Abstract This study evaluated the interference of enamel and coronal dentin thickness and ambient light in pulse oximetry interpretation, using SaO2the human finger as a reference. Forty-two intact human permanent mandibular molars were sectioned mesiodistally in the central portion. Buccal and lingual dentin surfaces were drilled, and 4 mm, 3 mm and 2 mm enamel/dentin thicknesses were interposed between finger and device, after which SaO2 levels were measured by finger pulse oximetry. A reference device was designed to align pulse oximeter light-emitting diode, buccal surface of tooth, little finger, lingual surface of tooth and photodiode. Variables were described as means and standard deviation, and the confidence interval was reported. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the groups, followed by Bonferroni correction. Student t test for paired samples was used to determine presence of ambient light (α = 0.05). Mean SaO2 level was lower at 4.0 ± 0.2 mm thickness, regardless of presence or absence of ambient light (92.7% and 89.3%). The other thicknesses yielded values of 95.5% and 94.5% at 3.0 ± 0.2 mm, and 96.4% and 96.0% at 2.0 ± 0.2 mm (p < 0.001). There were significant differences between SaO2 values at 4.0 ± 0.2 mm, 3.0 ± 0.2 mm and 2.0 ± 0.2 mm thicknesses, in the presence of ambient light. Mean SaO2 level in positive control was 96.3%, and mean pulse rate was 69.5 bpm in presence of ambient light; in the absence of light, these values were 96% and 70.5 bpm. Enamel and dentin thickness interfere with SaO2, regardless of presence or absence of ambient light. The lowest SaO2 levels were found for the thickest tooth samples.

Abstract The site of the sinus tract depends on the rate of resistance against abscess exudate drainage, bone morphology, and distance from the root apex to the outer cortical bone. Objective To assess apical bone thickness in buccal and palatal/lingual aspects of maxillary and mandibular teeth, using a high-resolution cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system. Methodology In total, 422 CBCT examinations were included in the study, resulting in a sample of 1400 teeth. The scans were acquired by PreXion 3D, with a high-resolution protocol. The bone thickness was taken as the distance between the center of the apical foramen and the buccal and lingual/palatal cortical bone. The quantitative variables were expressed as mean values±standard deviation. The independent samples were analyzed using the t-test or the Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). Results The lowest mean value of bone thickness was observed in the buccal cortical bone of the upper canines (1.49 mm±0.86) and in the upper central incisors (1.59 mm±0.67). In premolar teeth, the lowest values were found in the buccal cortical bone of upper first premolars (1.13 mm±0.68). In the posterior teeth, the lowest values were found in the buccal cortical bone of upper first molars (1.98 mm±1.33). In the lower second molar region, the buccal cortical bone (8.36 mm±1.84) was thicker than the lingual cortical bone (2.95 mm±1.16) (p<0.05). Conclusions The lowest mean values of bone thickness are in the buccal cortical bone of the maxillary teeth. In the mandible, bone thickness is thinner in the buccal bone around the anterior and premolar teeth, and in the lingual aspect of mandibular molars. All these anatomic characteristics could make the occurrence of the sinus tract more susceptible in these specific regions of the maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone.

Abstract Objective To assess pulp oxygen saturation levels (SaO2) in maxillary central incisors after dental bleaching. Materials and Methods 80 participants (160 teeth) were randomly allocated to four groups: G1 In-office bleaching with two applications of 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) (20 minutes), followed by at-home bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP) (2 hours/day for 16 days); G2 - Same protocol as G1, plus desensitizing toothpaste; G3 - In-office bleaching with 35% HP and one application of placebo gel (20 minutes), followed by at-home bleaching with 10% CP (2 hours/day for 16 days); and G4 - Same protocol as G3, plus desensitizing toothpaste. Pulp SaO2 levels were measured before (T0) and immediately after (T1) in-office bleaching; on the 5th (T2), 8th (T3), 12th (T4), and 16th days of at-home bleaching (T5); and on the 7th (T6) and 30th (T7) days. Mean (SD) pulp SaO2 levels were compared within groups by generalized estimating equations (GEE) and Student’s t-test (P<0.05). Results Mean pulp SaO2 at T0 was 84.29% in G1, 84.38% in G2, 84.79% in G3, and 85.83% in G4. At T1, these values decreased to 81.96%, 82.06%, 82.19%, and 81.15% in G1, G2, G3, and G4 respectively, with significant difference in G4 (P<0.05). During home bleaching, pulp SaO2 levels varied in all groups, with 86.55%, 86.60%, 85.71%, and 87.15% means at T7 for G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively; G2 presented significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions Pulp SaO2 level in maxillary central incisors was similar at baseline, reducing immediately after in-office bleaching, regardless of using desensitizing toothpaste and increasing at 30 days after dental bleaching.

