Uso de la ecografía como método diagnóstico y ayuda terapéutica en la práctica odontológica. Una revisión / Use of ultrasound as a diagnostic method and therapeutic tool in dental practice. A review

La ecografía es una ayuda diagnóstica en el área de la salud que se usa para evaluar el desarrollo intrauterino, observar el comportamiento de lesiones, valorar órganos internos y acompañar procedimientos clínicos específicamente en la medicina, pero en la odontología es un campo en el que apenas se está explorando e incursionando para incluirlo como parte de los métodos diagnósticos de rutina en la consulta clínica. El creciente interés por investigar su uso como método diagnóstico y terapéutico en la odontología se basa en las bondades que tiene y en cómo puede facilitar muchos procesos por tratarse de una ayuda diagnóstica accesible, económica y poco nociva para la salud. En el presente artículo se exponen los diferentes usos que se le da a la ecografía en las diferentes especialidades odontológicas, y se la compara con otros métodos diagnósticos. (AU)

In medicine, ultrasound is especially useful to evaluate intrauterine development, cyst behavior, and internal organs, but the use of ultrasound in dentistry has only recently been explored and used in the daily routine diagnostic methods in clinical dental practice. The growing interest in the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic and therapeutic method in dentistry has led to studies investigating its benefits in relation to accessibility, cost and innocuousness to health. This review describes the current use of ultrasound in different dental specialties and compares it with other diagnostic methods. (AU)

Implementation of Digital Radiography during Root Canal Treatments in Saudi Endodontic and General Dental Practice.

Objective: To report usage of full-digital-radiography (FDR) during root-canal-treatments (RCTs) in Saudi dental-practice and to explore factors and measures that obstacle/contribute to better implementation. Methods: Following a pilot study, questions on demography, types of radiographic systems used during RCTs, advantages and disadvantages of FDR, reasons of not using it and measures that increase its implementation were included. The sample size was calculated considering the total number of general dentists (GDs) in Saudi Arabia and a 50-60% expected response rate. The questionnaire was emailed to 550 GDs and all endodontists in Saudi Arabia (185). A solo a reminder was emailed two months later. Data were analyzed by the Chi-square test at P=0.05. Results: Most participants (64.9%) used FDR for RCTs (P<0.001); with all endodontists (100%) and 52% of GDs (P<0.001). While all who were working in governmental-academia (100%) used FDR, 69.2% in private-academia did so (P<0.001); with no difference between private and governmental-clinics (60.6 and 69.2%). As the weekly-performed RCTs increased and participants' experience decreased, FDR usage increased (P<0.05). While high-cost was the main FDR disadvantage, faster-workflow, better image-quality and less-radiation were the main advantages (P<0.001). The majority (76.1%) of FDR none-users were doing so because of unavailability. Participants reported lower-cost and better undergraduate-education as most effective measures that increase FDR implementation in dental-practice. Conclusion: FDR was adopted to good extent in Saudi dental-practice. Financial aspects were the main concern that should be addressed to increase FDR implementation in private practice. Endodontists showed better perception towards FDR and suggested more attention to educational aspects.

Aplicação de práticas integrativas e complementares na odontologia / Application of complementary and integrative practices in dentistry

A incorporação de novas tecnologias e métodos para proporcionar um atendimento odontológico mais confortável, humano e menos invasivo, propiciou o uso de terapias alternativas e complementares em Odontologia. Objetivo: revisar a literatura e assim fornecer ao cirurgião-dentista maiores informações a respeito dos recursos alternativos e complementares utilizados no consultório odontológico. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa foi realizada utilizando termos Decs e operadores boleanos. As bases de dados consultadas foram Pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo e Google Scholar, no ano de 2020, e após aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade, foram selecionados 65 estudos, dentre estudos clínicos randomizados e não-randomizados, estudos observacionais, revisões sistemáticas e não ­ sistemáticas. Resultados e Discussão: Destaca-se as terapias: Acupuntura, Crioterapia, Fitoterapia, Hipnose, Homeopatia, Laserterapia, Massoterapia, Musicoterapia, Ozonioterapia, Terapia fotodinâmica e Toxina Botulínica, nas suas diversas pluralidades de aplicação, não somente para a área odontológica, mas na integralização com diversos campos, atuando no físico e psíquico. Conclusão: Diante dos achados, pode-se concluir que grande parte das terapias complementares são bem empregadas em Odontologia. Entretanto, mais evidências científicas são essenciais para o desempenho de tais práticas. Isto as tornará eficazes e seguras, tanto na atenção à saúde em âmbito público, quanto privado, permitindo à população brasileira beneficiar-se das terapias como alternativas eficientes e de baixo custo.

