Liposomal anesthetic gel for pain control during periodontal therapy in adults: a placebo-controlled RCT

Abstract Periodontal therapy usually requires local anesthesia. If effective, a non-invasive, liposomal anesthetic gel could increase the levels of acceptance of patients in relation to periodontal therapy. Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of liposomal anesthetic gel for pain control during periodontal therapy. Methodology: Forty volunteers with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were recruited, of which at least three sextants required periodontal therapy. At least one of the selected teeth had one site with a probing depth of ≥4 mm. The volunteers received the following three gels: a placebo, lidocaine/prilocaine (Oraqix®), or a liposomal lidocaine/prilocaine, which were applied to different sextants. Pain frequency was registered during treatment and the volunteers received a digital counter to register any painful or uncomfortable experiences. At the end of each session, the volunteers indicated their pain intensity using rating scales (NRS-101 and VRS-4). The volunteers had their hemodynamic parameters measured by a non-invasive digital monitor. Results: Pain frequency/intensity did not show statistical difference between intervention groups. The tested gels did not interfere with the hemodynamic indices. Dental anxiety, suppuration and probing depth could influence pain during periodontal therapy. Conclusion: Our results suggest limited indications for the use of non-invasive anesthesia when used for scaling and root planing. Intra-pocket anesthetic gel could be a good option for anxious patients, or those who have a fear of needles.

Avaliação de diferentes protocolos clínicos para tratamento de lesão endo-periodontal: 3 séries de casos / Evaluation of different clinical protocols for the treatment of Endodontics-periodontal lesions: 3 series of cases

Na prática clínica odontológica é comum observarmos dentes que apresentem lesões endodôntico-periodontais. Apesar das respostas inflamatórias nos dois tecidos poderem ocorrer de maneira isolada, o não-tratamento e a evolução dessas infecções pode levar a formação de lesão combinada, denominada lesão endo-perio. A falta de abordagem eficaz aumenta a possibilidade de possível perda do dente acometido pela lesão. O objetivo desse estudo foi a realização de 3 séries de casos clínicos em 44 dentes com lesão endoperio, utilizando o mesmo protocolo endodôntico e variandose a terapia periodontal proposta - G1 (n=15): debridamento periodontal (RAR), G2 (n=16): antibioticoterapia (RAR + AB) e G3 (n=13): acesso cirúrgico (AC), analisando os dados clínicos de Profundidade de Sondagem (PS), Nível de Inserção Clínico (NIC), Recessão Gengival (RG), mobilidade, Sangramento a Sondagem (SS) e Índice de Placa (IP) nos períodos baseline, 30 dias 3 e 6 meses; além da análise do comprimento linear das lesões em radiografias periapicais e do volume das lesões em tomografias de baseline e 6 meses. Os dados clínicos nos períodos analisados e as avaliações radiográficas e tomográficas prévias e de controle dos tratamentos foram submetidos a análise estatística (Shapiro-Wilk e ANOVA) e evidenciaram melhora nos 3 grupos, considerando os diferentes tratamentos propostos. O G2 apresentou maior diminuição do volume da lesão na análise volumétrica tomográfica bem como na análise radiográfica, de forma estatisticamente significante em relação ao G1 e G3. Os dados clínicos de PS, NIC, RG e mobilidade mostraram melhora nos 3 grupos, sendo G2 melhor que os demais e quanto a SS houve melhora em 3 e 6 meses para os 3 grupos; e IP sem diferença. A partir dessas 3 séries de casos, sugere-se que o protocolo combinado endodôntico até a medicação intracanal (MIC) e terapia periodontal seguida de troca da MIC para posterior obturação endodôntica, resultou em melhora no quadro clínico, radiográfico e tomográfico dos padrões avaliados nos 3 tipos de terapia periodontal realizada nos tempos propostos, sendo que a raspagem e antibioticoterapia (G2) mostrou os melhores resultados no tratamento de lesões endo-perio

