Comparative in vitro analysis of the antifungal activity of different calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers

Aim: This study aimed to perform an in vitro comparative analysis of the antifungal activity of different calcium silicate-based endodontic sealers against three fungal species. Methods: The antifungal properties of three calcium silicate-based sealers were tested: Bio-C Sealer, Cambiar a Sealer Plus BC, and MTA-Fillapex. Two commonly used sealers were used as controls: AH Plus and Endomethasone. An agar diffusion test was performed to analyze the antifungal activity of the sealers against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and a mixed microbial culture medium. The results were analyzed using ANOVA (p <0.05). Results: Endomethasone exhibited the highest inhibition against all strains examined, maintaining a consistent level of inhibition throughout 7 days. MTA-Fillapex demonstrated the best performance among the calcium silicate-based sealers for the three fungal species (p < 0.05), maintaining stable values over the 7 days, surpassing that of Endomethasone. Nevertheless, MTA-Fillapex only exhibited antimicrobial effect against the mixed culture for the first 24 hours, and no antimicrobial activity was observed at 48 hours, being surpassed by all tested sealers (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Of all silicate-based sealers tested, only MTA-Fillapex exhibited promising antifungal activity. Nevertheless, care must be taken when extrapolating these results, as MTA-Fillapex exhibited poor antimicrobial activity when tested in mixed microbial cultures

Análisis de las Variaciones Anatómicas y Dimensionales del Canal Nasopalatino Mediante Tomografía Computarizada de Haz Cónico / Analysis of the Anatomical and Dimensional Variations of the Nasopalatine Canal by Cone Beam Computed Tomography

El conocimiento anatómico del canal nasopalatino (CNP) es fundamental para la realización de cirugías en el sector anterior del maxilar y así prever posibles complicaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar y determinar las variaciones anatómicas y dimensionales del CNP según sexo, edad y estado dental. Este estudio transversal analizó un total de 251 imágenes de TCHC obtenidas de la base de datos del Servicio de Imagenología Oral y Maxilofacial de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar, Chile. Para evaluar la asociación estadística entre variaciones del CNP con sexo, edad y estado dentario se realizó la prueba T de Student, chi-cuadrado y ANOVA (p0,05). Además, se detectó diferencia significativa entre el estado dentario y la dimensión de la tabla vestibular en relación con el CNP (p<0,01). Se deben considerar las variaciones de CNP para evitar posibles complicaciones durante los procedimientos quirúrgicos.

SUMMARY: Anatomical knowledge of the nasopalatine canal (PNC) is essential for performing surgeries in the anterior sector of the maxilla and thus anticipating possible complications. The objective of this work is to evaluate and determine the anatomical and dimensional variations of the CNP according to sex, age and dental status. This cross-sectional study analyzed a total of 251 CBCT images obtained from the database of the Oral and Maxillofacial Imaging Service of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Andrés Bello University, Viña del Mar, Chile. To evaluate the statistical association between CNP variations with sex, age and dental status, the Student's T test, chi-square and ANOVA (p0.05). In addition, a significant difference was detected between the dental state and the dimension of the vestibular table in relation to the CNP (p<0.01). CNP variations should be considered to avoid potential complications during surgical procedures.

Relación entre el seno maxilar y ápices de dientes postero- superiores con tomografía computarizada de haz cónico / Relationship between the maxillary sinus and apices of posterior-superior teeth using cone beam computed tomography

El conocimiento de la relación entre el seno maxilar y los ápices de los dientes posterosuperiores es fundamental para evitar complicaciones frente a distintos tratamientos. Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con muestra por conveniencia de 383 imágenes de raíces de dientes posterosuperiores obtenidas por medio de tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC) de un centro radiológico en Viña del Mar, Chile. Cada raíz fue clasificada según su relación vertical con el seno en 4 categorías (0: ápice no se encuentra en contacto con contorno inferior del seno; 1: ápice en contacto con seno; 2: ápice lateralmente al seno; 3: ápice se protruye en seno). Además se midió su distancia en mm. Los datos fueron analizados con estadística descriptivas. El diente más lejano al seno maxilar fue el primer premolar superior (4.2 mm), seguido por el segundo premolar superior (1 mm). En el primer molar superior la raíz más lejana fue la mesio-vestibular (MV) 1mm, seguida por la raíz disto-vestibular (DV) 0.6mm y la raíz palatina (P) -1mm. En el segundo molar superior la raíz más lejana fue P 0.4mm, luego la DV 0.3mm, y MV -0,11mm. En cuanto a las categorías, se observó que la mayoría de las raíces se encuentran alejadas del seno siendo la raíz P del primer molar superior y la raíz MV del segundo molar superior las que se encuentran mayormente protruidas (42 % y 26 % respectivamente). El primer premolar es el diente posterosuperior que se encuentra más alejado del seno maxilar y a medida que se avanza hacia posterior hay tendencia a disminuir la distancia entre los ápices y el seno maxilar.

