Evaluation of the Genotoxicity of Tobacco and Alcohol in Oral Mucosa Cells: A Pilot Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To define the genotoxic potential of tobacco and alcohol in the oral mucosa through a micronuclei (MN) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of exfoliative cells from oral mucosa were collected using superficial scraping of the right- and left-cheek mucosa of 83 patients divided into four groups, namely: (G1) 24 individuals abstaining from tobacco and alcoholic beverages; (G2) 23 individuals who smoke and abstain from alcoholic beverages; (G3) 24 smokers and alcoholics; and (G4) 12 individuals who consume alcohol and abstain from tobacco. The samples were stained with Giemsa-Wright, and the frequencies of MN, binucleated cells, and metanuclear changes were recorded in the samples of each group (1,000 cells per patient). RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a difference between groups for changes concerning karyorrhexis (p = 0), pycnosis (p = 0.002), karyolysis (p = 0.003), and binucleated cells (p = 0.046). As for the total number of changes, G3, G2, and G4, respectively, were significantly higher than G1. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the influence of smoking and drinking on exfoliating cells of oral mucosa may cause metanuclear changes due to genetic changes that these products cause, and the MN test is effective in detecting and monitoring such changes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: MN test may work for constantly monitoring the oral mucosa of smokers and/or alcoholic patients, so that early cell changes may be diagnosed, preventing the genesis of oral cancer.

Evaluation of a Series of Overdentures Made in a Higher Education Dental Institution in Southern Brazil.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile, oral health self-perception index, and level of satisfaction of users of complete implant-supported overdentures that had been used for at least 1 year and were made at the School of Dentistry of the University of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (FO/UPF), between 2014 and 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 patients with overdentures, who were selected from the dental records filed at the institution. Data on general health and the dental implants involved (brand, type of prosthetic connection, number of implants, and additional overdenture retention system) were collected from the medical records. The 30 patients were invited to answer the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires, and due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it was possible to contact 15 patients. RESULTS: Most of the prostheses studied were mandibular overdentures, and 66.66% of the cases were retained by the O-ring system. As for the oral health self-perception of the individuals, it was concluded that male patients had a lower mean overall score (p = 0.047) and functional domain (p = 0.042) in the OHIP-14. The number of implants and the installation arch interfered with functional domain and psychological capacity (p <0.05). The VAS showed that women have greater esthetic satisfaction with prostheses (p = 0.048) and that the bar-clip retention system is more satisfactory than the O-ring (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of overdentures, it was noted that, when properly indicated, they are a viable option for oral rehabilitation on implants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Oral rehabilitation well-indicated with overdentures, especially those retained by the bar-clip system, results in an improvement in the patients' quality of life.

Immunohistochemical analysis of growth factors in platelet-rich fibrin membranes.

The use of autogenous materials to promote tissue regeneration has guided the direction of modern dentistry, and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a promising biomaterial for tissue engineering. This in vitro immunohistochemical study aimed to analyze the presence of factors of endothelial growth and cell differentiation in PRF membranes by using the CD31 (endothelial cells) and CD163 (monocytes) markers. Five men and 5 women, aged between 25 and 60 years and without systemic health problems, were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected, submitted to a centrifugation protocol, and fixed in 4% formaldehyde, and then immunohistochemical analysis was performed. The histologic analysis of the slides showed that the fibrin clot was formed by a dense fiber network and cells trapped in its structure. One sample was excluded from the markers testing due to poor quality. All 9 of the valid samples were positive for the CD31 and CD163 markers, with reactivity ranging from 5% to 30% and 10% to 40% of cells, respectively. The immunohistochemical analysis showed the presence of CD31 and CD163 in the PRF membranes, indicating the potential for vascular neoformation and the significant presence of monocytes, which play an important role in tissue remodeling via their differentiation into macrophages.

Quality of life of patients following orthognathic surgery.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how patients with dentofacial deficiency who have undergone orthognathic surgery perceive their quality of life (QoL) with respect to functional, esthetic, and psychosocial issues. In an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, and quantitative study, 10 patients who had undergone orthognathic surgery answered questionnaires used internationally for assessing QoL: the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14), and Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ). In addition, the patients completed the Self-Perception Questionnaire of Esteem, Appearance, and Interpersonal Relationships (ASR-26), which explored the differences between their current self-esteem, appearance satisfaction, and interpersonal relationships and their memories of their presurgical feelings about those topics. The data were submitted to descriptive and multivariable statistical analyses. There was a statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative periods regarding self-esteem, appearance satisfaction, and professional relationships (P < 0.05). The data collected with the SF-36, OHIP-14, and OQLQ questionnaires showed high internal consistency (Cronbach α coefficient). The index (mean) scores for the SF-36 (81.5), OHIP-14 (0.6), and OQLQ (5.0) were close to the conditions of high QoL. Principal component analysis revealed 3 distinct groups of patients, and 70% of patients composed a group with high QoL scores, showing no complaints of physical pain, functional limitation, psychological discomfort, social disability, or excessive concern about their oral condition. In this small sample of patients, orthognathic surgery resulted in improved health-related QoL with variations among patients regarding physical pain, psychological discomfort, oral function, facial esthetics, physical function, social function, and self-awareness of facial deformity. The results of this study indicate the importance of applying a questionnaire in individuals who have undergone orthognathic surgery to investigate their personal motivations for treatment and which physical, social, and psychological problems are limiting their QoL.

