Assessment of the impact of toothache, untreated caries and its consequences on the quality of life among poor Brazilian children / Avaliação do impacto da dor de dente, da cárie não tratada e suas consequências na qualidade de vida de crianças brasileiras

Purpose: to evaluate the impact of dental pain and the consequences of untreated dental caries on the quality of life in children of low social-economic status aged from 8 to 10 years old. Materials and Methods: in this cross-sectional study, 230 children were submitted to a clinical examination in which the caries-pufa ratio was measured, afterward, they answered to two questionnaires: one about their quality of life (CPQ8-10) and the other about dental pain. Data were statistically analyzed through Chi-square, Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests to evaluate the association between the variables with impact on children's OHRQoL. To establish the existence of risk factors among variables and impact on OHRQoL a Poisson Regression model was applied. Results: dental caries (p = 0.003; PR 2.39; 95% CI 1.04­1.56), severity of untreated caries (p = 0.008; PR 2.86; 95% CI 1.13­2.00), toothache (p < 0.001; PR 2.31; 95% CI 1.64­3.27) and PUFA + pufa index (p < 0.023; PR 2.68; 95% CI 1.10­1.87) were associated with and were a predictor factor for impact on overall OHRQoL. All of these variables also had an effect over the social welfare subscale (p ≤ 0.001), whereas caries presence was also statistically linked with the emotional wellbeing subscale (p = 0.008) and dental pain with all four subscales (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: untreated dental caries' clinical consequences and dental pain exerted a negative influence on the quality of life of schoolchildren analyzed.(AU)

Objetivo: avaliar o impacto da dor de dente e das consequências da cárie não tratada na qualidade de vida de crianças entre 8 e 10 anos com baixos indicadores socioeconômicos. Métodos: neste estudo transversal, 230 crianças escolares foram submetidas a um exame clínico, no qual foram avaliados seus CPO/ceo (Dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados) e PUFA/pufa (Envolvimento pulpar, ulceração, fístula e abscesso). Em um segundo momento, elas responderam a dois questionários: um sobre a qualidade de vida (CPQ8-10) e outro sobre odontalgia. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por meio dos testes de Chi-quadrado, Mann-Whitney ou Kruskal-Wallis, para avaliar a associação entre as variáveis e o impacto na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde oral (QdVRSO) da criança. Para estabelecer a existência de fatores de risco para impacto na QdVRSO entre as variáveis, um modelo de regressão de Poisson foi aplicado. Resultados: a presença de cárie (p = 0,003; RP 2,39; 95% IC 1,04-1,56), a severidade da cárie não tratada (p = 0,008; RP 2,86; 95% IC 1,13-2,00), dor de dente (p < 0,001; RP 2,31; 95% IC 1,64-3,27) e PUFA/pufa (p < 0,023; RP 2,68; 95% IC 1,10- 1,87) foram associados com impacto na QdVRSO, assim como também foram fatores preditores para o impacto na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde oral. Todas as então citadas variáveis também exerceram efeito sobre a subescala do bem-estar social (p ≤ 0,001), enquanto a presença de cárie esteve estatisticamente conectada com a subescala do bem-estar emocional (p = 0,008) e a dor dentária com todas as subescalas da QdVRSO (p ≤ 0,001). Conclusão: as consequências clínicas da cárie não tratada e a dor dentária exercem uma influência negativa na qualidade de vida das crianças analisadas.(AU)

Descripción de las propiedades funcionales del sistema nociceptivo trigeminal en relación con el dolor pulpar / Description of the functional properties of the nociceptive trigeminal system in relation to pulpal pain

El sistema trigeminal nociceptivo es un componente del sistema sensorial somestésico que tiene la capacidad de discriminar cuatro variables básicas de los estímulos que provocan daño tisular, ellas son: cualidad, curso temporal, localización e intensidad. Las fibras A delta y C, vinculadas a la nocicepción están presentes en la pulpa dental. Se utilizan varias clasificaciones del dolor, atendiendo a diversos criterios: calidad de la sensación, velocidad de transmisión por las fibras, en relación con el lugar del cuerpo donde se exprese, y a la ubicación del nociceptor. La evolución de las condiciones pulpares se clasifican como: pulpitis reversible, pulpitis transicional, pulpitis irreversible y pulpa necrótica.Según su cualidad, el dolor pulpar puede ser punzante o continuo; atendiendo a su aparición, provocado o espontáneo; por su curso, intermitente o continuo; por su localización puede ser limitado a una región, irradiado y referido; y en relación con su intensidad se considera leve, moderado o severo. La capacidad del sistema sensorial nociceptivo en cuanto a discriminar la modalidad, curso temporal, localización e intensidad del estímulo, permite conocer las diferentes etapas de un proceso inflamatorio pulpar(AU)