SUMMARY: Knowledge of the relationship between the maxillary sinus and the apices of the upper posterior teeth is crucial to avoid complications when considering different treatments. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out, with a convenience sample of 383 images of upper posterior teeth roots, obtained by means of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) from a radiological center in Viña del Mar, Chile. Each root was classified according to its vertical relationship with the sinus into 4 categories (0: apex is not in contact with the lower contour of the sinus; 1: apex is in contact with the sinus; 2: apex laterally to the sinus; 3: apex protrudes in sinus). In addition, its distance was measured in mm. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The tooth farthest from the maxillary sinus was the maxillary first premolar (4.2 mm), followed by the maxillary second premolar (1 mm). In the upper first molar, the most distant root was the mesiobuccal (MV) 1mm, followed by the distobuccal root (DV) 0.6mm and the palatal root (P) -1mm. In the upper second molar, the furthest root was P 0.4mm, then DV 0.3mm, and MV -0.11mm. In reference to the categories, it was observed that most of the roots are far from the sinus, with the P root of the first upper molar and the MV root of the second upper molar being the most protruding (42 % and 26 % respectively). The first premolar is the posterior maxillary tooth that is furthest from the maxillary sinus and as one advances posteriorly there is a tendency to decrease the distance between the apices and the maxillary sinus.

Difference in EGFR expression and mean vascular density in normal oral mucosa, oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma

To evaluate the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mean vascular density (MVD) in normal oral mucosa (NOM), oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Material and methods: Descriptive case study. Nineteen histological samples diagnosed with NOM, 18 diagnosed with OED, and 19 with OSCC, were analyzed with immunohistochemistry against EGFR and CD31. EGFR expression was evaluated by extent and intensity of its expression in normal, dysplastic and neoplastic epithelium. MVD was determined through the detection of blood vessels by antibodies against CD31. Results: Extension of EGFR expression was highest in OSCC followed by OED and lowest in NOM, resulting in significant different between the degrees of extension (p<0.001). Intensity of EGFR was similar in NOM, OED and OSCC, without differences in its expression (p=0.533). Differences in MVD were found between NOM and OSCC groups (p<0.01), and between OED and OSCC groups (p<0.01), with no differences between NOM and OED groups (p=0.91). MVD was 21.17 +/- 4.98 in NOM, 23.40 +/- 5.77 in OED and 33.92 +/- 8.39 in OSCC. Conclusion: EGFR is expressed in normal, dysplastic or neoplastic oral epithelium. However, the extent of its expression is greater as malignancy increases. MVD varies according to the diagnosis.

Risk factors, hyposalivation and impact of xerostomia on oral health-related quality of life

Abstract To determine xerostomia-related frequency, factors, salivary flow rates and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of patients attending the Universidad Andrés Bello Dental School Clinic, in the city of Viña del Mar, Chile. The study involved 566 patients assessed with xerostomia, based on a single standardized questionnaire. The severity and impact of xerostomia on OHRQoL was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire (OHIP-14sp), respectively. Stimulated and non-stimulated salivary flow rates were obtained from a sample of patients. Xerostomia was reported in 61 patients (10.8%), comprising 50 women (83.3%) and 11 men (16.7%) (p < 0.013). The prevalence was 13% among the women and 6.1% among the men. Gender, age and medication were found to be independent risk factors for the development of xerostomia. Hyposalivation was found in 10 of the 35 patients with xerostomia (28.6%) and in 2 patients without it (p < 0.011). Patients with xerostomia had a reduced OHRQoL, compared with patients without xerostomia, as shown by the total OHIP-14sp score (p < 0.001). Xerostomia was a common, potentially debilitating condition with a major impact on the OHRQoL of a patient population attending a university-based dental clinic. Hyposalivation was present in almost 30% of the patients who complained of xerostomia. It is important that general dentists be aware of this condition, so that they can provide patients with a good diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Cáncer oromaxilofacial en niños: Parte II tumores odontogénicos y de glándulas salivales malignos / Maxillofacial cancer in children: Part II malignant odontogenic and salivary gland tumors

A nivel mundial, la información acerca de tumores malignos del territorio maxilofacial que afectan a niños es limitada. La mayoría de los resportes consiste principalmente en datos de la población adulta. Las neoplasias malignas originadas del aparato odontogénicos y glándulas salivales son lesiones que con cierta frecuencia pueden afectar a la población infantil. Los tumores odontogénicos malignos son entidades sumamente raras que, correspondiendo a menos del 5 % del total de tumores odontogénicos. Los sarcomas odontogénicos, si bien son poco frecuentes, corresponden a los tumores odontogénicos malignos más comunes en la infancia. Las neoplasias malignas de glándulas salivales corresponden al 35­60 % de los tumores de gándulas salivales en la infancia, siendo el más común de ellos el carcinoma mucoepidermoide. En general, el pronóstico de estas entidades es positivo sobre todo si es acompañado de un diagnóstico oportuno. A pesar de la baja frecuencia que presenta este grupo de patologías, no es menos cierto que es necesario saber con precisión cuales son los tejidos orales desde los cuales se pueden originar neoplasias malignas en los niños y tener una breve referencia diferencial entre ellos.

Globally, information about the maxillofacial malignant tumors affecting children is limited. Most reported data consists mainly of studies in the adult population. Malignant neoplasms arising from odontogenic apparatus and salivary glands are lesions that frequently can affect children. Malignant odontogenic tumors are extremely rare entities, corresponding to less than 5 % of all odontogenic tumors. Odontogenic sarcomas, although they are rare, correspond to the most common malignant odontogenic tumors in childhood. Malignant salivary gland neoplasms correspond to 35­60 % of tumors of salivary glands during childhood and the most common of these is mucoepidermoid carcinoma. In general, the prognosis of these entities is positive especially when there is a timely diagnosis. Despite the low frequency presented by this group of diseases, the fact remains that it is necessary to know precisely what the originating oral tissues are which can cause malignancies in children and have a brief reference differential between them.