Prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions related to occupational exposure to acid mists

This study evaluates the prevalence and risk factors of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) in a Brazilian population of workers exposed and non-exposed to acid mists and chemical products. One hundred workers (46 exposed and 54 non-exposed) were evaluated in a Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador – CEREST (Worker’s Health Reference Center). The workers responded to questionnaires regarding their personal information and about alcohol consumption and tobacco use. A clinical examination was conducted to evaluate the presence of NCCLs, according to WHO parameters. Statistical analyses were performed by unconditional logistic regression and multiple linear regression, with the critical level of p < 0.05. NCCLs were significantly associated with age groups (18-34, 35-44, 45-68 years). The unconditional logistic regression showed that the presence of NCCLs was better explained by age group (OR = 4.04; CI 95% 1.77-9.22) and occupational exposure to acid mists and chemical products (OR = 3.84; CI 95% 1.10-13.49), whereas the linear multiple regression revealed that NCCLs were better explained by years of smoking (p = 0.01) and age group (p = 0.04). The prevalence of NCCLs in the study population was particularly high (76.84%), and the risk factors for NCCLs were age, exposure to acid mists and smoking habit. Controlling risk factors through preventive and educative measures, allied to the use of personal protective equipment to prevent the occupational exposure to acid mists, may contribute to minimizing the prevalence of NCCLs.

Clarifications, guidelines and questions about the dental bleaching "associated" with orthodontic treatment

With regard to the best moment for carrying out or recommending dental bleaching to orthodontic patients, some explanations and orientations are given in order to answers the following questions: 1) Why orthodontic treatment completion is considered the best opportunity for carrying out the procedure? 2) Why dental bleaching should not be performed immediately before orthodontic treatment? 3) If that would be possible at any special case, what would that be? 4) Why dental bleaching should not be performed during orthodontic treatment? 5) If that would be possible at any special case, what would that be? This article highlights why it is essential to protect both the mucosa and the cervical region, regardless of the moment when dental bleaching is performed, whether associated with orthodontic treatment or not. The "how", "why" and "if" of whether or not it is convenient to perform dental bleaching before orthodontic treatment are still a matter of clinical suggestion, as it is a procedure that is under analysis, empirical knowledge waiting for scientific proof or disproof! Although tooth enamel has adamantine fluid flowing within it, providing a specific metabolism that is peculiar to its own and which could scientifically explain and base the option of carrying out teeth whitening before and during orthodontic treatment, we must still be very careful.

Quanto ao melhor momento para se aplicar ou recomendar a clareação dentária aos pacientes ortodônticos, alguns esclarecimentos e orientações são explanados para responder questionamentos como: 1) Por que depois do tratamento ortodôntico se constitui a melhor oportunidade para tal procedimento?; 2) Por que não realizar a clareação dentária imediatamente antes do tratamento ortodôntico?; 3) Se poderia realizá-la em alguma condição especial, e qual seria?; 4) Por que não se deveria clarear os dentes durante o tratamento ortodôntico?; 5) Se possível em algumas situações especiais, quando seriam essas situações especiais? No presente artigo, se destacará porque é fundamental sempre proteger a mucosa e a região cervical, independentemente do momento em que se fizer uma clareação dentária relacionada ou não ao tratamento ortodôntico. O mecanismo de como, por que e se é ou não conveniente clarear os dentes antes da finalização dos tratamentos ortodônticos ainda representa uma sugestão clínica, um procedimento em análise e um conhecimento empírico à espera de sua comprovação ou desmitificação científica. Apesar do esmalte dentário ter uma circulação do líquido adamantino, que propicia um metabolismo próprio e específico, que pode vir a ser, cientificamente, a base para explicar e fundamentar a clareação dentária antes e durante o tratamento ortodôntico, ainda assim devemos ser muito cautelosos.

Effect of andiroba oil on periodontitis in Wistar rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of andiroba oil on the periodontitis in rats. METHODS: The periodontitis was induced by the placement of cotton ligatures around the cervix of the second upper molars on fifteen rats, and waiting fifty days. The animals were randomly distributed into three groups: saline group, andiroba oil group and meloxican group, differentiated by substance used in the treatment of periodontitis. The groups received the respective substance by gavage for seven days, after the periodontitis induced. It was analyzed the score of inflammatory cells and the measurement from the cemento-enamel junction to the bone crest. RESULTS: The andiroba oil group (p=0.008) and meloxican group (p=0.0347) show a less score of inflammatory cells than saline group, however there weren't difference between them (p=0.2754). Regarding the analysis of measurement from the cemento-enamel junction to the bone crest, there was no difference between groups studied (p=0.3451). CONCLUSION: Andiroba oil decreased the quantity of inflammatory cells, however, it didn't have an effect on the measurement of alveolar bone loss, like the treatment with Meloxican®.

