Comparison of two methods for alveolar bone loss measurement in an experimental periodontal disease model in rats

There are many studies that evaluate possible risk factors for periodontal diseases in animals. Most of them have focused only on the biological aspects of disease occurrence; therefore, it has been difficult to compare studies of the different methodological approaches. The aim of the present study was to compare different methods - linear and area - of the evaluation of morphometrical alveolar bone loss. Sixty hemimaxillae, defleshed and stained with 1 percent methylene blue to delineate the cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest, were obtained from a previous study that induced periodontal disease by means of ligatures in two groups of fifteen Wistar rats during 9 weeks. Ligatures were placed around the right upper second molars, and the contra-lateral teeth remained as intra-group controls. Digital photographs were taken from the specimens and submitted to a single, calibrated, blind examiner who performed the morphometrical evaluation of alveolar bone loss using both linear and area methods. Mean values of linear and area measurements were obtained from each side - buccal and palatal - of the specimens. The degree of association between the two methods was determined by Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. An almost perfect association (0.98) was determined between the linear and area evaluations. A mathematical formula was subsequently created to estimate the total area of alveolar bone loss, from linear mean measurements. Both methods were suitable for detecting bone level alterations. The results of the present study allow for the transformation of data and better compilation of results from different studies.

Estado atual do uso de barreiras para a regeneração periodontal em defeitos de furca: evidências clínicas / Update in the use of barriers for periodontal regeneration in furcation defects: clinical evidences

O emprego da RTG na prática clínica ainda carece de evidências na literatura. Esta revisão sistemática procurou avaliar o uso de barreiras para o tratamento de lesões de furca quando comparado ao acesso cirúrgico. Foi procurado na literatura ensaios clínicos randomizados com pelo menos 6 meses de duração e que comparassem o uso da RTG com acesso cirúrgico. Quatro estudos estavam de acordo com os critérios de inclusão. Dentre estes, o percentual de fechamento de lesões de furca de grau II com a RTG apresentado por três artigos ficou entre 0 e 30%. O emprego da RTG apresenta pouca previsibilidade e vantagens modestas no tratamento de lesões de furca de grau II em molares mandibulares. Ainda não há na literatura evidência suficiente para a avaliação da RTG em lesões de furca de graus I e III.

The use of GTR in clinical practice still lacks evidence in the literature. This systematic review evaluated the use of barriers for the treatment of furcation involvements as compared to open flap debridement (OFD). The search looked for randomized controlled clinical trials with at least 6 months of follow-up, that compared the use of GTR with OFD. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Among them, the percent of complete closure of degree II furcation defects with GTR, presented in 3 articles varied between 0 and 30%. The use of GTR has low predictability and modest advantages in the treatment of degree II furcation defects in lower molars. The literature still lacks sufficient evident to evaluate GTR in degrees I and III furcation defects.

Dentine hypersensitivity: analysis of self-care products

Dentine hypersensitivity is a condition that is often present in individuals, leading them to seek dental treatment. It has been described as an acute, provoked pain that is not attributable to other dental problems. Its actual prevalence is unknown, but it is interpreted as very unpleasant by individuals. Several therapeutic alternatives are available to manage dentine hypersensitivity, involving both in-office treatment and home-use products. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate self-care products for managing dentine hypersensitivity. Among the products available, dentifrices and fluorides are the most studied self-care products, with positive effects. However, a high percentage of individuals is affected by the placebo effect. Among dentifrices, those containing potassium salts seem to be the most promising. Dental professionals need to understand the advantages and limitations of these therapies and use this knowledge in a positive approach that might help in decreasing dentine hypersensitivity among patients.

Estado atual do uso de barreiras para a regeneração periodontal em recessões gengivais: evidências clínicas / Update in the use of barriers for periodontal regeneration in gingival recessions: clinical evidences

O emprego da técnica com barreiras para a regeneração periodontal surge como uma possibilidade para o tratamento das recessões gengivais, um problema que acomete indivíduos com padrões de higiene distintos. A etiologia para ocorrência de tal problema tem sido atribuída, portanto, a fatores traumáticos durante a escovação e/ou a presença de inflamação periodontal causada pela presença de placa. Em relação ao enxerto de conjuntivo subepitelial, considerado o tratamento padrão, a técnica com barreiras evitaria a necessidade da área doadora, o que poderia reduzir a morbidade após o procedimento cirúrgico de recobrimento. Esta revisão sistemática procurou comparar o uso de barreiras para o tratamento das recessões gengivais com enxerto de conjuntivo subepitelial. O emprego da RTG com barreiras reabsorvíveis e não-reabsorvíveis mostrou resultados similares quando comparados ao enxerto conjuntivo subepitelial para o recobrimento radicular