Fluorescence visualization improves the detection of oral, potentially malignant, disorders in population screening.

BACKGROUND: Scientific literature shows the great potential of fluorescence visualization (FV) in the detection of lesions in the skin and mucosa, though its use has been intermitant. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the detection of oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) with and without the use of fluorescence visualization in population screening. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a population screening for oral cancer and OPMD, general practice dentists (GPD) performed conventional oral examination (COE) in the first year, and in the second year the FV was inserted in the oral examination. When detecting any suspicious lesion in oral mucosa either by COE or FV, patients were referred for final diagnosis by a specialist in oral medicine. Biopsy was performed in cases of high-risk lesions to confirm the diagnosis, presence of epithelial d (ED), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). RESULTS: During the oral cancer prevention campaign in the first year, benign neoplasms were the oral lesions with higher diagnosis rate (26.2%), followed by non-neoplastic proliferative processes (23.8%) and potentially malignant disorders (21.4%). During the second year, with the implementation of the use of FV, OPMD were the lesions with higher diagnosis rate (37.7%). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the detection of potentially malignant disorders were respectively equal to 94.4%, 96.2% and 96.1%. The detection of lesions with epithelial dysplasia for these amounts were respectively equal to 100%, 92.4% and 92.6%. CONCLUSION: FV presented high diagnostic values when used by GPD and improved the detection of OPMD in population screening. FV has potential to be used as an adjunctive method for early diagnosis of oral high-risk lesions.

Influence of Nd:YAG laser on the penetration of a bioceramic root canal sealer into dentinal tubules: A confocal analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study, is to evaluate the penetration of a bioceramic root canal sealer into dentinal tubules at 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex after Nd:YAG laser irradiation. METHODS: Forty freshly extracted human mandibular premolars were prepared using Reciproc® and irrigated with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Teeth were divided into 4 groups: group 1, obturated with control sealer (AH Plus®); group 2, obturated with bioceramic sealer (Endosequence BC Sealer®); group 3, Nd:YAG laser + control sealer (AH Plus®); and group 4, Nd:YAG laser + bioceramic sealer (Endosequence BC Sealer®). The samples were transversely sectioned 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex and examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two parameters were measured: 1) sealer penetration into dentinal tubules of the root canal and 2) sealer penetration into the perimeter of the root canal walls. RESULTS: Penetration analysis showed that bioceramic sealer had a higher penetration at depths of 3 and 5 mm than that of the control sealer, regardless of laser use (p <0.05). Perimeter analysis showed that there was no difference between both sealers at a depth of 3 mm (p <0.05), regardless of laser use. At a depth of 5 mm, bioceramic sealer and laser showed a greater perimeter of penetration (p <0.05) than the control sealer. CONCLUSION: The use of Nd:YAG laser did not compromise the penetration of bioceramic sealer into dentinal tubules of root canals at 3 mm and 5 mm from the apex.