Trends in restorative composites research: what is in the future?

Abstract Clinical trials have identified secondary caries and bulk fracture as the main causes for composite restoration failure. As a measure to avoid frequent reinterventions for restoration replacement, composites with some sort of defense mechanism against biofilm formation and demineralization, as well as materials with lower susceptibility to crack propagation are necessary. Also, the restorative procedure with composites are very time-consuming and technically demanding, particularly concerning the application of the adhesive system. Therefore, together with bulk-fill composites, self-adhesive restorative composites could reduce operator error and chairside time. This literature review describes the current stage of development of remineralizing, antibacterial and self-healing composites. Also, an overview of the research on fiber-reinforced composites and self-adhesive composites, both introduced for clinical use in recent years, is presented.

Modelo teórico de la endodoncia actual / Theoretical model of the current endodontics

Para comprender en profundidad cada una de las técnicas endodónticas de aplicación clínica, propuestas en la actualidad por los autores de diferentesescuelas de endodoncia, debemos previamente conocer el modelo teórico o paradigma preconizado por cada una de ellas. Ello nos permitirá discernir yseleccionar la más adecuada a las necesidades clínicas de nuestros pacientes, dirigiendo la investigacióny desarrollo de nuevas propuestas en el marco de determinado paradigma. La ciencia es multidisciplinaria y generadora de diferentes modelos teóricos aplicables en la endodoncia. Un modelo esencialmente técnico-quirúrgico busca el éxito apoyado enla limpieza, conformación y obturación tridimensional de los conductos radiculares. Eso es necesario pero no suficiente; por cuya razón, Maisto dio un salto cualitativo preconizando un nuevo paradigma endodóntico basado en la reparación apical. Este nuevo modelo teórico nos permite la formulación de nuevas conductas terapéuticas, desarrollar nuevosmateriales y proponer técnicas de instrumentación y obturación que engloben tanto al conducto radicular,como a su zona de influencia en el sistema de inserción dental y el hueso alveolar que lo rodea.

To understand in depth each of the endodontic techniques of clinical application, currently proposed by the authors of different schools of endodontics,we must first know the theoretical model orparadigm advocated by each of them.This will allow us to discern and select the mostappropriate of the clinical needs for our patients, directing research and developmentof new proposals within the framework of agiven paradigm. The science is multidisciplinary and generates different theoretical modelsapplicable to endodontics. An essentially technical-surgical model seekssuccess based on cleaning, shaping and three-dimensional obturation of the rootcanals. That is necessary but not enough, which leadMaisto to make a qualitative leap by advocating anew endodontic paradigm based on apical repair.This new theoretical model allows us to formulate new therapeutic behaviors, develop new materials and propose techniques of instrumentation and obturation that concerns both the root canal and its area of influence in the dental insertion system and the surrounding alveolar bone.

De las redes sociales a ResearchGate / From social networking to ResearchGate

Los sitios de comunicación y encuentro disponibles en Internet han incrementado exponencialmente en los últimos años. Los portales que permiten esta interacción virtual son conocidos comúnmente como redes sociales. En el 2008, se creó ResearchGate, la cual es actualmente la red social más exitosa enfocada a la comunidad científica, y esta red incluye a los profesores e investigadores del área de las ciencias de salud oral en México. El objetivo de este artículo es caracterizar el sitioweb ResearchGate para facilitar su conocimiento y uso en beneficio de los cirujanos dentistas y estudiantes de odontología. Destacan las siguientes funciones de ResearchGate como las de mayor relevancia: la conexión y colaboración entre colegas, el compartir publicaciones, la realización de preguntas y respuestas, ofrecimiento y búsqueda de trabajo científico, además de una nueva manera de evaluar la reputación científica (puntuación ResearchGate). Por lo tanto, concluimos que este sitio puede ser considerado una red social de alto valor para el gremioodontológico y científicos de las ciencias de la salud...

