Avaliação do índice de biofilme dentário em pacientes sob tratamento ortodôntico corretivo / Biofilm evaluation index in patients under orthodontic treatment

A presença do aparelho ortodôntico fixo dificulta a higienização bucal, tornando comum o aparecimento de problemas periodontais e cárie dentária. O presente estudo avaliou o acúmulo de biofilme dentário em 23 pacientes portadores de aparelhos ortodônticos corretivo utilizando o IHO-S (Índice de Higiene Oral Simplificado) submetidos a dois diferentes tipos de ligaduras do arco (elástica e metálica). Uma hemiarcada recebeu ligadura elástica e a contralateral ligadura metálica, divididas de forma aleatória. O IHO-S foi avaliado em dois períodos, sendo o Tempo 1 (T1) 30 dias após a ativação do arco e o Tempo 2 (T2) 30 dias após o T1. Todos os indivíduos foram orientados quanto à higiene bucal em T1 para posterior análise do IHOS em T2. As ligaduras não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa quando comparadas tanto em T1 quanto em T2 em relação ao acúmulo de biofilme dentário. Já os índices IHOS quando comparados em T1 e T2 apresentaram redução de 67% após a instrução de higiene bucal. A forma de ativação do arco ortodôntico não sugere aumento significativo de biofilme dentário, mas o incentivo e a atenção do profissional na orientação da saúde bucal têm grande importância na prevenção da cárie dentária e gengivite durante o tratamento ortodôntico. (AU)

The presence of fixed orthodontic appliances impedes the maintence of oral hygiene and result in biofilm accumulation. The aim of this study was evaluate the Oral Hygiene Index in twenty-three subjects scheduled for fixed orthodontic treatment. Two commonly used auxiliaries (elastomeric rings and ligature wires) for trying archwires were tested. Brackets in one side were ligated with elastomeric rings, and brackets in a contralateral side were ligated with steel ligatures in a randomizate trial. The OHI were divided in two blocks, Time 1 (T1) that corresponds thirty days after archwire ligation and Time 2 (T2) that corresponds thirty days after T1. All of subjects received a oral health instruction in T1 and another evaluation of OHI in T2. The two archwire ligation techniques showed no significant differences in OHI for T1 or T2. The OHI presents 67% of reduction in T1 and T2 after oral health instruction. The archwire ligation does not represents a significant factor of a pathogenic dental plaque and a oral hygiene instruction can be important to prevent periodontal disease and enamel demineralization. (AU)

Evaluating of oral and salivary conditions of two specific groups of workers

Introduction and Objective: Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic oral diseases found in industrial countries and is a multifactorial disease which has sugar as a key dietary factor. The amount of saliva concentration and presence of cariogenic bacteria will favor the development of caries. Because of this, the aim of this study was to collect and analyze data on oral alterations referred to tooth decay, oral pH changes, and changes of the oral microbiota in two distinct groups of workers. Material and methods: 30 individuals belonging to two different groups of workers: group A (GA) - workers who maintain daily contact with the confectionery; group B (GB) - workers who do not have such contact. Saliva collection was done by analysis of the salivary pH in both groups, as well as cultivation of Lactobacillus spp and S. mutans. We also evaluate the dental status of individuals belonging to the two groups through the DMFT index. Results: After the examinations of 30 workers (17 from the GA [9 men and 8 women] and 13 in the GB [7 men and 6 women]), the mean DMFT of the individuals in the group A and group B, was 7.41 (SD 5.14) 7.08 (SD 5.56), respectively, without statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). The count of S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp, was not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant relationship between presence of dental caries and the fact that workers are in contact with sugar because they work on candy food industry, but new studies are needed for more precise research.