Abstract Background and objectives Few studies have evaluated the effect of the topical application of sodium alendronate (ALN) on the treatment of intrabuccal bone defects, especially those caused by periodontitis. This 6-month randomized placebo controlled clinical trial aimed at evaluating the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment associated with the use of 1% ALN, through clinical evaluations and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods Twenty individuals with chronic periodontitis underwent periodontal examination at the baseline as well as 3 and 6 months after periodontal treatment, registering clinical attachment level (CAL), periodontal probing depth (PPD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) as the clinical outcomes. After manual scaling and root planing, 40 bilateral sites with interproximal vertical bone defects were randomly treated with either 1% ALN gel or a placebo. Bone defects were evaluated through CBCT at the baseline and 6 months post-treatment. The clinical and CBCT parameters were compared using the Wilcoxon and Friedman tests (p<0.05). Results Although ALN produced a greater CAL gain when compared to the placebo at 6 months post-treatment (p=0.021), both treatments produced similar effects on the PPD, BOP, and bone height. Significant differences in bone fill were observed only in patients of the ALN group (4.5 to 3.8 mm; p=0.003) at 6 months post-treatment. Conclusions Topical application of 1% ALN might be a beneficial adjuvant to non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Com o objetivo de verificar a imagem do cirurgião-dentista, os autores desenvolveram um estudo qualitativo na cidade de Belo Horizonte, no ano de 1994. Foram realizadas 80 entrevistas, com um roteiro aberto e uma amostra de conveniência, em duas etapas. A 1ª etapa era composta de 40 pessoas na faixa etária de 20-30 anos (10 homens e 10 mulheres com até o 1º grau completo e 10 homens e 10 mulheres cursando, no mínimo, o 3º grau) e a 2ª etapa, composta de 40 pessoas na faixa etária acima de 50 anos (10 homens e 10 mulheres com até o 1º grau completo e 10 homens e 10 mulheres cursando, no mínimo, o 3º grau). Os dados colhidos foram analisados segundo a Técnica de Análise de Conteúdo. O medo e a dor estavam fortemente associados à imagem do dentista, sendo relacionados ao instrumental e ao tratamento. Em alguns relatos de pessoas de 20-30 anos, o cirurgião-dentista apresentou uma imagem negativa, aparecendo como um carrasco, um castigo; em contrapartida, em outros relatos, ele assumiu características positivas, um profissional da saúde. As pessoas acima de 50 anos destacaram uma evolução do profissional em aspectos técnicos e de relacionamento. Para todas as categorias analisadas, os discursos se assemelham independentemente do sexo e grau de instrução

With the objective of assessing the image of dentists, a qualitative study was developed in Belo Horizonte during the year of 1994. Eighty interviews were conducted using open-ended questions: 40 individuals aged 20-30 (10 males and 10 females with up to 4 years of formal education, 10 males and 10 females with at least 13 years of formal education) and 40 individuals aged at least 50 (10 males and 10 females with up to 4 years of formal education, 10 males and 10 females with at least 13 years of formal education). The content analysis technique was applied to the data. Fear and pain were strongly associated to the image of the dentist, being both related to dental instruments and treatment. In some reports of those aged 20-30, the dentist had a rather negative image being described as a tyrant or compared to punishment. On the other hand, some reports of this same age group referred to the dentist with positive comments, considering him/her a health professional. Those interviewees aged 50 and above pointed out the evolution the profession has gone through, relating it to an improvement of technical aspects and dentist-patient relationship. For all groups and variables studied, no difference was observed between gender nor between the number of years of formal education