Monitoring pit and fissures using transparent sealant and fluorescence intraoral camera, 12 months follow up

The aim of this in vivo study is to report on the combined use of a fluorescence intraoral camera and transparent sealant for the clinical monitoring of pits and fissures. 96 permanent molars with a ICDAS II code 0, 1, or 2, (in 48 patients aged 12–14) were registered at the First Observation Unit (Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences Department), Sapienza University, Rome. Clinically selected teeth were double-checked using a VistaCam iX Proof (Durr Dental AG) and sealed with a transparent sealant (ControlSeal, VOCO GmbH), following the established indications for use if a pit and fissure condition was confirmed within the camera’s internal cutoff point of 1.5 (“early enamel demineralization”). Clinical followup was performed using VistaCam at 6 and 12 months to assess sealant retention and any demineralization trend. At baseline, 57.4% of the registered teeth were sound, both visually and when using the fluorescence camera, 42.6% presented an early demineralization (<1.5 with VistaCam and ICDAS II 1- 2). Subsequent VistaCam assessment of surfaces underlying the transparent sealant totally confirmed initial evaluations. Complete sealant retention rated 95% at 6 months, and 91% at 12 months. No case of complete detachment was observed. At the 12-month follow-up, VistaCam measurements resulted stable in the whole sample, except for one permanent molar, which presented a demineralization increment and partial sealant retention. Visual and fluorescence assessments were consistent and feasible. Incomplete sealant retention occurred in 5% of cases at 6 months and 9% of cases at 12 months and was probably due to procedure imperfections. The combined use of transparent sealant and a fluorescence camera shows clinical effectiveness and diagnostic efficacy for occlusal surface monitoring

Preventive strategies in oral health for special needs patients

As regards to the most common oral disease in pediatric patients, intellectual disability is not a risk factor for caries disease itself, but it rather reduces the individual capability to self-care and therefore to his own oral care. Children suffering of systemic pathologies and/or with different stages of disability are to be considered at high risk for dental caries development. According to recent guidelines for oral health prevention in childhood, individual additional strategies for a preventive care should be applied for these patients. All the health providers, family and caregivers should be involved with the aim of being aware, motivated and informed on oral health issues, and a better access system to the dental care structure, both logistic, professional and economical should be assured

Evaluation of the esthetic properties of developmental defects of enamel: a spectrophotometric clinical study

Objectives. Detailed clinical quantification of optical properties of developmental defect of enamel is possible with spectropho- tometric evaluation. Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) are daily encountered in clinical practice. DDE are an alteration in quality and quantity of the enamel, caused by disruption and/or damage to the enamel organ during amelogenesis. Methods. Several clinical indices have been developed to categorize enamel defects based on their nature, appearance, microscopic features, or cause. A sample of 39 permanent teeth presenting DDE on labial surface was examined using the DDE Modified Index and SpectroShade evaluation. The spectrophotometric approach quantifies L∗ (luminosity), a∗ (quantity of green-red), and b∗ (quantity of blue- yellow) of different DDE. Conclusions. SpectroShade evaluation of the optical properties of the enamel defect enhances clinical understanding of severity and extent of the defect and characterizes the enamel alteration in terms of color discrepancy and surface characterization

Evaluation of aesthetic integration between composite restorations and natural tooth in NCCL: a case report

NCCL (non carious cervical lesion) is defined as irreversible loss of dental hard tissue that does not involve bacteria. It consists of erosion, attrition, abrasion and abfraction that rarely occur alone. Dentinal hypersensitivity is an early symptom of NCCL. Preventive measures and restorative treatment can avoid the progress of NCCL. This paper reports a case of NCCL treatment with aesthetic purpose. The aesthetic evaluation was made by means of spectrophotometry as a standardized method. Spectrophotometric measurements such as International Commission on Illumination (CIE-Commission Internationale de l’Eclaraige) CIE L* a* b* and ΔE between the sound enamel and resin restoration, provide all the information about the outcome of the aesthetic restorative treatment