The incorporation of new technologies and methods to provide a more comfortable, humane and less invasive dental care, favored the use of alternative and complementary therapies in Dentistry. Objective: to review the literature and thus provide the dentist with more information about alternative and complementary resources used in the dental office. Materials and Methods: The research was carried out using terms Decs and Boolean operators. The databases consulted were Pubmed, Lilacs, Scielo and Google Scholar, in 2020, and after applying the eligibility criteria, 65 studies were selected, among randomized and non-randomized clinical studies, observational studies, systematic reviews and non- systematic. Results and Discussion: Therapies stand out: Acupuncture, Cryotherapy, Phytotherapy, Hypnosis, Homeopathy, Laser Therapy, Massage Therapy, Music Therapy, Ozone Therapy, Photodynamic Therapy and Botulinum Toxin, in their diverse application areas, not only in the dental field, but in integration with several fields, working in the physical and psychic. Conclusion: Given the findings, it can be concluded that most complementary therapies are well used in dentistry. However, more scientific evidence is essential for the performance of such practices. This will make them effective and safe, both in public and private health care, allowing the Brazilian population to benefit from therapies as efficient and low-cost alternatives.

The implementation of a decision-tree did not increase decision-making in patients with temporomandibular disorders in the public dental health service.

OBJECTIVE: Many patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) seem to go undetected within primary dental health care. Primarily we evaluated if the implemented intervention increased the clinical decision-making for TMD patients; secondarily we evaluated if other factors could be identified that predicted performed or recommended TMD treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case-control study was carried out within the Public Dental Health service in Västerbotten County, Sweden. An intervention based on a decision-tree with three screening questions for TMD (3Q/TMD) was implemented during 2015 in four clinics and compared with the remaining county. A total of 400 individuals were selected-200 3Q-positives and 200 3Q-negatives. The 3Q/TMD consists of Q1-frequent jaw pain, Q2-frequent pain on function, and Q3-frequent catching and/or locking of jaw. The 3Q/TMD answers were analyzed in relation to TMD treatment and any TMD related decision that was collected from the digital dental records. RESULTS: The intervention did not increase the frequencies of traceable clinical decisions among patients with TMD. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the implemented intervention aimed, the indicated undertreatment of patients with TMD remains. Future studies are still needed to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical decision-making process for TMD patients in general practice dentistry.

Knowing in general dental practice: Anticipation, constraint, and collective bricolage.

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES: Much of the literature concerned with health care practice tends to focus on a decision-making model in which knowledge sits within the minds and bodies of health care workers. Practice theories de-centre knowledge from human actors, instead situating knowing in the interactions between all human and non-human actors. The purpose of this study was to explore how practice arises in the moment-to-moment interactions between general dental practitioners (GDPs), patients, nurses, and things. METHOD: Eight GDPs in two dental practices, their respective nurses, 23 patients, and material things were video-recorded as they interacted within clinical encounters. Videos were analysed using a performative approach. Several analytic methods were used: coding of interactions in-video; pencil drawings with transcripts; and dynamic transcription. These were used pragmatically and in combination. Detailed reflective notes were recorded at all stages of the analysis, and, as new insights developed, theory was sought to help inform these. RESULTS: We theorized that knowing in dental practice arises as actors translate embodied knowing through sayings and doings that anticipate but cannot predict responses, that knowing is constrained by the interactions of the practice but that the interactions at the same time are a collective bricolage-using the actors' respective embodied knowing to generate and solve problems together. CONCLUSION: Practices are ongoing ecological accomplishments to which people and things skilfully contribute through translation of their respective embodied knowing of multiple practices. Based on this, we argue that practices are more likely to improve if people and things embody practices of improvement.

