Orthodontist and periodontist's knowledge, attitudes and aspects of clinical practice, regarding fixed lower orthodontic retainers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and aspects of the clinical practice of orthodontists and periodontists, regarding lower fixed orthodontic retainers. METHODS: The orthodontists (n=502) and periodontists (n=269) who participated in this cross-sectional observational study received, via e-mail, questions related to the type of lower fixed retainer, dental biofilm accumulation, oral hygiene, and potential periodontal changes. The data were subjected to chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, at 5% significance level. RESULTS: Both orthodontists (72.3%) and periodontists (58.7%) reported that hygienic retainers accumulate more dental biofilm (p< 0.05), and 64.1% of orthodontists and 58.7% of periodontists considered that modified retainers may lead to periodontal changes (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference between the dental specialties, regarding the type of lower fixed retainer considered the easiest for the patient to perform hygiene (p> 0.05), whereas 48.6% of professionals chose the modified type. CONCLUSION: The modified retainer accumulates a greater amount of dental biofilm and, in the perception of orthodontists and periodontists, it may cause periodontal changes.

Fatores determinantes de experiência dolorosa durante atendimento odontológico / Determinants of painful experience during dental treatment

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor frequentemente está associada com o cuidado com os dentes e vários fatores podem influenciar a sua percepção, sendo esse um processo complexo. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar os fatores que a literatura científica tem condições de estabelecer como determinantes dessa experiência dolorosa. CONTEÚDO: A dor durante o tratamento odontológico está mais associada a procedimentos invasivos como exodontias e cirurgias, mas também a procedimentos não invasivos. A anestesia local é referida como procedimento doloroso e gerador de ansiedade. Apesar de vários fatores relacionados ao paciente influenciarem na percepção da dor, poucos estudos analisaram esses fatores, a exceção da ansiedade. Há controvérsias com relação ao papel das variáveis sociodemográficas do paciente. Em relação ao atendimento de crianças, os estudos mostram que os dentistas não acreditam na dor referida pela criança e tendem a não usar métodos disponíveis de controle da dor. CONCLUSÃO: A ansiedade é determinante para dor durante atendimento odontológico e está relacionada ao procedimento da anestesia local. Existem evidências que a atitude do dentista seja fator determinante para a dor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain is usually associated to dental care and several factors may influence its perception because it is a complex process. So, our study aimed at identifying factors established by the scientific literature as determinants of this painful experience. CONTENTS: Pain during dental treatment is more associated to invasive procedures, tooth extractions and surgeries, but it may also be associated to noninvasive procedures. Local anesthesia is referred to as a painful procedure generating anxiety. Although some patient-related factors may influence pain perception, few studies have analyzed such factors, with the exception to anxiety. There are controversies with regard to the role of patient's sociodemographic variables. With regard to children, studies have shown that dentists do not believe in pain referred by children and tend not to use available methods to control pain. CONCLUSION: Anxiety is determinant for pain during dental care and pain is related to local anesthetic procedures. There are evidences that dentists' attitudes are determinants for pain.