Is there an association between dental caries, fluorosis, and molar-incisor hypomineralization?

Abstract Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries, dental fluorosis, and molar-incisor hypomineralization, and their associations in a group of Brazilian schoolchildren. Methodology: Adolescents (n=411) were evaluated by two calibrated examiners for dental caries (DC), dental fluorosis (DF), and molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) using the CAST (Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment) instrument, Thylstrup and Fejerskov (TF) index, and MIH Severity Scoring System (MIH-SSS), respectively. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: The sample comprised 42.75% boys and 57.25% girls. The prevalence of DC in permanent dentition was 94.75%, of which 29% were represented by dentin lesions. For DF, a prevalence of 40.75% was observed, with 69.32% mild, 12.88% moderate, and 17.79% severe. A positive association between the source of water and fluorosis was detected (p=0.01). The prevalence of MIH was 18%. Thirty adolescents (41.7%) presented with severe MIH. No association was found between DF or MIH and dentin DC or between MIH and DF at the individual level. However, a significant negative relationship was detected between DF and dentin carious lesions ( p <0.005) and DF and MIH ( p <0.00001) at the tooth level, whereas a positive association was observed between MIH and dentin carious lesions ( p <0.00001). A positive association was also observed between the severity of both conditions ( p <0.00001). Mild DF was the most prevalent problem observed. Cases of teeth with mild MIH were the most predominant in MIH-affected teeth. Conclusions: No association was observed among the dentin carious lesions, MIH, and DF at the participant level. However, a positive association between MIH and dentin carious lesions was found at the tooth level, whereas MIH, DF, and DF and dentin carious lesions showed a negative relationship.

Análise da rugosidade superficial de uma resina composta tratada com gel fluoretado em diferentes pH / Surface roughness analysis of a composite treated with fluoridated gel at different pH

Objetivo: O flúor acidulado é utilizado no controle da doença cárie, mas seus efeitos na superfície de resinas compostas são controversos. O objetivo do estudo é avaliar a rugosidade superficial de uma resina composta após a aplicação tópica de flúor in vitro. Métodos: Espécimes de resina Vittra (FGM) foram preparados (8mmx1mm) e polidos. Após avaliação do pH de produtos fluoretados, o de maior e menor pH foram selecionados para os ex-perimentos. Foram testados três grupos experimentais (n = 15): grupo 1 ­ flúor gel acidulado a 1,23% (Nova DFL) (menor pH:4,48±0,32), grupo 2 ­ flúor gel neutro a 2% (Nova DFL) (maior pH:7,03±0,40), grupo 3 ­ sem exposi-ção ao flúor (controle negativo). O experimento simulou o protocolo padrão clínico de aplicação de flúor (uma aplicação por semana, durante um minuto, por quatro semanas). A rugosidade superficial foi mensurada antes e após o tratamento através de microscopia confocal e a característica superficial avaliada por imagens reconstru-ídas. Foi realizado teste ANOVA (post-hoc de Bonferroni) para comparar médias da rugosidade superficial entre grupos. Resultados: O grupo exposto ao flúor gel acidu-lado apresentou os maiores valores de rugosidade (Ra: 0,29±0,08), sendo maior que o grupo exposto ao gel neutro (Ra: 0,21±0,08) e controle (Ra: 0,23±0,05) (p < 0,05), que não apresentaram diferença estatística entre si. Conclusão: O grupo exposto ao flúor acidulado mostrou rugosidade superficial maior que o controle, porém essa diferença pode ser clinicamente irrelevante. Novos estudos são necessários para avaliar se tal alteração aumenta a adesão bacteriana e se a resina deve ser polida após aplicações tópicas de flúor.