Effect of periodontal therapies on indirect restoration: a scanning electron microscopic analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different periodontal therapies on the integrity of indirect restorations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sixty single-rooted bovine teeth were selected and randomly assigned to 12 groups. Inlay cavities were prepared in the cervical region on the center of the cementoenamel junction, and were restored with laboratory processed resin and luted with a resin cement. Twelve periodontal therapies were used (n= 5): C: control (no treatment); MS: manual scaling with Gracey curettes; US: ultrasonic scaling; PP: prophylaxis with prophylactic paste; PS: prophylaxis with pumice-stone; SBJ: sodium bicarbonate jet; MS/PP; MS/PS; MS/SBJ; US/PP; US/PS; US/SBJ. The specimens were prepared and analyzed by SEM. SEM micrographs at ×100 to ×1000 magnification were obtained from the surface of the laboratory resin and the interface of the indirect restorations. The images were evaluated by 3 skillful, calibrated, blinded observers as to the presence of grooves, microcavities and fracture of margins. The results showed that PS produced groves on restoration surface. MS and US produced groves and marginal fractures on the restorations. SBJ resulted in resin cement degradation. These results suggest that except for PS, all procedures had deleterious effects on the marginal integrity of indirect restorations.

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência de diferentes terapias periodontais na integridade de restaurações indiretas por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Sessenta raízes bovinas foram selecionadas e aleatoriamente divididas em 12 grupos. Preparos cavitários inlay foram realizados na região cervical central da junção cemento-esmalte e restaurados com resina laboratorial cimentado com cimento resinoso. Doze terapias periodontais foram usadas (n=5): C-sem tratamento (controle); MS-raspagem manual com cureta Gracey; US-raspagem com ultra-som; PP- profilaxia com pasta profilática; PS-profilaxia com pedra pomes; SBJ-jato de bicarbonato; MS/PP; MS/PS; MS/SBJ; US/PP; US/PS; US/SBJ. As amostras foram preparados e submetidas a MEV. Imagens, de ×100 a ×1000, da superfície da resina laboratorial e da interface das restaurações indiretas foram obtidas. As imagens foram avaliadas em procedimento cego por 3 observadores habilitados previamente calibrados seguindo os seguintes critérios: ranhuras, microcavidades e fratura de margem. Os resultados mostraram que a profilaxia com pedra pomes promoveu ranhuras na superfície das restaurações. Raspagem manual e ultrasônica promoveram ranhuras e fratura de margem das restaurações. Jato de bicarbonato resultou em degradação de cimento resinoso. Os resultados sugeriram que, exceto a profilaxia com pasta profilática, todos os procedimentos resultaram em efeitos deletérios na integridade da margem das restaurações indiretas.

Assessment in vitro of brushing on dental surface roughness alteration by laser interferometry

Noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are considered to be of multifactorial origin, normally associated with inadequate brushing. This study assessed the influence in vitro of simulated brushing on NCCL formation. Fifteen human premolars were submitted to brushing in the cementoenamel junction region, using hard-, medium- and soft-bristled brushes associated with a toothpaste of medium abrasiveness under a 200 g load, at a speed of 356 rpm for 100 minutes. The surface topography of the region was analyzed before and after brushing, by means of a laser interferometer, using "cut-off" values of 0.25 and considering roughness values in mm. The initial roughness (mm) results for dentin (D / bristle consistency: 1 - soft, 2 - medium and 3 - hard) were as follows: (D1) 1.25 ± 0.45; (D2) 1.12 ± 0.44; (D3) 1.05 ± 0.41. For enamel (E / bristle consistency: 1 - soft, 2 - medium and 3 - hard), the initial results were: (E1) 1.18 ± 0.35; (E2) 1.32 ± 0.25; (E3) 1.50 ± 0.38. After brushing, the following were the values for dentin: (D1) 2.32 ± 1.99; (D2) 3.30 ± 0.96; (D3) Over 500. For enamel, the values after brushing were: (E1) 1.37 ± 0.31; (E2) 2.15 ± 0.90; (E3) 1.22 ± 0.47. Based on the results of the ANOVA and Tukey statistical analyses (a = .05) it was concluded that soft, medium and hard brushes are not capable of abrading enamel, whereas dentin showed changes in surface roughness by the action of medium- and hard-bristled brushes.