Dentists' use of digital radiographic techniques: Part II - extraoral radiography: a questionnaire study of Swedish dentists.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to gain knowledge about the dentist's use and choice of digital extraoral imaging methods, panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire sent to 2481 dentists within the Swedish Dental Society contained questions about the panoramic technique and CBCT technique used, education, clinic size and type of service. The response rate was 53%. RESULTS: The study showed that 61% of the Swedish dentists had access to panoramic techniques and that 84% used a direct digital sensor, while 6% used storage phosphor plate techniques. Around 8% of the Swedish dentists had access to CBCT. It was also observed that group practices had two times higher odds of having panoramic equipment compared with solo practices. Approximately 40% of the dentists had undergone postgraduate education in oral radiology during the last 5 years. Dental nurses and dental hygienists exposed 92% of the panoramic radiographs and 75% of the CBCTs. Thirty per cent of those clinics with access to a panoramic unit exposed >30 panoramic radiographs per month and 56% of the clinics having access to CBCT did more than 75 examinations per year. CONCLUSIONS: Today 61% of Swedish dentists have access to panoramic radiography and 8% have access to CBCT. There is a greater likelihood of having access if the dentist works in the public dental health service or in a group practice and if the dentist has undergone any postgraduate course in oral radiology.

Decision-making of general practitioners on interventions at restorations based on bitewing radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare decision-making based on bitewing analysis of restored proximal surfaces by general dental practitioners (GDPs) with diagnossis and clinical decisions made by experts in cariology and restorative dentistry. METHODS: This practice-based study used a database of 7 general dental practices. Posterior bitewing radiographs were selected from the electronic patient files of patients, and 770 cases of proximal restored surfaces were selected. Fifty percent of the cases which lead to the restorative decision, and the other half were cases decided for monitoring by the GDPs. Three experts performed radiographic assessment. The outcome variables were agreement of diagnosis and decision of treatment. Cohen's kappa statistic was used. RESULTS: For the experts, moderate to substantial intraexaminer agreement was observed for the diagnostic criteria, and kappa values of 0.77, 0.79, and 0.88 were obtained for each expert regarding the treatment assignment. Agreement between GDPs and the majority of experts for secondary caries varied between 67 and 83%. One hundred seventy-three out of 385 cases that were treated by GDPs were decided for monitoring by the experts, while 8 cases that were decided for monitoring by the GDPs were decided for treatment. The agreement between experts and GDPs was moderate for secondary caries detection, and fair for treatment decision. CONCLUSION: The GDPs tend to have a less conservative approach regarding the decision to intervene or not concerning the reassessment of restorations, showing moderate agreement with the experts for secondary caries detection and fair agreement regarding the treatment decision. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights that GDPs tend to have a less conservative approach to the decision to intervene or not in posterior restorations, compared to experts in cariology and restorative dentistry. Efforts should be made to reduce these differences based on minimally invasive dentistry.

Dentists' use of digital radiographic techniques: Part I - intraoral X-ray: a questionnaire study of Swedish dentists.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to gain knowledge about the dentist's use and choice of digital intraoral imaging methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire sent to 2481 dentists within the Swedish Dental Society contained questions about the type of X-ray technique used, problems experienced with digital radiography, and reasons for choosing digital technology, and about indications, clinic size and type of service. Response rate was 53%. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of the dentists had made the transition to digital radiography; only 2% used film technique, and solid-state detector (SSD) was the most used digital technique. More years in service decreases the likelihood of applying individual indications for performing a full mouth examination. More retakes were done with SSDs compared to storage phosphor plates. Reasons for choosing digital techniques were that work was easier and communication with the patients improved. However, dentists also experienced problems with digital techniques, such as exposure and projection errors and inadequate image quality. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority states that all radiological examinations should be justified, something not always followed. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that 98% of the respondents, Swedish dentists within the Swedish Dental Society, used digital techniques, and the most used was the solid-state technique.

Place de la radiologie dans la pratique des chirurgiens-dentistes sénégalais

L'odontologie a naturellement bénéficié des innovations en imagerie médicale. L'examen radiologique est devenu une partie intégrante de la prise en charge odontologique. Ce travail avait pour objectif d'évaluer la place de la radiologie dans la pratique des chirurgiens-dentistes sénégalais.Matériels et méthodes.Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale descriptive réalisée auprès des chirurgiens-dentistes exerçant dans les secteurs du privé, et du public de la région de Dakar. Des questionnaires auto-administrés ont été distribués afin de recueillir les informations suivantes : le secteur d'activité, l'importance de la radiologie dans la pratique quotidienne, l'équipement en appareil radiologique, la fréquence de prescription des examens radiologiques. Les données ont été analysées avec le test chi-deux.RésultatsAu total, 132 chirurgiens-dentistes ont répondu aux questionnaires. Parmi eux 42% exerçaient dans le secteur privé, 28% dans le public et 20% étaient des praticiens hospitalo-universitaires. Le sexe ratio était de 2,14 et la moyenne d'âge était de 37 ans ± 11.Plus de 90% des chirurgiens-dentistes accordaient une grande importance aux examens d'imagerie dans leur pratique, 6,84% une importance moyenne. Les films argentiques étaient les plus utilisés avec 75% contre 25% de récepteurs numériques. Les examens radiologiques n'étaient prescrits de manière systématique que par 6,87% des chirurgiens-dentistes alors que 64,84% les prescrivaient de manière sélective et 27% utilisaient rarement.Conclusion: Cette étude a montré une insuffisance d'équipement radiologique et une attitude inadéquate de prescription des examens radiologiques des chirurgiens-dentistes de la région de Dakar Des formations continues en radiologie dentaire s'avèrent nécessaire pour une meilleure connaissance des examens radiologiques