Oral hygiene management in patients with visual sensory disabilities

Aim: Oral hygiene maintenance is one of the most difficult tasks for visually impaired people. The aim of study was to investigate about knowledge on oral hygiene practices among patients with visual sensory disabilities by proposing an effective management in order to achieve and maintain oral health status of these patients. Methods:It was administered a questionnaire about oral health management to the patients with visual disabilities accessing to dental unit of “Mons. Di Liegro” Hospital of Gaeta. Results: The survey covered a sample of 49 patients, aged between 14 and 95 years. More than half (66%) was blind ( 65% of cases with primary blindness and the remain ing 35% with secondary blindness). Only 32.65% brushed their teeth 3 times a day; 68% of the surveyed patients limited home oral hygiene procedures to toothbrush and toothpaste; 79% used manual toothbrush; 49% of respondents report ed odontophobia (it was basically generated by pain) often due to bad experience during childhood. More than half declared a dental office attendance as needed. Conclusions: This study showed as, although starting from a compromised oral health and inadequate knowledge of oral hygiene practices, visual impaired/ blind patients were able to achieve and maintain a good level of oral hygiene, using the most appropriate techniques and instrument

Effect of biofilm removal from the occlusal tooth surfaces on fluorescence measurements. A clinical study

Aim: Early diagnosis and monitoring of caries lesions are the most important issues of primary and secondary prevention policies.The intraoral VistaCamiX(DurrDental, Bietigheim‐Bissingen,Germany) uses the fluorescence phenomenon for a non‐invasive, quantitative caries diagnosis. In order to make a precise evaluation the tooth surface must be completely cleaned and without biofilm. The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of biofilm removal, using air‐polishing device (Combi,MectronSpA) with glycine, on fluorescence VistaCam iX camera quantitative measurements of caries. Methods: Patients with complete permanent dentition without any kind of restorative treatments in the lateral and posterior section of upper and lower dental arches were enrolled. The occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars were photographed using the fluorescence terminal Proof of the intraoral camera VistaCam iX before and after air polishing glycine procedures, registering the highest value gained for each occlusal surface. Results:133cuspidate permanent teeth of patients aged between 13 and 25 were analyzed. Descriptive analysis showed an average of 0.82 (SD=0.65; Min=0.00; Max=1.80; Median=1.20) and of 0.93 (SD=0.60; Min=0.00; Max=1.70; Median=1.20) for values before and after treatment, respectively.The scores assigned by VistaCam iX Proof fluorescence based camera to the occlusal surfaces, after the air‐polishing treatment, are averagely higher than those before treatment, especially in the diagnosis of initial tooth decay. Conclusion: Biofilm removal with glycine air‐polishing improves the VistaCam camera accuracy in recognizing healthy tissue from the decayed one, due to the fact that air-polishing treatment increases the decayed tissue reaction to the fluorescence

The phenomenological approach to investigate the teacher’s perception about the estuarine environment of Babitonga Bay, Santa Catarina, Brazil: contribution of the environmental education program of “Projeto Toninhas/Univille”

[Resumo] O estuário da Baía da Babitonga, litoral norte de Santa Catarina, Brasil, como em outras áreas litorâneas, vem sendo constantemente ameaçada pelas atividades humanas. A Baía da Babitonga abriga espécies ameaçadas, como a toninha (Pontoporia blainvillei), única espécie de golfinho ameaçado de extinção no Brasil, e um extenso manguezal, responsável pela grande produtividade da região (BRASIL, IBAMA, 1998). A percepção da comunidade escolar sobre a questão ambiental da baía e da espécie vem sendo estimulada pelo programa de Educação Ambiental (EA) do Projeto Toninhas/UNIVILLE que objetiva também dar visibilidade à espécie. Essa investigação almeja buscar a essência, a significação, que esta biodiversidade ambiental exerce na comunidade escolar da região, com metodologias qualitativas, por meio de uma abordagem fenomenológica que busca refletir e expressar as percepções dessa comunidade litorânea[Abstract] The estuary of Babitonga Bay, north coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, as in other coastal areas, has been constantly threatened by human activities. The Babitonga Bay is home to endangered species such as the toninha (Pontoporia blainvillei), only dolphin species threatened with extinction in Brazil, and an extensive mangrove, responsible for the high productivity of the region (BRASIL, IBAMA, 1998). The school community perception about the environmental issue of the bay and the species has been stimulated by the Environmental Education Program of “Projeto Toninhas/UNIVILLE” which aims also give visibility to the species. The research aims to seek the essence, significance, that this environmental biodiversity has in the school community of the region with qualitative methodologies, through a phenomenological approach that seeks to reflect and express the perceptions of the seaside community

