Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of adding quaternary ammonium methacrylates (QAMs) to experimental adhesives by assessing the degree of conversion (DC), cytotoxicity against keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and antibacterial activity against biofilm formation. Two QAMs were added to an experimental adhesive: dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate bromododecane (DMADDM) or dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate bromohexadecane (DMAHDM) at three concentrations each: 1, 2.5, and 5 wt.%. Experimental adhesive without QAMs (control group) and commercially available Transbond XT Primer (3M Unitek, Monrovia, California, USA) were used for comparisons. The adhesives were tested for DC, cytotoxicity against keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and antibacterial activity against biofilm formation. DC, cytotoxicity against fibroblasts, and antibacterial activity were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparisons. Cytotoxicity against keratinocytes was evaluated using the Kruskal Wallis and Dunn’s post-hoc (α = 5%) tests. Transbond showed lower DC as compared to 5% DMAHDM, 1% DMADDM, and 5% DMADDM (p < 0.05). However, all groups presented proper DC when compared to commercial adhesives in the literature. In the evaluation of cytotoxicity against keratinocytes, Transbond induced higher viability than 2.5 wt.% groups (p < 0.05). Against fibroblasts, Transbond induced higher viability as compared to 5 wt.% groups (p < 0.05). DMAHDM at 5 wt.% reduced biofilm formation when compared to all the other groups (p < 0.05). Despite their cytotoxic effect against keratinocytes, gingival fibroblasts showed higher viability. DMAHDM at 5 wt.% decreased Streptococcus mutans viability. The incorporation of DMAHDM at 5 wt.% may be a strategy for reducing the development of white spot lesions.

Abstract The Brazilian Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS) is an oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) questionnaire. This paper aims to investigate the responsiveness of the B-ECOHIS to dental treatment in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and determine if dental treatment has an impact on OHRQoL. The survey targeted 27 ASD individuals aged 4 to 14 years attending the Acolher Project of the University Federal Fluminense. This project provides children and adolescents with disabilities with oral health services. A group of randomly selected caregivers self-completed the B-ECOHIS before and 14 days after their children’s dental treatment. The dental treatment included meticulous screening, preventive treatment, and restorative treatment. Responsiveness was assessed by investigating the effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM). Wilcoxon test was used to evaluate internal responsiveness (distribution-based approach). The B-ECOHIS showed significant changes in the total score (p<0.001) and in all domains. The ES of the total B-ECOHIS after treatment was 1.28 and ranged between 0.70 and 1.14 for the domains. The SRM for each of the domains was large, except for the symptom domain. The B-ECOHIS is sensitive and responsive to ASD individuals undergoing dental treatment. Individuals with ASD showed improvement in their OHRQoL score after dental treatment.

Abstract The purpose of this double-blind, randomized, crossover in situ study is to compare remineralization of preformed enamel lesions by casein phosphopeptide-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and fluoride dentifrice products. During each of four 10-day experimental legs, 10 participants wore intraoral removable palatal acrylic appliances with four human enamel slabs with preformed lesions. A 0.03-mL treatment paste was dripped extraorally onto the enamel blocks once a day for 3 min. The four randomly allocated treatments were as follows: CO- Control: silica dentifrice without fluoride; MP: MI Paste; MPP: MI Paste Plus and FD: Fluoride dentifrice - 1100 ppm F as NaF). Knoop surface hardness (SH) test was performed in three stages (T0 – sound enamel, T1 - after preformed lesion, and T2 - after treatment) and the cross-sectional hardness (CSH) test was performed after treatment using a 50-gram Knoop load for 15 s. Knoop hardness number (KHN) was similar between treatments. %SHr was significantly higher in the MP, FD, and MPP when compared to CO group (Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests, p < 0.05). Harder enamel was found in MP (75 μm) and FD groups at 75 to 175 μm. Treatment with DF, MP, and MPP promoted an increase of 20.27%, 19.24%, and 14.71%, respectively, in Integral Hardness Change (ΔIHC) when compared to CO (p<0.05). Remineralizing agents (MP, MPP, and DF) were able to inhibit demineralization of human enamel subjected to high cariogenic challenge in situ. DF had the greatest preventive potential against the progression of carious lesions.

Abstract: The oral health status of children with special health care needs (SHCN) can affect their quality of life wich domains of the Brazilian version of the Early Childohood Oral Health Impact Scale (B-ECOHIS). A cross-sectional study was conducted in children with SHCN (aged 1 to 9 years), who underwent an oral examination for the assessment of dental caries severity. Parents/caregivers answered two questionnaires, one on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) - B-ECOHIS, and one on socioeconomic characteristics. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Poisson regression, Point-biserial correlation coefficient, and Cronbach's alpha. A total of 128 children participated in the study and OHRQoL was affected in 68.75% of them. The function domain in the Child Impact Section (CIS) had a higher mean value. Caries severity was associated with worse quality of life (p=0.001). Severe dental caries was associated with a negative impact on the OHRQoL of disabled children and of their families. The impact of untreated dental caries and severity of dental caries was associated with the CIS domains (except for the self-image/social interaction domain).