Study and analysis of information technology in dentistry in Latin American countries / Estudio y análisis de la informática odontológica en países de Latinoamérica

Dentistry increasingly uses Information and CommunicationTechnology (ICT), which has impact on teaching, research, the profession and dental care in general. However, there is alack of valid information on ICT resources and use in LatinAmerica. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, multi-center,interdisciplinary study, the aim of which was to conduct asurvey on how extensively ICT is used in Dentistry in LatinAmerican countries by enquiring into two primary components:1) use of ICT in student training and 2) use of ICT by professionalsin consulting rooms and services. Two questionnaires on ICTwere prepared: one for teachers/researchers and another for students/professionals. We received 94 answers fromteachers/researchers at universities in the region providinginformation on ICT resources for teaching (type andimplementation) and 221 answers from professionals (personaluse and use in healthcare). Data are presented as absoluterelative frequencies and analyzed quantitatively as percentages.Results: 1) Teachers highlight ICT as an instrument fordevelopment, democratization and fairness in access toknowledge for higher education. 2) ICT supports collaborativelearning and generates other innovative resources (e.g.simulators). 3) Innovations in telemedicine and experienceswith electronic clinical history were identified in Brazil,Uruguay and Colombia. These results are a basis upon whichto reach a consensus regarding a set of ICT indicators whichare comparable at regional level and serve as input to unifythe design and implementation of ICTs experiences in bothteaching and dental care in Latin America.

La Odontología utiliza en forma creciente las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) impactando en la enseñanza, la investigación, la profesión y la atenciónodontológica en general. Sin embargo, no se cuenta con información válida sobre los recursos e utilización de las TIC en latinoamérica. La investigación representó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, multicéntrico e interdisciplinario, cuyo objetivo fue realizar un relevamiento del gradode informatización en Odontología en países latinoamericanos indagando dos componentes principales en el empleo de las TIC: 1) en la formación de estudiantes y 2) por parte de losprofesionales en consultorios y servicios. Se realizaron cuestionarios a referentes TIC: uno para docentes/investigadores y otro para estudiantes /profesionales. Se recibieron 94 respuestas de docentes /investigadores de universidades de la región dando cuenta de los recursos TIC para la enseñanza (tipo e implementación) y 221 de profesionales (personal y en la asistencia clínica). Los datos recogidos fueron analizados cuantitativamente con tabulación en porcentaje y se presentan en frecuencia relativa absoluta. Resultados: 1) Los docentes enfatizan a las TIC como instrumento de desarrollo, democra tiza ción y equidad en el acceso al conocimiento en educación superior. 2) Las TIC apoyan el aprendizaje colaborativo y generan otros recursos innovadores (ej: simuladores). 3) Se identificaron innovaciones en telemedicina y experiencias con historia clínica electrónica en Brasil, Uruguay y Colombia. Los resultados constituyenuna base para consensuar un conjunto de indicadores TIC comparables a nivel regional y sirven como insumo paraunificar el diseño e implementación de las experiencias TIC tanto en enseñanza como en la asistencia odontológica enLatinoamérica.

O Programa Nacional de Reorientação da Formação Profissional em Saúde ( Pró-Saúde) e a diversificação dos cenários de aprendizagem em Odontologia / The National Reorientation of Vocational Training in Health Program (Pro-Saúde) and the diversification of practice setting in Dentistry

A diversificação dos cenários de prática nos cursos de Odontologia surgiu como estratégia pedagógica, na qual os alunos tinham a oportunidade de experimentar o aprender/fazendo, no sentido da formação em serviço. Em um país com características bastante específicas e distintas, esta diversificação desenvolveu-se de forma desigual, sob influências dos fatores regionais e dos programas de fomento, que impulsionaram a adoção desta iniciativa pedagógica, como o Programa Nacional de Reorientação da Formação Profissional em Saúde - Pró-Saúde. A presente pesquisa buscou conhecer a diversificação dos cenários de prática na formação em Odontologia e o impacto que as ações subsidiadas pelo Pró-Saúde I e II promoveram nestes cenários de formaçao, enquanto política pública, e na sua contribuição para o processo de mudança pedagógica. O estudo aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Mina Gerais, sob o parecer ETIC...

30 Years of dental research in Australia and India: A comparative analysis of published peer review literature.

Background: A sustained program of research is an integral part of human-kind's efforts to improve oral health. In addition, dental research is a vital part of the development of a strong and prosperous dental education system and has been one of the three pillars of the higher education sector (Research, Education and Service) for a very long time. Aim: This study aims to examine the last 30 years of peer review published dental literature in both, Australia and India, and to define the trends in publication over that time. Materials and Methods: This study used the Pubmed database using a set of core dental words for the years 1980 to 2009. Detailed analysis of the year-by-year rates of publication was done using Microsoft Excel. Results: India is on a near exponential upward growth while Australia through the latter half of the last decade has been more stable in output. State-wise breakdown in both countries shows that the proportions are more consistent for Australia, but for India, a major number of publications can be traced to three states. Conclusion: It is expected that dental research in Australia will grow in the coming decade as the new dental schools embed their educational programs and mature to develop strong research profiles. However, India is becoming a significant force in the published peer review dental research literature, and is growing at a very rapid rate.

