ABSTRACT Introduction: In dental practice, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) are mainly used for dental surgery and biostimulation therapy. Within the Orthodontic specialty, while LLLT has been widely used to treat pain associated with orthodontic movement, accelerate bone regeneration after rapid maxillary expansion, and enhance orthodontic tooth movement, HILT, in turn, has been seen as an alternative for addressing soft tissue complications associated to orthodontic treatment. Objective: The aim of this study is to discuss HILT applications in orthodontic treatment. Methods: This study describes the use of HILT in surgical treatments such as gingivectomy, ulotomy, ulectomy, fiberotomy, labial and lingual frenectomies, as well as hard tissue and other dental restorative materials applications. Conclusion: Despite the many applications for lasers in Orthodontics, they are still underused by Brazilian practitioners. However, it is quite likely that this demand will increase over the next years - following the trend in the USA, where laser therapies are more widely used.

Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o grau de percepção, de leigos, dentistas e ortodontistas, quanto à influência das inclinações do plano oclusal e dos desvios mandibulares na estética facial.Métodos:uma mulher com 5,88o de desvio do plano oclusal e 5,54mm de desvio mandibular foi selecionada. A partir de sua fotografia original, quatro novas imagens foram criadas, corrigindo os desvios e criando rostos e sorrisos mais simétricos. Os examinadores avaliaram as imagens por meio de um questionário, sendo realizadas análises qualitativas e quantitativas.Resultados:45 leigos, 27 dentistas e 31 ortodontistas preencheram os questionários. Todos os grupos foram capazes de perceber a assimetria, no entanto, os ortodontistas foram mais sensíveis, sendo capazes de perceber a assimetria de 4,32o de inclinação do plano oclusal e 4,155mm de desvio mandibular (p > 0,05). Os demais avaliadores perceberam a assimetria apenas a partir de 5,88o de desvio do plano oclusal e 5,54mm de desvio mandibular (p > 0,05).Conclusão:inclinações do plano oclusal e desvios mandibulares foram percebidos por todos os grupos, mas os ortodontistas apresentaram maior sensibilidade aos desvios.

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the degree of perception of occlusal plane inclination and mandibular deviation in facial esthetics, assessed by laypeople, dentists and orthodontists.Methods:A woman with 5.88° of inclination and 5.54 mm of mandibular deviation was selected and, based on her original photograph, four new images were created correcting the deviations and creating more symmetric faces and smiles. Examiners assessed the images by means of a questionnaire. Their opinions were compared by qualitative and quantitative analyses.Results:A total of 45 laypeople, 27 dentists and 31 orthodontists filled out the questionnaires. All groups were able to perceive the asymmetry; however, orthodontists were more sensitive, identifying asymmetries as from 4.32° of occlusal plane inclination and 4.155 mm of mandibular deviation (p< 0.05). The other categories of evaluators identified asymmetries and assigned significantly lower grades, starting from 5.88° of occlusal plane inclination and 5.54 mm of mandibular deviation (p< 0.05).Conclusion:Occlusal plane inclination and mandibular deviation were perceived by all groups, but orthodontists presented higher perception of deviations.

OBJETIVO: o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência regional na percepção da estética do perfil facial nos estados do Rio de Janeiro (RJ) e Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil. MÉTODOS: dois modelos leucodermas, um homem e uma mulher, com perfis faciais harmoniosos, tiveram suas fotografias de perfil editadas de modo a produzir sete perfis diferentes. As imagens foram avaliadas por estudantes do primeiro ano do curso de Odontologia (leigos), que as classificaram quanto à sua preferência estética. RESULTADOS: o resultado do teste t para amostras independentes demonstrou haver diferença entre as regiões, quanto à preferência estética de determinados perfis faciais. A fotografia feminina nomeada com a letra 'G' (retrusão da mandíbula) recebeu os maiores escores em RS (p = 0,006). Para as fotografias masculinas, não houve diferença (p > 0,007). O sexo dos avaliadores não exerceu influência na percepção da estética do perfil (p > 0,007). Considerando todos os avaliadores em conjunto, o teste ANOVA/Tukey mostrou haver diferença entre os perfis avaliados (p ≤ 0,05) tanto para as fotografias femininas quanto para as masculinas. A fotografia feminina preferida foi a com a letra 'F' (biretrusão dentoalveolar/perfil reto). A fotografia masculina preferida foi a 'E' (biprotrusão dentoalveolar/perfil reto). CONCLUSÃO: foi observada diferença regional quanto à preferência estética do perfil. No estado do Rio de Janeiro, houve preferência por lábios mais proeminentes; enquanto no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, os perfis considerados mais atrativos foram os retos. Os perfis considerados menos atrativos foram os que correspondem à Classe III.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the regional influence on the perception of facial profile esthetics in Rio de Janeiro state (RJ) and Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), Brazil. METHODS: Two Caucasian models, a man and a woman, with balanced facial profiles, had their photographs digitally manipulated so as to produce seven different profiles. First year dental students (laypeople) assessed the images and classified them according to their esthetic preference. RESULTS: The result of the t test for independent samples showed differences among states for certain facial profiles. The female photograph identified with the letter 'G' (mandibular retrusion) received higher scores in RS state (p = 0.006). No differences were found for male photographs (p > 0.007). The evaluators' sex seemed not to influence their esthetic perception (p > 0.007). Considering all evaluators together, ANOVA/Tukey's test showed differences among the profiles (p ≤ 0.05) for both male and female photographs. The female photograph that received the highest score was the one identified with the letter 'F' (dentoalveolar bimaxillary retrusion/ straight profile). For the male profiles, photograph identified with the letter 'E' (dentoalveolar bimaxillary protrusion/ straight profile) received the best score. CONCLUSION: Regional differences were observed regarding preferences of facial profile esthetics. In Rio de Janeiro state, more prominent lips were preferred while in Rio Grande do Sul state, profiles with straight lips were favored. Class III profiles were considered less attractive.

Studies have shown the cariostatic effect of Er,Cr:YSGG (2.78 mm) laser irradiation on human enamel and have suggested its use on caries prevention. However there are still no reports on the intrapulpal temperature increase during enamel irradiation using parameters for caries prevention. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the temperature variation in the pulp chamber during human enamel irradiation with Er,Cr:YSGG laser at different energy densities. Fifteen enamel blocks obtained from third molars (3 x 3 x 3 mm) were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n=5): G1 - Er,Cr:YSGG laser 0.25 W, 20 Hz, 2.84 J/cm², G2 - Er,Cr:YSGG laser 0.50 W, 20 Hz, 5.68 J/cm², G3 - Er,Cr:YSGG laser 0.75 W, 20 Hz, 8.52 J/cm². During enamel irradiation, two thermocouples were fixed in the inner surface of the specimens and a thermal conducting paste was used. One-way ANOVA did not show statistically significant difference among the experimental groups (a=0.05). There was intrapulpal temperature variation <0.1ºC for all irradiation parameters. In conclusion, under the tested conditions, the use of Er,Cr:YSGG laser with parameters set for caries prevention lead to an acceptable temperature increase in the pulp chamber.