Pulp capping with mineral trioxide aggregate or Biodentine: a comparison of mineralized barrier formation and inflammatory and degenerative events

Abstract: Biodentine in endodontic practice has been widely investigated, but comprehensive histological descriptions of degenerative and inflammatory responses are not covered in most of the studies that compare pulp capping materials. This study aimed to evaluate pulpal responses to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Angelus) and Biodentine, focusing on mineralized barrier formation and on inflammatory and degenerative events. 80 male Wistar rats were assigned to 5 groups, according to the materials used for pulp capping and coronal sealing (n=8 per group/period). The lower first molars were mechanically exposed, capped with either MTA or Biodentine, and restored with silver amalgam. In an additional test group, the teeth were capped and sealed with Biodentine. The teeth capped with gutta-percha and restored with silver amalgam served as positive control, whereas untreated teeth served as negative control. Pulpal responses and coronal sealing were evaluated after 14 or 21 days. Data was statistically analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's post hoc tests (p<0.05). Biodentine and MTA presented satisfactory results, showing a milder inflammatory response (p<0.0001) and more pronounced formation of mineralized barrier (p<0.0001) compared to the teeth capped with gutta-percha. As a restorative material, Biodentine kept coronal sealing in only 37.5% of the samples. Biodentine showed favorable properties in vital pulp therapy, being similar to MTA. However, it was not effective in protecting dental pulp from microleakage during the experimental period.

Pró-Saúde ­ Odontologia/UNISC: experiências e contribuições na formação profissional / Pro-Health ­ Dentistry/UNISC: experiences and contributions to professional training

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma pesquisa com os acadêmicos do curso de Odontologia da Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), que desenvolveram alguma atividade no bairro, através do PRÓ-SAÚDE, onde foi questionado se esta atividade contribuiu para sua formação profissional. A educação superior deve estar atrelada à realidade da população e a responsabilidade das ações de Promoção de Saúde deve ser integrada entre os indivíduos, comunidades, profissionais de saúde e instituições que prestam serviço de saúde. É de fundamental importância essa integração com os serviços, pois desta forma se cria habilidades para trabalhar em democracia, para o desenvolvimento de uma visão crítica e de competências culturais. Os dados foram coletados a partir de 51 instrumentos de pesquisa aplicados. Dos acadê- micos entrevistados, 99% responderam que a motivação do PRÓ-SAÚDE trouxe benefício para a sua vida. Destes, 53% apontou dimensão profissional como o benefício mais significativo, seguidos de 35,2% em termos de dimensão social, e 11,8% de destaque para a dimensão pessoal. Outro dado levantado na entrevista com os acadêmicos foi de que 60,9% pretendem iniciar sua vida profissional preferencialmente na rede pública, 25,4% prioritariamente em consultório ou clínica privada e talvez rede pública, 11,8% somente em consultório ou clínica privada, e 1,9% somente na rede pública. Desta forma, reafirma-se a importância do PRÓ-SAÚDE para a formação de profissionais capacitados a trabalharem na rede pública (AU).

The purpose of this paper was to conduct a survey among dentistry students of the Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC) who develop any sort of activity within the PRO-HEALTH (PRÓ-SAÚDE) program. The question asked was if this activity contributed to his/her professional training. Higher education must be tied to the reality of the population, and the responsability of health promotion actions must be integrated among persons, communities, health professionals and institutions that provide health services. This integration with health services is very important, because it builds the skills needed to work democratically, and to develop a critical vision and cultural capabilities. The data was collected through 51 questionaires; 99% of the students interviewed answered that their PRO-HEALTH activities brought benefits to their life; 53% of these students pointed out the professional benefits as the most significant plus factor; 35.2% answered that the most significant gains were the social benefits; and 11.8% highlighted the personal benefits as most significant. Among the students interviewed, 60.9% intend to start their professional life preferentially in public service, 25.4% give priority to working in a private office or clinic or perhaps public service, 11.8% intend to work only in a private office or clinic, and 1.9% intend to work only in public services. Accordingly, we can see the importance of PRO-HEALTH in training professionals skilled to work in public service (AU).