ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the agreement of images in white light (WL), fluorescence (FL), and digital radiographs (DR), on the diagnosis and treatment decisions for occlusal caries lesions against a micro-CT gold standard. Material and Methods: Ten extracted third molars, with enamel and/or dentin caries (ICDAS 2-4), were included. Occlusal surface images were acquired with an intraoral camera (SoproLife®) in WL and FL modes. DR was obtained using an intraoral X-ray and a semi-direct digital system. A total of 780 images were needed, organized in a template, to be later examined by twenty-six dentists invited to compose the study. The Generalized Estimation Equations model was used to compare the proportions of the correct answers between the three methods and the gold standard. When significant, Bonferroni post-hoc test was used to identify differences (α=5%). Results: Most of the examiners were specialists (76.9%) with 14.5 years of experience. All diagnostic methods were similar and showed low agreement (DR 12.7%, WL 16.5%, and FL 16.5%) compared with gold standard caries diagnostic scores. Regarding treatment decisions, mean agreement for all diagnostic methods was higher (43.2%; p<0.001), and among all methods, WL (48.1%) and FL (51.2%) modes performed better than DR (30.4%, p<0.001). Conclusion: SoproLife® images could help clinicians to propose rational, minimally invasive treatments for occlusal caries lesions.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the relationship between malocclusion and bullying and its impact on the well-being and quality of life of students from low social development areas. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 243 schoolchildren between 10 and 17 years. Malocclusion was analyzed using Dental Aesthetic Index. Bullying and self-perception of the impact of one’s oral condition on quality of life and interpersonal relationships were assessed by questions from National Survey of Schoolchildren's Health and Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ11-14). Data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney tests, considering groups: 10-11, 12-14 and 15-17 years. Results: No correlation was observed between malocclusion and bullying. However, in the 12-14 group, poor correlations were found between malocclusion and the CPQ11-14 (0.226) and between malocclusion and being shy/embarrassed due to oral aspects (0.298). Positive correlations were observed between bullying and the impact on the quality of life in the 10-11 (0.420) and 12-14 (0.425) groups. In the older group, a positive correlation (0.724) was observed between the concern about what others think of their oral health and the impact on their quality of life. Conclusion: There was no evidence of a relationship between malocclusion and bullying. However, the oral conditions negatively affected the interpersonal relationships and the student's quality of life.

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between caries experience and school performance among children and adolescents living in an island community without fluoridated water supply and to compare data according to the type of attended school (full-time or part-time). Material and Methods: A cross-sectional oral health survey in a convenience sample of students (n=147) attending four public schools was performed. Students were examined by one calibrated dentist in the school environment to the obtain prevalence of dental caries (DMFT/dmft) and its consequences using the PUFA/pufa index. Self-reported oral health behavior was also accessed. Data from each student’s school performance and absenteeism were extracted from official sources and the school performance was classified into “good” and “fair”. The final sample consisted of 120 students. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were performed to evaluate collected data. Results: Students´ age ranged between 5 to 19 years (10±4.3). DMFT/dmft mean were 1.3 (±2.3) and 3.05 (±3.4), respectively. Conclusion: Participants from the full-time school presented better oral health status than their peers in the part-time schools (p<0.05). A significant association was found between the prevalence of caries-free participants and good school performance when the factor age range was controlled (OR=2.87). Moreover, attendance to full-time schools appeared to be a protective factor for good oral health conditions.

