The effect of a Lucia jig for 30 minutes on neuromuscular re-programming, in normal subjects

The Lucia jig is a technique that promotes neuromuscular reprogramming of the masticatory system and allows the stabilization of the mandible without the interference of dental contacts, maintaining the mandible position in harmonic condition with the musculature in normal subjects or in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). This study aimed to electromyographically analyze the activity (RMS) of the masseter and temporal muscles in normal subjects (control group) during the use of an anterior programming device, the Lucia jig, in place for 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 minutes to demonstrate its effect on the stomatognathic system. Forty-two healthy dentate individuals (aged 21 to 40 years) with normal occlusion and without parafunctional habits or temporomandibular dysfunction (RDC/TMD) were evaluated on the basis of the electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporal muscles before placement of a neuromuscular re-programming device, the Lucia jig, on the upper central incisors. There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the electromyographic activity of the masticatory muscles in the different time periods. The Lucia jig changed the electromyographic activity by promoting a neuromuscular reprogramming. In most of the time periods, it decreased the activation of the masticatory muscles, showing that this device has wide applicability in dentistry. The use of a Lucia jig over 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes did not promote any statistically significant increase in muscle activity despite differences in the data, thus showing that this intra-oral device can be used in dentistry.

Fluorescência na odontologia restauradora: laser de diodo / Fluorescence in restorative dentistry: diode laser

Nas últimas décadas, um declínio na prevalência da doença cárie tem sido constatado nos países industrailizados, no entanto, ainda representa umas das doenças que mais acomete os seres humanos, sendo considerada um problema de saúde pública. Uma nova visão da Odontologia, denominada Intervenção Mínima, tem determinado novas tendências no sentido de abranger procedimetos mais biológicos, preventivos e menos invasivos, visando a preservação de tecidos dentais. Essa filosofia é dependente de um diagnóstico precoce. Assim, como o diagnóstico difedigno do processo de cárie por inspeção visual é limitado, existe a necessidade de detectar a doença no seu estágio mais inicial, a fim de apoiar as decisões de tratamento. Dessa forma, nos últimos anos têm surgido métodos auxiliares de diagnóstico da doença e consequente aumento do interesse por analisar a eficácia desses métodos, uma vez técnicas baseadas apenas no exame visual e radiográfico não são tão eficazes em detectar níveis iniciais de perdas minerais do esmalte dental. O laser diodo para diagnóstico de cárie foi introduzido há alguns anos. Esses sistemas baseados na autofluorescência dos tecidos dentais parecem oferecer maior eficácia na realização de diagnóstico confiável e preciso das primeiras fases da desmineralização do esmalte dental. Para tanto, esta revisão avalia criticamente o diagnóstico de cárie por fluorescência a laser.

In recent decades, a decline in the prevalence of caries has been observed in industrialized countries, yet it represents one of the most common diseases in man and is considered a public health problem. A new approach or the treatment of dental caries is advocated by Mininmal Intervention Dentistry. It emphasizes a more biological preventive and less invasive procedures, in order to preserve more dental tissue. This philosophy dependents on early diagnosis. Since a reliable diagnosis of dental caries by visual inspection and radiographic examination is limited there is a need to detect the disease in its earlist stage, to suport treatment decisions. The diode laser for caries diagnosis was introduced some years ago. These systems are based on self-fluorescence of the tissues and appear to offer greater efficacy in achieving a reliable and occurate diagnosis of earlu stages of enamel demineralization. Thus, this rewiew critically evaluares caries diagnosis using laser flueorescence.