Women on the Move. Contributions to the aestheticpolitical activism approach of Brazilian migrant women

This research project as a qualitative approach, anchored in the theoretical-methodological perspective of life-histories, and aims to reflect on the aesthetic-political activism of female Brazilian activist artists with a history of migration, in order to understand the meanings, concepts and processes of said activism, as well as the representations reflected in different experiences. The study may offer clues to think about the situation of women and, above all, discuss the importance of the arts in the emancipatory processes of migrant women. The research instruments adopted were: semi-structured interviews, field diary and photographic records. Five interviews were conducted via the web, which were transcribed and analyzed in the light of content analysis. The results reveal a multiplicity of experiences that are expressed through performances, occupations of the urban space, music, netativism, video-installation, among others. Aesthetic-political activism is conceived as an action that materializes in aesthetic expressions with an inherently political character, centered on the fight against social inequalities and oppression relations, as well as the creation of other discourses, representations and spaces capable of subverting the instituted social order

Estágio como Pesquisa: Experiência do Estágio Supervisionado em Ciências Biológicas

O presente artigo é resultado de uma pesquisa no campo da Educação, desenvolvida no âmbito da Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal da Bahia. O estudo tem como centralidade apresentar uma reflexão sobre o estágio supervisionado como atividade teórica propulsora da práxis, no qual se inicia o processo de socialização profissional e da construção da identidade docente dos estudantes, bem como de criação de saberes a partir da valorização e explicitação das experiências. Com o objetivo de investigar, da perspectiva de estudantes-estagiários e professores colaboradores, as ações de planejar, dinamizar, acompanhar e avaliar o projeto dos estágios supervisionados em Ciências Biológicas, considerando a etnopesquisa-formação como método de formação inicial de estudantes em colaboração com professores da escola básica, desenvolvemos uma pesquisa pautada nas seguintes questões: Quais tipologias de pesquisa articulam formação inicial do licenciando em Ciências Biológicas e formação continuada dos professores mediadores do conhecimento da Biologia no cotidiano da escola básica? A pesquisa realizada pelo professor, em seu contexto de formação e trabalho, produz um conhecimento válido e reconhecido? Como possibilitar que os saberes produzidos com estagiários e professores em ato de etnopesquisa-formação sejam reconhecidos e difundidos? As reflexões sobre estas questões nos levaram a compreender que o estágio como componente do currículo formativo da licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas materializado na etnopesquisa-formação está implicado com práticas docentes críticas, construcionistas, democráticas e colaborativas

Diagnostic drama. Use of ICDAS II and fluorescence-based intraoral camera in early occlusal caries detection: A clinical study

Background: Early diagnosis of occlusal caries is of paramount importance for a minimally invasive approach in dentistry. The aim of the present in vivo clinical prospective study was to compare the diagnostic outcomes of visual subjective evaluation between the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II) and an intraoral fluorescence-based camera (VistaCam iX Proof, Dürr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany) for the detection of pits and fissures in early caries lesions of posterior teeth. Methods: The study included 1011 posterior teeth in 255 patients aged 13–20 years (mean age 16 ± 2.2 years). Two blinded operators evaluated all the occlusal surfaces and the first assigned an ICDAS-II code, while the second assessed the VistaCam score: sound enamel (score 0–1.2); initial enamel decay (score 1.2–1.5); dentine caries (score 1.5–3). Results: Some 283 (28%) of the assessed teeth were ICDAS-II code 0; 334 (33%) code 1; 189 (18.7%) code 2; 176 (17.4%) code 3; and 29 (2.9%) code 4. The level of agreement between the two procedures was expressed by using Cohen’s and Fleiss’ kappa statistics and performing McNemar’s test. VistaCam assessed in 513 (50.7%) sound enamel; in 292 (28.9%) initial enamel decay; and in 206 (20.4%) dentine caries. Conclusions: This comparative study showed a poor agreement between the two diagnostic methods, especially between ICDAS-II 0, 1 and 2 codes and fluorescence assessments.publishedVersio