Abstract This study tested the null hypothesis that antihistamine-containing syrup does not change salivary metabolites in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro experiments, saliva from 10 volunteers was mixed with a syrup or pill suspension of loratadine (1 mg/ml Claritin®, Schering-Plough, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). For the in vivo experiment, 10 volunteers performed a mouth rinse with 10 mL of antihistamine syrup (Claritin®; Schering-Plough, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) for 20 seconds and then discarded the rinse water. After 20 seconds, 5 mL of unstimulated whole saliva was spit into a plastic tube kept on ice. The protein profile of in vitro and in vivo experiments was analyzed using 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The samples were also analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, followed by Principal Component Analysis and Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05). There were differences in salivary metabolites after syrup interaction. The salivary concentrations of acetate, n-caproate, arginine, glutamate, and lysine among other metabolites were reduced with the syrup in both in vivo and in vitro experiments (p < 0.05), but no differences were observed when the pill suspension was used (p > 0.05). Similar changes in metabolite profiles were observed in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Electrophoresis revealed no difference in the salivary protein pattern. The null hypothesis was rejected because the intake of syrup medicine changes the salivary composition and influences oral homeostasis and susceptibility to oral diseases.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of common pediatric liquid medicines on surface roughness and tooth structure loss and to evaluate the pH values of these medicines at room and cold temperatures in vitro. Eighty-four bovine enamel blocks were divided into seven groups (n = 12): G1-Alivium®, G2-Novalgina®, G3-Betamox®, G4-Clavulin®, G5-Claritin®, G6-Polaramine® and G7-Milli-Q water (negative control). The pH was determined and the samples were immersed in each treatment 3x/day for 5 min. 3D non-contact profilometry was used to determine surface roughness (linear Ra, volumetric Sa) and the Gap formed between treated and control areas in each block. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) were also performed. The majority of liquid medicines had pH ≤ 5.50. G1, G4, and G5 showed alterations in Ra when compared with G7 (p < 0.05). According to Sa and Gap results, only G5 was different from G7 (p < 0.05). Alteration in surface was more evident in G5 SEM images. EDS revealed high concentrations of carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, and calcium in all tested groups. Despite the low pH values of all evaluated medicines, only Alivium®, Clavulin®, and Claritin® increased linear surface roughness, and only Claritin® demonstrated the in vitro capacity to produce significant tooth structure loss.

Este estudo comparou in situ a aplicação de uma solução de tetrafluoreto de titânio (TiF4) a 4% e um gel de fluoreto de sódio (NaF) sobre lesões de mancha branca artificiais em esmalte dentário humano. Foi realizado um estudo cruzado, duplo-cego utilizando um modelo in situ de cárie. Onze voluntários usaram um aparelho intraoral contendo cinco blocos de esmalte humanos desmineralizados. Os blocos (n = 170) foram divididos aleatoriamente de acordo com o tratamento nos seguintes grupos: TiF4 (n = 55) , NaF (n = 55) , controle positivo (n = 55). Um grupo controle negativo foi composto de espécimes desmineralizados (n = 5). O teste de microdureza foi realizado utilizando um penetrador Knoop. Espectrômetro de energia dispersiva (EDS) foi utilizado para analisar a concentração de titânio, cálcio, fosfato e oxigênio. A microdureza do esmalte em diferentes profundidades para as amostras dos grupos TiF4, NaF e controle positivo não diferiram estatisticamente (p>0,05). As amostras destes três grupos apresentaram valores de microdureza estatisticamente maiores do que as amostras do controle negativo (p<0,05). A análise EDS não forneceu resultados conclusivos sobre a penetração de titânio nas amostras de TiF4. Apesar de apresentar, em alguns fragmentos, uma penetração substancial, em outros fragmentos apresentou apenas penetração superficial. Foi possível concluir que, sob as condições do estudo in situ, a solução de TiF4 a 4% e o gel de NaF a 2% foram capazes de remineralizar lesões de mancha branca em esmalte humano. No entanto, a magnitude da remineralização não diferiu entre os grupos.

This study compared in situ the application of 4% titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) solution and 2% sodium fluoride (NaF) gel on artificial white-spot lesions in human enamel. A crossover, double-blind study using in situ caries models was carried out. Eleven volunteers used an intraoral appliance containing five demineralized human enamel blocks. The blocks (n=170) were randomly divided according to treatment into the following groups: TiF4 (n=55), NaF (n=55), positive control (n=55). A negative control group was composed of demineralized specimens (n=5). The microhardness test was performed using a Knoop penetrator. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was used to analyze the concentration of titanium, calcium, phosphate and oxygen. The enamel microhardness at different depths for TiF4, NaF and positive control samples was not statistically different (p>0.05). The samples from these three groups had statistically higher microhardness values than the negative control samples (p<0.05). EDS analysis did not provide conclusive results about the penetration of titanium in the TiF4 samples. While in some fragments it had substantial penetration, in other fragments it only had superficial penetration. It was possible to conclude that, under in situ conditions, 4% TiF4 solution and 2% NaF gel were able to remineralize artificial white-spot lesions in human enamel. However, the magnitude of the remineralization did not differ between groups.

