Comparison of digital and conventional radiographic techniques

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between conventional and digital radiographic methods in the measurement of periapical lesions in primary molars and compares the time used to obtain the radiographic images betweenboth methods. Material and methods: This crossover study included children between 4 to 8-year-old with periapical lesion in primary mandibular molars. Fifteen molars were randomly assigned firstly to receive conventional or digital periapical radiograph during the steps of endodontic treatment. The time to obtain the radiographic image was evaluated in seconds and compared by the Mann-Whitney test. The periapical lesions measurement (mm2) were performed by the Image J software and the degree of correlation of measurement between both techniques was evaluated by the Spearman correlation test. Data was analyzed using the GraphPad Prism software (α = 0.05). Results: A strong positive correlation between the measurement of lesions occurred on conventional methods in comparison with the measurement on digital methods (r2=0.778; p<0.0006); however, the time to obtain the radiographic images was shorter in the digital method (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The digital method had a shorter amount of time to obtain the images and strong correlation for the lesions measurement in comparison to the conventional method. Therefore, the digital radiograph method is preferable for use in children

Associação entre as fissuras labiopalatais e os genes AXIN2 e IRF6

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is the most common craniofacial anomaly in humans. The etiology is multifactorial and several genes and environmental factors are associated with this anomaly. Some studies consider the CL/P as part of a wide phenotype, in which additional features, such as others developmental craniofacial alterations, could be used as a clinical marker for genetic studies of CL/P. AXIN2 and IRF6 are among the candidates genes for CL/P, due to the important function of these genes during the development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in genes AXIN2 and IRF6, and CL/P phenotypes and subphenotypes. Two hundred and forty-six individuals with CL/P (cases) and 227 (control) unrelated individuals, without a positive history of CL/P in the family were examined. Saliva samples were collected as a source of genomic DNA. A total of 3 polymorphisms, 2 in AXIN2 and 1 in IRF6 were studied by real time PCR, TaqMan method. The Odds Ratio and chi-square or Fisher exact test were performed for statistical analyses. The AXIN2 polymorphisms were associated with specifics subphenotypes of CL/P, for statistical analyses. There was not association between the alleles and genotypes of IRF6 and CL/P. These results suggest that AXIN2 is involved in the etiology of specific subgroups of CL/PCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível SuperiorA fissura de lábio e/ou palato (FL/P) é a anomalia craniofacial mais comum nos seres humanos. A etiologia é multifatorial e diversos fatores ambientais e genes foram associados à essa anomalia. Alguns estudos consideram a FL/P como parte de um fenótipo mais amplo, onde características adicionais, como outras alterações do desenvolvimento craniofacial, poderiam ser usadas como marcadores clínicos para investigações genéticas da FL/P. Os genes AXIN2 e IRF6 estão entre os genes candidatos à FL/P, devido à importante função que exercem durante o desenvolvimento craniofacial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a associação entre os polimorfismos nos genes AXIN2 e IRF6 com os fenótipos e subfenótipos de FL/P. Para tanto, duzentos e quarenta e seis indivíduos portadores de FL/P (casos) e 227 indivíduos (controles) não relacionados e sem história positiva de FL/P na família foram examinados. Amostras de saliva foram coletadas como fonte de DNA genômico. Um total de 3 polimorfismos, 2 no gene AXIN2 e 1 no gene IRF6 foram estudados através de PCR em tempo real pelo método TaqMan. O cálculo da razão de chances e os testes do quiquadrado ou exato de Fisher foram usados nas análises estatísticas. Os polimorfismos em AXIN2 demonstraram associação com determinados subfenótipos da FL/P. Não houve associação entre os alelos e genótipos de IRF6 com FL/P. Estes resultados sugerem que AXIN2 está envolvido na etiologia de subgrupos específicos de FL/

Guardians perception of the normative need for dental care of pediatric patients

Objective:To identify the guardians’ perception of the need for dental treatment of pediatric patients, as well as the normative needs for the treatment of children. Methods: The medical charts of 355 pediatric patients between the ages of zero and 12 years, attended at the Higher Education Institute, were selected, and from these, data were collected from the guardians with reference to their age and educational level. The normative need for treatment of the children were clinically assessed, as well as the perception of the guardians with regard to these needs. The data were tabulated by the Chi-square test. Results: The guardians’ mean age was 35.5 + 8 years, 84% of them being the mothers themselves, the majority of whom had incomplete primary schooling (36%). The normative need for treatment most noted in the children was (dentisteria) dental care(?) in posterior teeth (52%). The majority of the guardians (41%) were late in identifying the restorative needs, or underestimated some of the need for treatment (35%). Only 3% of the sample identified the need for early treatment. No relationship was observed between the guardians’ perception and educational level (χ2-p>0.05). However, the guardians under the age of 35, perceived the needs better, although late (χ2-p<0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that although the guardians’ perception was influenced by age, it was inadequate because they underestimated the normative needs for dental treatment of the children

