OBJETIVO: Avaliar um método estratégico nas aulas práticas, utilizando micro câmeras e monitores de vídeo para transmitir demonstrações da técnica operatória, comparando-o com o método de ensino aprendizagem clássico. METODOLOGIA: Foram aplicados 52 questionários direcionados aos alunos do 4º ano (grupo 1) submetidos a esta nova prática e aos do 3º ano (grupo 2) submetidos a metodologia de ensino tradicional. Este questionário também possibilitou detectar os principais problemas enfrentados pelos discentes durante o aprendizado desta etapa operatória. RESULTADOS: A fase de cirurgia de acesso foi considerada de difícil execução por ambos os grupos (G1- 30,8 % e G2- 34,6%), sendo a manobra de localização dos orifícios de entrada dos canais a etapa mais complicada. Quanto à avaliação da metodologia empregada no 3º ano, 23,1% dos alunos a consideraram excelente, 38,4% ótima, e 38,5% boa, ao passo que nenhum dos estudantes (0%) consideraram o método como regular, ruim ou péssimo. Uma menor ocorrência de erros (P<0,05), foi relatada pelos alunos do 3º ano (G1- 50% e G2- 34.6%). CONCLUSÃO: A nova estratégia de ensino favoreceu a aprendizagem, diminuiu a incidência de erros e foi considerada eficaz pelos alunos.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a strategic method of real time visual demonstration of the operatory procedures using an intraoral camera system and monitor videos, comparing them to those of conventional laboratory classes. METHODS: Fifty-two structured, multiple choice questionnaires were applied to undergraduate students of the 4th year (G1) and 3rd year (G2) submitted to the traditional and strategic teaching methods, respectively. These tests were also able to detect the main problems faced by the students during the training of this operatory phase. RESULTS: Students of both groups (G1- 30.8% and G2- 34.6%) considered the access cavity to be one of the most difficult phase of endodontic treatment. The results of the evaluation among the 3rd year students demonstrated that 23.1% graded the new method as excellent, 38.4% as very good and 38.5 % as good, whereas none of the students (0%) considered the method to be regular, bad or very bad. A minor accident occurrence (P<0.05) was reported by the 3rd year students (G1- 50% and G2- 34.6%). CONCLUSION: The new strategy was found to favor learning, reduce the incidence of errors and was appraised as efficient by the students.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been considered a key molecule in infammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with L-NAME and sodium nitroprussiate, substances that inhibit and release NO, respectively, on tissue tolerance to endodontic irrigants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The vital dye exudation method was used in a rat subcutaneous tissue model. Injections of 2% Evans blue were administered intravenously into the dorsal penial vein of 14 male rats (200-300 g). The NO inhibitor and donor substances were injected into the subcutaneous tissue in the dorsal region, forming two groups of animals: G1 was inoculated with L-NAME and G2 with sodium nitroprussiate. Both groups received injections of the test endodontic irrigants: acetic acid, 15% citric acid, 17% EDTA-T and saline (control). After 30 min, analysis of the extravasated dye was performed by light absorption spectrophotometry (620 nm). RESULTS: There was statistically signifcant difference (p<0.05) between groups 1 and 2 for all irrigants. L-NAME produced a less intense infammatory reaction and nitroprussiate intensifed this process. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of the administration of NO inhibitors and donors, EDTA-T produced the highest irritating potential in vital tissue among the tested irrigating solutions.

Durante a terapia endodôntica, a ação de limpeza é realizada com os instrumentos endodônticos auxiliada por substâncias químicas. Sendo assim, é importante que o endodontista conheça como são os instrumentos. Este trabalho visou avaliar a qualidade do acabamento de superfície de instrumentos endodônticos rotatórios por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Foram selecionados, 50 instrumentos endodônticos rotatórios nos números de 20, 25 e 30, das marcas Profile, Protaper, Race, Hero e K3 Endo, da forma como são encontradas no mercado e sem nenhum preparo prévio. Os instrumentos tiveram seus 3 milímetros finais fotomicrografados em microscópio eletrônico de varredura com ampliação de x190. As imagens foram avaliadas por três profissionais especialistas, e os resultados anotados em planilhas. A metodologia aplicada permitiu concluir que todos os instrumentos das marcas comerciais avaliadas apresentaram inadequações no acabamento da superfície. Cabe aclarar que, observando os critérios selecionados utilizados para avaliação a maioria das amostras apresentaram o mínimo de duas alterações e o máximo de sete por instrumento avaliado.

