OBJETIVO: Avaliar as soluções anestésicas utilizadas por um grupo de cirurgiões-dentistas e o nível de conhecimento desses profissionais sobre riscos associados a essas substâncias. MÉTODOS: Cento e vinte e quatro (124) cirurgiões-dentistas da rede privada do município de São Luís (Maranhão, Brasil) responderam um questionário contendo perguntas relativas às soluções de escolha, aos critérios de escolha de anestésicos locais e vasoconstritores e à avaliação do conhecimento sobre os efeitos colaterais associados às substâncias. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos foram analisados utilizando-se estatística descritiva. Observou-se que a maior parte dos cirurgiões-dentistas optaram por anestésicos locais em concentrações menos tóxicas, como a mepivacaína 2% e a lidocaína 2%, porém se verificou que a maioria dos profissionais optaram pelo mesmo vasoconstritor (epinefrina) em soluções de segunda escolha. Os principais critérios de escolha das soluções anestésicas foram a duração do procedimento e as características do paciente. Analisando os dados em conjunto, os cirurgiões-dentistas pareceram conhecer alguns efeitos colaterais associados a vasoconstritores, porém demonstraram uma deficiência no conhecimento de sinais e sintomas relacionados à sobredosagem de anestésicos locais. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que o grupo de cirurgiões-dentistas envolvido no presente estudo apresentou conhecimento limitado em relação à toxicidade de anestésicos locais, bem como contradição em relação à escolha de vasoconstritores. Estratégias para aprofundar o conhecimento sobre anestésicos locais e/ou vasoconstritores de profissionais da rede privada são necessárias.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge of dentists about signs and symptoms that may be indicative of systemic toxicity associated with the use of local anesthetic solutions. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-four (124) dentists from private clinics in São Luís (Maranhão, Brazil) answered a questionnaire regarding the choice of solutions, selection criteria for local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors, and side effects associated with these substances. Results were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Although most respondents reported being likely to choose local anesthetics at less toxic concentrations (including 2% mepivacaine or lidocaine), they were also likely to have similar vasoconstrictor solutions (epinephrine) as the second choice. The main selection criteria of anesthetic solutions reported were the duration of procedures and patients' individual characteristics. In general, dentists demonstrated being aware of some side effects associated with vasoconstrictors; however, they showed a lack of knowledge regarding signs and symptoms related to an overdose of local anesthetics. CONCLUSION: The group of dentists involved in this study showed limited knowledge about the toxicity of local anesthetics, as well as some inconsistent background over the choice of vasoconstrictors. Thus, strategies are required towards improving the knowledge of professionals from private dental clinics regarding local anesthetics and/or vasoconstrictors.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of varying the water/powder ratio on the compressive strength of type IV mineral and synthetic casts. METHODS: Four commercial brands of type IV mineral and synthetic casts were evaluated: Durone, Herostone, Fuji Rock, and Elite Rock. Ninety-six test samples were prepared from a silicone matrix, according to ADA's standard no. 25. The samples were prepared according to the manufacturer's recommendations with a normal water/powder ratio (n = 12) and with 20% extra water (n = 12), forming the control (A) and experimental (B) subgroups, respectively. Compressive strength tests were performed using a universal testing machine EMIC (DL 2000) with a load cell of 2,000 kgf/cm2. The obtained data were analyzed statistically using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=5%). RESULTS: The synthetic Elite Rock cast was statistically different from the one obtained when the portion of water indicated by the manufacturer was used; no significant differences were found in the remaining casts when the proportion of water was increased by 20%. CONCLUSIONS: the groups of synthetic and mineral casts differed and the water increase (20%) did not cause significant difference on the compressive strength of the materials.