In current dental practice it is common to observe teeth with endodontic-periodontal lesions. Although inflammatory responses in both tissues may occur in an isolated manner, non-treatment, and consequently, the evolution of these infections may lead to develop a combined lesion, referred as endo-perio lesion. The lack of an effective approach, besides of making the prognosis of the treatment uncertain, increases the possibility of a possible tooth loss affected by this lesion. The aim of this study was to perform 3 series of clinical cases in 44 teeth with endo-periodontal lesion, using the same endodontic protocol and varying the proposed periodontal therapy, G1 (n = 15): periodontal debridement, G2 (n = 16): antibiotic therapy and G3 (n = 13): surgical access; analysing Probe Depth (PD), clinical atachment level (CAL), gengival ressection (GR), mobility, bleeding on probing (BP), and plaque index at baseline, 30 days, 3 and 6 months, besides the analysis of the linear length of the lesions in periapical radiographic and volume of the lesions in baseline and 6-month CBCTs. clinical data in the analyzed periods and previous radiographic and tomographic evaluations and control of the treatments were submitted to statistical analysis (Shapiro-Wilk and ANOVA) and showed improvement in the 3 groups, considering the different treatments proposed. G2 presented a greater reduction in lesion volume in tomographic volume analysis as well as in radiographic analysis, statistically significant in relation to G1 and G3.The results of PD, CAL, GR and mobility showed improvement in the 3 groups, G2 being better than the others, and in BP there was improvement at 3 and 6 months for the 3 groups; and PI without difference. From these three series of cases, it is suggested that the combined endodontic protocol up to intracanal medication (MIC) and periodontal therapy followed by change of the intracanal medication for later endodontic obturation, resulted in an improvement in the clinical, radiographic and tomographic scores evaluated for the 3 types of periodontal therapy performed at the proposed times, and scalling and antibiotic therapy (G2) showed the best results in the treatment of endo-perio lesions(AU)

The smear layer created by scaling and root planing is physiologically eliminated in a biphasic process

Mechanical instrumentation of the root surface causes the formation of a smear layer, which is a physical barrier that can affect periodontal regeneration. Although different procedures have been proposed to remove the smear layer, there is no information concerning how long the smear layer persists on root surfaces after instrumentation in vivo. This study assessed the presence of the smear layer on root surfaces over a 28-day period after subgingival instrumentation with hand instruments. Fifty human teeth that were referred for extraction because of advanced periodontal disease were scaled and root planed (SRP) by a single experienced operator. Ten teeth were randomly assigned to be extracted 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after SRP. Another 10 teeth were extracted immediately after instrumentation (Day 0, control group). The subgingival area of the instrumented roots was evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Representative photomicrographs were assessed by a blinded and calibrated examiner according to a scoring system. A rapid and significant (p < 0.05, Z test) initial reduction in the amount of smear layer was observed at 7 days, and a further significant (p < 0.05) decrease was observed 28 days after SRP. Interestingly, even 28 days after SRP, the smear layer was still present on root surfaces. This study showed that the physiological elimination of the smear layer occurred in a biphasic manner: a rapid initial reduction was observed 7 days after instrumentation, which was followed by a slow process leading to a significant decrease 28 days after instrumentation.

Root Dentine Sensitivity.

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity is one of the most painful, ubiquitous and least satisfactorily treated of all the chronic oral problems involving the teeth. Active Periodontal treatment appears to be one of the significant causes of hypersensitivity. Also, the role of plaque control in treatment of hypersensitivity is controversial. Thus the present study is aimed to study the degree to which a sample of patient developed Root Dentine Sensitivity (RDS) following nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Material & Methods: A total of 60 dental patients were evaluated for plaque scores and pain scoring using Scratch test and Air blast test. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used for pain scoring. Oral hygiene instructions were given and non- surgical periodontal treatment was done quadrant wise over a period of 4 weeks. Results: The intensity of RDS given by VAS score and the percentage of teeth sensitive to both the test increased after scaling and root planing but gradually decreased when meticulous plaque control was maintained. Conclusion: Non- surgical periodontal treatment i.e. SRP and Oral hygiene maintenance may temporarily increase RDS, which reduces subsequently over a period of time with meticulous plaque control.

Efecto de la arginina 8 por ciento-carbonato de calcio y del fluoruro de sodio al 5 por ciento en la reducción de la hipersensibilidad dentinaria post terapia periodontal: ensayo clínico / Effect of 8 percent arginine, calcium carbonate and 5 percent sodium fluoride on the reduction of the dentine hipersensitivity post periodontal therapy: clinical trial

