Effect of pentoxifylline and α-tocopherol on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in rats: Before and after dental extraction.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline and α-tocopherol administration in the prevention or treatment of medication-related jaw osteonecrosis (MRONJ). METHODOLOGY: Sixty Wistar rats were divided into three prevention (C-prev, BP-prev and BP/PT-prev) and three treatment groups (C-treat, BP-treat and BP/PT-treat), n = 10. The animals in the BP-prev, BP/PT-prev, BP-treat and BP/PT-treat groups received zoledronic acid (0.1 mg/kg) for 12 weeks, while the animals in the C-prev and C-treat groups received saline solution. At week 6, all animals underwent tooth extraction. Between week 5 and week 12, the BP/PT-prev group was treated with pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg/day) and α-tocopherol (80 mg/kg/day), with euthanasia at the end of week 12. The BP/PT-treat group received the same drug protocol, but it was performed between week 12 and week 16, with euthanasia at the end of week 16. Afterwards, the presence of osteonecrosis was evaluated by clinical analysis, radiographic and histological. RESULTS: BP/PT-treat group showed a reduction in the histological incidence of osteonecrosis by 50%, decrease the percentage of empty osteocyte gaps and the necrotic area, decrease the presence of bone sequestration and increase the number of osteocytes and alveolar blood flow (p < 0.05). However, BP/PT-prev group showed only a reduction in the necrotic area percentage when compared to BP-prev (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pentoxifylline and α-tocopherol administration before tooth extraction was not effective in preventing MRONJ. However, this drug protocol was able to reduce MRONJ manifestation when administrate after discontinuation of bisphosphonate, thus it can be considered as a viable strategy for the treatment of this pathological condition.

Histological Comparison between Biphasic Calcium Phosphate and Deproteinized Bovine Bone on Critical-Size Bone Defects.

The limited options for bone repair have led to an extensive research of the field and the development of alloplastic and xenogeneic grafts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone repair with two bone substitutes: deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) and biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic (BCP) in critical-size defect. A total of 8-mm defects were made in the parietal bones of rabbits (n=12). The animals were divided into three experimental groups: sham (defect filled with a blood clot), DBB (defect filled with DBB), and BCP (defect filled with BCP). After the experimental periods of 15 and 45 days, the animals were euthanized and submitted to histomorphometric analysis. The total defect area, mineralized tissue area, biomaterial area, and soft tissue area were evaluated. A greater amount of immature bone tissue and biomaterial particles were observed in the BCP group compared to DBB and sham at 45 days (p<0.05). There was no difference in the qualitative pattern of bone deposition between DBB and BCP. However, the sham group did not show osteoid islands along with the defect, presenting a greater amount of collagen fibers as well in relation to the DBB and BCP groups. There was a greater number of inflammatory cells in the DBB at 45 days compared to BCP and sham groups. In conclusion, BCP and DBB are options for optimizing the use of bone grafts for maxillofacial rehabilitation. Bone defects treated with BCP showed greater deposition of bone tissue at 45 days.

Histological comparison between biphasic calcium phosphate and deproteinized bovine bone on critical-size bone defects

Abstract The limited options for bone repair have led to an extensive research of the field and the development of alloplastic and xenogeneic grafts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone repair with two bone substitutes: deproteinized bovine bone (DBB) and biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic (BCP) in critical-size defect. A total of 8-mm defects were made in the parietal bones of rabbits (n=12). The animals were divided into three experimental groups: sham (defect filled with a blood clot), DBB (defect filled with DBB), and BCP (defect filled with BCP). After the experimental periods of 15 and 45 days, the animals were euthanized and submitted to histomorphometric analysis. The total defect area, mineralized tissue area, biomaterial area, and soft tissue area were evaluated. A greater amount of immature bone tissue and biomaterial particles were observed in the BCP group compared to DBB and sham at 45 days (p<0.05). There was no difference in the qualitative pattern of bone deposition between DBB and BCP. However, the sham group did not show osteoid islands along with the defect, presenting a greater amount of collagen fibers as well in relation to the DBB and BCP groups. There was a greater number of inflammatory cells in the DBB at 45 days compared to BCP and sham groups. In conclusion, BCP and DBB are options for optimizing the use of bone grafts for maxillofacial rehabilitation. Bone defects treated with BCP showed greater deposition of bone tissue at 45 days.

Resumo As opções limitadas para reparo ósseo levaram ao desenvolvimento de abrangente pesquisa na área de enxertos aloplásticos e xenogênicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o reparo ósseo com dois substitutos ósseos: osso bovino desproteinizado (DBB) e cerâmica fosfática de cálcio bifásica (BCP) em defeito de tamanho crítico. Material e métodos: defeitos críticos de 8 mm foram feitos nos ossos parietais de coelhos (n=12). Os animais foram divididos em três grupos experimentais: sham (defeito preenchido com coágulo sanguíneo), DBB (defeito preenchido com DBB) e BCP (defeito preenchido com BCP). Após os períodos experimentais de 15 e 45 dias, os animais foram sacrificados e submetidos à análise histomorfométrica. Foram avaliadas a área total de defeitos, área de tecidos mineralizados, área de biomateriais e área de tecidos moles. Resultados: maior quantidade de tecido ósseo imaturo e de partículas de biomaterial foram observados no grupo BCP em comparação aos grupos DBB e sham aos 45 dias (p<0,05). Não houve diferença no padrão qualitativo de deposição óssea entre DBB e BCP. Ainda, o grupo sham não apresentou ilhas osteóides ao longo do defeito, apresentando maior quantidade de fibras colágenas em relação aos grupos DBB e BCP. Houve maior quantidade de células inflamatórias no DBB aos 45 dias em comparação aos grupos BCP e sham. Conclusões: BCP e DBB são opções para otimizar o uso de enxertos ósseos na reabilitação de pacientes. Defeitos ósseos tratados com BCP mostraram maior deposição de tecido ósseo aos 45 dias.