During endodontic therapy, cleaning of root canals is performed using endodontic files and auxiliary chemical substances, and it is important that the endodontist be familiar with the instruments used in daily practice. This study evaluated, under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the quality of the surface finishing of unused rotary endodontic instruments. Fifty sizes 20, 25 and 30 rotary files from different commercial brands (ProFile, Protaper, Race, Hero and K3 Endo) were removed directly from their packages and had their final 3 mm examined with a scanning electron microscope at x190 magnification with no previous preparation. The images were evaluated by 3 skillful, calibrated, blinded observers according to the following criteria: cutting edge, debris, grooves, microcavities, tip shape, tip position, scraping and transition angle. Data were recorded in worksheets designed for the study. Irregular edges were observed in 50-100% of the files. Except for ProFile, all commercial brands presented surface debris in 100% of samples. Only Race files showed no grooves or microcavities. K3 Endo files presented the best tip centralization. Excetp for ProTaper files, all commercial brands presented blunt-cutting edges in 100% of samples. All types of files presented surface scraping. K3 Endo files and Protaper had a high percentage of transition angle. Based on the evaluation criteria used in the present study, most samples presented a minimum of 2 alterations and a maximum of 7 alterations per instrument. Under the tested conditions, the quality of the surface finishing of the examined instruments was not as expected, given that no instrument was free of imperfections and most of them presented at least 2 and up to 7 types of surface defects. These results suggest that the manufacturing process and the packaging conditions of rotary endodontic instruments are far from ideal.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a visualização de limas de fino calibre usando as radiografias digital e convencional. MATERIAL-MÉTODO: Para tal, foram utilizados quarenta dentes molares superiores inseridos em alvéolos de crânio seco, com limas Maillefer tipo K de calibre #06, #08, #10 e #15, em canais mésio-vestibulares, mensurados de 0,5 mm além ápice a 1,5 mm aquém do ápice com intervalos de 0,5 mm, de forma que cinco avaliadores pudessem observar se as limas estavam no limite, aquém ou além do forame em radiografias convencionais com filme Insight Kodak (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY, USA) e sistema digital RVG (Trophy). CONCLUSÃO: Diante dos resultados obtidos concluiu-se que nos dois sistemas foi possível visualizar as limas #06 em cerca de 60% dos casos avaliados, para as demais limas - #08, #10 e #15-, a visualização foi superior em ambos os sistemas radiográficos, chegando a 82% de acertos para as limas #15 no sistema convencional. As diferenças entre os resultados dos dois sistemas estudados - radiográfico convencional (filme Insight, F speed) e digital (RVG - Trophy) de última geração - não foram estatisticamente significativas, segundo o teste t-Student.

The present work was designed to carry out a comparative analysis of the visualization of small files using digital and conventional radiographs. Forty maxillary molars inserted in human skulls were used; Maillefer K-files #06, #08, #10 and #15 were inserted in the mesiobuccal canals and measured at 0.5mm beyond and 1.5mm before the tip with 0.5-mm intervals, in order to allow five professionals to observe whether the files were at the limit, before or beyond the foramen when visualized on conventional radiographs taken on Insight Kodak film (Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY, USA) and with the RVG digital system (Trophy). Based on the results obtained, the conclusions were: with the two systems it was possible to visualize #06 K-files in nearly 60% of the evaluated cases; for the others, #08, #10 and #15 K-files, visualization was higher with both radiographic systems, achieving 82% of correct visualization for #15 K-files with the conventional system. The differences between the results of the two systems studied - conventional (Insight film, Kodak F-speed) and last generation digital (RVG - Trophy) radiographs - were not statistically significant according to the Student's t test.