INTRODUCTION: Some viruses of the Herpesviridae family are frequently the etiologic agents of oral lesions associated with HIV. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus type 6, type 7 and type 8 (HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8) in the oral cavity of HIV-infected children/adolescents and verify the association between viral subtypes and clinical factors. METHODS: The cells of oral mucosa were collected from 50 HIV infected children/adolescents, 3-13 years old (mean age 8.66). The majority (66%) of selected were girls, and they were all outpatients at the pediatric AIDS clinic of a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Nested-PCR was used to identify the viral types. RESULTS: Absence of immunosuppression was observed in 66% of the children. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was used by 72.1% of selected and moderate viral load was observed in 56% of the children/adolescents. Viral types were found in 86% of the children and the subtypes were: HSV-1 (4%), HSV-2 (2%), VZV (4%), EBV (0%), HCMV (24%), HHV6 (18%), HHV-7 (68%), HHV8 (0%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of HAART has helped to reduce oral lesions, especially with herpes virus infections. The health professionals who work with these patients should be aware of such lesions because of their predictive value and the herpes virus can be found circulating in the oral cavity without causing lesions.

O estudo avaliou a adesão a um Programa de Atenção à Saúde Bucal (PASB) por crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV, bem como a atitude de seus responsáveis quanto a cuidados em relação à saúde bucal. Foram entrevistados 58 responsáveis que acompanhavam crianças e adolescentes HIV+ nas consultas médicas de rotina no ambulatório de aids, os quais foram indagados sobre os dados pessoais, adesão ao PASB ou a outros serviços odontológicos e atitudes quanto aos cuidados bucais. Aproximadamente 70% dos responsáveis disseram que a criança participava do PASB; entretanto, 20% delas não retornavam às consultas de prevenção quando solicitadas, e este retorno era menor quando os responsáveis não eram os próprios pais (p=0,036). A adesão desta população ao tratamento odontológico fora do PASB foi pequena, visto que 48% dos responsáveis relataram que a criança não concluiu o tratamento quando este não foi realizado no PASB. A atitude dos responsáveis em relação aos cuidados bucais das crianças HIV+ também não foi considerada satisfatória. Desta forma, ressalta-se a importância da inserção do odontopediatra em equipes multidisciplinares que atendem crianças e adolescentes HIV+, bem como da divulgação deste serviço para os familiares e para todas as equipes médicas envolvidas com estes pacientes.

This study aimed to evaluate the adherence to an Oral Health Program (OHP) for HIV infected children and adolescents, as well as the attitudes of their caretakers regarding oral care. A total of 58 caretakers that accompany the children in medical appointments at an AIDS ambulatory were interviewed for collecting personal data and data regarding adherence to the OHP or other odontological treatment and attitudes related to oral care. Approximately 70% of the caretakers stated that their children participated in the OHAP, however 20% of them did not return to the recall appointments; such visits were even less frequent when the caretakers were not the parents themselves (p= 0.036). The adherence of this population to dental treatment outside the OHP was small, 48% of the caretakers stated that the child did not conclude the treatment when referred to another place for treatment. The attitude of the caretakers regarding dental care of HIV+ children was not considered satisfactory. Furthermore, it is very important to have pediatric dentists in the multi-professional teams that attend HIV+ children and adolescents and to promote this program among the parents and all medical teams involved with such patients.

Em busca de uma melhora da saúde de pacientes sistemicamente comprometidos e um maior entendimento do impacto de doenças nas suas vidas, grande interesse tem sido dado à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, principalmente em crianças com doenças crônicas. Neste sentido, a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal tem sua importância haja vista que a mesma é um componente indissociável da saúde geral e também pela relevância dos problemas orais na vida destes pacientes. Assim, a avaliação de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal em pacientes infantis infectados pelo HIV pode ser de grande relevância uma vez que estas apresentam alta prevalência de doença cárie e periodontal, além da presença de manifestações orais da própria infecção pelo vírus. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste artigo é, através de uma revisão de literatura, apresentar alguns conceitos relacionados à qualidade de vida e utilização de instrumentos de avaliação da mesma, bem como analisar o impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida de crianças infectadas pelo HIV.

