OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the infuence of efforts applied to modify the patients' behavior towards periodontal maintenance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were classifed into three groups: Complete Compliance (participation in all visits), Irregular Compliance (irregular participation, one or more missing appointments), and Noncompliance (abandoned or never returned to the program). Complete compliers received usual procedures of the maintenance visit. The irregular compliers and non-compliers received usual procedures and strategies such as reminding next visit, informing patients on both periodontal disease and importance of maintenance, motivating the patient who showed an improvement in compliance. Thus, 137 patients were observed for 12 months. RESULTS: The degree of compliance has increased signifcantly during this period (p=0.001). No association was detected between age or gender and compliance degree. CONCLUSIONS: The results have shown that the intervention applied had a favorable infuence on the patients' compliance.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of aggressive periodontitis (AgP), and to investigate the association between demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral risk indicators with AgP in an untreated and isolated young population in Southeastern Brazil. For this cross-sectional survey, 134 subjects aged 12-29 years were selected by a census. Of those eligible, 101 subjects received a full-mouth clinical examination, and were interviewed using a structured written questionnaire. Cases were defined as individuals with 4 or more teeth with attachment loss > 4 mm or > 5 mm in the age groups 12-19 and 20-29, respectively. Overall, 9.9% of the subjects presented AgP (10.3% of the 12-19-year-olds and 9.7% of the 20-29-year-olds). The only risk indicator significantly associated with AgP in this isolated population was a high proportion of sites (> 30%) presenting supragingival calculus [OR = 23.2]. Having experienced an urgency dental treatment was a protective factor for AgP [OR = 0.1]. The authors concluded that this isolated and untreated population from Brazil presented a high prevalence of AgP. Local plaque-retaining factors played a major role in the prevalence of AgP in this isolated population, and should be included in further studies evaluating this destructive periodontal disease form.

The objective of the present study was to characterize bone cells grown in two culture media, and to determine the effective concentration of OP-1 on the growth of osteo-1 cells. Subcultured rat bone cells (osteo-1) were grown in alpha-modified Eagle's minimal essential medium (alpha-MEM) and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) and total protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity and the formation of mineralized nodules were evaluated after 7, 14 and 21 days. Cells were exposed to different concentrations of rhOP-1 for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days and compared with an untreated control. Osteo-1 cells presented a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium deposits were observed at 21 days. Cells treated with 10 and 20 ng/mL rhOP-1 for 24 h showed a significant increase in cell viability when compared to control. Osteo-1 cells cultured on DMEM demonstrated an osteoblastic phenotype as indicated by high alkaline phosphatase activity and the presence of calcified nodules. The results suggest that low concentrations of OP-1 may promote an osteogenic effect on osteo-1 cells.

O presente estudo objetivo analisar biometricamente a distância das entradas das 3 bifurcações do primeiro molar superior até a respectiva raiz oposta e determinar o centro da trifurcação (CT), este o ponto eqüidistante da entrada de cada bifurcação. Trinta e cinco dentes livres de qualquer dano superficial e sem raízes fusionadas foram selecionados. As raízes foram incluídas em resina acrílica e seccionadas a partir da linha esmalte-cemento até a porção mais apical usando um disco de diamante. Fatias de 0,45 mm foram obtidas. Com o auxílio de um perfilômetro digital foram determinadas coordenadas de pontos num plano cartesiano. Isto permitiu o cálculo das distâncias desejadas utilizando fórmulas de geometria analítica. Após a análise estatística (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test, p<0,05) obtivemos os seguintes resultados: 1) distância media da entrada da furca vestibular até a raiz palatina foi de 6,72 ± 0,99 mm (intervalo de 4,73-8,67 mm); 2) distância media da entrada da furca mesial até a raiz distal e da bifurcação distal até a raiz mesial foi de 5,42 ± 0,83 mm (intervalo de 3,78-7,07 mm) e 5.90 ± 0.87 mm (intervalo de 4,18-7,59 mm), respectivamente. Todos estes valores foram determinados até 1,40 mm do teto da trifurcação; 3) a média de CT foi de 4,26 ± 0,42 mm (intervalo de 3,44-5,08 mm) para todos os níveis.

The present investigation was designed to study the distance from the 3 bifurcation entrances to their opposite roots, and also the virtual center of the trifurcation (TC), which is equidistant from each bifurcation entrance, of maxillary molars. Thirty-five teeth devoid of any surface damage or fused roots were selected. Roots were included in acrylic resin and cross-sectioned at the cementoenamel junction to the apex using a rotary diamond blade and 0.45-mm slices were obtained. A profile projector apparatus was used to obtain the coordinated points on a Cartesian plane, which allowed the calculation of all distances present using analytic geometric formulas. Based on statistical analysis (comparison by Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test, p<0.05), the following results were obtained: 1) mean distance from the buccal furcation reaching the palatal root was 6.72 ± 0.99 mm (range 4.73-8.67 mm); 2) mean distance from the mesial and distal furcations to the distal and mesial roots were 5.42 ± 0.83 mm (range 3.78-7.07 mm) and 5.90 ± 0.87 mm (range 4.18-7.59 mm), respectively. All means were determined up to the point of 1.40 mm from each bifurcation opening; 3) mean distance of TC was 4.26 ± 0.42 mm (range 3.44-5.08 mm) for all levels.