Inhalation Conscious Sedation with Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen as Alternative to General Anesthesia in Precooperative, Fearful, and Disabled Pediatric Dental Patients: A Large Survey on 688 Working Sessions.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness and the tolerability of the nitrous oxide sedation for dental treatment on a large pediatric sample constituting precooperative, fearful, and disabled patients. Methods. 472 noncooperating patients (aged 4 to 17) were treated under conscious sedation. The following data were calculated: average age; gender distribution; success/failure; adverse effects; number of treatments; kind of dental procedure undertaken; number of dental procedures for each working session; number of working sessions for each patient; differences between males and females and between healthy and disabled patients in relation to success; success in relation to age; and level of cooperation using Venham score. Results. 688 conscious sedations were carried out. The success was 86.3%. Adverse effects occurred in 2.5%. 1317 dental procedures were performed. In relation to the success, there was a statistically significant difference between healthy and disabled patients. Sex and age were not significant factors for the success. Venham score was higher at the first contact with the dentist than during the treatment. Conclusions. Inhalation conscious sedation represented an effective and safe method to obtain cooperation, even in very young patients, and it could reduce the number of pediatric patients referred to hospitals for general anesthesia.

Treatment procedures and referral patterns of general dentists in Lithuania.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The requirement for dental specialties and the number of specialists in each country depends on the content and execution of undergraduate dental education, the complex oral health care needs of the society and other factors. The aim of our study was to assess specific treatment procedures of Lithuanian general dentists and their need to refer patients to specialists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Census sampling was employed and the data collected by means of a structured questionnaire asking dentists about the frequency of specific treatment procedures they perform and the frequency of referrals they make to different dental specialists. The results are of a self-reported nature. RESULTS: From general dental practice, 76.3% of cases needing orthodontic treatment were referred to orthodontists. About half of patients needing specialized care were referred to periodontists (50.2%), orthopedists (46.9%) and oral surgeons (45.0). More than one-third (39%) of the cases needing specialist care were referred to endodontists. Only one-third of patients were referred to pediatric dentists. In about 60% of cases needing respective care general dentists extracted teeth and roots, made incisions in acute jaw infections and treated young children; in about half of cases general dentists performed complex endodontic manipulations and treatment with fixed and removable prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear need for Lithuanian dental practitioners to refer patients to all types of dental specialists. Undergraduate dental education program and postgraduate training should be more directed toward the extraction of teeth and roots, treatment of young children and provision of dental prostheses to patients.

[Monitoring steam sterilisation processes in the dental office]. / Het monitoren van stoomsterilisatieprocessen in de mondzorgpraktijk.

In dental offices, steam sterilisation is used to sterilise instruments and in that way to prevent the cross-contamination of patients and the dental team. In order to ensure that the sterilisation process has been executed successfully, every sterilisation process has to be monitored. The monitoring of every load in the steam steriliser is necessary and often even required, either directly (by legislation) or indirectly (by harmonised standards). The complete monitoring protocol consists of controls of the installation, the exposure, the loading, the packaging and, finally, the 'track and trace' of the instruments. For examining the installation, a steam penetration test, such as the Bowie and Dick test, can be carried out.