The search for improvement of the health of systemically compromised patients and for a better knowledge about the impact of diseases on their lives has brought great interest for health-related quality of life, mainly in children with chronic diseases. The quality of life related to oral health is thus relevant, not only for being an inseparable component of the general health but also due to the importance of oral problems in the lives of these patients. The evaluation of oral health-related quality of life in HIV infected children can be of great importance seen that these patients show high prevalence of caries and periodontal diseases besides the oral manifestations of the virus infection itself. The aim of this article is to present some concepts about quality of life and the use of instruments for its evaluation on the basis of a literature review as well as to analyze the impact of oral health on the quality of life of HIV infected children.

O estudo avaliou a adesão a um Programa de Atenção à Saúde Bucal (PASB) por crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV, bem como a atitude de seus responsáveis quanto a cuidados em relação à saúde bucal. Foram entrevistados 58 responsáveis que acompanhavam crianças e adolescentes HIV+ nas consultas médicas de rotina no ambulatório de aids, os quais foram indagados sobre os dados pessoais, adesão ao PASB ou a outros serviços odontológicos e atitudes quanto aos cuidados bucais. Aproximadamente 70% dos responsáveis disseram que a criança participava do PASB; entretanto, 20% delas não retornavam às consultas de prevenção quando solicitadas, e este retorno era menor quando os responsáveis não eram os próprios pais (p=0,036). A adesão desta população ao tratamento odontológico fora do PASB foi pequena, visto que 48% dos responsáveis relataram que a criança não concluiu o tratamento quando este não foi realizado no PASB. A atitude dos responsáveis em relação aos cuidados bucais das crianças HIV+ também não foi considerada satisfatória. Desta forma, ressalta-se a importância da inserção do odontopediatra em equipes multidisciplinares que atendem crianças e adolescentes HIV+, bem como da divulgação deste serviço para os familiares e para todas as equipes médicas envolvidas com estes pacientes.

This study aimed to evaluate the adherence to an Oral Health Program (OHP) for HIV infected children and adolescents, as well as the attitudes of their caretakers regarding oral care. A total of 58 caretakers that accompany the children in medical appointments at an AIDS ambulatory were interviewed for collecting personal data and data regarding adherence to the OHP or other odontological treatment and attitudes related to oral care. Approximately 70% of the caretakers stated that their children participated in the OHAP, however 20% of them did not return to the recall appointments; such visits were even less frequent when the caretakers were not the parents themselves (p= 0.036). The adherence of this population to dental treatment outside the OHP was small, 48% of the caretakers stated that the child did not conclude the treatment when referred to another place for treatment. The attitude of the caretakers regarding dental care of HIV+ children was not considered satisfactory. Furthermore, it is very important to have pediatric dentists in the multi-professional teams that attend HIV+ children and adolescents and to promote this program among the parents and all medical teams involved with such patients.

Em busca de uma melhora da saúde de pacientes sistemicamente comprometidos e um maior entendimento do impacto de doenças nas suas vidas, grande interesse tem sido dado à qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, principalmente em crianças com doenças crônicas. Neste sentido, a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal tem sua importância haja vista que a mesma é um componente indissociável da saúde geral e também pela relevância dos problemas orais na vida destes pacientes. Assim, a avaliação de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal em pacientes infantis infectados pelo HIV pode ser de grande relevância uma vez que estas apresentam alta prevalência de doença cárie e periodontal, além da presença de manifestações orais da própria infecção pelo vírus. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste artigo é, através de uma revisão de literatura, apresentar alguns conceitos relacionados à qualidade de vida e utilização de instrumentos de avaliação da mesma, bem como analisar o impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida de crianças infectadas pelo HIV.

