Importance of Deciduous Teeth: Maternal Perceptions and Early Childhood Caries

Objective: To assess the perception of mothers on the importance of deciduous teeth and correlate with eating habits, oral hygiene and infant oral health status (presence or absence of early childhood caries - ECC). Material and Methods: Study's participants were 80 mothers of children of both genders, from two to five years old, with and without severe ECC. The mothers were divided into two groups according to the child's oral health. A questionnaire at the form of an interview was applied to mothers with questions on sociodemographic characteristics, eating habits and oral hygiene, and the importance of primary teeth. Mothers were asked to respond according to a Likert scale modified "strongly agree", "partially agree", "partially disagree" and "strongly disagree". The data about oral health status of the child (absence or presence of ECC) were collected from dental records. Results: It was observed that in relation to scores of oral hygiene and eating habits and the importance of primary teeth, the predominance was observed of scores above 10 points, 56.3%, 93.8% e 92.5%, respectively. For the two groups there was no significant difference. Conclusion: The largest number of preschool children's mothers that have ECC do not know the importance of primary tooth and the important functions it performs. There was no correlation between eating habits, oral hygiene and infant oral health status.

Physicochemical Properties of Root Canal Filling Materials for Primary Teeth

Abstract This study evaluated physiochemical proprieties of a calcium hydroxide-based paste (Calen(r)) combined with a zinc oxide cement at different ratios (1:0.5, 1:0.65, 1:0.8 and 1:1). Materials were compared regarding setting time, pH variation, radiopacity, solubility, dimensional changes, flow and release of chemical elements. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). Longer setting time and higher dimensional changes and solubility values were exhibited by 1:0.65 and 1:0.5 ratios (p<0.05). The 1:0.5 and 1:0.65 ratios exhibited the highest pH values at all time points. All materials exhibited high radiopacity values. Significant differences were found only between 1:0.5 and 1:1 ratios for calcium and zinc release (p<0.05), whereas the amount of zirconium was similar among all groups (p>0.05). Considering the evaluated proprieties, combinations of Calen(r) paste with ZO at 1:0.5 and 1:0.65 ratios had the best results as root canal filling materials for use in primary teeth.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar propriedades físico-químicas da pasta à base de hidróxido de cálcio (Calen(r)) combinado com diferentes proporções de óxido de zinco (OZ) (1:0,5 e 1:0,65, 1:0,8 e 1:1) (Calen(r) /OZ). Os materiais foram comparados quanto ao tempo de endurecimento, variação do pH, radiopacidade, solubilidade, alterações dimensionais, escoamento e liberação de elementos químicos. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância (nível de 5% de significância). Maior grau de endurecimento, valores de alterações dimensionais, e solubilidade foram encontrados para Calen(r) /OZ 1:0,65 e 1:0,5. Calen(r) /OZ 1:0,5 e 1:0,65, apresentaram os maiores valores de pH em todos os momentos. Todos os materiais apresentaram valores elevados de radiopacidade com diferenças significativas (p>.05). Foram encontradas diferenças significativas apenas entre Calen(r) /OZ de 1:0,5 e 1:1 na liberação de cálcio e zinco (p< 0,05), enquanto que a quantidade de zircônia foi semelhante entre todos os grupos analisados (p>.05). Em relação às propriedades avaliadas no presente estudo, as combinações de Calen(r) com óxido de zinco nas proporções 1:0,5 e 1:0,65 são mais adequadas como material obturador para os canais radiculares de dentes decíduos.

Localized aggressive periodontitis - clinical, radiographic, microbiological and immunological findings

Introduction: Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (LAP) is characterized by a disease with rapid progression and loss of bone support specifically in the region of the permanent first molars and incisors teeth, and may lead to loss of dental elements. Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a brief literature review on LAP, and present the clinical, radiographic, microbiological and immunological aspects of this rare form of periodontal disease. Literature review: Epidemiological studies in different populations showed a higher incidence in non-white population, and non-industrialized countries, there is also a predilection for female gender, manifested between puberty and 25 to 30 years of age. Conclusion: LAP is a disease with low prevalence, mainly caused by Aa, and radiographically manifested by extensive destruction of periodontal tissue supporting of permanent first molars and incisors. In contrast, clinically, the affected teeth not presented significant amount of dental biofilm or gingival inf lammation. The early diagnosis is important to establish an effective treatment, including antibiotic therapy, and favor prognosis.

