Effects of photobiomodulation on auriculotherapy points for sleep disorders, anxiety, and temporomandibular dysfunctions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluatephotobiomodulation applied at auriculotherapy points forsleep disorder (SD) and anxiety related to temporomandibulardysfunction (TMD). METHODS: The study consisted of two groups of 20 participants: Auriculotherapy group (A) and Control Group(C). The participants responded to the RDC/TMD, Fletcher & Luckett questionnaires, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to analyze TMD, SD, and anxiety before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The participants presented scores corresponding to mild to moderateanxiety (MDN = 17; CI = [13.16;22.31]) and after treatment, normalor non-existent anxiety (MDN = 9; CI = [8.76; 17.12]) (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the controland 20 auriculotherapy groups for TMD and SD. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that auriculotherapy was effective in the treatment of anxiety. However, it did not prove effective with the results of the SD and symptoms of TMD.

Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on the Reduction of Symptoms Related to Sleep Disorders, Anxiety and Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD).

BACKGROUND: Auricular acupuncture (AA) is a complementary/integrative therapy, and can be used as adjuvant treatment in sleep disorders, anxiety and the painful symptomatology of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness of AA in reducing the symptoms of sleep disorders, anxiety and TMDs by applying the Fletcher and Luckett, Beck-BAI and RDC/TMD questionnaires: Axis II, respectively. DESIGN: This was a nonrandomized clinical trial in which AA was administered to patients between the ages of 20 and 45 years from the School of Dentistry at Ribeirão Preto, São Paolo, Brazil, who had at least one of the following: sleep disorder, anxiety or TMD. INTERVENTION: Mustard seeds were applied to predetermined auricular acupoints including: Shen Men, neurovegetative system (sympathetic), kidney, anxiety, stomach, maxilla and mandible, liver and stress, once a week for 8 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: To analyze the reduction in sleep disorder symptoms, we used the Fletcher and Luckett questionnaire; for anxiety symptoms, the Beck-BAI questionnaire, and for the degree of chronic TMD pain, the RDC/TMD (Axis II) questionnaire. RESULTS: Data on sleep, anxiety and TMD disorders were analyzed via Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon and Chi-Square non-parametric tests (α = 0.05), respectively. Reduction in sleep disorder symptoms after the proposed intervention was verified, showed a statistically significant difference (P = .014). There was a reduction in mean anxiety score and a decrease in painful TMD symptoms, but no significant difference (P = .50; P = .947, respectively) before and after AA. CONCLUSION: In our study, AA was effective in reducing sleep disorder symptoms and our data suggests some relief of symptoms of anxiety and TMD pain.

Effect of nanomaterial incorporation on the mechanical and microbiological properties of dental porcelain.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Dental porcelain restorations are subject to biological failures related to secondary caries and periodontal disease leading to prosthesis replacement. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to explore the microbiological and mechanical properties of dental porcelain incorporated with different percentages of silver vanadate (ß-AgVO3) through microbiological analysis, roughness tests, and the Vickers microhardness test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IPS InLine porcelain specimens were made by using a cylindrical Teflon matrix in the dimensions of 8×2 mm. For the control group, the porcelain was manipulated according to the manufacturer's instructions. The groups incorporating the nanomaterial were prepared with 2.5%, 5%, and 10% of ß-AgVO3, which was added proportionally by mass to the porcelain powder. In vitro microbiologic analysis, roughness tests, and the Vickers microhardness test were performed. RESULTS: Against Streptococcus mutans, the control group showed no inhibition halo (0 mm). All groups with AgVO3 showed a zone of inhibition, the highest for the group with 10% (30 mm) and then the groups with 2.5% (9 mm) and 5% (17 mm). For Vickers microhardness, no statistically significant difference (P<.05) was observed between the evaluated groups. The group with 10% of AgVO3 had the highest mean roughness and was statistically different (P<.001) from the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adding ß-AgVO3 to dental porcelain demonstrated antimicrobial effectiveness at all concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 10%), with no effect on Vickers microhardness. The 10% group had higher roughness than the other groups.

Use of Recorded Poetic Audios to Manage Levels of Anxiety and Sleep Disorders.

Anxiety and sleep disorders are highly prevalent affecting millions of people worldwide. Complementary therapies like art therapy, bibliotherapy, and music have been used to manage these problems. The objective of this study was to evaluate levels of anxiety and sleep disorder symptoms of participants before and after a 30-day intervention of listening to short poetic audios. Thirty-one participants listened to audio-taped messages, which associate music and literature for 30 days. Questionnaires were answered by participants prior to the start of the study (baseline collection) and after 30 days (final collection). Setting: the study was done in the city of Ribeirao Preto (Sao Paulo-Brazil). Participants were 31 adults with anxiety symptoms and sleep problems. The scores of the questionnaires were analyzed and compared by the t test for paired samples (α = 0.05), used to evaluate possible differences in anxiety and stress symptoms and sleep disturbances before and after the 30 days of intervention. Significantly lower levels of anxiety and sleep disorders were found after the 30-day intervention. This study reinforces the benefits of music and literature for improving the quality of life of people by reducing levels of anxiety and sleep disorder symptoms.

