Endodontics in primary molars using ultrasonic instrumentation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study, which is a series of consecutive case reports, was to describe and evaluate the protocol used in the treatment of pulpal necrosed of primary molars, used by the dental service of Social Support Foundation of the Moinhos de Vento Hospital, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. METHODS: Eighteen primary molars in 15 children, ranging from 4 to 10 years of age, were endodontically treated using ultrasonic instrumentation. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic controls showed a success rate of 94%, considering an evaluation time of 14.1+/-6.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The use of ultrasonic instrumentation in primary molars with pulpal necrosis succeeded in reducing appointment time and showed a high success rate.

Evaluation of shear bond strength and interfacial micromorphology of direct restorations in primary and permanent teeth--an in vitro study.

This in vitro study sought to evaluate the bond strength and interfacial morphology of composite restorations in primary and permanent teeth that utilized different adhesive systems. In this study, 180 samples (n = 15 per subgroup) were submitted to shear bond strength tests while 72 samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (n = 6 per subgroup). Fifty-four blocks of permanent enamel, 54 blocks of permanent dentin, 54 blocks of primary enamel, and 54 blocks of primary dentin were randomly assigned to three groups for bonding. All of the blocks received a resin composite restoration made with a matrix after the application of the dental bonding systems, according to the manufacturer's instructions. The shear bond strength test found no statistical differences among the tissues or the adhesive systems used. However, a difference in quality of the interfacial seal was observed when Single Bond restorations were compared to restorations bonded with AdheSE and Prompt-L-Pop. The Single Bond system formed an authentic hybrid layer that can ensure adequate adhesion. The other adhesive systems showed an interface with inadequate sealing and even with no sealing. The self-etching systems must be used with caution in composite restorations because the quality of the hybrid layer formed is as important as the bond strength when determining the efficacy of the adhesive.

Orthodontic extrusion anchored in osseointegrated implants: a case report.

Rapid orthodontic extrusion is indicated for cases involving biological space invasion of the periodontal ligament in which the surgical increase of the clinical crown can compromise esthetics or the support of the adjacent teeth. This article presents the case report of a tooth with radicular perforation 1.0 mm below the bone crest. A procedure to restore the biological distances was necessary. Rapid orthodontic extrusion of the affected tooth, with anchorage in the adjacent osseointegrated implants, was selected.

Holistic approach of a child with cystic fibrosis: a case report.

The Pediatric Dentistry Clinic staff of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) treated a 5-year-old patient who had multiple dental treatment necessities. He also had cystic fibrosis (CF). As CF is an incurable disease that affects the mucous glands, especially the ones related to the lungs and digestive organs, the patient presented both chronic respiratory and intestinal problems. Such problems resulted in a severely compromised nutritional status. Patients who have CF may present problems in oral health because they receive food supplementation that is rich in carbohydrates. Behavioral changes of such patients when in contact with health professionals are also a point to consider because these changes may make the treatment difficult. That is the reason why oral complications imposed by the disease, as well as the psychological aspects related to it, need to be discussed so that treatment is given to the patient aiming at physical and emotional comfort.

[Polarization of dental caries in a city without fluoridated water]. / Polarização da cárie em município sem água fluoretada.

Increased overall exposure of the Brazilian population to fluoridated water and fluoridated dentifrices has been identified as the main factor in the reduction of caries prevalence. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the distribution of caries in a group of 437 children ranging from 6 to 12 years of age, residing in a city without a water supply fluoridation system and without a preventive dentistry program, with the aim of orienting future health measures towards improved cost-effectiveness. Clinical examination was performed on all the children, focusing on the indices defs (decayed, extracted, and filled primary dentition surfaces) and DMFS (decayed, missing, and filled permanent dentition surfaces), representing the number of dental surfaces that were either decayed, missing or with extraction indicated, or restored. Analysis of accumulated disease frequency in relation to the population showed that 37% of the children presented 70% of all the tooth disease, with a mean defs + DMFS of 28.6. This distribution demonstrates the phenomenon of polarization, in which most of the disease and treatment needs are concentrated in a small portion of the population.

Clinical comparative study of the effects of two types of mandibular space-regaining devices.

This study evaluated the results obtained by two space-regaining devices in children with mixed dentition and premature loss of mandibular deciduous molars. There were no statistical differences between the amount of space regained by each device; however, the distalizing screw regained space at a faster rate.

Effect of home bleaching and smoking on marginal gingival epithelium proliferation: a histologic study in women.

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have suggested that home bleaching agents can cause morphological alterations and changes in the proliferative rate of oral epithelium. METHODS: A bleaching agent containing 10% carbamide peroxide with carbopol was used in 11 women (five smokers and six non-smokers) during a 5-week period. Two biopsies were performed, one of them 15 days before the beginning of the home bleaching treatment and the other immediately after the 5-week bleaching treatment. Two analyses were performed in the histological sections obtained from the biopsies: epithelium morphometry and assessment of the epithelium's proliferative activity by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The home bleaching agent increases epithelium thickness and the PCNA index in both smoker and non-smoker patients. CONCLUSION: Carbamide peroxide (10%) caused an augmentation in the proliferative activity within the basal and parabasal layers of the gingival epithelium, resulting in a change in this tissue's morphometry.