Antimicrobial Activity of Toothpastes Containing Natural Extracts, Chlorhexidine or Triclosan

Abstract: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of toothpastes containing natural extracts, chlorhexidine or triclosan. The effectiveness of toothpastes containing natural extracts (Parodontax(r)), 0.12% chlorhexidine (Cariax(r)), 0.3% triclosan (Sanogil(r)) or fluoride (Sorriso(r), control) was evaluated against yeasts, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the disk diffusion method. Water was used as a control. Disks impregnated with the toothpastes were placed in Petri dishes containing culture media inoculated with 23 indicative microorganisms by the pour plate method. After incubation, the inhibition growth halos were measured and statistical analyses (α=0.05) were performed. The results indicated that all formulations, except for conventional toothpaste (Sorriso(r)), showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts. The toothpaste containing natural extracts (Parodontax(r)) was the only product able to inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The toothpastes containing chlorhexidine, triclosan or natural extracts presented antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and yeasts.

Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo in vitro foi avaliar o efeito antimicrobiano de dentifrícios contendo extratos naturais, clorexidina ou triclosan. A efetividade dos dentifrícios contendo extratos naturais (Parodontax(r)), 0,12% de clorexidina (Cariax(r)), 0,3% de triclosan (Sanogil(r)) ou flúor (Sorriso(r), controle) foi avaliada contra leveduras, bactérias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas utilizando o método de difusão em disco. A água foi utilizada como um controle. Discos impregnados com os dentifrícios foram colocados em placas de Petri contendo meio de cultura inoculados com 23 microrganismos indicadores pelo método "pour plate". Após a incubação, os halos de inibição do crescimento foram medidos e as análises estatísticas (=0,05) foram realizadas. Os resultados indicaram que todas as formulações, com exceção do dentifrício convencional (Sorriso(r)), apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana contra bactérias Gram-positivas e leveduras. O dentifrício contendo extratos naturais (Parodontax(r)) foi o único produto capaz de inibir o crescimento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Os dentifrícios contendo clorexidina, triclosan ou extratos naturais apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana contra bactérias Gram-positivas e leveduras.

Students' perceptions on diagnosis and treatment of occlusal surface of first molars

Introduction: Accurate diagnosis of dental caries is a fundamental requirement in health care. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the opinions of undergraduates concerning different conditions of the occlusal surface of permanent first molar. Material and methods: Two experienced and trained examiners, using visual and radiographic examinations, classified five occlusal surfaces of permanent first molars. The surfaces were photographed and presented to students with a questionnaire about classification of occlusal surfaces, methods used to aid caries diagnosis and type of treatment to be applied. The answers were classified as correct and incorrect and submitted to Chi-square test (p < 0.05). Results: The results showed a higher percentage of correct answers regarding to dentine caries (87.95%) and no caries (84.34%). For all surface conditions, the methods most commonly used to aid diagnose were professional prophylaxis, good lighting, drying and dental probe. Considering the treatment, a greater number of correct answers were obtained for the surface with dentine caries, with indication of conventional (65.06%) and/or preventive restoration (33.73%) and no caries without treatment need or sealant (53.01%). For students at 6th, 7th and 8th semesters, the percentage of correct answers for classification and treatment was 72.31%, 58.33% and 62.94%, respectively, without statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the opinion of students differed regarding to the diagnosis and treatment mainly when the occlusal surface showed early stages of dental caries.

Gubernacular cord and canal: does these anatomical structures play a role in dental eruption?

Introduction: The gubernacular cord is an original structure of the dental lamina, which undergoes apoptosis and their remnants were organized in the form of epithelial islets and strands that lined up, leaving the reduced epithelium of the enamel organ towards the oral mucosa. This structure is located within the gubernacular canal, which can be identified as a small opening in the alveolar region of the lingual or palatal surface of the deciduous teeth. Objective: To conceptualize, identify and assess the possible contribution of the gubernacular cord and canal in the process of tooth eruption. Literature review: A review of literature on Pubmed, Medline and Bireme databases, without datum restriction. Little amount of scientific articles were found, and only 14 studies were identified. The authors addressed the matter succinctly, with little information about these structures, which can play an important role in the process of tooth eruption. Conclusion: The gubernacular cord and canal are anatomical structures located in the alveolar bone crest of the maxilla or mandible, behind the deciduous teeth. These structures appear to exhibit the ability to aid the eruption path of the permanent teeth successors. Despite being a relevant subject, few professionals know this structure and its possible role in the process of tooth eruption.