Effect of zoledronic acid used in the root surface treatment of late replanted teeth: a study in rats

This study evaluated the use of zoledronic acid, a resorption inhibitor, as a medication for root resorption treatment of late replanted teeth. Twenty-four maxillary right central incisors of rats were avulsed and kept dry for 30 min. Then, the teeth were divided into 2 groups. In group I, root surface was treated with 2 percent sodium fluoride for 20 min; in group II, 10-6M zoledronic acid solution was used for 20 min. All root canals were filled with calcium hydroxide. Next, teeth were replanted in their respective sockets. After 15 and 60 days post-replantation, the animals were killed and the anatomic pieces were obtained and prepared for microscopic and morphometric analyses. The results showed that zoledronic acid was capable of limiting the occurrence of root resorption and preserving cementum resorption. Further research must be performed to confirm the use of zoledronic acid in root surface treatment of late replanted teeth.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso do ácido zoledrônico, um inibidor da reabsorção, como medicação para o tratamento da reabsorção radicular em dentes reimplantados tardiamente. Para isso, 24 incisivos centrais superiores direito de ratos foram avulsionados e mantidos a seco por 30 min. A seguir, os dentes foram divididos em 2 grupos. No grupo I, a superfície radicular foi tratada com solução de fluoreto de sódio a 2 por cento por 20 min; no grupo II, foi usada solução de ácido zoledrônico a 10-6M, por 20 min. Todos os canais foram instrumentados e preenchidos com pasta de hidróxido de cálcio. Posteriormente, os dentes foram reimplantados em seus respectivos alvéolos. Após 15 e 60 dias do reimplante, os animais foram mortos e as peças obtidas foram preparadas para análise microscópica e morfométrica. Os resultados demonstraram que o ácido zoledrônico foi capaz de limitar a ocorrência da reabsorção radicular e previniu a reabsorção do cemento. Futuras pesquisas devem ser realizadas para confirmar o uso do ácido zoledrônico para o tratamento da superfície radicular em reimplantes tardios.

Evaluation of the diffusion capacity of calcium hydroxide pastes through the dentinal tubules

This study aimed to evaluate the diffusion capacity of calcium hydroxide pastes with different vehicles through dentinal tubules. The study was conducted on 60 extracted single-rooted human teeth whose crowns had been removed. The root canals were instrumented and divided into 4 groups according to the vehicle of the calcium hydroxide paste: Group I - distilled water; Group II - propylene glycol; Group III - 0.2 percent chlorhexidine; Group IV - 2 percent chlorhexidine. After placement of the root canal dressings, the teeth were sealed and placed in flasks containing deionized water. After 1, 2, 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days, the pH of the water was measured to determine the diffusion of calcium hydroxide through the dentinal tubules. The data were recorded and statistically compared by the Tukey test. The results showed that all pastes presented a similar diffusion capacity through dentin. Group IV did not present difference compared to group I. Group II presented difference compared to the other groups, as did Group III. In conclusion, groups I and IV presented a better diffusion capacity through dentin than groups II and III; 2 percent chlorhexidine can be used as a vehicle in calcium hydroxide pastes.

Biocompatibility of acetazolamide pastes in the subcutaneous tissue of rats

This aim of this study was to investigate the biocompatibility of two experimental acetazolamide (AZ)-based pastes in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. Both pastes contained AZ as the main component in similar concentration. The vehicle in experimental paste 1 was saline, while experimental paste 2 was prepared with propylene glycol. Sixty polyethylene tubes were sealed at one end with gutta-percha (GP), which served as a control. Half of the tubes were filled with paste 1 and half with paste 2. The tubes were implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of 15 rats, being 4 tubes for each animal. The animals were killed 7, 15 and 45 days after surgery and the specimens were processed in laboratory. The histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and were analyzed by light microscopy. Scores were assigned to level of inflammatory process: 1- none; 2- mild; 3- moderate; 4- severe. The data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis test (p≤0.05). Paste 1 produced an inflammatory process at 7 days. However, the intensity of this inflammation decreased with time and was nearly absent at 45 days. No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between the control (GP) and paste 1. However, paste 2 produced inflammatory response at all study periods and differed significantly (p<0.05) from the control. In conclusion, in the present study, the experimental AZ-based paste 1 was considered as biocompatible as the control matrial (GP), while experimental paste 2 was irritating to rat subcutaneous tissue.

Este estudo investigou a biocompatibilidade de pastas experimentais a base de acetazolamida em tecido subcutâneo de rato. Duas pastas foram usadas neste estudo. Ambas continham a acetalozamida como componente principal em concentrações similares. O veículo usado na pasta experimental 1 foi o soro fisiológico e na pasta experimental 2 foi o propilenoglicol. Sessenta tubos de polietileno foram selados em uma das extremidades com guta-percha, que serviu como controle. Metade dos tubos foi preenchida com a pasta 1 e metade com a pasta 2. Os tubos foram introduzidos no tecido subcutâneo de 15 ratos (4 tubos por animal). Aos 7, 15 e 45 dias após a cirurgia, os animais foram sacrificados e os espécimes processados em laboratório. Os cortes histológicos foram corados com hematoxilina e eosina e analisados em microscópio de luz. Escores foram estabelecidos de acordo com a intensidade do processo inflamatório: 1-sem inflamação; 2-discreta; 3-moderada; 4-severa. Os dados obtidos foram comparados estatisticamente através do teste de Kruskal-Wallis (p≤0,05). A pasta 1 promoveu processo inflamatório aos 7 dias. Entretanto, sua intensidade diminuiu com o tempo e estava praticamente ausente aos 45 dias. Não foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante entre o controle (guta-percha) e a pasta 1. Entretanto, a pasta 2 promoveu reação inflamatória em todos os períodos experimentais, com diferença estatisticamente significante em relação ao controle. Assim, a pasta experimental de acetazolamida 1 foi considerada biocompatível como o controle deste trabalho. Já a pasta experimental 2 foi irritante aos tecidos.

Avulsion of permanent teeth: analysis of the efficacy of na informative campaign for professionals from elementary schools

Tooth avulsion is a very common event in children and emergency care procedures are crucial for case prognosis. As anyone at the moment of accident can provide first-aid measures, knowledge of school professionals dealing with children is of paramount importance. An informative campaign about dental trauma was performed in urban schools in the city of Adamantina, São Paulo state, Brazil, in an attempt to educate school professionals about emergency procedures in cases of tooth avulsion. A questionnaire arguing on personal information, tooth avulsion knowledge and personal impressions of the campaign was handed out for evaluation of the informative campaign. Eighty school professionals participated in the survey. Most participants were females (93.75 percent) aged 41-60 years old (53.75 percent) with a college degree (77.5 percent). Time at work ranged from 1-5 years (22.5 percent). The efficacy of the campaign was considered positive, as 100 percent of the interviewees replied to the importance of emergency procedures in case of tooth avulsion. In addition, 81.25 percent of the respondents answered that they would store the avulsed tooth in some storage medium, of which milk was the most frequently mentioned (84.61 percent). The participants considered the campaign as satisfactory and a region-wide campaign will be accomplished at other schools.