Influence of microwave sterilization on the cutting capacity of carbide burs

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the cutting capacity of carbide burs sterilized with microwaves and traditional sterilization methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty burs were divided into 5 groups according to the sterilization methods: dry heat (G1), autoclave (G2), microwave irradiation (G3), glutaraldehyde (G4) or control - no sterilization (G5). The burs were used to cut glass plates in a cutting machine set for twelve 2.5-min periods and, after each period, they were sterilized (except G5) following the protocol established for each group. The cutting capacity of the burs was determined by a weight-loss method. Data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test. RESULTS: The means of the cutting amount performed by each group after the 12 periods were G1 = 0.2167 ± 0.0627 g; G2 = 0.2077 ± 0.0231 g; G3 = 0.1980 ± 0.0326 g; G4 = 0.1203 ± 0.0459 g; G5 = 0.2642 ± 0.0359 g. There were statistically significant differences among the groups (

A castor oil-containing dental luting agent: effects of cyclic loading and storage time on flexural strength

Favorable results in the use of castor oil polyurethane (COP) as pulp capping, membrane material, sealer, mouthwash and in bone repair, associated with the fact that Ricinus communis is not derived from petroleum and it is abundant in Brazil, encourage researches in the development of luting agents. Objectives This study compared the flexural strength (FS) of a castor oil-containing dental luting agent with a weight percentage of 10% (wt%) of calcium carbonate (COP10) with RelyX ARC (RX) after mechanical cycling (MC) and distilled water storage. Material and Methods Sixty-four specimens (25x2x2 mm) were fabricated and divided into two groups, COP10 and RX (control). Each group was divided into 4 subgroups (n=8) according to the storage time, 24 hours (24 h) or 60 days (60 d), and the performance (MC+FS) or not (only FS) of the mechanical cycling test. The FS (10 kN; 0.5 mm/min) and MC tests (10,000 cycles, 5 Hz, 0.5 mm/min) were carried out using an MTS-810 machine. The data were analyzed using ANOVA (α=0.05). Results The obtained FS (MPa) values were: COP10 24h- 19.04±2.41; COP10 60d- 17.92±3.54; RX 24h- 75.19±3.43; RX 60d- 88.77±6.89. All the RX specimens submitted to MC fractured, while the values for COP10 after MC were as follows: COP10 24h- 17.90±1.87 and COP10 60d- 18.60±1.60. Conclusions A castor oil-containing dental luting agent with a weight percentage of 10% (wt%) of calcium carbonate is resistant to mechanical cycling without decreases in flexural strength. However, mean COP10 showed only about 25% of the RelyX ARC mean flexural strength

Síndrome da ardência bucal: avaliação e tratamento

The burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a relevant pathology that has been defined as a chronic pain with difficult diagnosis and treatment. The prevalence of BMS is estimate to be 15% of the general population, being more common in the elderly and middle-aged. Characterized by a burning sensation in more than one area, more frequently on the two thirds of the tongue, on the anterior half of the hard palate and on the mucosa of the upper lip, the BMS is associated with clinical signs of normality and normal laboratory findings. For several studies the BMS etiology is controversial because it is multifactorial since it can be caused by local, neuropathic, psychological and/or systemic factors. These controversies make the diagnosis more difficult, especially if the dentist does not have knowledge about the syndrome. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present, by means of a literature review, the main features of BMS, indicating the procedures that may be useful for diagnosis, and also the available therapeutic modalities in order to increasing the knowledge of health professionals so that patients with BMS may benefit from appropriate treatment, support and professional confidence, always aiming to better quality of life.A síndrome da ardência bucal (SAB) constitui uma patologia relevante por ser definida como uma dor crônica de difícil diagnóstico e tratamento, frequente em todo o mundo e que acomete aproximadamente 15% das pessoas idosas e de meia idade. Caracterizada pela presença de dor por queimação em mais de uma área, como, por exemplo, os dois terços anteriores da língua, a metade anterior do palato duro e a mucosa do lábio superior, a SAB está associada a sinais clínicos de normalidade e achados laboratoriais normais. Sua etiologia é considerada controversa e denominada multifatorial por muitos estudos, os quais incluem, como agentes causais, fatores locais, neuropáticos, psicológicos e sistêmicos. Tais controvérsias tornam o diagnóstico diferencial difícil, principalmente se o cirurgião-dentista não tiver conhecimento a respeito da síndrome. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste artigo é apresentar, por meio de uma revisão de literatura, as principais características da SAB, indicar os procedimentos que podem ser úteis ao diagnóstico, além das modalidades terapêuticas disponíveis, no intuito de ampliar o conhecimento dos profissionais da área da saúde para que os pacientes acometidos possam beneficiar-se do tratamento adequado, apoio e confiança profissional, sempre objetivando a melhor qualidade de vida do paciente