Effects of low-dose aspirin on the osseointegration process in rats.

BACKGROUND: Several drugs are capable of promoting changes in bone metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term low-dose aspirin (LDA) therapy on implant osseointegration. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 8/group) according to oral gavage solution received prior (42 days) to the implant surgery on the tibia. The control group was treated with saline solution for 7 (CG-7) and 28 (CG-28) days. The use of low-dose aspirin was performed in AG groups (6.75 mg/kg of aspirin) for 7 (AG-7) and 28 (AG-28) days. After experimental periods, histomorphometric evaluation of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and the bone area between threads (BABT) was performed. RESULTS: Reduced BIC values were detected in AG-7 (62.8% ± 17.1) group compared to AG-28 (91.9% ± 5.4), CG-7 (82.7% ± 15.2), and CG-28 (89.9% ± 9.7). BABT evaluation revealed lower values in AG-7 (70.9% ± 15.2) compared to AG-28 (95.4% ± 3.7) and CG-28 (87.1% ± 10.2) groups. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with low doses of aspirin promoted a discrete inhibitory effect in the early stages (7 days) of repair after implant placement, specifically in the bone deposition. However, these effects were not detected in the late stages (28 days), considering BIC and BABT parameters.

A didática no ensino odontológico: percepções de docentes / Didactics in Dental education: professors' perceptions

Durante a trajetória acadêmica, os docentes são expostos a diversos desafios e dificuldades. A fim de superá-los, necessitam desenvolver habilidades específicas, em especial, a capacidade didática. O objetivo desta pesquisa exploratória descritiva foi investigar as perspectivas dos docentes de Odontologia, considerando momentos distintos de suas carreiras. A amostra constituiu-se de professores da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa com até cinco anos de experiência universitária e com experiência superior a cinco anos. Do número total de participantes (53), apenas seis possuíam até 5 anos de atuação, portanto, foi sorteado, aleatoriamente, o mesmo número de questionários de professores com mais de 5 anos, para manter a similaridade entre os grupos. Os voluntários receberam um questionário aberto, semiestruturado e autoaplicável sobre a temática "Didática no ensino superior: desafios e perspectivas". Para a compilação e análise dos dados foram realizadas as técnicas do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC) e nuvens de palavras. Observou-se que os assuntos que receberam maior ênfase pelos professores foram o processo de ensino-aprendizagem e o relacionamento professor-aluno, principalmente quando associados a dificuldades. Conclui-se que, apesar de semelhantes, as perspectivas quanto ao exercício da docência no curso de Odontologia divergem em alguns pontos. Suas preocupações possuem diferentes focos, porém ambos os grupos revelaram sentir as mesmas dificuldades (AU).

Professors at higher education programs are exposed to challenges and obstacles. In order to overcome them, they need to develop specific skills, especially the art of teaching. The aim of this exploratory descriptive study was to investigate the perspectives of professors of Dentistry, considering different moments of their careers. The sample consisted of professors with up to five years or more than five years of teaching experience at the Ponta Grossa State University. 53 volunteers were interviewed, but from these, only six professors had up to five years of experience. Therefore, the same number of questionnaires from the group with more than five years of practice was randomized, to keep both groups similar. Participants answered an open, semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire on "Teaching in higher education: challenges and perspectives". The Discourse of the Collective Subject method (DCS) and word clouds were used for data compilation and analysis. The results showed that the questions regarding the relationship between professor and student and the teaching-learning process were highlighted. We conclude that, despite being similar, the perspectives around the teaching practice diverge in some points. Professors' concerns have different approaches, however, they face the same difficulties, no matter how experient they are (AU).

Prevalência de calcificação de placa ateromatosa em carótida por meio da radiografia panorâmica / Prevalence of carotid artery calcifications on panoramic radiographs

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de calcificação de placa ateromatosa (PAC) na região de bifurcação da carótida em radiografias panorâmicas realizadas em uma população brasileira. Métodos: Nesse estudo realizou-se a avaliação da prevalência de imagem sugestiva de PAC em 450 radiografias panorâmicas de pacientes atendidos no período entre 2015 e 2017. As radiografias foram analisadas para a presença de PAC. Resultados: Dezesseis pacientes (3,55%) apresentaram imagens sugestivas de PAC. A maior prevalência foi no gênero feminino (4,5%), a faixa etária mais prevalente foi entre 61 e 80 anos (12,2%) e a localização mais frequente foi unilateral (81,2%). Conclusão: A presença de PAC na região de bifurcação da carótida foi encontrada em 3,55% dos pacientes, sendo mais prevalentes em mulheres leucodermas, acima de 60 anos e unilateral.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of calcified atheromatous plaque (CAP) in the region of carotid bifurcation in panoramic radiographs in a Brazilian population. Methods: This study evaluated the prevalence of images suggestive of CAP in 450 panoramic radiographs of patients in the period between 2015 and 2017. Results: Sixteen patients (3.55%) presented images that were suggestive of CAP. The highest prevalence was in the female sex (4.5%), the most prevalent age group was between 61 and 80 years old (12.2%), and the most frequent location was unilateral (81.2%). Conclusion: The presence of CAP in the region of carotid bifurcation was found in 3.55% of the patients, and proved to be more prevalent in white women over 60 years of age and unilateral.