Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and pain in temporomandibular joints with and without degenerative changes of the condyle.

The aim of this study was to investigate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in 104 TMJs with and 58 without degenerative changes of the condyle, such as osteophytes, erosion, avascular necrosis, subcondral cyst and intra-articular loose bodies. TMJ images were also assessed for flattening, retropositioning and hypomobility of condyle and disc displacement. Comparison of the TMJ side-related data showed a significant relationship between disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR) and the presence of degenerative bony changes (p=0.00). Flattening, retropositioning and hypomobility of condyle showed no significant difference in relation to the presence or absence of degenerative bony changes. Retropositioning of the condyle was significantly associated to disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) (p=0.00), while condylar hypomobility was significantly more frequent in TMJ with DDwoR (p<0.05). Independent of the presence or type of DD, TMJ pain was more frequent in the presence of degenerative bony changes. When considering only DDwR, TMJ pain was significantly associated to a degenerative condition (p=0.03). When there were no degenerative bony changes, TMJ pain was significantly more frequent in DDwoR (p=0.04). Despite the present findings, the absence of symptoms in some patients with condylar bony changes suggests that the diagnosis of osteoarthritis should be established by evaluation of magnetic resonance images in association with clinical examination.

The effect of the association of NIR laser therapy BMPs, and guided bone regeneration on tibial fractures treated with wire osteosynthesis: Raman spectroscopy study.

Bone fractures are lesions of different etiology; may be associated or not to bone losses; and have different options for treatment, such as the use of biomaterials, guided bone regeneration, techniques considered effective on improving bone repair. Laser therapy has also been shown to improve bone healing on several models. The association of these three techniques has been well documented by our group using different models. This study aimed to assess, through Raman spectroscopy, the incorporation of calcium hydroxyapatite (CHA approximately 958 cm(-1)) on the repair of complete tibial fractures in rabbits treated with wire osteosynthesis (WO); treated or not with laser therapy; and associated or not with the use of BMPs and/or Guided Bone Regeneration. Complete tibial fractures were created in 12 animals that were divided into four groups: WO; WO+BMPs; WO+laser therapy; and WO+BMPs+laser therapy. Irradiation started immediately after surgery; was repeated at every other day during 2 weeks; and was carried out with lambda 790 nm laser light (4 J/cm(2) per point, 40 mW, phi approximately 0.5 cm(2), 16J per session). Animal death occurred after 30 days. Raman spectroscopy was performed at both the surface and the depth of the fracture site. Statistical analysis showed significant difference on the concentrations of CHA between surface and depth. The analysis in each of the areas showed at the depth of the fracture significant differences between all treatment groups (p<0.0001). Significant differences were also seen between WO+BMPs+laser therapy and WO (p<0.001) and WO+laser therapy (p<0.001). At the surface, significant difference was seen only between the treatment groups and the non-fractured subjects (p=0.0001). However, no significant difference was seen between the treatment groups (p=0.14). It is concluded that the use of NIR laser therapy associated to BMPs and GBR was effective in improving bone healing on the fractured bones as a result of the increasing deposition of CHA measured by Raman spectroscopy.

Percepção da saúde bucal: uma análise de famílias participantes do programa de saúde, Salvador-Ba / Oral health preception: an analysis of participating families in a health program, Salvador, Ba

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar parcialmente o Programa de Saúde Bucal, implantando desde 1998, com ações de promoção à saúde envolvendo professores, funcionários, crianças, e familiares de uma escola comunitária do subúrbio ferroviário, em Salvador-Ba. Foram realizadas visitas domiciliares a 12 famílias, utilizando como instrumento de coleta questionários semi-estruturados. Observou-se a percepção dos familares quanto à saúde bucal, fatores sócio-econômicos que influenciam o cuidado com a saúde e a importância da prática de promoção de saúde exercida na escola. Os resultados obtidos mostram que essas famílias possuem um nível sócio-econômico médio-baixo, predominando o trabalho autônomo. O ambiente doméstico geralmente apresenta problemas de ventilação, iluminação e higiene. A maioria das famílias estava satisfeita com a casa. A deficiência do posto de saúde e a violência foram apontadas como as maiores dificuldades locais. 50 por cento das famílias afirmaram realizar 2 escovações diárias; 58,3 por cento já receberam instruções de higiene oral, a maioria através da escola. Todas as famílias relataram ter conhecimento do programa na escola, e afirmaram já ter participado das reuniões do programa