Aim: Acidulated fluoride is widely used to control dental caries, however, its effects on composites surfaces are controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the surface roughness of a composite af-ter a fluoride topical application in vitro. Methods: Vittra (FGM) composite specimens were made (8mmx1mm) and polished. After pH evaluation of fluoridated products, the ones with the highest and lowest pH were selected for the experiments. Three experimental groups (n = 15) were tested: group 1 - 1.23% acidulated fluoride gel (Nova DFL) (pH: 4.48±0.32), group 2 - 2% neutral fluoride gel (Nova DFL) (pH: 7.03±0.40), group 3 - no fluoride exposure (negative control). The experiment simulated the standard clinical fluoride application protocol (one application of one minute per week,in four weeks). Surface roughness was measured before and after treatment by confocal microscopy and the surface characteristic evaluated by reconstructed images. ANOVA (Bonferroni post-hoc) test was performed to compare means of surface roughness between groups. Results: The group exposed to acidulated fluoride gel presented the highest values of roughness (Ra: 0.29±0.08), being larger than the group exposed to neutral fluoride gel (Ra: 0.21±0.08) and control (Ra: 0.23±0.05) (p < 0.05), which showed no statistical difference between them. Conclusion: It was concluded that the group exposed to acidula-ted fluoride showed greater surface roughness than the control group, but this difference appears to be clinically irrelevant. Further studies are needed to assess whether this change increases bacterial adhesion and whether the resin should be polished after topical fluoride applications.

Spatial and temporal distribution of cotton squares and small cotton bolls fallen on ground after damage by boll weevil and the efficiency of the equipment used to collect them / Distribuição espacial e temporal dos botões florais e pequenas maçãs de algodão caídas ao solo danificadas pelo bicudo e eficiência de equipamento para coletá-los

ABSTRACT: In this study, we determined the spatial and temporal distribution of fallen cotton squares and small cotton bolls fallen damaged by boll weevil and the efficiency and time interval of the equipment used to collect cotton samples. Spatial and temporal distribution of cotton squares and small cotton bolls fallen on the soil damaged by boll weevil among cotton rows was determined in an experimental design of randomized blocks in a factorial arrangement of 4x3, represented by soil surface tracks located at 1-11cm, 12-22cm, 23-33cm, and 34-44cm away from the planting row of cotton plants 70, 85, and 100 days of age. Efficiency and collection time interval of the cotton samples fallen on the soil infested by boll weevil by plastic rakes that were straight or fan-shaped, big broom, collector instrument model CNPA and aspirator of leaves ‘Trapp’ were determined in randomized block design with five treatments, 10 repetitions for each. Results demonstrated that the collection of cotton samples must be performed with greater attention to soil strips located below the cotton top projection and aspirator ‘Trapp’ of leaves was more appropriate for the operation as it used less time of collection with similar efficiency to other available equipment.

RESUMO: Neste estudo, determinou-se a distribuição espacial e temporal dos botões florais e pequenas maçãs de algodoeiros caídas ao solo danificadas pelo bicudo e a eficiência de equipamentos para coletá-las. A distribuição espacial e temporal dos botões florais e pequenas maçãs de algodoeiros caídas ao solo danificadas pelo bicudo entre as fileiras de algodão foram determinadas em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial 4x3, representado por faixas de superfície de solo localizadas entre 1-11cm; 12-22cm; 23-33cm e 34-44cm de distância da fileira de plantio em algodoeiros com 70, 85 e 100 dias de idade. A eficiência de coleta dos botões florais e pequenas maçãs caídas ao solo danificado pelo bicudo pelos rastelos plásticos em leque e reto, vassourão, catador modelo CNPA e aspirador de folhas “Trapp” foi determinado em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com cinco tratamentos e 10 repetições. Os resultados demonstraram que a coleta dos botões florais e pequenas maçãs caídas ao solo devem ser realizadas com maior atenção nas faixas de solo localizada abaixo da projeção da copa do algodoeiro e que o aspirador “Trapp” se mostrou mais adequado para essa operação porque gastou menos tempo para coletar essas estruturas vegetais, embora tenha apresentado eficiência semelhante aos demais equipamentos.