Summary of: type 2 diabetes risk screening in dental practice settings: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Dental surgeries are highlighted in the 2012 NICE guidance Preventing type 2 diabetes: risk identification and interventions for individuals at high risk as a suitable setting in which to encourage people to have a type 2 diabetes risk assessment. AIM: To assess the feasibility of implementing a type 2 diabetes risk screening pathway in dental settings using the NICE guidance tool. METHOD: The study was carried out over two weeks in June 2013. The validated tool in the NICE guidance was used to determine risk. This included a questionnaire and BMI measurement used to determine a risk score. Patients were rated low, increased, moderate or high risk. All patients were given written advice on healthy lifestyle. Patients who were moderate or high risk were referred to their general medical practitioners for further investigation. Participating dental teams were asked to nominate a member who would be responsible for overseeing the screening and training the other team members. RESULTS: A total of 166 patients took part in the pilot (58% male, 75% aged 49 years or younger and 77% were from BME groups). Twenty-six low risk patients (15.7%), 61 increased risk patients (36.7%), 49 moderate-risk patients (29.5%) and 30 high-risk patients (18.1%) were identified during the pilot. Fifteen of the 49 patients (30.6%) identified as moderate-risk and 6 of the 30 high-risk patients (20%) had visited their GP to discuss their type 2 diabetes risk in response to the screening. CONCLUSION: The pilot suggests that people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes could be identified in primary, community and secondary dental care settings. The main challenges facing dental staff were time constraints, limited manpower and the low number of patients who visited their GP for further advice.

Type 2 diabetes risk screening in dental practice settings: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Dental surgeries are highlighted in the 2012 NICE guidance Preventing type 2 diabetes: risk identification and interventions for individuals at high risk as a suitable setting in which to encourage people to have a type 2 diabetes risk assessment. AIM: To assess the feasibility of implementing a type 2 diabetes risk screening pathway in dental settings using the NICE guidance tool. METHOD: The study was carried out over two weeks in June 2013. The validated tool in the NICE guidance was used to determine risk. This included a questionnaire and BMI measurement used to determine a risk score. Patients were rated low, increased, moderate or high risk. All patients were given written advice on healthy lifestyle. Patients who were moderate or high risk were referred to their general medical practitioners for further investigation. Participating dental teams were asked to nominate a member who would be responsible for overseeing the screening and training the other team members. RESULTS: A total of 166 patients took part in the pilot (58% male, 75% aged 49 years or younger and 77% were from BME groups). Twenty-six low risk patients (15.7%), 61 increased risk patients (36.7%), 49 moderate-risk patients (29.5%) and 30 high-risk patients (18.1%) were identified during the pilot. Fifteen of the 49 patients (30.6%) identified as moderate-risk and 6 of the 30 high-risk patients (20%) had visited their GP to discuss their type 2 diabetes risk in response to the screening. CONCLUSION: The pilot suggests that people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes could be identified in primary, community and secondary dental care settings. The main challenges facing dental staff were time constraints, limited manpower and the low number of patients who visited their GP for further advice.

Prevention and management of oral surgery complications in general dental practice.

In recent decades advances in dentistry have enabled more patients to keep their teeth for longer. However, when the time does come to extract these teeth it can be far from straightforward. This article, and the associated session at the 2014 British Dental Conference & Exhibition, describes the assessment of teeth for extraction and highlights potential problem areas and how to deal with them. Tips and techniques for dealing with failed or stubborn extractions are also discussed, as well as how to manage some of the more common complications of dental extractions.

The contemporary approach to tooth preservation: minimum intervention (MI) caries management in general practice.

The minimum intervention (MI) approach summarises a clinical, evidence-based rationale for the preventive and cause-related approach to oral diseases in general and to caries in particular. MI oral care with respect to the management of patients suffering from dental caries is a concept based on an updated understanding of the histopathological carious process as well as the development of diagnostic technologies and adhesive, bioactive restorative materials. A patient-centred MI care plan for use in general dental practice is described, detailing the four phases of identifying disease, controlling/preventing disease, refurbishing/repairing tooth surfaces/restorations and recall consultations.

Why do GDPs fail to recognise oral cancer? The argument for an oral cancer checklist.

Delays in the diagnosis of oral cancer have been the subject of several cases recently reported in the media. Different types of delays include patient delays, doctor delays and system delays. Although diagnostic delays in primary care constitute a minority of these cases they are potentially modifiable and therefore an important aspect of care to address. GDPs need to be aware of several different factors when assessing the risk for oral cancer including the changing epidemiology of oral cancer and new trends in tobacco consumption, for example the increasing use of waterpipes (shishah/hookah). However several problems in fully assessing patients for oral cancer have been reported. These include time constraints, a lack of remuneration and little training in assessing risk factors and conducting a soft tissue examination. This article reviews these issues and puts forward the case for oral cancer detection as a compulsory CPD topic and a national oral cancer checklist as a tool to ensure all aspects of the oral cancer assessment are considered, which can then be audited and remunerated.