In-office bleaching effects on the pulp flow and tooth sensitivity – case series

Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a noninvasive method capable of evaluating variations in pulp blood flow (PBF) and pulp vitality. This method has thus far not been used to assess changes in blood flow after in-office bleaching. The aim of this case series report was to measure changes in PBF by LDF in the upper central incisor of three patients submitted to in-office bleaching. The buccal surfaces of the upper arch were bleached with a single session of 35% hydrogen peroxide gel with three 15-min applications. The color was recorded using a value-oriented Vita shade guide before in-office bleaching and one week after the procedure. The tooth sensitivity (TS) in a verbal scale was reported, and PBF was assessed by LDF before, immediately, and one week after the bleaching session. The lower arch was submitted to dental bleaching but not used for data assessment. A whitening degree of 3 to 4 shade guide units was detected. All participants experienced moderate to considerable TS after the procedure. The PBF readings reduced 20% to 40% immediately after bleaching. One week post-bleaching, TS and PBF were shown to be equal to baseline values. A reversible decrease of PBF was detected immediately after bleaching, which recovered to the baseline values or showed a slight increase sooner than one week post-bleaching. The LDF method allows detection of pulp blood changes in teeth submitted to in-office bleaching, but further studies are still required.

Montagem de modelos de próteses removíveis em articulador semiajustável / Mounting casts from removable prostheses in semi adjustable articulator

Introdução: O relacionamento dos modelos de diagnóstico ou de trabalho em articulador semiajustável é um dos procedimentos mais importantes no tratamento reabilitador com próteses removíveis parciais ou totais. Objetivo:  Este trabalho descreve as diversas etapas da montagem em articulador semiajustável em situações de dois pacientes com arcos parcial ou totalmente edêntulos. Material e método: Foram discutidos os materiais e as técnicas que são indicados para registro das relações intermaxilares, inclusive em situações diferentes dos casos apresentados. Conclusão: A montagem de modelos de pacientes parcialmente edêntulos em articulador é de grande importância e apresenta uma ampla variação de indicação de acordo com diferentes situações.

Introduction: Articulating preliminary or working casts in semiadjustable articulators is one of the most important procedures in the prosthetic rehabilitation of partially and fully edentulous patients. Objective: This work described the several steps involving mounting casts in semiadjustable articulator in cases of two patients presenting partial and fully edentulous arcs. Material and method: It was discussed the recommended material and techniques for recording the maxilomandibular positions, including a range of situations different from the presented cases. Conclusion: The fitting of models of the edentulous patients in articulator is of great importance and presents a wide range of indication according to different situations.