The search for improvement of the health of systemically compromised patients and for a better knowledge about the impact of diseases on their lives has brought great interest for health-related quality of life, mainly in children with chronic diseases. The quality of life related to oral health is thus relevant, not only for being an inseparable component of the general health but also due to the importance of oral problems in the lives of these patients. The evaluation of oral health-related quality of life in HIV infected children can be of great importance seen that these patients show high prevalence of caries and periodontal diseases besides the oral manifestations of the virus infection itself. The aim of this article is to present some concepts about quality of life and the use of instruments for its evaluation on the basis of a literature review as well as to analyze the impact of oral health on the quality of life of HIV infected children.

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um acompanhamento descritivo retrospectivo da freqüência de manifestações bucais, da condição sistêmica e do tipo de medicação utilizada em um grupo de crianças e adolescentes infectados pelo HIV após a introdução da terapia anti-retroviral combinada. Cinqüenta e oito pacientes foram examinados em 2001/2002, enquanto seus exames médicos e odontológicos retrospectivos (1997 a 2000) foram pesquisados em prontuário. Foram observados 7 novos casos de AIDS em uma amostra de 19 pacientes, enquanto 46,5% da amostra total (n = 58) progrediram quanto à classificação da infecção pelo HIV. Não foram observadas diferenças entre as freqüências de manifestações bucais, das categorias de imunossupressão e da carga viral. O quadro de manifestações bucais no grupo de crianças e adolescentes acompanhados neste estudo manteve-se estável, mesmo após a introdução da terapia anti-retroviral combinada. Contudo, foi observada uma tendência de diminuição da freqüência de candidíase bucal e hipertrofia de parótidas.

The purpose of this study was to carry out a five-year retrospective descriptive follow-up of the oral manifestation frequency, systemic condition and type of medication used in HIV-infected children and adolescents after the introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy. Fifty-eight patients were examined in 2001/2002, and their previous medical and dental records (1997 to 2000) were researched from files. There was an occurrence of 7 new cases of AIDS in a sample of 19 children, while 46.5% of the entire sample (n = 58) progressed as to classification of HIV infection. No difference was noted among the frequencies of oral manifestations, categories of the immunosuppression and viral load categories. The oral manifestations in the group of children and adolescents followed up in this study remained stable, even after treatment with combined antiretroviral therapy. However, a downward trend in the frequency of oral candidiasis and parotid enlargement was noted.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar conhecimentos e atitudes em saúde bucal dos profissionais de educação e saúde, que atuam em um programa de atenção à criança de 0 a 6 anos de idade, portadora de necessidades especiais, em uma instituição municipal pública do Rio de Janeiro. Por meio de um formulário, foram entrevistados 67 profissionais (professoras, atendentes e profissionais de saúde). Os resultados foram comparados aos hábitos de higiene bucal das crianças, através da observação direta da rotina da creche. Embora 97,0% tenham afirmado que a saúde bucal pode interferir na saúde geral, somente 37,3% dos profissionais responderam corretamente a respeito dessa interferência. Quanto aos métodos de prevenção da cárie, 92,5% afirmaram conhecê-los, contudo somente 17,9% foram ao dentista para prevenção. A maioria (81,3%) indicou a higiene bucal como o modo de prevenir a cárie, porém a observação mostrou que nem sempre esta prática é realizada na creche. Quanto à época do início da escovação dos dentes das crianças, 75,0% das professoras e 94,4% dos profissionais de saúde afirmaram conhecer a necessidade de iniciar a escovação antes de um ano de vida, sendo essa resposta observada em somente 52,5% das atendentes (qui-quadrado, p = 0,006). Diante desses resultados, pôde-se concluir que as atitudes em saúde bucal nem sempre foram coerentes com os conhecimentos expressados por esses profissionais.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes toward oral health of education and health professionals working in a children care program for handicapped children from 0 to 6 years of age, run by a public municipal institution in Rio de Janeiro. Using a printed questionnaire, 67 professionals (teachers, attendants and health professionals) were interviewed. The results were compared to the children's oral hygiene habits, by directly observing their daily nursery routine. Although 97.0% said that oral health could play a part in general health, only 37.3% of the professionals answered correctly on this matter. As for methods for preventing caries, although 92.5% said that they were aware of them, only 17.9% went to the dentist for preventive treatment. Although the majority (81.3%) indicated oral hygiene as a way of preventing caries, observation showed that this practice is not always put into effect in the program's day nursery. Regarding when to start toothbrushing in children, 75.0% of the teachers and 94.4% of the health professionals said that they were aware of the need to begin brushing before one year of age, although this reply was given by only 52.5% of the attendants (chi-square, p = 0.006). In view of these results, it was concluded that attitudes toward oral health were not always coherent with the knowledge that these professionals express.

Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar a experiência de cárie em crianças infectadas pelo HIV, correlacionada com a classificação clínica e imunológica (CDC³, 1994). Participaram da pesquisa 92 crianças (50 meninas e 42 meninos), com média de idade de 5,77 ± 3,31 anos (6 meses a 13 anos), com diagnóstico definitivo para o HIV, todos pacientes com atendimento ambulatorial. Foi realizado exame bucal para determinar os índices ceo/CPOD e os dados de história médica foram coletados dos prontuários médicos. Na dentição decídua de crianças mais jovens (até 5 anos), apesar de a prevalência de cárie ter apresentado valores maiores naquelas mais comprometidas clínica e imunologicamente, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as diversas categorias de classificação. Nas crianças de maior idade, isto também foi observado, apesar de terem sido encontrados valores de CPOD maiores nas crianças mais doentes.

This research aims to determine the relationship between the prevalence of caries and clinical and immunological classification in HIV-infected children. Ninety-two outpatients (42 male and 50 female subjects) with definitive diagnosis of HIV infection took part in this research. The patients were examined in order to determine the prevalence of caries (dmf and DMFT indexes), and medical data were collected from their medical records. The mean age of the subjects was 5.77 years. Although no statistical differences were found, young patients (up to 5 years old) had more caries when they were more clinically and immunologically compromised. The same fact was observed regarding older children.

O objetivo deste trabalho, cruzado, duplo-cego, realizado in situ, foi avaliar o esmalte dental humano submetido a um grande desafio cariogênico após aplicação de tetrafluoreto de titânio (TiF4) a 1%. Para isso, 5 voluntários utilizaram dispositivos intrabucais superiores contendo 80 fragmentos dentais durante 2 etapas (TiF4 e Controle) de 14 dias cada, gotejando 8 vezes ao dia glicose 25%. Após o uso, o esmalte foi submetido à análise através da MEV (microscopia eletrônica de varredura) e a MDT (microdureza em corte transversal) em 5 posições até a profundidade de 100 µm da superfície anatômica do dente. Os resultados não revelaram diferença significativa entre esmalte decíduo e permanente. Os dados da MDT, submetidos à análise de variância multifatorial também não revelaram efeito significativo do TiF4, porém, através da MEV, verificou-se diferença entre TiF4 e Controle com p = 0,027 (teste do qui-quadrado). O número de lesões brandas era igual para os dois grupos, porém no Controle haviam 10 fragmentos com esmalte sem cárie e 18 com lesões severas contra 20 e 8 respectivamente do grupo TiF4. Os dados permitem sugerir que o TiF4 modificou o padrão da lesão formada amenizando-a, sendo necessários novos estudos definindo esse efeito em termos de profundidade.

The purpose of this in situ, double blind, crossover study was to compare the effectiveness of an application of titanium tetrafluoride (TiF4) on deciduous and permanent enamel submitted to highly cariogenic conditions. Five volunteers used palatal appliances with 80 sections of teeth during two phases (TiF4 and Control) of 14 days each. They dropped 25% glucose on the sections, eight times per day. After that, the enamel was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the Knoop Hardness Number (KHN) was determined at five different depths, up to 100 µm. The results revealed that differences between deciduous and permanent enamel were not significant. The KHN (Multiple Range Analysis) did not show a significant TiF4 effect, but SEM (Chi Square Test) results revealed differences between TiF4 and the Control group with p value = 0.027. There were equal numbers of incipient lesions in both groups, but there were 10 caries-free sections and 18 severe lesions in the Control group, against 20 and 8 in the TiF4 group, respectively. The findings suggested that lesions were less severe with TiF4 and that it changed the pattern of caries, but other studies are necessary to precisely define this effect, in terms of depth.