Educational program in oral health for caregivers on the oral hygiene of dependent elders

Abstract Objective Due increased number of elders living in long-term care institutions, actions designs to improve their oral health are essential. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educational program for the caregivers through the assessment of the oral hygiene of institutionalized elders. Material and method The education program consisted in lectures to caregivers about oral health that were performed once a month. The subjects were 40 functionally dependent institutionalized elders and 14 caregivers. Hygiene habits, plaque index, and tongue coating/discoloration of the elders were measured before the educational program (baseline- T0) and after 6 (T1), 12 (T2), 18 (T3) and 24 months (T4). Caregivers answered questions about their knowledge, doubts and implementation of dental care (T0 to T4). Result After analyzing the data (Friedman, Chi-square and Spearman α = 0.05), a gradual improvement in the oral hygiene of the subjects was observed, with an increased frequency of brushing (p=0.0005), a change in the brush type (p=0.0065) and a reduction in the plaque index (p<0.05) and tongue coating (p<0.05). Caregivers showed a marked improvement in their dental care knowledge. Conclusion It was concluded that the educational program for caregivers had a positive impact in the oral health of institutionalized elderly observed by the increased in the effectiveness of oral hygiene parameters such as plaque index and tongue coating, contributing to the knowledge gain in hygiene by caregivers

Impacto da institucionalização na capacidade cognitiva de idosos

Cognitive ability is one of the first tests to be applied in the elderly when they start a dental treatment, because it is fundamental to understanding the instructions that are passed during treatment. It is known that the education of an individual is a factor that interferes with this ability, however, the institutionalization of the elderly is still poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the cognitive abilities of elderly residents in a Long Term Care Institution and non-residents. It was used the Mini Mental State Examination test (MMSE) in 67 elderly residents,39 residents of San Francisco de Assis (group I) and other 28 non-residents in Long-Term Care Institution (group NI). The average age for all seniors was approximately 76 years. It was identified a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of education (p = 0.05). The total average of the MMSE score for the group I was 17.67 ± 6.31 and for the NI group was 20.71 ± 3.35, with statistically significant diference between groups (p = 0.01). The comparison between age vs. MMSE showed inverse correlation only for group I (p = 0.028). It is concluded that the institutionalization can negatively influence the cognitive capacity of the elderly.A capacidade cognitiva é um dos primeiros testes que devem ser aplicados em idosos quando iniciam um tratamento odontológico, isso porque é de fundamental importância a compreensão das instruções que são passadas durante o tratamento. Sabe-se que a escolaridade de um indivíduo é um fator que interfere nesta capacidade, entretanto, a institucionalização do idoso ainda é pouco compreendida. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a capacidade cognitiva de idosos residentes em uma Instituição de Longa Permanência e não residentes. Foi aplicado o teste Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) em 67 idosos, 39 residentes no Lar São Francisco de Assis (grupo I) e outros 28 não residentes em Instituição de Longa Permanência (grupo NI). A idade média para todos os idosos foi de aproximadamente 76 anos. Não foi identificada diferença estatíticamente significante entre os grupos com relação à escolaridade (p=0,05). O escore médio total do MEEM para o grupo I foi de 17,67 ± 6,31 e para o grupo NI foi de 20,71 ± 3,35, com difernça estatisticamente significante entre os grupos (p=0,01). A comparação idade vs MEEM mostrou correlação inversamente proporcional apenas para o grupo I (p=0,028). Conclui-se que a institucionalização pode influenciar de forma negativa a capacidade cognitiva dos idosos

Human teeth versus bovine teeth: cutting effectiveness of diamond burs

Aim : In this study, a mass-loss method was used to verify whether bovine enamel has the same wear pattern as human enamel in cutting efficiency tests of diamond burs. Methods: Seventy-two teeth were used: 36 human molars (HT) and 36 bovine mandibular central incisors (BT). The enamel of the teeth was cut using diamond bur #1092 attached to a high-speed handpiece under controlled pressure (50-80 g). Each bur (n=12) cut for a total of 72 min, divided into 6 periods of 12 min each (12-min, 24-min, 36-min, 48-min, 60-min, and 72-min). The amount of enamel removed was determined by the difference between pre- and post-cut tooth masses. Results: The mean amounts (g) of enamel removed were: HT- 12-min=0.11; 24-min=0.12; 36-min=0.11; 48-min=0.11; 60-min=0.10; 72-min=0.12; BT- 12-min=0.12; 24-min=0.15; 36-min=0.15; 48-min=0.13; 60-min=0.16; 72-min=0.14. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey′s test, and the results showed statistically significant differences between human and bovine teeth (p<0.001) and among the cutting periods (p<0.001). Conclusions : It was concluded that the cutting efficiency of the burs was different between the tested substrates, and that bovine enamel underwent greater mass loss than did human enamel