The effect of polymer burs on microbiological reduction of carious dentin in deciduous teeth: a systematic review

Background. Polymer bur is a new technology that proposes to conserve the dentin that is capable of remineralization. Aim: To conduct a quantitative systematic review to evaluate the effect of polymer burs on the reduction of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus after dentin carious excavation in deciduous teeth. Methods and Material: Two reviewers performed the database to identify the relevant clinical papers. Only papers in English that compared polymer burs with other caries removal techniques with the microbiological aspects as an outcome were included. Papers that evaluated only permanent teeth were excluded. Risk of bias was also assessed. Individual study effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d formula for the comparisons of microorganism reduction before and after carious excavation. Results: The search resulted in 12 non-duplicated papers. After the revision, only 2 were selected. The quantitative evaluation demonstrated that polymer bur reduces microorganism levels in carious dentin. The larger effect size observed was for Streptococcus mutans in the polymer bur technique (r=0.84; d=3.12), followed by Lactobacillus in the carbide bur technique (r=0.83; d=3.03). Conclusion: Polymer burs promoted a significant reduction of microorganism levels, mainly Streptococcus mutans in carious dentin

Impact of chronic diseases on the periapical health of endodontically treated teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Systemic diseases affecting the immune system can influence the body's response time to endodontic treatment, potentially necessitating a longer duration for the complete resolution of existing infections when compared to healthy controls. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between the presence of chronic diseases and periapical status after endodontic treatment through a systematic and comprehensive assessment of existing literature on this topic. The search strategy covered seven electronic databases and grey literature, encompassing articles published until October 2023. Two reviewers independently assessed potentially eligible studies based on the following criteria: Included were studies involving populations exposed to pre-existing chronic diseases who underwent endodontic treatment in permanent teeth. These studies evaluated periapical health status, making comparisons with healthy individuals. There were no language or publication date restrictions. Additionally, two reviewers independently extracted data regarding the characteristics of the included studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Assessment Checklist. Meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Twenty-three studies were included in the synthesis. Patients with diabetes were found to have about half the odds of having periapical health compared to non-diabetic patients (OR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.30-0.70%; I2 = 58%) in teeth that underwent endodontic treatment. On the other hand, other systemic diseases like HIV, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis did not demonstrate significant differences concerning the outcome. In conclusion, diabetic patients showed a lower likelihood of maintaining periapical health. Conversely, patients with HIV, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis did not exhibit significant differences, although the existing evidence is still considered limited. It is crucial to manage these patients in a multidisciplinary manner to provide appropriate care for this population

Characteristics of the included studies.

Systemic diseases affecting the immune system can influence the body’s response time to endodontic treatment, potentially necessitating a longer duration for the complete resolution of existing infections when compared to healthy controls. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association between the presence of chronic diseases and periapical status after endodontic treatment through a systematic and comprehensive assessment of existing literature on this topic. The search strategy covered seven electronic databases and grey literature, encompassing articles published until October 2023. Two reviewers independently assessed potentially eligible studies based on the following criteria: Included were studies involving populations exposed to pre-existing chronic diseases who underwent endodontic treatment in permanent teeth. These studies evaluated periapical health status, making comparisons with healthy individuals. There were no language or publication date restrictions. Additionally, two reviewers independently extracted data regarding the characteristics of the included studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Assessment Checklist. Meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool. Twenty-three studies were included in the synthesis. Patients with diabetes were found to have about half the odds of having periapical health compared to non-diabetic patients (OR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.30–0.70%; I2 = 58%) in teeth that underwent endodontic treatment. On the other hand, other systemic diseases like HIV, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis did not demonstrate significant differences concerning the outcome. In conclusion, diabetic patients showed a lower likelihood of maintaining periapical health. Conversely, patients with HIV, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis did not exhibit significant differences, although the existing evidence is still considered limited. It is crucial to manage these patients in a multidisciplinary manner to provide appropriate care for this population.</div

Forest plot for the assessment of post-endodontic treatment periapical health (PAI ≤ 2), comparing diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Forest plot for the assessment of post-endodontic treatment periapical health (PAI ≤ 2), comparing diabetic and non-diabetic patients.</p