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio clínico fue evaluar y comparar la eficacia en la reducción de la hipersensibilidad dentinaria de la arginina al 8 por ciento-carbonato de calcio, monofluorfosfato (1.450 ppm) en comparación con un grupo control tratado en base a un barniz de flúor (22.600 ppm) y un dentífrico fluorado (1.450 ppm), 3 veces al día durante un minuto, en pacientes con hipersensibilidad radicular en forma inmediata a la terapia periodontal mecánica (medición basal) y a las 4 semanas respectivamente. Materiales y Método: Estudio clínico aleatorizado de grupos paralelos, con 4 semanas de seguimiento, en el cual se reclutaron 20 pacientes con diagnóstico de periodontitis crónica leve a moderada, en tratamiento periodontal mecánico con presencia de recesiones gingivales a nivel de incisivos, caninos o premolares. A todos ellos, previa firma de consentimiento informado y en forma inmediata a los pulidos radiculares, se les aplicó el test térmico de chorro de aire con la jeringa de aire de la unidad dental a nivel de las recesiones gingivales con hipersensibilidad. La molestia o dolor fue determinado mediante la utilización de una escala visual análoga, realizada en forma inmediata a los pulidos radiculares (medición basal). Los pacientes fueron aleatoriamente asignados a uno de los siguientes grupos: grupo control, se les aplicó barniz de flúor (22.600 ppm) en todas las recesiones gingivales y se les indicó un dentífrico fluorado (1.450 ppm); grupo experimental, a quienes se les aplicó pasta tópica de arginina y carbonato de calcio (8 por ciento) a nivel de las recesiones gingivales, complementado con el uso de un dentífrico cuyo componente activo es la arginina al 8 por ciento-carbonato de calcio. Todos los pacientes fueron evaluados 4 semanas posterior a la aplicación y utilización domestica de los agentes des-sensibilizantes por un único examinador. Resultados: Ambos grupos experimentaron una disminución en la sensibilidad dentinaria, sin...

Aim: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate and to compare the efficacy in reducing the dentine hypersensitivity of an 8 percent arginine, calcium carbonate, 1.450 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice with topical application and twice-daily brushing, with a negative control toothpaste containing calcium carbonate and 1.450 ppm fluoride as MFP, after periodontal treatment (baseline) and four weeks respectively. Methods: A four-week clinical study with 20 subjects with diagnosis of slight to moderate chronic periodontitis under mechanical periodontal treatment and presence of gingival recessions in incisors, canines or premolars, stratified based on baseline tooth sensitivity. Subjects brushed with either a 1.450 ppm fluoride dentifrice or a marketed 8 percent arginine calcium carbonate dentifrice twice daily for approximately one minute. At screening, baseline and weeks four, subjects' tooth sensitivity was determined through both evaporative (Schiff and Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]). The same examiner throughout the study performed subject assessments using each stimulus. Results: Both subject groups exhibited significant reductions from baseline to four weeks in dentine hypersensitivity. However, patients who received 8 percent arginine calcium carbonate therapy, exhibited a greater reduction, with a 60 percent of individuals lacking of pain and with a final median of 0 in comparison with the 5 percent fluoride varnish and fluoride toothpaste group in which a 100 percent of subjects felt some degree of pain, presenting a final medium VAS scale of 2.

Dental anxiety among university students and its correlation with their field of study

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the subjective ratings of dental anxiety levels among university students enrolled at Jordan University of Science and Technology. In addition, the present study aimed to explore the sources of dental anxiety and the impact of gender on the perceived dental anxiety and the correlation between field of study and dental anxiety level.Material and Methods: The Modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety among the study population. Six hundred subjects were recruited into the study from Jordanian undergraduate students from the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, and Dentistry. Results: Five hundred and thirty five complete questionnaires were returned, which accounts for a response rate of 89.2%. The totals of the mean anxiety scores were the following: Medical students, 13.58%; Engineering students, 13.27% and dental students, 11.22%. About 32% of the study population has scored 15 or more. Dental students had the lowest percentage of those who scored 15 or more. Surprisingly, the medical students were responsible for the highest percentage of those who scored 15or above. Although women demonstrated statistically higher total dental anxiety scores than men (p= 0.03), the difference between both genders was small and could be clinically insignificant. The students were anxious mostly about tooth drilling and local anesthetic injection. Conclusion: Lack of adequate dental health education may result in a high level of dental anxiety among nondentaluniversity students in Jordan. Further studies are required to identify the correlates of dental anxiety among university students.