Evaluation of apical transportation and apical root sealing in root canals prepared with mtwo rotary system with and without apical enlargement ­ an in vitro study

The aim of this study was to evaluate apical transportation and apical root canal sealing after root canal filling in human teeth prepared with MTwo® Rotary System with and without apical foramen enlargement. Twenty mandibular premolars were divided into two groups (n=10). Group 1 had root canals prepared 1mm beyond the apical foramen. Group 2 had root canals prepared 1mm below the root canal length. After chemo-mechanical preparation, samples were submitted to scanning electronic microscopy. Apical foramen images had 75x magnification at standardized positions, allowing measurements from the apical foramen area before and after root canal preparation, and after root canal filling. Apical foramen shape and apical transportation, as well as its level of circumferential filling after root canal preparation were accessed using the Image Subtraction System. Scanning electronic microscopy analysis demonstrated that samples of Group 1 showed larger foraminal diameter than samples of Group 2 (p<0.05). Apical foramen transportation was statistically different between Groups 1 and 2 (p=0.0108). Furthermore, the apical foramen sealing also differed statistically between groups 1 and 2 (p=0.0007) and 100% of samples of Group 1 showed apical root canal sealing. Apical root canal sealing was more effective when the root canal was prepared with apical foramen enlargement, even when the apical transportation was detected.

Influence of ultrasonic activation using different final irrigants on antimicrobial activity, smear layer removal and bond strength of filling material.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of ultrasonic activation (US) over final irrigants on antimicrobial activity, smear layer removal and bond strength. The root canals of 180 extracted human teeth were distributed into three experimental tests (n = 60). In each test, the samples were subdivided into six groups (n = 10) according to final irrigation protocols: G1:distilled water (DW); G2:DW + US; G3:17% EDTA; G4:QMix; G5:17% EDTA + US; and G6:QMix + US. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by counting of colony-forming units (CFUs), the smear layer removal by scanning electron microscopy and the bond strength by push-out test. Statistical analysis was performed for each evaluation (α = 5%). Groups 4 and 6 provided higher bacterial reduction, groups 5 and 6 provided higher smear layer removal, groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 provided the higher bond strength (P < 0.05). US activation did not improve the antimicrobial activity and the bond strength, whereas it improved the smear layer removal.

Antimicrobial activity of hypochlorite solutions and reciprocating instrumentation associated with photodynamic therapy on root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis - An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hypochlorite solutions and reciprocating instrumentation associated with photodynamic therapy (PDT). METHODS: One hundred and thirty two root canals were enlarged up to #35 K-file and inoculated with E.faecalis for 14 days. The 132 samples were randomly divided into eleven groups (n = 12) and subjected to the following protocols: G1-distilled water + Reciproc R40 (control), G2-1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) + Reciproc R40, G3-2.5% NaOCl + Reciproc R40; G4-1% calcium hypochlorite (Ca[OCl]2) + Reciproc R40, G5-2.5% Ca(OCl)2 + Reciproc R40; G6-PDT; G7-distilled water + Reciproc R40 + PDT, G8-1% NaOCl + Reciproc R40 + PDT, G9-2.5% NaOCl + Reciproc R40 + PDT; G10-1% Ca(OCl)2 + Reciproc R40 + PDT, G11-2.5% Ca(OCl)2 + Reciproc R40 + PDT. The percentage bacterial reduction was checked by counting the colony-forming units (CFUs) in 10 samples of each group. The remaining 2 samples of each group were submitted to scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed treatments. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: The greatest ability to promote bacterial reduction was observed in groups 8 (1% NaOCl + R40 + PDT), 9 (2.5% NaOCl + R40 + PDT), 10 (1% Ca[OCl]2 + R40 + PDT), and 11 (2.5% Ca[OCl]2 + R40 + PDT), with no significant difference between them (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The association of PDT with hypochlorite solutions and reciprocating instrumentation provides effective elimination of E.faecalis.

Características microbiológicas, patogenicidade e viabilidade do Enterococcus faecalis e seu cultivo in vitro em pesquisas microbiológicas na área da Endodontia

Objetivo: o objetivo do trabalho foi revisar a literatura e descrever as características microbiológicas, patológicas e clínicas do Enterococcus faecalis na Odontologia, a fim de justificar o seu uso em pesquisas microbiológicas na área da Endodontia. Revisão de literatura: E. faecalis são bactérias Gram-positivas que habitam o trato gastrointestinal e a cavidade oral de seres humanos. Esse patógeno possui requisitos específicos para estabelecer uma infecção endodôntica e manter a resposta inflamatória. Essa contaminação do canal pode aderir-se à parte mineral da dentina por meio do ácido lipopoliteicoico e ao colágeno pela substância de agregação. O isolamento do E. faecalis de canais radiculares em infecções persistentes está relacionado a casos assintomáticos e que exprimem o insucesso da terapia endodôntica, devido à baixa sensibilidade a agentes antimicrobianos e com a habilidade em inativá- -los, apresentando, assim, poucas exigências para o seu crescimento e desenvolvimento no sistema de canais radiculares. Considerações finais: a presente revisão de literatura permitiu concluir que, apesar de as infecções persistentes serem polimicrobianas, apresentam a predominância de E. faecalis. Esse micro-organismo apresenta características particulares quanto a patogê- nese, microbiologia e viabilidade aos procedimentos e biomateriais empregados na terapia endodôntica, ressaltando a importância da discussão dos seus fatores de virulência e a evolução da pesquisa nessa área.