality of evidence was considered low, panoramic radiographs can cause genotoxic damage in the oral epithelium but with a small effect size.

Use of smartphones and tablets in radiographic evaluation: accuracy of caries detection on bitewing radiographs.

The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of smartphone and tablet displays for the detection of incipient caries on bitewing radiographs. Forty-six digital bitewing radiographs with a total of 1656 unrestored, readable surfaces were evaluated. The included surfaces extended from the distal surface of each canine to the last posterior contact in each arch. The evaluation excluded nonreadable proximal surfaces. The gold standard for the presence or absence of incipient caries was the consensus of 2 expert oral and maxillofacial radiologists with 15 and 30 years of experience. The radiographs were then independently reevaluated by 2 other professionals with a master's degree in dentistry with an emphasis on oral radiology with more than 5 years of experience (observers 1 and 2). Observers 1 and 2 performed the reevaluations using a notebook computer (Pavilion dm1) with a calibrated LCD monitor as well as 2 smartphones (iPhone 6s and Galaxy Gran2 Duos) and 2 tablet computers (iPad and Galaxy Tab). The presence or absence of incipient dental caries was classified according to the following scale: 1, definitely present; 2, probably present; 3, uncertain; 4, probably absent; and 5, definitely absent. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the accuracy of the diagnoses established by operators 1 and 2. The areas under the ROC curves (Az) were compared with the binomial exact test at a significance level of 5%. The mean Az values for the Pavilion dm1 (0.948), iPhone 6s (0.944), Galaxy Gran2 Duos (0.916), iPad (0.949), and Galaxy Tab (0.950) did not present statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). The results suggest that all of the displays used in this study have statistically similar accuracy and can be used to detect incipient caries on bitewing radiographs.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of mobile phone use on the oral epithelium: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The use of mobile phones is based on radiofrequency (RF) waves, and the devices act as transmitters and receivers of non-ionizing energy. The micronucleus test was developed to identify increases in the occurrence of mutations in cells exposed to various agents. This systematic review with meta-analysis adhered to the following protocol: defining the objective, outlining the search method (PICO model), conducting the search, identifying literature, selecting articles, and extracting data. The study aimed to answer the following research question: Does non-ionizing radiation emitted by mobile phones have genotoxic and/or cytotoxic effects on the oral epithelium? The search for evidence published 2009-2019 was conducted in the MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, Google Scholar, PROSPERO, and Cochrane Library databases. The following inclusion criteria were defined: investigations of effects on the oral mucosa related to RF; investigations of cytotoxic and/or genotoxic effects; investigations involving humans; and investigations using cells exfoliated from the oral epithelium. Investigations related to the parotid gland were excluded. The search strategy found 464 articles; after application of the eligibility criteria, 358 abstracts were analyzed and 351 abstracts excluded. After 7 full texts were reviewed, 1 study was excluded. The 6 included studies were classified as level 5 quality of evidence (observational studies). The meta-analysis included 2 studies that compared the frequency of micronuclei on the side exposed to RF electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) to that on the unexposed side. The studies evaluated presented a low degree of evidence, but the meta- analysis indicated that no genotoxic effects are associated with mobile phone use. However, observations of other nuclear abnormalities in some studies suggest the occurrence of cytotoxic effects caused by exposure to the RF-EMFs emitted by mobile phones. More studies are necessary to prove or refute this association.