Evaluation of Different Dentifrice Compositions for Increasing the Hardness of Demineralized Enamel: An in Vitro Study.

This study aimed to evaluate microhardness of a dentifrice containing fluoride and arginine compared to a positive control (fluoride only) and a negative control (no fluoride) on sound and demineralized bovine enamel surfaces. Specimens were randomly assigned to different treatments that included daily pH cycling and brushing three times a day with one of the following dentifrices (n = 8): Neutraçucar (arginine and fluoride), Colgate Total 12 (fluoride) and My First Colgate (no fluoride). Enamel carious lesions were artificially created one week before the beginning of these treatments (demineralized bovine enamel (DE) groups). The same groups were also tested in sound enamel (sound bovine enamel (SE) groups). Microhardness was measured at baseline and after one, two, and five weeks of treatment using a Knoop indenter. Statistical analysis involved two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. After five weeks, both Total 12 and Neutraçucar had increased the microhardness of DE specimens (p < 0.05). Only Neutraçucar had increased the microhardness of the sound enamel after five weeks of treatment. Thus, it could be concluded that arginine-based dentifrices increase the microhardness of sound and demineralized bovine enamel surfaces.

Effect of photodynamic therapy in the reduction of halitosis in patients with multiple sclerosis: clinical trial.

Smell and odours play a vital role in social interaction. Halitosis is a social problem that affects one third of the population, causing a negative impact on the quality of life. There is little knowledge on the prevalence and management of halitosis in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The present study aims to evaluate the presence of halitosis in patients with MS when compared to a control group, and also evaluate treatment of the problem with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). This is a case-control clinical study in which 60 patients were evaluated: 30 MS patients in treatment at the Specialties Clinic School of Medicine, and 30 healthy patients, matched in age and gender for the control group. Data was collected on the duration of the disease as well as the degree of disability and medication use in the MS group. For all patients, halitosis was assessed with Oral Chroma™. Individuals with halitosis underwent treatment with tongue scraping and aPDT. The photosensitizer was methylene blue (0.005%) and a THERAPY XT-EC® laser (660 nm, 9 J, 100 mW for 90 s per point, 320 J cm-2, 3537 mW cm-2) was used. Six points 1 cm apart from each other were irradiated in the tongue dorsum. There was a positive correlation between the disability and disease duration. No parameter was correlated with halitosis. Patients with MS have higher levels of SH2 compounds when compared to the control group (p = 0.003, Mann-Whitney), but after aPDT both groups significantly reduced the levels to under the halitosis threshold. The aPDT scraping treatment was effective in the immediate reduction of halitosis in both groups.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on the post-surgical inflammatory process after third molar removal: study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been shown to modulate the inflammatory process without adverse effects , by reducing pain and swelling and promoting the repair of damaged tissues. Because pain, swelling and muscle spasm are complications found in virtually all patients following oral surgery for the removal of impacted teeth, this model has been widely used to evaluate the effects of LLLT on the inflammatory process involving bone and, connective tissue and the muscles involved in mastication. METHODS/DESIGN: After meeting the eligibility criteria, 60 patients treated at a Specialty Dental Center for the removal of impacted lower third molars will be randomly divided into five groups according to the type of laser therapy used at the end of surgery (intraoral irradiation with 660 nm laser; extraoral irradiation with 660 nm laser; intraoral irradiation with 808 nm laser; extraoral irradiation with 808 nm laser and no irradiation). To ensure that patients are blinded to the type of treatment they are receiving, the hand piece of the laser apparatus will be applied both intraorally and extraorally to all participants, but the device will be turned on only at the appropriate time, as determined by the randomization process. At 2 and 7 days after surgery, the patients will be evaluated by three blinded evaluators who will measure of swelling, mouth opening (muscle spasm evaluation) and pain (using two different pain scales). The 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) will be used to assess QOL. All data will be analyzed with respect to the normality of distribution using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Statistically significant differences between the experimental groups will be determined using analysis of variance, followed by a suitable post hoc test, when necessary. The significance level will be set at α = 0.05. DISCUSSION: The lack of standardization in studies with regard to the samples, methods and LLLT parameters complicates the determination of the actual effect of laser therapy on this model. The present study aims to provide a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial to compare four different LLLT parameters in relation to the outcomes of pain, swelling and muscle spasm following surgery for the extraction of impacted third molars and evaluate the effects os surgery on patients' quality os life (QOL). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - Rebec (RBR-6XSB5H).