Root surface defect produced by hand instruments and ultrasonic scaler with different power settings: an in vitro study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the root surface defect produced by hand curettes and ultrasonic tips with different power settings. Forty root surfaces were divided into 4 groups according the treatment: Gracey curettes, ultrasonic scaler at 10 percent power, ultrasonic scaler at 50 percent power and ultrasonic scaler at 100 percent power. Each specimen was instrumented with 15 strokes and the and divided in the middle to evaluate: (1) the defect depth produced by the instrumentation and (2) contact area of the instrument tips, which was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. ANOVA and Tukey's test were used for statistical analysis (a=0.05). The results (mean ± SD) of the contact area showed significantly greater defects (p<0.05) for the hand instrumented groups (2092.9 ± 482) compared to the ultrasonic groups (606.8 ± 283.0; 858.6 ± 422.5; 1212.0 ± 366.7, respectively), independently of the power setting. The values for the defect depth on root surface showed no statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between hand instrumentation (66.1 ± 34.0) and ultrasonic scaling at 10 percent, 50 percent or 100 percent power settings (52.4 ± 22.1; 72.0 ± 29.9; 77.7 ± 37.7, respectively). The findings of this study demonstrate that ultrasonic instrumentation produced a similar defect depth to that of hand instrumentation, with a smaller tip contact area, independently of the power setting used for scaling.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o defeito na superfície radicular produzido por curetas manuais e instrumento ultra-sônico em diferentes potências. Quarenta superfícies radiculares foram divididas de acordo com o tratamento em 4 grupos: a) Curetas Gracey; b) Instrumento ultra-sônico a 10 por cento; c) Instrumento ultra-sônico a 50 por cento; d) Instrumento ultra-sônico a 100 por cento. Cada amostra recebeu 15 movimentos de raspagem e foram divididas ao meio para avaliar: (1) a profundidade do defeito produzido pela instrumentação e (2) a área de contato do instrumento com a superfície. Todas as superfícies foram então avaliadas com o uso de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura. Para a análise estatística foi utilizado o teste Tukey/ANOVA. Os resultados (média ± DP) encontrados para a área de contato foram significantemente maiores para a instrumentação manual (2092,9 ± 482,0) que para os instrumentos ultra-sônicos, independentemente da potência utilizada (606,8 ± 283,0; 858,6 ± 422,5; 1212,0 ± 366,7, respectivamente). Os valores para a profundidade do defeito demonstraram numericamente, mas não estatisticamente, diferenças entre a instrumentação manual (66,1 ± 34,0) e ultra-sônica em 10 por cento, 50 por cento ou 100 por cento de potência (52,4 ± 22,1; 72,0 ± 29,9; 77,7 ± 37,7, respectivamente). Os resultados encontrados demonstraram que a instrumentação ultra-sônica produziu defeitos com profundidade similar aos produzidos pela instrumentação manual, com um menor contato do instrumento, independente da potência utilizada.

Frecuencia de hipersensibilidad dentinaria posterior al raspado y alisado radicular en un grupo de pacientes evaluados en el postgrado de periodoncia de la Facultad de Odontología Universidad Central de Venezuela: estudio piloto / Frequency of dentin hypersensitivity after scaling and root planing in a group of patients evaluated in the graduate periodontics Facultad de Odontología Universidad Central de Venezuela: a pilot study

Evaluar la frecuencia de la hipersensibilidad dentinaria posterior al tratamiento de raspado y alisado radicular. De un universo total de 49 sujetos que asistieron al a Postgrado de Periodoncia de la Universidad Central de Venezuela entre el 01 de abril y el 30 de mayo de 2005, se seleccionaron 14 pacientes basándose en los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. A cada individuo se le realizó una encuesta constituida por 9 preguntas cuyo objetivo principal fue determinar la presencia o no de hipersensibilidad dentinaria antes y después de realizarse el raspado y alisado radicular. El 71 por ciento de los pacientes presentó hipersensibilidad después de realizado el raspado y alisado radicular. El 60 por ciento consideró que esta hipersensibilidad era leve y el 90 por ciento lo asoció al estímulo frío. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos en esta investigación; se puede sugerir que en la población estudiada el raspado y alisado radicular pudiera ser un factor causante de hipersensibilidad dentinaria

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Dentinal Hypersensitivity after a root planning treatment. From a total of 49 individuals that assisted to Periodontal Program at the Central University of Venezuela between April 01 to May 30 2005, 14 patients were selected following the including and excluding criteria. To each of the participants a questionnaire was given in order to determine the presence or absence of Dentinal Hypersensitivity before and after the treatment. 71 percent of the patients showed Dentinal Hypersensitive after root planning treatment, 60 percent reported a mild Hypersensitivity and 90 percent of the total sample indicated that cool was the main stimulus that trigged the symptom. These results suggested that the root planning treatment could be associated with Dentinal Hypersensitivity in the study population