The nociceptive trigeminal system is a component of the somatosensory system capable of distinguishing four basic variables of stimuli causing tissue damage: quality, time course, location and intensity. A-delta and C fibers, which are related to nociception, are present in dental pulp. Several classifications of pain are used, based on various criteria: quality of the sensation, transmission velocity along fibers, body part where it is expressed, and location of the nociceptor. According to their evolution, pulpal conditions are classified into reversible pulpitis, transitional pulpitis, irreversible pulpitis and necrotic pulp. Pulpal pain has been classified according to the following variables: quality: sharp or continuous; cause: provoked or spontaneous; course: intermittent or continuous; location: limited to a region, radiating or referred; and intensity: mild, moderate or severe. The capacity of the nociceptive sensory system to distinguish the mode, time course, location and intensity of the stimulus makes it possible to recognize the different stages of a pulpal inflammatory process(AU)

Quantitative methods for somatosensory evaluation in atypical odontalgia

A systematic review was conducted to identify reliable somatosensory evaluation methods for atypical odontalgia (AO) patients. The computerized search included the main databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library). The studies included used the following quantitative sensory testing (QST) methods: mechanical detection threshold (MDT), mechanical pain threshold (MPT) (pinprick), pressure pain threshold (PPT), dynamic mechanical allodynia with a cotton swab (DMA1) or a brush (DMA2), warm detection threshold (WDT), cold detection threshold (CDT), heat pain threshold (HPT), cold pain detection (CPT), and/or wind-up ratio (WUR). The publications meeting the inclusion criteria revealed that only mechanical allodynia tests (DMA1, DMA2, and WUR) were significantly higher and pain threshold tests to heat stimulation (HPT) were significantly lower in the affected side, compared with the contralateral side, in AO patients; however, for MDT, MPT, PPT, CDT, and WDT, the results were not significant. These data support the presence of central sensitization features, such as allodynia and temporal summation. In contrast, considerable inconsistencies between studies were found when AO patients were compared with healthy subjects. In clinical settings, the most reliable evaluation method for AO in patients with persistent idiopathic facial pain would be intraindividual assessments using HPT or mechanical allodynia tests.

Barodontalgia em voo e diagnóstico diferencial de dor odontogênica / In flight barodontalgia and differential diagnosis of odontogenic pain

Os pilotos são responsáveis pelas vidas da tripulação e passageiros, pela conclusão do voo em segurança. Por este motivo, a saúde e bem estar destes profissionais é de extrema importância. Uma condição que pode aparecer em vôo é a Barodontalgia, que é uma dor aguda causada pela diferença de pressão atmosférica no dente. Tal ocorrência pode levar a vertigem, incapacitação do profissional, e finalização prematura do vôo. Objetivo do trabalho foi realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre barodontalgia evidenciando a etiologia, condições de aparecimento, bem como conduta para o manejo dos aeronavegantes. A literatura considera que as causas descritas são: cárie profunda, restauração desadaptada, tratamento endodôntico incompleto, abscesso periodontal/periapical, e extrações recentes. Doenças congestivas dos seios paranasais, sobretudo do seio maxilar, podem se assemelhar a barodontalgia. As tripulações de aeronaves civis e militares têm maior potencial para experimentar tal ocorrência, por conta disso, sua saúde bucal deve ser periodicamente avaliada, e ainda os cirurgiões-dentistas devem estar conscientes da possibilidade da ocorrência deste fenômeno durante a jornada de trabalho destes profissionais, bem como estar preparados para o uso de medidas preventivas e curativas, a fim de reduzir sua incidência e gravidade, melhorando as condições de trabalho desta população

Pilots are responsible for the lives of the crew and passengers, and for completing the flight safely. For this reason, health and welfare of these professionals is extremely important. A condition that may appear in flight is Barodontalgia, which is a sharp pain caused by the difference in air pressure in the tooth. Such an occurrence can lead to dizziness, professional disability, and premature termination of the flight. The purpose of the study was a literature review on the etiology of barodontalgia, conditions of appearance, and the management of air crew. The literature describes as causes: deep decay, defectives restoration, incomplete root canal therapy, periodontal abscess/ periapical, and recent extractions. Congestive diseases of the paranasal sinuses, especially of the maxillary sinus may resemble barodontalgia. The crews of civil and military aircraft have greater potential to experience such an occurrence, because of that, their dental health should be periodically evaluated, and even the dentists should be aware of the possibility of this phenomenon during the working hours of these professionals, and be prepared for the use of preventive and curative measures, in order to reduce its incidence and severity, improving working conditions in this population

Bases neurofisiológicas para el manejo clínico del complejo dentinopulpar / Neurophysiological basis for the clinical management of the dentino pulpal complex

