ER: YAG laser for composite removal after bracket debonding: a qualitative SEM analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To qualitatively compare the effectiveness of the Er:YAG laser with conventional methods for removing the composite remnants and the enamel ablation produced after bracket debonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brackets were bonded on 12 extracted premolars and the composite remnants were removed by 3 different methods: tungsten-carbide bur and 2 Er:YAG laser intervals. Four other premolars were used as a control group. Samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the amount of composite remaining on the teeth and the amount of enamel ablated on each sample were qualitatively ranked by 3 examiners. The results were statistically analyzed by the Tukey test. RESULTS: The Er:YAG laser performed significantly better than the conventional technique for removing the composite remnants, but the amount of enamel ablation produced was significantly higher. CONCLUSIONS: The Er:YAG laser can be used to remove composite remnants after orthodontic bracket debonding, but further studies are required to determine the ideal specifications of this type of laser to reduce the amount of enamel ablation produced under the specifications used in this study.

Prevalence of malocclusions in a young Brazilian population.

Malocclusions are generally treated in adolescents and adults, but they are established at an early age. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusions in a young Brazilian population. The sample included 926 children, 8 to 12 years old, attending 5 public schools in the state of Goias, Brazil The type of occlusion was visually determined during the oral exam and statistical analysis, Chi-square test, was performed to correlate the prevalence of malocclusion with gender and with age. 819 patients out of the 926 patients had some type of malocclusion. From those, 513 patients had a class I malocclusion, 201 patients were classified as class II malocclusion, and 105 patients were class III malocclusion. Vertically, 62 patients showed a deep bite and 61 patients had an open bite. Transversely, 40 patients presented a bilateral posterior crossbite, 54 patients had a posterior crossbite on the left side, and 39 patients had a posterior crossbite on the right side. No significant correlation between gender and malocclusions was found and the number of patients with malocclusions between boys and girls were similar. Considering the three spatial planes, there is a high prevalence of malocclusions among the young Brazilian population. Therefore, the dental community must improve health policies and treat malocclusions earlier.

Periodontal treatment needs in a native island community in Colombia determined with CPITN.

AIMS: To identify the prevalence and different degrees of periodontal disease in an isolated community (Isla Grande, Colombia) with no dental services and low educational level with the use of CPITN, and to establish periodontal treatment needs in different age groups. RESULTS: Of 116 people examined, 0.9% were in periodontal health (CPITN value 0), 18.1% had gingival bleeding (CPITN value 1), 51.7% had supra or subgingival calculus (CPITN value 2), 18.1% presented pockets 3.5-5.0 mm deep (CPITN value 3), and 11.2% had pathological pockets of 5.5mm or deeper (CPITN value 4). No clear differences were observed between sexes. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that 81% of the sample has some type of periodontal treatment need, with 69.8% of them requiring periodontal treatment that may be supplied by a hygienist and 11.2% requiring specialised treatment. Implementation of oral health education and oral prevention programmes was recommended to the authorities for this community.