Abstract: Root perforation results in the communication between root canal walls and periodontal space (external tooth surface). It is commonly caused by an operative procedural accident or pathological alteration (such as extensive dental caries, and external or internal inflammatory root resorption). Different factors may predispose to this communication, such as the presence of pulp stones, calcification, resorptions, tooth malposition (unusual inclination in the arch, tipping or rotation), an extra-coronal restoration or intracanal posts. The diagnosis of dental pulp and/or periapical tissue previous to root perforation is an important predictor of prognosis (including such issues as clinically healthy pulp, inflamed or infected pulp, primary or secondary infection, and presence or absence of intracanal post). Clinical and imaging exams are necessary to identify root perforation. Cone-beam computed tomography constitutes an important resource for the diagnosis and prognosis of this clinical condition. Clinical factors influencing the prognosis and healing of root perforations include its treatment timeline, extent and location. A small root perforation, sealed immediately and apical to the crest bone and epithelial attachment, presents with a better prognosis. The three most widely recommended materials to seal root perforations have been calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium silicate cements. This review aimed to discuss contemporary therapeutic alternatives to treat root canal perforations. Accordingly, the essential aspects for repairing this deleterious tissue injury will be addressed, including its diagnosis, prognosis, and a discussion about the materials actually suggested to seal root canal perforation.

Protocolos terapêuticos aceitáveis em odontologia dependem de resultados observados com a proservação. Erros de procedimentos operatórios podem ocorrer e representam fatores de risco capazes de comprometer um dente ou um implante dentário. O objetivo deste artigo é detectar os erros de procedimentos operatórios em dentes tratados endodonticamente e implantes dentários por meio de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico. Oitocentos e dezesseis (816) exames tomográficos foram realizados entre Janeiro de 2009 e Outubro de 2010, e apenas aqueles que apresentaram dentes tratados endodonticamente e/ou implantes dentários foram selecionados. A amostra final envolveu 195 exames tomográficos (n=200 dentes e 200 implantes dentários), 72 do gênero masculino, 123 do gênero feminino, com idade média de 51 anos. Em dentes tratados endodonticamente os erros de procedimentos operatórios incluídos foram: subobturação, sobreobturação, e perfuração radicular; enquanto que, para implantes dentários foram incluídos: roscas de implantes expostas, implantes em contato com estruturas anatômicas, e em contato com dentes adjacentes. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em α=5%. Subobturações, sobreobturações e perfurações radiculares foram detectadas em 33,5%, 8% e 4,5%, respectivamente. Implantes dentários com roscas expostas, em contato com estruturas anatômicas, e em contato com dentes adjacentes apresentaram valores de 37,5%, 13% e 6,5%, respectivamente. Erros de procedimentos operatórios foram detectados em dentes tratados endodonticamente e implantes dentários. Os erros mais frequentes foram subobturação em dentes tratados endodonticamente, e roscas expostas em implantes dentários.