El complejo dentinopulpar cuenta con una inervación muy abundante. Por el foramen apical de cada diente humano pasan de1000 a 2000 fibras nerviosas. De ellas el 75 por ciento son amielínicas –fibras C- y el 25 por ciento mielínicas -la mayoría Aδ y pocas Aβ -. Lasramificaciones de las fibras Aδ penetran de 100 a 200 micrómetros en aproximadamente la mitad de los túbulos dentinarios,inervando la porción más interna de la dentina. Las terminaciones de las fibras nerviosas funcionan como receptores. Existiríantres grupos de receptores intradentarios: nociceptores específicos, receptores polimodales y posiblemente mecanorreceptores.Los dos primeros proveen información de alerta frente al daño tisular y su estimulación produce sensaciones dolorosas. Lasfibras Aδ intradentales median el dolor agudo intenso, pasajero, típico de la sensibilidad dentinaria. Diversos estímulos (térmicos,mecánicos, osmóticos, etc.) provocan flujo de líquido dentro de los túbulos dentinarios y es este flujo el que estimula a lasfibras nerviosas dentinopulpares. La permeabilidad de la dentina expuesta es una de las variables más importantes en la sensibilidaddentinaria. Las fibras intradentales C median el dolor sordo, difuso, mal localizado y prolongado. Hay pocas evidencias deque los estímulos mecánicos puedan causar una sensación diferente a la dolorosa cuando se aplican al complejo dentinopulpar.Existen también algunas fibras nerviosas autonómicas que tendrían función en la regulación del flujo vascular pulpar...

The dental pulp and dentin are very innervated. Between one and two thousand nerve fibers pass through the apical foramen of ahuman tooth. 75 percent of them are amielinic C-fibers and the rest are mielinic fibers, most of them from the Aδ and some from the Aβtypes. The Aδ endings penetrate 100 –200 micrometers in near half the dentin tubules, innervating the inner portion of the dentin.The endings of the nerve fibers act like receptors. There are three types of intradental receptors: specific nociceptors, polimodalreceptors and probably mechanoreceptors. The first two types provide information about threat of tissue damage and theirstimulation leads to painful sensations. Intradental Aδ fibers mediate sharp temporary pain characteristic of dentin sensibility.Many stimuli (thermal, mechanic, osmotic, etc.) produce fluid flow inside the dentinal tubules, and this flow stimulates dentinopulpalnerve fibers. The permeability of the exposed dentin is one of the main variables in dentin sensibility. Intradental C-fibers mediatedull, bad localized, diffuse pain. There is little evidence that the mechanical stimuli produce a sensation different than pain whenapplied to the dentinopulpal complex. There are some intradental autonomic fibers that may play a role in pulpal blood flowregulation...

Desordens temporomandibulares e dores oro-faciais: uma abordagem sobre as dores pulpar e periodontal / Temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pains: a view on pulpar and periodontal pain

Este trabalho, orientado para o aluno iniciante em "Desordens temporomandibulares e dor oro-facial; diagnóstico" foi elaborado para proporcionar uma parcela de informação revisada e atualizada em complementação a uma série de conferências sob o título de "Dor no consultório: o que fazer?" (Diretório Acadêmico Othon Silva - FO/UFRGS - 1990) Considerando o fato de que uma boa parte das dores somáticas profundas na região oro-facial têm origens dentárias, achamos justificável a abordagem de: 1) um resumo dos fatores envolvidos na etiologia e percepção das dores polpares e periodontais, e 2) uma descrição suscinta dos mecanismos que embasam a transmissão das dores de origem dentária e sua modulação, tanto periférica como central. Não são aqui discutidas, devido a suas características muitas vezes multidisciplinares, especialmente nos casos de dores crônicas, as oportunidades terapêuticas múltiplas atualmente à disposição do clínico. Algumas serão só citadas. Para facilitar ao aluno interessado a oportunidade de um maior acesso às fontes de referência atualizadas, aquelas consideradas mais importantes são citadas ao final do trabalho e numeradas no texto

Etiopatogenia y fisiopatologia de las barodontalgias / Etiopathogenesis genesis and physiopathology of barodontalgias

This investigation has been focused towards the study of the different types of dental pains that occur due to atmospheric pressure variations. In order to achieve this, we have worked with a group of 100 pilots, whos' ages ranged between 17 and 45 years, and which went through a physiological training at the Aerospacial Medicine Department of the Chilean Air Forces' Health Division. This was complemented by a thoretical course and a complete medical-dental check up, two flights in hipobaric chamber, one hipoxic flight and one rapid decompression flight. Different types of disbarisms were observed due to variations in atmospheric pressure, this showing that barodontalgia is one of the less frequent disbarism (1%). The investigation was completed by filling human and plastic teeth with now-days commonly used materials, intentionally leaving an air bubble beneath some of those fillings. It was proved that the theory which explains barodontalgia as the expansion of a gas in a cavity, is not valid by itself. Correlating the results obtained with human beings, brought into evidence that the appearance of this physiopathological phenomenon requires a pre-existing and unmanifested pathology, which will create an hipoxic environment in the pain causing tooth