A proposta deste trabalho foi identificar a presença de microrganismos superinfectantes (bastonetes entéricos Gram-negativos e Candida sp.) em pacientes transplantados cardíacos e correlacioná-la com a presença de crescimento gengival. Foram examinados 30 pacientes (10 mulheres e 20 homens - média de idade: 45 anos). Todos os pacientes estavam sob terapia com ciclosporina-A (CsA) sem terem sido submetidos a antibioticoterapia e nem a tratamento periodontal prévio, por pelo menos três meses antes do início do estudo. O paciente deveria ter, no mínimo, seis dentes. Foram registrados os índices de placa bacteriana (IP), índice gengival (IG), valores de profundidade clínica de sondagem (PCS) e nível clínico de inserção (NCI). Análise microbiológica foi realizada a partir de amostras coletadas de sulco/bolsa gengival (s/b) e da saliva estimulada (se). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: com crescimento gengival (CCG) e sem crescimento gengival (SCG). Após análise estatística (teste do qui-quadrado; teste t de Student; prova exata de Fisher; p < 0,05), concluiu-se que não houve diferença entre os dois grupos de pacientes com relação a sexo dos pacientes, dosagem de CsA, tempo decorrido após o transplante, IP, IG, PCS e NCI. O exame microbiológico das amostras coletadas mostrou a ausência de bastonetes entéricos Gram-negativos. Foi possível a detecção de Candida sp. (s/b-30% e se-30%). Na amostra de saliva estimulada a presença desse microrganismo estava associada aos pacientes SCG.

The aim of this study was to identify the presence of superinfecting microorganisms (Gram-negative enteric rods and Candida sp.) in heart transplant patients and correlate this with gingival overgrowth. Thirty patients (10 females, 20 males - mean age 45 years) were examined. All were under cyclosporin-A (CsA) therapy. Patients who had taken any antibiotics 3 months prior the study or had been submitted to periodontal therapy were not enrolled. Patients were required to have at least 6 teeth. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. Microbiological samples were taken from sulcus/pocket (s/p) and from stimulated saliva (ss) and submitted to analysis. Patients were divided into two groups: the ones with gingival overgrowth (GO) and those without gingival overgrowth (WGO). After statistical analysis (chi-square test, Student's t-test, Fisher test, p < 0.05), we concluded that there was no statistical difference between groups in the parameters of gender, CsA dosage, time since transplantation, PI, GI, PD and CAL. Gram-negative rods from either the sulcus/pocket or saliva samples were not found. Candida sp. was detected (s/p - 30% and ss - 30%). Stimulated saliva samples analysis determined that the presence of Candida sp. was associated with patients without gingival overgrowth.

Foram obtidos 100 dentes, segundos molares inferiores (51 esquerdos e 49 direitos) extraídos de humanos quando diagnosticados como condenados (extração indicada). Por meio de um aparelho Contracer foram traçados, em papel milimetrado, os perfis das faces vestibulares e linguais dos 100 dentes em estudo. Estes perfis foram registrados a partir do limite amelocementário, de milímetro em milímetro, até que atingíssemos a entrada da furca. Foram realizadas medidas da largura, comprimento e profundidade da região da pré-furca, assim como o comprimento do tronco radicular. Após a análise estatística (p < 0,05), conclui-se que: a) a largura da pré-furca, na face vestibular, é de 3,6 mm e na face lingual 3,3 mm; b) a profundidade da pré-furca foi de 0,88 mm na face vestibular e 0,77 mm na face lingual; c) o comprimento da pré-furca na face vestibular foi de 2,93 mm e de 3,61 mm na face lingual. O comprimento do tronco radicular foi de 3,09 mm na face vestibular e de 3,91 mm na face lingual (p < 0,025). Houve uma coincidência do comprimento do tronco radicular e da pré-furca em 90,2% da amostra para a face vestibular no lado esquerdo e 77,5% no lado direito; para a face lingual, a coincidência ocorreu em 77,5 % dos casos no lado esquerdo e 88,3% no lado direito.

One hundred human lower second molars, 51 from the left side and 49 from the right side, extracted due to their poor clinical and radiographic conditions were utilized in this study. Using a Contracer apparatus, the profiles of the buccal and lingual root surfaces of these teeth were traced on a millimeter-scaled paper. The profiles were registered from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), millimeter by millimeter, up to the entrance of the furcation. The width, length and depth of the root trunk groove, as well as the length of the root trunk, were studied. After statistical analysis (p < 0.05) it was possible to conclude that: a) the mean width of the root trunk groove on the buccal surface was 3.6 mm and, on the lingual surface, 3.3 mm; b) the mean depth of the root trunk groove on the buccal surface was 0.88 mm and, on the lingual surface, 0.77 mm; c) the mean length of the root trunk groove on the buccal surface was 2.93 mm and, on the lingual surface, 3.61 mm. The mean length of the root trunk on the buccal surface was 3.09 mm and, on the lingual surface, 3.91 mm (p < 0.025). There was a coincidence between the length of the root trunk and that of its groove in 90.2% of the buccal surfaces of the samples from the left side, and in 77.5% of the samples from the right side; on the lingual surface, the coincidence occurred in 77.5% of the teeth from the left side, and on 88.3% of the teeth from the right side. This work revealed that there is a concavity on the root trunk region of the lower second molar, whose depth and width were greater on the buccal surface and whose length was greater on the lingual surface. The depth of the root trunk groove increased in the apical direction, with maximum depth in the last millimeter of the root trunk. The root trunk was longer on the lingual surface than it was on the buccal surface.