Acceptable therapeutic protocol in dentistry depends on the outcomes obtained with follow up. Operative procedural errors (OPE) may occur and they represent risk factors able to compromise a tooth or a dental implant. The aim of this study was to detect the OPE in endodontically treated teeth and dental implants, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Eight hundred and sixteen CBCT exams were performed between January 2009 and October 2010, and only those which presented endodontically treated teeth and/or dental implants were selected. The sample was as follows: 195 CBCT exams (n=200 teeth and 200 dental implants), 72 male, 123 female, with mean age of 51 years.In endodontically treated teeth, OPE included underfilling, overfilling, and root perforation; OPEin dental implants were thread exposures, contact with anatomical structures, and contact with adjacent teeth. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used for statistical analysis, with significance level set at α=0.05. Underfilling, overfilling, and root perforations were detected in 33.5%, 8% and 4.5% of the teeth, respectively. Dental implants with thread exposures, contact with important anatomical structures and contact with adjacent teeth were seen in 37.5%, 13% and 6.5% of the cases, respectively. OPE were detected in endodontically treated teeth and dental implants, and underfilling and thread exposures were the most frequent occurrences, respectively.

The efficacy of the sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX) on Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated by systematic review and meta-analysis. The search strategies included search in electronic biomedical journal databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL) and handsearching records, using different matches of keywords for NaOCl, CHX and Enterococcus faecalis. From 41 in vivo studies, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria. In a sample containing 159 teeth, E. faecalis was detected initially in 16 (10%) teeth by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 42 (26.4%) teeth by microbial culture techniques. After root canal disinfection, this species was observed in 11 (6.9%) teeth by PCR and 12 (7.5%) teeth by culture. Risk differences of included studies were combined as generic inverse variance data type (Review Manager Version 5.0 _ Cochrane Collaboration, http://www.cc-ims.net, accessed 15 May 2008), taking into account the separate tracking of positive and negative cultures/PCR. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. In conclusion, NaOCl or CHX showed low ability to eliminate E. faecalis when evaluated by either PCR or culture techniques.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a capacidade do ozônio associado a três diferentes soluções usadas em um sistema de limpeza ultra-sônica em inativar Staphylococcus aureus. Cento e vinte mL de suspensão com S. aureus foram misturadas em 6 L das soluções experimentais (água destilada esterilizada, vinagre de maça, e água destilada esterilizada + Endozime AWpluz) utilizadas no sistema de limpeza ultra-sônica. O ozônio foi produzido por descarga elétrica através de uma corrente de oxigênio com valor de 7g/h de ozônio (1,2%) dentro das suspensões microbianas. Um total de 10 mL de cada solução experimental foram coletados e realizadas cinco diluições em 9 mL de BHI e incubadas a 37°C por 48 h. O crescimento bacteriano foi avaliado pela turbidade do meio de cultura. Ao mesmo tempo, 1 mL das amostras bacterianas foram coletadas e inoculadas em placas contendo BHIA. Após o período de incubação a 37ºC por 48 h, realizou-se a contagem de unidades formadoras de colônias (ufc/mL). No teste de diluição em tubos com BHI e placas com BHIA (ufc/mL), quando o ozônio foi empregado, o crescimento bacteriano não foi observado em nenhuma das soluções experimentais. Nas condições deste estudo, a aplicação do ozônio nas soluções experimentais presentes no sistema de limpeza ultra-sônica mostrou atividade antibacteriana sobre S. aureus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of ozone applied to 3 different solutions in an ultrasonic cleaning system against Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 120 mL of S. aureus were mixed in 6 L of the experimental solutions (sterilie distilled water, vinegar and sterile distilled water + Endozime AWpluz) used in a ultrasonic cleaning system (UCS). Ozone was produced by an electric discharge through a current of oxygen and bubbling with flow rate at 7g/h ozone (1.2%) into the microbial suspensions. Ten mL of each experimental suspension were collected and 5 fold dilutions were made in 9 mL of BHI and incubated at 37°C for 48 h. Bacterial growth was evaluated by turbidity of the culture medium. At the same time, 1 mL of bacterial samples was collected and inoculated in BHIA plates. After incubation at 37°C for 48 h, the number of colony forming units (cfu) per mL on BHIA surface was counted. In dilution test in BHI tubes and in BHIA plates (cfu/mL), bacterial growth was not observed in any of the experimental solutions when ozone was added. Under the tested conditions, it may be concluded that the addition of ozone to a ultrasonic cleaning system containing different experimental solutions resulted in antibacterial activity against S. aureus.