Effects of near infrared laser radiation associated with photoabsorbing cream in preventing white spot lesions around orthodontic brackets: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the effect of a low-power infrared laser on the inhibition of bovine enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets. BACKGROUND DATA: Near infrared lasers have been suggested as alternative approaches because they may produce an increase in resistance to dental caries. METHODS: Forty-eight blocks of enamel obtained from bovine incisor teeth were divided into six groups: Group 1 (control), without treatment; Group 2 (C), photoabsorbing cream; Group 3 (CF), photoabsorbing cream with fluoride; Group 4 (L), irradiation with low-level infrared laser (λ=830 nm) at an energy density of 4.47 J/cm2; Group 5 (L+C), photoabsorbing cream followed by low-level infrared laser irradiation; and Group 6 (L+CF), photoabsorbing cream with fluoride followed by low-level infrared laser irradiation. After these procedures, the enamel blocks received an assortment of orthodontic brackets and were then submitted to pH cycling to simulate a highly cariogenic challenge. The enamel surface demineralization around the orthodontic brackets, according to the different treatments, was quantified by fluorescence loss analysis by quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). The fluorescence loss, expressed as ΔF (percentage of loss fluorescence), was statistically examined by analysis of variance and the Tukey test. RESULTS: The control group (-10.48±2.85) was statistically similar to Group C (-14.52±7.80), which presented the lowest values of ΔF when compared with Groups FC (-3.67±3.21), L (-2.79±1.68), CL (-1.05±0:50), and CFL (-0.60±0:43). However, Groups FC, L, CL, and CFL showed no statistically significant differences among them. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that both the low-level infrared laser and photoabsorbing cream with fluoride were effective in inhibiting the development of caries in enamel around orthodontic brackets, even in situations of high cariogenic challenge.

Oral manifestations of systemic alterations in early childhood.

AIM: This study aimed to describe certain common oral manifestations during early childhood that should be known by the pediatric dental surgeon. BACKGROUND: The correct diagnosis and treatment of oral manifestations during early childhood is important for children's development. The pediatric dentist is responsible for maintaining oral health in children, since they change constantly during their development and growth. CASE REPORT: Four cases of oral lesions are described, in which the diagnosis and related approach for each one is reported. The first was an acute primary herpetic gingivostomatitis, the second, pseudomembranous candidiasis, the third, chickenpox and the last was molluscum. CONCLUSION: Professionals who treat children in this age group must be able to diagnose and treat common oral manifestations when necessary and should refer the child to a pediatrician for effective treatment if the presence of any systemic alteration is suspected. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Pathognomonic signs of the most common oral manifestations in early childhood should be known by dentists to improve early diagnosis and proper management.

Reabilitação das fraturas do rádio distal: [revisão] / Rehabilitation of distal radius fractures: [review]

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evidência do efeito e eleição da conduta terapêutica nas fraturas do rádio distal. A revisão sistemática utilizou as bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs, Pedro, Cochrane, Scielo, OTseeker, sem restrições de período de publicação, com as seguintes palavras chaves: fraturas do rádio, reabilitação, terapia ocupacional, fisioterapia, incluindo línguas inglesa, espanhola, francesa e portuguesa. Os estudos encontrados foram avaliados independentemente pelos dois autores utilizando critérios da escala PEDro. Estudos não experimentais foram incluídos em busca de esclarecimentos sobre a reabilitação. Foram encontrados 22 estudos, sendo 14 ensaios clínicos controlados randomizados (ECRs). Dentre eles, quatro compararam mobilização precoce com tratamento convencional apresentando evidência moderada a favor da primeira; sete confrontaram tratamento baseado em exercícios domiciliares com tratamento em consultório apontando evidência conflitiva (um deles também comprovou eficácia de mobilização acessória passiva); e três analisaram eficácia de procedimentos terapêuticos: campo eletromagnético pulsado, drenagem linfática, ultra-som, indicando evidências limitadas. Os nove estudos não experimentais encontrados não apresentaram informações suficientes sobre os questionamentos desta pesquisa. Observou-se uma tendência dos autores em utilizar os princípios gerais da reabilitação ao elaborar condutas terapêuticas, mas os procedimentos utilizados não estão bem atestados pela literatura.

The aim of this study was to assess the evidence regarding the adoption and effectiveness of therapeutic procedures employed for rehabilitation of distal radius fractures. This systematic review used the following databases: PubMed, Lilacs, PEDro, Cochrane, Scielo and OTseeker, without time restrictions. The following keywords were searched for: distal radius fracture, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physiotherapy including reports in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Twenty-two studies were retrieved and analyzed by two independent investigators following the PEDro scale criteria. Other non-experimental studies were included for additional information regarding certain rehabilitation approaches. Of the 14 randomized controlled clinical trials, four compared early mobilization to conventional therapy, showing moderate evidence in favor of earlier mobilization. Seven compared home therapy based on orientations to individual conventional therapy and found conflicting evidences. Three studies also analyzed the efficacy of the following specific therapeutic procedures: Pulsating magnetic field, lymphatic drainage, and ultrasound, which showed limited empirical support. The nine non-experimental studies did not add sufficient information regarding these issues. There was a trend to employ general principles of rehabilitation when elaborating these therapeutic approaches, but these procedures were not adequately supported by literature.