Bond strength of resin cements to novel materials to intracanal posts applications / Resistência de união de cimentos resinosos a novos materiais para pinos intrarradiculares

Objective: Evaluate the bond strength of resin cements to new materials for application in intraradicular posts. Material and Methods: Five materials were evaluated: fiberglass, PET, polyethylene, polyacetal and PTFE. Two commercial resin cements (Rely X U200 and Rely X Arc) were applied on the test specimens of the materials (9x3mm) and the bonding was evaluated through the shear bond strength test, where the chisel operated with a load of 1kN and a velocity of 0.5mm/min at the cement/material interface. The data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by the two-way analysis of variance, performed with the Bonferroni post-test (α=0.05). Results: The glass fiber was statistically different from all evaluated materials (p0.05). Comparing the two cements, a statistical difference was found between Rely X U200 and Arc only for the glass fiber (p=0). Conclusion: PET, polyethylene, polyacetal and PTFE exhibited reduced bond strength compared to the glass fiber (AU)

Objetivo: Avaliar a resistência de união de cimentos resinosos a novos materiais para aplicação em pinos intrarradiculares. Material e método: Foram avaliados cinco materiais: fibra de vidro, PET, polietileno, poliacetal e PTFE. Dois cimentos resinosos comerciais (Rely X U200 e Rely X Arc) foram aplicados sobre os corpos de prova dos materias (9x3mm) e a resistência de união foi avaliada através do teste de cisalhamento, onde o cinzel atuou com carga de 1kN e velocidade de 0,5mm/min na interface cimento/material. Verificada a normalidade dos dados através do teste Shapiro-Wilk, foi realizada a análise de variância de dois fatores com pós-teste de Bonferroni (α=0,05). Resultados: a fibra de vidro foi diferente estatisticamtente de todos os materiais avaliados (p0,05). Comparando-se os dois cimentos, foi encontrada diferença estatística entre o Rely X U200 e Arc apenas para a fibra de vidro (p=0). Conclusão: PET, polietileno, poliacetal e PTFE apresentaram resistência de união reduzida comparando-se à fibra de vidro. (AU)

Effect of incorporation of a new antimicrobial nanomaterial on the physical-chemical properties of endodontic sealers.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to incorporate the nanostructured silver vanadate (AgVO3) decorated with silver nanoparticles at endodontic sealers AH Plus, Sealapex, Sealer 26, and Endofill, at concentrations of 2.5%, 5%, and 10%, and to evaluate physical-chemical properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was to evaluate the radiopacity using digital radiography (n = 5), the tooth color change in 48 incisors (n = 3) for 7, 30, 90, and 180 days in a spectrophotometer, and the topographic distribution in a confocal laser (n = 5). The radiopacity was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and the permutation (α = 0.05) and the color and topographical distribution by descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS: The AgVO3 had no effect on the radiopacity of Endofill and Sealapex (P > 0.05) and at 2.5% concentrations increased the radiopacity of Sealer 26 and AH Plus (P < 0.05). The Endofill 10% showed less color change, and the major changes were the modified groups in 180 days. The AgVO3 showed a circular topographic distribution in areas of the sealers. CONCLUSION: It was found that the addition of AgVO3 did not affect the radiopacity of Endofill and Sealapex however, increased the radipacity of Sealer 26 and AH Plus. For modified groups, the greatest color change was promoted after 180 days, except for Endofill with 10%. Topographic distribution of nanomaterial affected the color change of theevaluated sealers.

Incorporating Antimicrobial Nanomaterial and its Effect on the Antimicrobial Activity, Flow and Radiopacity of Endodontic Sealers.

OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity, flow and radiopacity of endodontic sealers with nanostructured silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgVO3). METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgVO3 was evaluated against Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Specimens were prepared from the following endodontic sealers: AH Plus (DENTSPLY DeTrey GmbH, Konstanz, Germany), Sealapex (Sybron Endo, Orange, CA, USA), Sealer 26 (DENTSPLY, Petrópolis, Brazil) and Endofill (DENTSPLY, Petrópolis, Brazil), with concentrations of 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 10% of AgVO3. Agar diffusion was used to evaluate the materials after 48 hours and 7 days (n=6). Flow (n=6) and radiopacity (n=9) were evaluated. The data were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) (α=0.05). RESULTS: The MIC of AgVO3 was 500 µg/mL for E. faecalis and 31.25 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The AgVO3 did not influence the antimicrobial activity of AH Plus against E. faecalis (P>0.05) but did promote this activity for Sealapex (P<0.01). Moreover, this activity increased for Endofill from 2.5% and for Sealer 26 from 5% (P<0.05). Against P. aeruginosa, only AH Plus and Endofill 10% inhibited zone formation (P<0.01). The antimicrobial activity of Endofill increased from 2.5% against E. coli (P<0.01). Sealapex 5% and 10% (P<0.01), Sealer 26 10% and AH Plus promoted antimicrobial activity against E. coli. An increase in the zone of inhibition occurred between 48 hours and 7 days in the Sealapex 10% and Endofill 5% groups against E. coli. The flow of AH Plus and Endofill decreased with the increase of AgVO3 (P<0.05), and the flow of Sealer 26 and Sealapex was not affected (P>0.05). The radiopacity of AH Plus increased with AgVO3 (P<0.05). Endofill 5% and 10% did not differ from the control Endofill (P>0.05). The incorporation of AgVO3 did not influence the radiopacity of Sealer 26 (P>0.05). The incorporation of 2.5% and 5% AgVO3 reduced the radiopacity of Sealapex (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Adding AgVO3 may increase the antimicrobial effect of endodontic sealers without major changes in their physicochemical properties.