Abstract To evaluate the impact of dental caries among Brazilian individuals with special health care needs (SHCN) on their families’ oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). A cross-sectional study was carried out with a population-based sample of 227 subjects who were enrolled from the ACOLHER-PNE project conducted at the Fluminense Federal University. Parents/caregivers answered the Brazilian version of the 14-item Family Impact Scale (B-FIS) to assess the impact on family's quality of life (QoL). The main independent variable was dental caries experience, diagnosed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The DMFT/dmft score was categorized into 0 = caries free; 1–2 = low; 3-4 = moderate; and ≥ 5 = high experience. Mother's schooling, age, sex, SHCN conditions, and socioeconomic factors were the other independent variables. QoL was measured through FIS domains and total score. Statistical analyses was performed using the Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests and Poisson regression (p<0.05). The impact values observed in moderate and high caries experience were significantly higher than those found in subjects without caries and low level of parental emotions. Parents’ years of schooling showed more impact on total score and on parental emotions. Older subjects showed significantly higher impact on total score and in all domains. The multivariate model demonstrated that families of older subjects (> 8 years old) experience a higher impact level compared to younger subjects (PR: 2.43; 95%CI: 1.80–3.29, p = 0.001). High caries experience and other socioeconomic factors were not associated with a greater negative impact on parents’ QoL.

Abstract: The study aimed to investigate the effects of bacterial biofilms on changes in the surface microhardness of enamel treated with casein phosphopeptide—amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) with and without fluoride. Human enamel blocks with incipient caries-like lesions were divided into four groups of 13: G1: Saliva (Control); G2: fluoride dentifrice (Crest™, 1100 ppm as NaF); G3: CPP-ACP (MI Paste; Recaldent™); and G4: CPP-ACPF (MI Paste Plus; Recaldent™ 900 ppm as NaF). The specimens were soaked in demineralizing solution for 6 h and remineralized in artificial saliva for 18 h alternately for 10 days. The dentifrice was prepared with deionized water in a 1 : 3 ratio (w/w) or applied undiluted in the case of the CPP-ACP group. The surface microhardness (SMH) was evaluated at baseline, after artificial caries, after pH cycling and treatment with dentifrices, and after incubation in media with Streptococcus mutans for biofilm formation. The biofilms were exposed once a day to 2% sucrose and the biofilm viability was measured by MTT reduction. The percentage of change in surface microhardness (%SMHC) was calculated for each block. The data were analyzed by nonparametric test comparisons (α = 0.05). The %SMHC values observed in G2 were different from those of G1, G3, and G4 (p < 0.05). After biofilm formation, %SMHC was positive in G2 and G4 when compared to G1 and G3, but resistance to demineralization after biofilm formation was similar in all groups. In conclusion, the presence of biofilms did not influence the treatment outcomes of anticaries products.

O estudo abrangeu a identificação das anomalias dentárias mais freqüentes observadas através da análise radiográfica de 324 pacientes (04-12 anos), de ambos os sexos, atendidos na FO-UFF entre 1992 e 1996, relacionando-as com sexo, localização, tipo de tratamento realizado e complicações associadas. Uma prevalência de 11,4% foi observada, afetando crianças de 08 a 11 anos, sem diferença entre os sexos. A anomalia de número foi a mais encontrada (6,5%), com a região ântero-superior concentrando a maioria dos casos (46%). As complicações associadas mais comuns foram impactação (41%), perda de espaço (36%), giroversão (18%) e desvio do trajeto eruptivo (5%). A maior porcentagem dos casos foi tratada cirurgicamente com posterior tratamento ortodôntico (48,7%). Enfatiza-se a importância do uso da radiografia no diagnóstico precoce dessas anomalias em crianças.

This study embraced the identification of the most frequent dental anomalies observed by X-ray analysis of 324 patients (04-12 years old), of both sexes, treated at the Fluminense Federal University, School of Dentistry, between 1992 and 1996, related with: sex, site of occurrence, treatment, and clinical complications. A prevalence of 11.4% was found, affecting 08 to 11 year-old children, with no difference between sexes. Anomaly of number was the mostly observed type (6.5%). The great majority of cases (46%) were in the premaxillary region. The most common clinical complications were: tooth impaction (41%), loss of space (36%), inverted teeth (18%), and atypical paths of eruption (5%). Surgical intervention followed by orthodontic treatment was the mostly recommended treatment (48.7%). The importance of X-ray use on the early diagnosis of these anomalies in children is stressed.