A map of Brazilian dental research in the last decade

The aim of the present study was to analyze dental research trends in Brazil over the past nine years. All abstracts presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Dental Research in 2009 (n = 2648) were classified based on field of knowledge, home institution and geographic region. Data were compared with those previously published based on abstracts presented at various meetings. Between 2001 and 2006, five fields of knowledge had a greater than 10 percent representation among the total number of studies. These fields included restorative dentistry/dental materials (RD/DM), periodontics, endodontics, pediatric dentistry and population-based oral health. In 2009, only RD/DM maintained a greater than 10 percent proportion of meeting abstracts, and basic fields comprised the second position among those fields with greater representation (9.8 percent). The majority of research studies were performed at public institutions, and the number of abstracts per state increased significantly in 2009 (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001). The southeastern region of Brazil submitted the greatest number of abstracts; however, other regions also demonstrated increased participation in research (11 percent). The percentage distribution of abstracts between states remained constant (Wilcoxon test, p = 0.255; r s = 0.873). The results of the present study suggest a slight shift in the scientific research profile in Brazilian dentistry: fields related to professional disciplines have declined in relative research participation, while increasing interest has been observed in basic fields and new specialties.

Próteses obturadoras para pacientes maxilarectomizados: estado atual da tecnologia e necessidades de aprimoramentos / Obturator prostheses for maxillectomized patients: inventory of the existing technology and the need for improvements

Pacientes portadores de comunicação oronasal necessitam de dispositivo protético obturador, para o restabelecimento da sua função, estética e qualidade de vida perdida, devido à remoção ou ausência da maxila. Esta tecnologia reabilitadora vem se desenvolvendo há alguns séculos, com aprimoramentos das técnicas de confecção e materiais odontológicos que auxiliem na elaboração de obturadores cada vez mais eficientes, principalmente no que se refere a sua adaptação. Esta tecnologia é fortemente dependente tanto do domínio das técnicas laboratoriais, quanto de habilidades específicas na arte da reconstrução da face (manuais, sensitivas e tácitas), pois sua confecção é artesanal, personalizada e individualizada, determinando que a disponibilidade e distribuição dos recursos humanos qualificados para a sua elaboração constituam-se em obstáculo significativo para um acesso mais amplo e equânime. O trabalho em tela teve por objetivo examinar o estado da arte relativo às diferentes técnicas de moldagens e confecção das próteses obturadoras utilizadas no cuidado reabilitador de pacientes maxilarectomizados, buscando subsidiar proposições para o seu aprimoramento. Este estudo teórico-exploratório utilizou dois caminhos metodológicos complementares. O primeiro tomou por base uma revisão de literatura científica nacional e internacional e acadêmica, publicada sob a forma de artigos, teses e dissertações, utilizando as bases bibliográficas MEDLINE, BBO, LILACS, SCIELO, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde e Colaboração Cochrane, e as bases de dissertações e teses da CAPES – Banco de Teses; Base Thesis e Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações (BDTD), do Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia (IBICT)...

Patients with oral-nasal connection due to the absence or extirpation of themaxilla need a prosthetic obturator for esthetical reasons, to restore function, and to partially regain the lost quality of life. This technology has evolved in the course of many centuries in conjunction with the improvement in manufacturing techniques and odontological materials that play a role in the elaboration and design of more efficient obturators, especially regarding their adaptation. This technology is exceedinglydependent on the mastery of laboratorial methods as well as specific skills in the art of facial reconstruction because its confection is artisanal, personalized, and customized. The existence and distribution of suitable human resources are an evident obstacle to the evenly access to this technology. The aim of this work was toscrutinize the “state of the art” regarding different moulding and manufacturing techniques of prosthetic obturators employed in the rehabilitation process of maxillectomized patients, intending to make a contribution for its improvement. This theoretical-exploratory study used two complementary methodological instruments. One was a broad review of the national and international scientific literature published as articles, doctoral thesis and dissertations, utilizing different bibliographical databases: MEDLINE, BBO, LILACS, SCIELO, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (Virtual Health Library), and The Cochrane Collaboration, as well as the doctoral thesis and dissertations included in the CAPES database - Base Thesis andDigital Library of thesis and dissertations, from the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology...