OBJECTIVE: To detect the presence and concentration of methylparaben in cartridges of commercial Brazilian local anesthetics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve commercial brands (4 in glass and 8 in plastic cartridges) of local anesthetic solutions for use in dentistry were purchased from the Brazilian market and analyzed. Different lots of the commercial brands were obtained in different Brazilian cities (Piracicaba, Campinas and São Paulo). Separation was performed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-Vis detector. The mobile phase used was acetonitrile:water (75:25 - v/v), pH 4.5, adjusted with acetic acid at a flow rate of 1.0 ml.min-1. RESULTS: When detected in the solutions, the methylparaben concentration ranged from 0.01% (m/v) to 0.16% (m/v). One glass and all plastic cartridges presented methylparaben. CONCLUSION: 1. Methylparaben concentration varied among solutions from different manufacturers, and it was not indicated in the drug package inserts; 2. Since the presence of methylparaben in dental anesthetics is not regulated by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) and this substance could cause allergic reactions, it is important to alert dentists about its possible presence.

The mental foramen has been reported to vary in position in different ethnic groups. Repeated failures during injections and operative procedures involving the mental foramen suggest the presence of local differences in a given population. The aim of the present study was to determine the position of mental foramen (MF) in a sample of one hundred seventy Brazilian adult dry mandible, being 79 edentulous and 91 dentate. The assessment was made, having as it referential, the base of the mandible (BM) and the mandibular symphisis (MS), whereby the comparisons were carried out considering genders, the mandible side (left or right), and dentition (dentate or edentulous). The statistical analysis was performed using multifatorial ANO VA (alpha=5%). It was found the male mandibles presented higher valúes of MF-MS than the female ones and the dentate presented higher valúes when compared to edentulous ones (p<0.0001). No difference was observed between left and right sides (p=0.2990), as well, as concerning to gender (p=0.152). The most frequent position of MF was in the long axes of the second premolar for male (p<0.0001) and female (p=0.0004). No statistical difference (p>0.05) was found between right and left sides comparing male to female. It was concluded the position of the mental foramen is mainly altered in edentulous subjects as it is consider a symmetric structure in Brazilian population and its most common position is in the long axes of the secondpremolar.

El foramen mental ha sido reportado variablemente en diferentes posiciones, según los grupos étnicos. Repetidos errores durante el procedimiento anestésico, que involucran al foramen mental, sugieren la presencia de diferencias locales en una determinada población. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la posición del foramen mental (MF) en una muestra de 170 mandíbulas secas de la población brasileña, siendo 79 desdentadas y 91 dentadas. La evaluación fue hecha teniendo como referencia la base de la mandíbula (BM) y la sínfisis mandibular (MS). La comparación fue dada y llevada por géneros, según el lado de la mandíbula (izquierdo o derecho) y la dentición (dentada o desdentada). El análisis estadístico fue realizado usando el test multifactorial ANOVA (alpha 5%). Mandíbulas masculinas presentaron valores mayores que el grupo femenino y las mandíbulas dentadas presentaron valores superiores, cuando fueron comparadas con las mandíbulas desdentadas (p<0.0001). Ninguna diferencia fue observada entre los lados derecho e izquierdo (p=0.2990), como tampoco para los géneros masculino y femenino (p=0.152). La posición más frecuente de MF para las mandíbulas masculinas fue a lo largo del eje del segundo premolar (p<0.0001), así como para las mandíbulas femeninas (p=0.0004). No fueron encontradas diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p>0.05) entre los lados derecho e izquierdo, comparando mandíbulas masculinas y femeninas. Se concluye que la posición del foramen mental es principalmente alterada en sujetos desdentados, es considerada una estructura simétrica en la población brasilera y más comúnmente localizado a lo largo del eje del segundo premolar.

Foram avaliadas neste trabalho agulhas anestésicas odontológicas descartáveis, comercializadas no Brasil no segundo semestre de 1997, quanto às medidas: comprimento da cânula, da porção que perfura o tubete e da porção que permanece no interior do adaptador plástico e diâmetros externo e interno. A resistência à corrosão da cânula e as informações da embalagem (caixa e protetor) também foram avaliadas. Os resultados foram comparados com as normas Internacional (ISO)8, Americana (ANSI/ADA)¹ e Francesa (NF). Foram observadas variações, não havendo uma só marca que estivesse de acordo com qualquer das normas, para todas as medidas. Todas as agulhas atingiram as especificações do teste de corrosão. Algumas embalagens mostraram conteúdo de informação incompleto e uma marca estava sendo vendida sem prazo de validade. Alguns protetores não permitiam identificar a violação do lacre, quando isto ocorria. Estes resultados demonstram a necessidade de se estabelecerem normas brasileiras, para regulamentar a produção e venda de agulhas odontológicas no país.

The standardization of sterile, single-use dental injection needles marketed in Brazil in 1997 was evaluated. The effective needle length (L1), butt end length (L2), socket depth (L3), external (ED) and internal (ID) diameters, corrosion resistance of the cannula, and the information printed on the package (unitary protector and box) were evaluated. The data were compared with the International Standard (ISO), American specification no. 54 (ANSI/ADA) and French Standard (FS). There were great variations for L1, L2, L3 and ID, and no trade mark fitted in any of the standards for all the dimensions. The external diameter showed very little variation in all the trade marks according to the ANSI/ADA and FS. All of the needles withstood the corrosion test. Some trade marks had incomplete information in their package and one of them had no expiration date. Some of the unitary protectors, once opened, did not show clear evidence of having been violated. These results show the need for a Brazilian specification to regulate the manufacturing of single-use dental injection needles.